Garmin Vivoactive 4S Silver/Gray 40mm

2 Years ago I bought a Fitbit Ionic, beautiful thing, I was able to exercise super with it, but after 14 months it gave up the ghost, black screen, no longer turned on. Got a new one, and it lasted another 10 months, but it didn't feel like it anymore during a workout. Pretty frustrated email sent to Fitbit, helped quickly and even though I was just 4 days (!) out of warranty, I got a new one out of leniency. But I was done with Fitbit so a search for a new sports watch started: Samsung? Yes, beautiful but also a striking screen, big thing too and a bit flashy and I didn't want that.... Polar? No, not my taste, I don't like design and the eye wants something, but it doesn't have to stand out. Garmin? Yes! Nice design, reliable brand in GPS systems and the reviews promised a lot. Then the choice between V4 and Venu, the Venu has an Amoled screen and although I was used to the Ionic with the clear screen, I didn't need that for those 80 euros more. The LCD reflection screen of the V4 seemed nice to me, especially with sunlight it is a godsend, the brighter the light, the better it is readable. In the dark, the backlight is also fine, but don't expect fancy colors. So, ordered. And as it goes with Coolblue, fast delivery, same day delivery if you want and that happened. In the evening play with that thing a bit, adjust settings etc. etc. It all looked fine, had to get used to the screen but I have to say that after 3 weeks I didn't miss the Ionic anymore, the V4 is a really nice thing to have on your wrist! The first running session went well, GPS was fast, heart rate measured neatly, split times too, etc. etc. In my opinion it was all much more extensive and nicer than the Fitbit ...... Until the update came! After that, I don't think it made any sense anymore, at least I think it started after the update. During an hour-long workout in which there was intensive training with different workouts and running, the heart rate did not exceed 110. You have a nice sports heart then you would say, yes nice, but normally I was around 160 when I really had to catch my breath, seems pretty normal to me. But yeah, maybe it's just me, thing not right on my wrist or leds dirty, I know. Next workout again, everyone was on 500 calories at the end, I just got to 220.....that's strange. Checked settings, exchanged watches with others, and yes, heart rate went straight to 140 during a workout while the other got stuck at 95 with my watch. Called Garmin support, what a drama. I didn't say that quickly, but after an hour and a half (!) on hold I was a bit done with it, sent an email, which I had already done 3 weeks earlier with a simple question to which I never got an answer. Tried to call again in the afternoon at 15:20, after all they can be reached until 16:00 and who knows, maybe I'll get through it now. No, automatic band with the message that they can only be reached until 4:00 pm, hilarious, at a company that works with GPS they have forgotten that it is winter time now! Finally called Coolblue, waiting time of 2 minutes, friendly and helpful lady on the phone, I get a new one. Don't like it either? Money Back! I hope the new one does well because I think it's a fantastically beautiful watch with many possibilities. Until then the Ionic but again, absolutely not a bad thing if it continues to do it........

The quality is excellent, fits nicely and firmly together. It feels, despite the very light weight, quite premium. Very comfortable to wear. The strap is very elastic but does not wick away sweat. The screen is not what everyone is used to. Garmin uses their transflective technology, which is basically an LCD screen with a reflective background, eliminating the need for backlighting during the day. In fact, the more (sun)light, the clearer the screen (this is completely the opposite of what you are used to on your mobile phone). Illumination of a screen is what consumes the most, so this technology allows to always leave the screen on without using a battery. The downside is that the colors are really faded. There is the option of background lighting in case of dark surroundings, but then the colors are completely gone. Despite the low resolution, the screen is clear. You should do some research to see if the screen is suitable for you. If not, the Garmin Venu is the same as this one but with amoled screen. In addition to a heart rate monitor, there is an oxygen meter on board, but it consumes 6%/hour, the clock must be at heart level and you are not allowed to move. Totally pointless during the day, unless for a manual snapshot. At night you meet the majority of the conditions, so you can choose to measure the oxygen only at night. Battery drain is a pity, so that sensor is off for me. GPS, emergency button + fall detection during activity (shares your live location with configurable contacts but does NOT call the emergency services yourself), barometer, notifications all work fine. Lines of text from notifications are more than you think, you can read the entire message in one go. Clearing notifications on your clock, also cleared them on your mobile (very handy!), right for android. The Garmin Connect app on your cell phone is full of information, too much to list. If you want to know anything about your condition or exercise, it's there. I do have a hard time justifying the price unless you think through how many exercises, accompaniments, and interpretations of metrics there are, that takes a lot of man-hours. Hmmm... maybe... not... well, decide for yourself ;) It will depend on whether the promised 7-day battery is met or if I keep it up. Because I bought it for the advertised battery life. With spo2 on, it just makes it to 2 days which is way below 7 days. I am now testing without spo2. Then I'm at 1.2%/hour, which would only be 3.5 days.

It is a smartwatch with many possibilities. The battery lasts a long time and the screen is very clear. With running you can see the details well. The strap is very flexible. Also nice that you can make your own activity and put it in it. It takes a while to find how to find it again, but you get used to it. I think the only pity is that you can't set what you get a notification from. E.g. Only whatsapp and no other media.