Español Black Friday has just ended, but that doesn't mean the deals are over. At this time of the year they keep coming, which is perfect to fulfill the gifts from Santa Claus or the Three Wise Men. And I'm not just saying that for poder to give to others... also to give to yourself when you don't get your gifts right.
What am I bringing today? Well "only" the Garmin Vivoactive 4 and 4S with about 80€ off their RRP. That's early, but it's more than a 25% discount.
Here is the offer for the Garmin Vivoactive 4 on Amazon Germany.
You only have to compare the price with other stores to see that the discount is significant. Maybe not the 80€ because it has already been dropping in price, but it is much lower than what 1TP10We can buy it here.
View offer at Amazon El Corte Inglés
Do you have a small wrist and prefer something a little smaller? Then you also have the Garmin Vivoactive 4S at a discounted price, with a dial diameter of 40mm (instead of the 45mm of the larger model). Although in this case the offer is less "greedy" in price, but it is interesting if you want the black color (which is not the one that is at a good price in Spain).
View offer at Amazon El Corte Inglés
If you are after a Garmin Vivoactive 4 this is your chance. This is not a one-time offer but a price drop by Amazon Germany, so I don't know how long it will be in effect.
Although it is from Amazon Germany, you can use the same account you use in Spain, the only thing you should keep in mind is that you will have to pay shipping costs, because the Amazon Prime subscription is exclusively for the country in which you are subscribed. Do not worry, they are only about 6 € of expenses, it more than compensates for the price of the watch.
And you don't have to worry about warranty. First of all because Garmin offers European warranty, so purchases in Germany are fully covered. But regardless of that, Amazon is going to supply you with an invoice from Amazon Spain (even if we buy in Germany), so you are fully covered. In fact they will most likely ship the watch directly from Amazon's warehouse in Spain.
As for the Garmin Vivoactive 4, it is the latest exponent of the "fitness" range of Garmin. It is not as focused on running and pure performance as the Forerunner, but it is perfect for those who want a watch to practice sport (and varied sports) without worrying too much about times or training load.
Compared to the Garmin FR245 (its most direct rival within the brand) the Vivoactive 4 is somewhat more complete. It has Garmin Pay for poder to make wireless payments - as long as your bank card is compatible, WiFi and music playback on all models (including synchronization with Spotify to play your lists offline).
Also barometric altimeterThe new altitude data is a great way to keep track of the number of floors climbed, so in addition to counting the number of floors climbed, you will also have real altitude data while you are training.
What it doesn't have over the iconic Forerunner are advanced training metrics and route navigation, although you do have the option of using Connect IQ apps.
Which one is the most recommendable? As I say if you are a pure runner and you mark your season based on goals for different races probably the Forerunner is a better option. But if what you like is to practice sport in general (gym, swimming, some running, walking, etc) the Vivoactive 4 will leave you totally satisfied and you have those other added benefits.
Anyway, this is a quick summary. If you want to know all the details, the best thing to do is to take a look at the complete test where you will see all the features that you must take into account of the Garmin Vivoactive 4.
>> Review Garmin Vivoactive 4
So you know, if the Vivoactive 4 fits what you are looking for take advantage of the offer, because it is frankly good.
Do you have a question regarding the Garmin Vivoactive 4 that you need answered? Use the comments below and ask away, I'll get back to you in a matter of minutes.
And with that... thanks for reading!
The guarantees are the same if you buy it from amazon Italy or Spain?
Congratulations on your analysis!
Exactly the same. In fact, the bill for the watch is issued by Amazon Spain, not Amazon Italy. But regardless of that, they are European guarantees.
Where is the best place to buy a Garmin 245 Music? I'm going to use it mainly for swimming, running on a treadmill and some weights, but I see that there isn't one on Amazon: neither at a competitive price, nor with Prime...
Greetings and thank you!
Amazon doesn't have it. Right now the best offer for the 245th is on RunnerInn.
Is it a reliable website? Do you think it will go down more in the face of Black Friday? The truth is that it's a good price on that website.
Totally, I only put offers from websites where I have bought before and in RunnerInn (and others of the same "chain") I have bought on several occasions.
