How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated April 29th, 2021 @ 5:06 am New Window | ||||
Price | $299 (on sale) | $399 | $249 | $169 (on sale) |
Product Announcement Date | JUL 10, 2012 | Feb 20, 2014 | SEPT 16, 2013 | January 5th, 2015 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | AUG 2012 | March 2014 | OCT 31, 2013 | March 2015 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB & Bluetooth Smart | USB/Bluetooth Smart | USB, Bluetooth Smart | USB, BLUETOOTH SMART |
Waterproofing | Yes - 50m | Yes - 50m | 50 Meters | 50 meters |
Battery Life (GPS) | 50 hours | 50 Hours | 10 hours | 10 hours GPS on |
Recording Interval | 1s to variable | 1S to Variable | SMART RECORDING (VARIABLE) | Smart Recording (Variable) |
Alerts | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | Vibrate/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great | Great | Good |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | No | No | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | No | No | No | Yes | Music | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Can control phone music | Yes | |||
Has music storage and playback | No | Connectivity | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes (as of Feb 2014) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Barely (Speed mode only) | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | No | Yes | No | With some Connect IQ apps (but cannot record data) |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes (full support added Sept 2013) | Yes | No | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | Running | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | Yes | Yes (also has internal accelerometer) | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | Yes | No | No |
VO2Max Estimation | No | Yes | No | No |
Race Predictor | No | Yes | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | No | Yes | No | No |
Run/Walk Mode | No | Yes (Added June 13th, 2014) | Yes | Yes | Swimming | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for swimming | No | Yes | No (protected though just fine) | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | N/A | Yes | N/A | No |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes |
Record HR underwater | No | No | No | No |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | Yes | N/A | No |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | N/A | Yes | N/A | No |
Indoor auto-pause feature | N/A | No | N/A | No |
Change pool size | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | N/A | 18m/20y to 150y/m | N/A | 17M/18Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for triathlon | No | Yes | No | No |
Multisport mode | N/A | Yes | No | No | Workouts | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes (As of Dec 6, 2013) | Yes | Yes | No |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes (As of Dec 6, 2013) | Yes | Yes | No |
Training Calendar Functionality | No | Yes (Added June 13th, 2014) | Yes | No | Functions | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No | No | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | No | Yes | Only on Garmin Connect |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | No | No | No | Via Connect IQ app | Navigate | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes | No | No | Sensors | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric | GPS | GPS |
Compass Type | Magnetic | Magnetic | N/A | GPS |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | No | No | ||
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | Yes | No | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | |||
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | |||
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | |||
ANT+ Remote Control | Yes | No (can control VIRB though) | No | Yes for Garmin VIRB |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | |||
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No | No | |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | No | No | no |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No | No | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (Tempe) | Software | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
PC Application | Basecamp | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | Garmin Basecamp (iOS) | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
Ability to Export Settings | Yes (profiles XML) | No | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Fenix | Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE | Garmin Forerunner 220 | Garmin Vivoactive |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |