I am not sure if Garmin 25 years before imagined the world as we live in today. They were a company developing GPS unit that pinpoints location rather than consumer goods like smartwatch. But it is clear that if they had not developed location tracking technology back then, they would not have the numerous Garmin fans they have now. Outdoor activity lovers, whether it be marathoners, golfers, or cyclers, acknowledge Garmin’s navigation and smartwatch because they know it has superior technology in location tracking.

However, Garmin’s concern surface when it is put to an environment where professional equipment is not a necessity. It is because Garmin products with professional edge is too much for leisurely use. Precise location tracking, durable build, long battery life are features that would each bring superb review by itself but the watch is not as easy as that of Apple, Samsung, or others in terms of build or price. Thus from a consumer’s perspective, it is quite relieving to find the Vivoactive Series for a quick workout and everyday use.

Unique ecosystem of Garmin smart watch

Almost all smartwatches reviewed here adopt well-known OS and parts. Most of the makers are familiar. But Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music hardly has common features with previously reviewed smartwatches. Except for the fact that they all come in the form of a watch.

First, it is difficult to identify spec such as processor performance, RAM capacity, or OS of Vivoactive 3 Music. It gives an illusion that they will not highlight the identity of the parts. At the same time, it hints that manufacturers of the parts and OS are makers without great name value.

The only identifiable spec is the display. Screen size is 1.2 inch, pixel is 240×240. Screen is not very big, and the display does not have as much pixel to be satisfied with. In other words, pixel density is low compared to the screen size and it fails to show letters elaborately and reads rough. The color display is not as brilliant or sharp as other smartwatches.

But we cannot blame the display. The memory LCD technology has its edge. Once the information is displayed, pixel remembers it as e-ink. It will save power even when the display is switched onto color screen all day long. The pixel will change only for areas with new information which makes it energy efficient. I am sad for the small pixel but the gain is big enough to cover my sadness. It puts me in an awkward position to criticize while giving credit to Vivoactive 3 Music. In any case, it would be foolish to expect a fancy spec to Vivoactive 3 Music.

A bottom side of Vivoactive 3 Music. Heart rate sensor is slightly popped out in the center, and the terminal that connects the cable is revealed.

Similar but unfamilar control

Vivoactive 3 Music is, among all Garmin smartwatches, has less radical or rather a modest face. Black bezel and gold index surrounding round display is not flashy but reduces flatness. Gold buttons mix well with the blue toned main body. But using polymer plastic for the body fails to give a highly luxurious feel. The bottom where heartbeat sensor is located has various information engraved.

Vivoactive 3 Music is lightweight at first glance, and it feels just as light on the wrist. Garmin must have minimized weight factors as the main body material and battery. Due to its lighter weight, Vivoactive 3 Music was not at all inconvenient during all day activities. You wouldn’t even notice wearing a watch during sleep. The watch strap is elastic but I was more convenient when the strap was slightly loose around the wrist than strapping it tight.

I put on the watch and tapped the screen and was not very pleasant with an odd feeling of familiarity. It must be the difference in the interface and speed because the touch panel itself was not very different from other smartwatches. It is easy to understand swiping up or down to come back to the main screen but the response when swifting to and fro screens was not fast enough.

Also, pushing one button for different length of time to activate sports mode or setup mode and other function was quite frustrating. I understand it is inevitable when we have one button to function for two. However, I could not help my frustration buildup when the watch starts sports mode when I try to get to setup menu or vice versa. I wish I could not repeat the same comment about slow response speed and control in next series.

Feature select screen of Vivoactive 3 Music to turn off the power, go to settings, or control a music player.

Exercise listening to music, impressive power saving and stamina

Vivoactive 3 Music means music is added to previously released Vivoactive 3. Most of the smartwatches today can carry music in their devices therefore music playing cannot be touted as a specialty, instead we can say Vivoactive 3 is enhanced with a feature it lacked. Note that a bluetooth earbud is must as the watch has no speakers. Any bluetooth earbud will play music without signal delay or lags once it is paired with Vivoactive 3 Music.

You can use Garmin Express program on your computer to copy and download music files to the device. Or you can subscribe to Spotify or Line Music and use the APP from Garmin Store to add music. However, it was frustrating to find out that no other app but Deezer works in Korea. My solution is to give up the smartphone app. If you have the music downloaded to your device, you can listen to music during exercise without hassle and without your smartphone.

You don’t need to worry about battery when listening to music during exercise. Unless you are exercising for more than five hours. Practically speaking, one of the strong points of Garmin smartwatch is battery life. Compared to other Garmin products that one charge lasts as long as one month, Vivoactive 3 with one week per charge battery life is hardly impressive. But is still impressive when other brand smartwatches would only last two to three days when the watch face is turned off. It is certainly nice to forget about charging the watch for tomorrow. Obviously there is a situation when batteries are consumed at a lightning speed. It is when you use GPS. Battery will disappear as if the water boils and evaporates into the air when you turn on GPS mode during golf game to pinpoint your location. You could use the GPS for few hours but to use it in daily life, not during exercise, is poison. Turn off the GPS, turn on the heart rate sensor and color screen, and you would be using approximately 15% of the battery for 24 hours. Why turn on the GPS when you don’ t need it? I would recommend to save it for necessary situation.

Vivoactive 3 Music supports multi-language settings.

Functions optimized for Korea is necessary

Vivoactive 3 Music gives you a badge when you reach your workout goal for walking or running in everyday life. It is a pat on the back. It is not bad to boost my morale. I also like the alarm to stand up and move around when I have been sitting in my chair without moving for some time. The device delivers alarms from linked smartphones other than those mentioned. But the alarm needs to specify vibration pattern or strength according to the type of alert. Practically, it is a waste to look at the smartwatch at a vibration alarm of messages when I cannot or do not want to wake up.

But these alarms are not as uncomfortable as functions not available in Korea. It is frustrating to find apps not available in Korea, as Spotify. And the range of apps a user can select for function is already limited. Garmin Pay for Vivoactive 3 Music is just a pie in the sky. Garmin can do more in optimizing functions other than localization in Korean. In addition, there were several watch faces that can be downloaded but the variety is very limited compared to other smartwatches since the platform is not open.

Despite of several shortcomings, Vivoactive 3 Music in daily life helps me clearly relieve couple of concerns. The watch screen is always on and I don’t have to plug the device into charge cable for tomorrow. Also, most apps are closely connected to sport activities or health and equipped with related functions. If I was an avid swimmer, I would have more comments on the water-resistant feature under 5ATM. Garmin product’s edge are more visible for activities.

Strengths

• Light and comfortable wear
• Long battery life lasting more than a week
• Equipped with sport related apps
• Accurate location tracking and water-resistant under 5ATM

Weaknesses

• Low density display
• Slow screen response and closed app ecosystem
• Lack of variety in watch faces