I don't have much hope that FR245 will be one of the models being promoted on Black Friday. Usually the offers are aimed at models with more time on the market.
Thank you very much for your reply, how is Deporvillage to buy? That's where I've seen the lowest price so far. My main concern is that it has already been opened and does not come "sealed". Do you know if it is a good store and if, both Runnerinn and Depovillage are about sealed products?
I will use it mainly for swimming, but I see that the Garmin Swim 2 is even more expensive than this 245 (without music) and for a little more than 250 I take the music.
I'm not a pro or anything, I just want it on a motivational level and for not going blindly swimming. Sleep control, stress... can also be good.
Greetings!
Anywhere you're going to have your watch sealed and unused, that's no problem.
It all depends on whether you are going to swim in open water. If not, both the 245 and the Vivoactive 3 are perfectly suitable, which you will have at a reduced price on Black Friday. There is just over a week left...
And remember, by buying through the links I put up you will be helping the site!
No, it's just for swimming in the pool. But the Garmin Vivoactive doesn't convince me as much: it's bigger, heavier and, above all, it's tactile. And sweat and water are not very friendly to touch screens.
Through which links can I buy?
Greetings!
Yes, I won't deny you that depending on which situations it is better to have buttons (I certainly prefer it).
All the links that I publish in the tests, or the ones that appear in the different articles that will go out for Black Friday, are the ones that include the affiliation system. You don't pay more, but the seller gives a small commission which is what comes back.
Hello again Eduardo!
First of all, congratulations as always on your magnificent work.
I have an 820 and vivoactive 3. As every year at this time I take the opportunity to renew and buy offers using your links, so for this year I thought to sell what I have, 820 and vivoactive 3 and get the fenix 5 plus, which I guess and hope that with the arrival of the fenix 6 will be in range.
You who have experience in this. Do you think they'll go under 400?
Do you see it as a good option?
I mainly do cycling, mtb, and sometimes shooting maps for research or race reconnaissance. I will also use it for gymnastics, some running, but few.
Greetings and look forward to your response and offer links.
I think so, that this year it will be the turn of the Fenix 5 Plus because the Fenix 5 is starting to be scarce everywhere. 400-420 would be a good price to consider.
As a cheaper option to have maps it is a very good option. As I indicated in the Fenix 6 test, at similar price it is clear that the new one is much better option, but when the different offers come into play it is something else. From about 150 Euros of separation I would opt for the 5 Plus.
Thank you very much for your answer.
I'm sure the Phoenix 6 Pro is much better than the 5-plus.
But comparing the Phoenix 6 (just) with the 5 plus? with similar prices, you would also get the 6 even if it doesn't have maps or wifi?
Thank you very much in advance for your great work.
No, if you want maps, the Fenix 5 Plus is a better option. Another thing is that you don't care about maps and music, then I would opt for the 6.
I don't care about music, but I do like maps and wifi.
Another option I'm considering is to get a 530, today it was at 215 euros, but I was late, and vivoactive 4, which was at 220 in Amazon Italy, I thought about it and when I went to buy it I had already gone up.
So I'm waiting for good offers whether it's 830, 530,... and a more normal watch or concentrate it all on a fenix 5 plus. It's for mostly mtb bikes and gym use.
Greetings
So keep an eye on the website, in a little more than a week I'll start the Black Friday offer week
That of course, these days I make more than one visit a day and the bad thing is that I'm one of those who, as soon as they see offers, first I buy and then I think what I want it for.
Between 530 and 830 I will notice a lot of difference if I opt for 530, especially in the use of maps.
Greetings
The difference is that on the 830 you can enter the address you want to go to, and it will create the route for you. With the 530 you can't do that, you have to create the route with your mobile or point it at the map using the keys. But the maps are the same in both cases, and the navigation is the same too.
Hello,
I think that, as a runner, I will choose to buy the FR 245 at the Blackfriday... but I would like to have some precise review about the new xiaomi (mainly the stratos 3), which was with the Singleday under 170 euros... Some review about it. Thank you
You have the Stratos 2 test, which is basically the same thing but with one less button: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/xiaomi-amazfit-stratos/
Hello, I'm telling you my experience with the Vivoactive 4s, since this is the last entry about this model.
