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Garmin introduced a brand new health watch at present, the Vivoactive 6. Its predecessor, the Vivoactive 5, is my choose for the most effective smartwatch to interchange a Fitbit (beating out the Pixel Watch 3), and, when you ask me, it is the most underrated system within the Garmin lineup. The Vivoactive 6 is poised to be even higher, including a couple of new options, together with a “good wake” alarm and on-watch teaching for strolling and energy coaching.
The Vivoactive 6 might be accessible for preorder on April 4, with a advised retail value of $299.99, the identical preliminary value because the Vivoactive 5. (Should you’re trying to economize by going with the older mannequin, the Vivoactive 5 is at the moment on sale for round $219—a superb deal on what continues to be an amazing health watch.)
What sort of watch is the Vivoactive 6?
The Vivoactive 6, just like the 5 earlier than it, is greatest described as a health watch. It’s not as sport-specific as one thing like a Forerunner, which is made particularly for runners, or an Intuition, which is made for people who find themselves out mountain climbing within the woods on a regular basis.
The Vivoactive 6 is extra of a contemporary, on a regular basis watch, with an AMOLED (smartphone-like) touchscreen and a light-weight plastic physique that strikes a center floor between sporty and trendy. It measures 42 millimeters diagonally, which is on the smaller aspect for smartwatches. It’s roughly the identical dimension because the Venu 3S and the Forerunner 265S, that are the smaller variations of their respective strains.
Along with the touchscreen, the Vivoactive 6 nonetheless has two buttons, so that you’re not depending on the touchscreen throughout actions. (This can be a main plus for any health or sports activities watch.) It’s undoubtedly extra fitness-focused than a real smartwatch (like an Apple Watch), with its built-in health options accessible only a swipe or button press away from the house display screen.
What’s new on the Vivoactive 6?
The scale, form, and normal specs of the Vivoactive 6 are similar to the Vivoactive 5. Colours have been barely up to date: there are nonetheless black and white fashions, however lavender and navy are out and peach and olive inexperienced are in. The brand new Vivoactive 6 has 8 GB of storage, double what the Vivoactive 5 had. It additionally has a gyroscope, the higher to detect motion.
Past these modifications, there are a couple of actually glorious options which might be fully new to the Vivoactive 6. Right here’s a tour.
Good wake alarm
As an alternative of simply setting a time you’d wish to get up, the brand new good wake alarm function will allow you to set a window of time, and the watch will search for “lighter sleep phases” throughout that window to wake you with a vibration. (The handbook for the Vivoactive 6 will not be on-line but, however that’s the way it was described in a press launch.)
Every day advised exercises for strolling
Garmin’s operating watches have lengthy supplied “every day advised exercises” (DSW, we Garmin-heads name them) for operating and biking. The Vivoactive 5 didn’t have any DSW, and the Vivoactive 6 nonetheless doesn’t have them for operating or biking—however it does have DSW for strolling.
What do you assume to date?
Coached operating and energy packages
The Vivoactive 6, not like the 5, provides you entry to Garmin Run Coach and Garmin Energy Coach. The operating coach is much like the DSW for operating, however they’re viewable in your telephone. (I’ve ideas on Garmin’s run teaching.) From my expertise with the Forerunner watches, you can’t use each a run coach and a energy coach on the similar time.
The Vivoactive 5 solely had run teaching by means of the “skilled” plans (the place you select Coach Amy, Coach Greg, or Coach Jeff). The Vivoactive 6 nonetheless has these too.
Improved navigation
The Vivoactive 6 can navigate with Beidou and QZSS networks, along with the same old GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO.
Crimson shift mode
If it’s worthwhile to use your watch in low-light environments, you possibly can shift the show to a dim red-on-black mode to offer your eyes a relaxation.
Extra exercise modes
The brand new exercise modes embrace (this isn’t a full listing) mobility, monitor run, path run, impediment operating, horseback using, golf, mountaineering, disc golf, archery, gravel biking, cyclocross, kayaking, browsing, snorkeling, motorcycling, ATVing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and inline skating.
