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Garmin brings GPS to an activity band with the Vivosmart HR+

Garmin continues to fill out its fitness lineup, this time by adding GPS to an activity tracker. Casual runners will appreciate this functionality, available at a reasonable price.
Written by Matthew Miller, Contributing Writer
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(Image: Garmin)

Garmin continues to fill out its vast product line, this time adding GPS to its Vivosmart band with the Vivosmart HR+. Runners who want a sleek band form factor, rather than a full watch, will appreciate this new offering at $219.99.

The Vivosmart line took the Vivofit activity tracker band and added in smartphone notifications. The Vivosmart HR integrated a wrist-based heart rate monitor. Now the Vivosmart HR+ adds in a GPS receiver and the latest tech to the Garmin activity tracking line.

The Vivosmart HR+ is available in black/gray, purple, and blue. The Vivosmart HR+ has a 160x68 pixels display, is water resistant to 5 ATM so you can take it swimming or in the shower, weighs in at just over an ounce, and connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone to provide smart notifications.

It is designed to track your activity 24/7 for up to five days between charges. In GPS run tracking mode, you can expect up to eight hours of battery life. The GPS data captured by the Vivosmart HR+ can be viewed on your smartphone or on the Garmin Connect website after your run.

These new Garmin devices can track floors climbed, intensity minutes, automatic sleep tracking, and more. The ability to use this lightweight, sleek activity tracker with GPS should appeal to many people who want a small device at a reasonable price. I personally like my chunky Garmin Fenix 3 HR, but think this small Vivosmart HR+ is a very attractive option.

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