I've had 3 units in 3 months and just now I've returned the last one and asked for a refund because I've been totally freaked out by this model.
With the first one, one day suddenly, it was impossible to turn on the bluetooth again. The icons on the Clock appeared as if it was on but the mobile phone did not detect it. After many checks the conclusion was that it was not really activated.
With the last two I have had serious battery problems. Unexplainable things like the percentage going up suddenly without plugging it in, or the fact that in one charge it lasted 6 days and in the next three or 2 days. The general rule was a battery life of less than 3 days without using neither bluetooth, GPS, activities and with the default watch face.
For me, unacceptable on a 300-euro watch.
Now Eduardo, I throw you a question, what do you recommend me with a 40mm dial, as less "plasticy" as possible and with a better battery?
A salute.
In 40mm there's nothing. You'd have to go at least a 42mm Fenix 5S Plus or Fenix 6S.
Good afternoon Eduardo, according to your experience, do you think that the offer of the Vivoactive 4 from amazon Germany (212,90€) is good? Or can I wait to see if it goes down more during this month, I'm not in a hurry for it already.
Thank you, great job
Thank you Jose Angel
Yes, the offer is genuinely good. In fact it has never been at this price before.
Cheaper? I don't see it. Note that the Vivoactive 3 is at 160€.
Hello Eduardo. First of all, congratulations for the great work you do. It is a delight to read your reviews and especially the answers you give to people's questions.
Now it's my turn to tell you my story.
I come from a Vivoactive 3, which for the last few years has done quite well the function for which I bought it.
I run 2 or 3 days a week (mountain and road). I go mountain biking another couple of times a week (or one at least on the weekend). This confinement touched a lot of cardio at home, and I also like to log walks with the family. Since I'm a fellow countryman of yours and have the ocean nearby, this summer I got a paddle surf board, which I also got a lot of use out of. As you can see, I like to wiggle and record the wiggle, although nothing too pro. It is true that before the pandemic, I was signing up for popular races, and the truth is that the inertia was to "compete" every time a little more.
The Vivoactive 3 has reached the time to retire. The battery no longer lasts a day, the barometer is broken (I've tried to calibrate it but it won't work), and a few pixels on the screen have melted (this is more aesthetic than anything else, because you can still see all the information).
So, I'm looking for something with a barometer, a half-decent battery and a paddle surf profile. I don't listen to music when I go out, and I always carry my cell phone with me in case something happens (I go out alone and sometimes to lost places). That's why NFC or music playback doesn't interest me.
I know that the Vivoactive 4 would cover my needs, but I have seen an offer for the FR935 for 299€ and I wanted to know your opinion.
The advantages of the VA 4, apart from the price, such as the new pulse sensor and new GPS chip I know (I've been reading you for a while :)), but I don't think they compensate for the bigger battery and options that the FR935 has. I know that the FR plays in another league, and that many of those extra options it has I won't use them, but having them can always help motivate you to go for more.
Another issue is the VA 4's touchscreen, which while for a smartwatch use is comfortable, for sports use and water activities, it is rather a nuisance (I discovered it when I started paddle surfing).
In short, is the new optical pulse sensor worth opting for the VA 4?
For around 250€ I have also seen offers of the FR645, but it also has the old pulse sensor and the charging socket is also of the old ones.
The FR935 offering is from Lord Gun Bicycles, do you have a reference for this site? I from what I have podido look at they seem to work well.
I have only looked at GARMIN, because after an activity tracker and the VA 3, I am quite used to garmin connect, but I would not rule out other options in the range of between 250€ and 300€ maximum.
Thank you very much for your help and best regards.
Thank you, Paul.
From what you indicate, I think that the use you are going to make of the Vivoactive 4 and the FR935 is going to be exactly the same. The 935 logically has more functions and possibilities, but if you are not going to use them, you are paying more for not poder take advantage of them.
I think that in the end everything should be determined by whether you want more or fewer buttons, but mainly to aesthetics. Saving the issue of the buttons (which in the Vivoactive 4 with two buttons is quite better resolved than in the 3), I think that for your use the Vivoactive is going to be a watch that fits you better.