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 | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated November 28th, 2016 @ 8:29 am New Window | ||
Price | $249 | $169 (on sale) |
Product Announcement Date | Oct 27th, 2014 | January 5th, 2015 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Dec 10th, 2014 | March 2015 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | Bluetooth Smart | USB, BLUETOOTH SMART |
Waterproofing | ATM5 (~50m), but no swimming | 50 meters |
Battery Life (GPS) | 10 hours GPS on (5-7 days in time/step mode) | 10 hours GPS on |
Recording Interval | 1-second | Smart Recording (Variable) |
Alerts | Yes | Vibrate/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Good | Good |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | Music | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Can control phone music | No | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | No | No | Connectivity | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Text and Call notifications only | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | No | Yes |
Group tracking | No | |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | Cycling | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | N/A | With some Connect IQ apps (but cannot record data) |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | N/A | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | No |
Crash detection | No | Running | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | NO, HAS INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | No |
VO2Max Estimation | No | No |
Race Predictor | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | No | No |
Run/Walk Mode | No | Yes | Swimming | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for swimming | No | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | N/A | No |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | N/A | Yes |
Record HR underwater | N/A | No |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | No |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | N/A | No |
Indoor auto-pause feature | N/A | No |
Change pool size | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | N/A | 17M/18Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | N/A | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | N/A | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | N/A | Yes | Triathlon | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Designed for triathlon | No | No |
Multisport mode | No | No | Workouts | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Create/Follow custom workouts | No | No |
On-unit interval Feature | No | No |
Training Calendar Functionality | No | No | Functions | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Auto Start/Stop | No | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | Only on Garmin Connect |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | No | Via Connect IQ app | Navigate | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | No | No |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No |
Back to start | No | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | No | Sensors | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | GPS |
Compass Type | N/A | GPS |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | YES | No |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Contains optical HR SENSOR | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | No | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | No | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | No | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | No |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | No |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | No |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | No | Yes for Garmin VIRB |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | no |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | No |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | Yes (Tempe) | Software | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
PC Application | Windows/Mac | Garmin Express |
Web Application | Yes | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | Purchase | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Amazon | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Fitbit Surge | Garmin Vivoactive |
Review Link | Link | Link |