There you will need to register in order to access your dashboard, the classic for those who know the competitors. You will find your picture from your PC or your smartphone as you wish.
After installing the Garmin connect application on my smartphone (Galaxy Note 3) I tried a Bluetooth sync, without success.
So I downloaded and installed the Garmin Express application for Windows, and then connected the Bluetooth Dongle (BT) delivered for the PC.
After creating an account, I could then connect to the PC vivofit.
The web interface provides the ability to configure when the vivofit (unit distances, date format, usual hours slept).
The interface also offered me an update of the software of the bracelet. I accepted and was sent to vivofit by BT.
I then retried connecting via my smartphone, this time it worked correctly.
It must pair the device and smartphone via the application, not via the BT settings.
I prefer to have the application on my mobile on my PC, but both work.
The features:
We find this coach the usual features
- The number of steps, with automatic progressive challenge function well enough view
- The number of steps left to do to achieve this goal
- The distance covered in Km
- Calories burned
Furthermore, the system displays the time or date.
We go from one to another via a small button located next to the screen.
First interesting thing, the screen stays on permanently, through a type of E-ink display with low consumption.
Does not look anything like that, but it can not charge the device therefore uses 2 batteries button design life of 1 year.
Then it keeps displaying the clock permanently as a watch, which is not negligible, since I withdrew my watch to replace the bracelet.
Another function, the machine displays a red bar at the top of the growing numbers based on your immobile.
She prompt you to move around and not sit for hours.
It appears after an hour and raised every 15 minutes.
To make it disappear, just move, walk, stir. Great for the office.
To switch to night mode (sleep), it takes a long press on the button, ditto for the alarm clock. Too bad, I would have liked it to be automatic because the application asks what time you fold in general.
Bluetooth is not permanent (but only compatible 4.0), it takes a long press on the button to start the sync (with PC or Smartphone), the PC dongle is provided.
I tested several such devices, and for the moment I must say I'm very positive about the functions and ergonomics.
I did some comparisons with a competitor system to control the counting of steps, and it seems quite consistent.
Finally, there is an optional device to capture the heartbeat, which can be purchased from the Garmin website.
Aesthetics:
The bracelet has a low profile (black) and also, it comes in 2 different sizes to best suit your need.
You can purchase additional bracelets of different colors on the Garmin store (not yet available at Amazon). Green, blue and purple in the desired size, but for 25 the game anyway.
The device can easily get out of the bracelet and be put in a different bracelet color to suit your mood.
Applications:
The it goes bad, say it bluntly, they are not terrible, nor the WEB version or the Smartphone version (basically the same).
I have not particularly enjoyed the sleep display which only displays if sleeping or not (read: it moves or not).
Very ergonomic and far enough from the competition, these applications need to be reviewed and improved, it is more gloomy.
But hey, it is not fatal, it is enough to make a new version, and then there still has key information and the usual functions, friends, challenges, entering the weight, reward badges
The balance sheet:
It is positive for me, although there is a job to do on applications, hardware for me is successful.
If I compare the devices I've previously used (instead of the big names in the market), I think the bracelet is performing.
Aesthetic and discreet, permanent display, no need to recharge, depending watch can be worn 24/7, not afraid of water (excluding diving), choice of bracelets colors (optional).
I still have to thoroughly test, this machine has taken the place of my watch.
Edit the 07-05-14: corrigendum, Amazon sells many optional bracelets.
Edit the 15-08-14: There have been big improvements in Android application Garmin "Connect", the dashboards are more detailed, it's going in the right direction.
