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Add to SafariWhen comparing Garmin Vivosmart vs MIO Link, the Slant community recommends MIO Link for most people. In the question“What are the best heart rate monitors?” MIO Link is ranked 3rd while Garmin Vivosmart is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose MIO Link is:
The Link is simple and easy to use, but doesn't come with the more hardcore options that an advanced user would look for.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Smartwatch-like functionality
Vivosmart is capable of showing smartphone notifications and control music playback.
Pro Logs exercise
Pro Week's battery life
Pro Some customization options
Pro Displays time
Pro Good step counter
Pro Good for the casual user
The Link is simple and easy to use, but doesn't come with the more hardcore options that an advanced user would look for.
Pro Customizable bands
The hardware is removable, so you can swap the bands for whichever color you prefer.
Pro Tough and comfortable
It's made from a single, strong plastic band that won't snap or break. The strap feels soft and stretches slightly, and includes clasp holes along the length of the band so you can set it exactly how tightly or loosely you want.
Pro Easy to check heart rate mid run with a built in LED system
The Link comes with an LED that gives you a different color depending on where your heart rate is at. This makes checking your heart rate a lot easier as you don't have to stop and pull your phone out, or risk dropping it while you're running.
Pro Connects via Bluetooth and ANT+, so you have a wide variety of connection options
The Link can be paired with any app that supports a heart rate monitor and does so via either Bluetooth 4.0 or ANT+, whichever you prefer. It can feed information to either your phone, a GPS watch, or even your bike computer.
Pro Small and light
It has a focus on being small and comfortable, and definitely hits that mark. It measures about 20mm across, and weighs in at around 30 grams.
Cons
Con Companion app is difficult to use
The way the information is presented is confusing and incoherent and there's no logical way to find necessary information.
Con No activity autodetection
Vivosmart does not automatically detect when you start to walk or run, you have to start and stop activity manually.
Con Reps counting feature does not work for some exercises
Reps counting feature is not reliable, sometimes it misses few reps and with some exercises it can count 1 rap, even if you did 10 reps for example. And it can't detect when you start the exercise, so you have to start and stop the counter manually. In practice I frequently forget to start and to stop the counter so after some time I simply sopped using this feature.
Con Difficult to check current time because display most of the time is turned off
In order to turn on the display, for example to see current time, you need to raise you hand and after some delay display some times turns on, sometimes not.
Other option is to double tap the display, which requires both hands.
If you frequently checking current time, it is really annoying.
Con App requires you to provide personal data in order to work
You have to register in the app providing information about your age, gender and weight.
Con App does not work without internet connectivity
It is not possible for example to enter your weight if you are not connected to the internet.
Con No GPS data is collected
Con Decent battery life, but doesn't hold up to the competitors
On a full charge the Link should last you around 8-10 hours of usage. When taken into consideration that this is simply a HRM, that's not so bad, but it still doesn't hold a candle to some of its competitors.
Con Accuracy can leave something to be desired
Under lab conditions, the Link has been shown to be accurate within -27 BPM to +29 BPM. If you're looking for accuracy, you'd be better off with a chest strap HRM than the Link.
Con Doesn't read your heart rate so well underwater
The Link is designed for runners, so the accuracy while swimming leaves much to be desired. You'd be better off with a HRM designed specifically for the water.
Con Uses a proprietary charging dock, so you have limited charging options
Unfortunately, you can't use any old QI charger to charge the Link. It comes with its own charging dock, and that's all you can use.
