Español Accompanying the presentation of the new activity monitor Vivosmart HR This new intelligent scale arrives in a market that already has two very well established renowned representatives, such as the Withings Smart Body Analyzer and the Fitbit Ariawhich I have already presented to you full test There are other models, such as the Xiaomi scale, but where the first two stand out is in the integration of services and the exchange of data between different platforms.
With this new announcement, I ask myself one question... what has Garmin saved for 2016? In this 2015 they have presented a multitude of products, both in ranges where they had no presence (Varia lights) as pioneering products in the sector (Various radarThey have created optical sensors (Garmin Elevate) for the new Forerunner 235. They have renewed products in all sectors, from fitness to cycling to sailing. They have continued to develop their application platform Connect IQIn short, they have made an overwhelming display of muscle, making a lot of noise and constantly. And all with a purpose, that the public speaks of them (and that the media also do it). Pure marketing...
Garmin Index, the first Garmin scale
Garmin had worked with scales in the past, but not a product produced by them. A few years ago, Garmin offered scale support via ANT+ connectivity. Scales (primarily Tanita BC-1000) sent data via ANT+ to compatible clocks, which then sent the weight data when synchronized with Garmin Connect. However, this possibility has been lost over time, and new clocks (except the Epix) did not include this ANT+ profile.
Now we can forget about this process, since the synchronization is done directly between the scale and the Garmin servers. To do this, you must configure the scale's WiFi connection with your home network, and every time you get on it and weigh yourself (unless you go upstairs to dance on it), both the weight data and the rest of your physical data will be sent directly to the Internet without any intervention on your part, and you must make sure that the WiFi signal reaches your bathroom, where these devices usually reside.
In addition to measuring weight, it also analyzes other data such as body mass index, body fat percentage, water percentage, muscle mass and bone mass. It has a maximum of 16 profiles, so it can track the same number of individuals. So now the problem will be at the weighing parties you will have at home when all your friends want to go and try it out, and they will all go into your bathroom. Although according to Garmin's press statementThe 16 users are designed for sports teams or small companies that want to promote a healthier lifestyle. Well, so much for my "bathroom party" idea...
This data will be synchronised to Garmin Connect and you will be able to review it both on the web and in the mobile application, where you will be able to check the evolution of all the data.
User recognition is automatic, as each user has a specific body composition, i.e. based on weight, bone mass, percentage of fat and other data analysed at first use, you can determine who has just been on the scale, in order to assign the new results in your profile.
Garmin Index, availability, price and opinion
The Garmin Index smart scale will be available, at least in the U.S., in November. It will be available in two colors, white or black (see which one matches the shower curtains). The retail price will be 169
At this price I find it difficult to recommend Garmin Index as Fitbit Aria, for example, can be purchased today for 105 via AmazonIn the end it will all depend on whether Garmin continues to allow you to receive weight data from other platforms to Connect (for example from MyFitnessPal, which as I explained in the Fitbit Aria test we can use perfectly as a data bridge), in which case everything will be fairly even. It's true that in the case of Garmin Index there is some extra data than that offered by Fitbit Aria, but I don't find it very relevant. I'm interested in knowing my weight data and, additionally, fat percentage. And always remembering that the fat percentage is a mere estimate and has no greater use than being able to see a trajectory in time, beyond the data itself.
As for the rest, BMI is merely a mathematical formula that does not take into account many variables beyond weight and height (not physical constitution). I do not see what relevance bone mass can offer us, as I understand that it is more of a medical value and as such should be treated, with medical measuring instruments.
The only value I can give some importance to is the muscle mass, at least to determine if the weight gained or lost has been fat or muscle, although we can already know that with the trend of the percentage of fat. But nothing prevents Fitbit from providing that data through an update, since the measurement system is the same (electrical current from one electrode to another).
There are many scales, with a variety of data measurements. Some give more data and others give less. Where the key is in the services offered, both on the own platform and when sending that data to other platforms. And this is where Garmin must work, in the software section, to justify that investment of 169.
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https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0177X5ARK&tag=c1mes-21
Hi, I follow you in your Twitter and I enter from time to time in your page, great work yours... I wanted to ask you since I want to buy a scale which you would recommend me... I am between the Fitbit, the withings or the garmin ... but of course I spend that money and that it does not give you all the values like the garmin nose... please help me!
If you're a Garmin user, I'd choose the Index to keep all your data in one place.
If the platform is not decisive, I think that the best quality/price ratio is that of Fitbit (of which you can find proof).
Hello again Eduardo, I do not have garmin platform as I have a suunto ambit 2. I would like the scale to integrate with the health application(iPhone) but it is what I say to you, since I make that outlay I would like to have data as % water % muscle and all these..it is a pity that the withings or the aria do not give them I do not understand, hence my doubts ... I have not seen opinions of the accuracy of the garmin ... A greeting
All weight data (percentage of fat, muscle, water, etc.) are only estimates, which means that the data is not exact, but it can be useful when establishing a trend.
Right now, the most data is coming from Garmin, but the information they can provide to Apple Health is, if things haven't changed, only weight (and synchronizing through MyFitnessPal).