Gday suppers , just wanted to know if anyone has any info /input on the Garmin vivoactive HR that says it has a sup and paddle app and gps was thinking of getting it over the rip curl surf watch Thanks K
I use the Garmin Fenix 3 which uses the same app and its great.
Strokes, rate, distance per stroke, hr obviously, speed, average speed, top speed, distance, time etc.
doesn't count waves caught, at least not on the Fenix so if that's what youre after... keep looking..
Select to expand quoteStumpi said..
doesn't count waves caught, at least not on the Fenix so if that's what youre after... keep looking..
I am not 100% sure about the vivoactive HR but with the Garmin 920XT you can download something called wave tracker (I think it was) in the manage apps section on Garmin Connect.
It is not really an app but gives you a field you can use as one of your screen displays, that counts waves caught, time, speed, and distance on wave for latest wave and maximums of each.
I'm fairly certain you can use it on the Fenix and I think you can on the vivoactive.
It was a nice day on Tuesday in Perth albeit a bit cold.
Thanks guys , the vivoactive HR has a built in stand alone sup app so I am going into jbstandaroundandwaithifi to hopefuly get the answers to my questions although last time I went in they couldn't show me a working one as the displays are fake because of theft and I won't hand over $400 without seeing it work
I think the Vivoactive and Fenix apps are the same. You get all the usual fitness stats plus stroke count and stroke length.
When you're out paddling or racing or whatever you would configure the screens to show whatever you're interested in (auto laps by position or distance or whatever).
The wave count thing is different to the SUP app, (and the same for RipCurl or Garmin). It's a set of data fields that get added that show the wave count, longest wave time and distance and speed). You download it from the Garmin app store and it's called BigWaveDave. A mate has the RipCurl and his wave count is always massive because he goes for lots of waves and face plants a lot.
You do tricky stuff with putting a txt file in the Garmin apps folder and it records all the wave data there so you can download it and do more stuff. It's not hard but it's not intuitive either.
I have the Fenix 3 HR and really like it. Apart from everything else it does it is wifi and bluetooth aware. I just have to choose my sport, start it and stop it. It automatically downloads to the web site when I get in range of the phone or the wifi at home.
This is the watch I am thinking about getting but none of the retailers can tell me what the app does ? But I suppose if it has a gps and is waterproof they are the main points also looks like it does stroke count but not sure this is why I hate stores like jbhifi who wouldn't even let me turn one on to see it going 
anyway cheers for all the help guys only thing stopping me now is the build quality , maybe if they let me take one out of the box they would of had a sale today .
I've got a Vivoactive HR...
As above it is useful for stroke count etc as per Stumpi's comments, but does not have a wave count or wave length etc.
Unlike the Fenix you cannot download the wave tracker app as it's not designed for the Vivoactive HR...
I was hoping there will be an update soon for tide info and wave tracker... otherwise I might just upgrade to a Fenix...
Let me know if you need to know anything else.
Cheers,Jarrod
Jarrod ,that's exactly the info I wanted Thankyou , I defenently want to go home and check my surf like some mates do with their rip curl gps watches 
I don't know how I am going to get this one past the wife now I need the more expencive Fenix 
Thanks again everyone
I have the Fenix 3 and use the wave tracker a lot, but it isn't the rip curl surf which is a dedicated surf watch. As is doesn't have a dedicated app, the best you can do is download it to a text file, not easy. I have resorted to taking a photo of the watch face before I stop the activity, otherwise the wave count data gets lost and not easily found.
So with the Fenix you will have a record of your session but no interactivity that the rip curl surf app will provide with your mates, if that is what you are chasing. Maybe Garmin will develop an app in the future, hope so. The Fenix is a great watch, I use it for many activities so it's lacking in regards to a surf app isn't a problem.
Thanks again , heart rate and motivation is of importance to me that's why I didn't just get the rip curl gps also I want one that looks like a watch because if I am spending that sort of dosh I will need to wear it all the time . I have just bought my first 14 ft'er and didn't relise I would enjoy it so much so getting further away from the dedicated surf watch
Select to expand quoteshi thouse said..
That's impressive Hilly!!! 72.4 km/h on a paddle. ??
Now that's what I call a downwinder 
Ha ha yep you get dodgy uploads from Garmin Connect to Strava sometimes. Not sure if that is the correct day been in Bali for 3 weeks so far have heaps of activities, only one week to go :(
I like the elevation gain
Hi Hilly
Did you take your Speeed to Bali
Where have you been surfing mainly
Hope you getting better weather than WA is presently
Cheers,enjoy your last week
Seems there is a sale on these right now - though DC Rainmaker says it ends today (17 July), though i assume thats USA time.
www.amazon.com/Garmin-fenix-GPS-Watch-Gray/dp/B00RY1YWSO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1468231827&sr=8-2&keywords=fenix3&linkCode=ll1&tag=dcr07-20&linkId=c5a931e7df14e287697d94f698ee81cb
Pushys have them for AUD$579 with free shipping from Brisbane, that is where I got mine. www.pushys.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=garmin+fenix+3+multisport+gps+watch+grey
And if your using it in the surf get the webbing strap so it can't be lost, buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/prod508660.html
This thread might also be useful. www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/SUP-Watch-Vs-Smart-Phone-App-for-fitness-paddling/
I just got the Garmin Fenix 3 HR yesterday after much deliberation & being a Suunto user for the past 8 years (and having worked for them) & I can honestly I'm absolutely stoked with the product... If I'd had the extra coin I would have bought the Fenix3 that reads HR off your wrist & the crystal glass lens so I didn't have to wear the HR belt & I don't want to worry about scratching the face... I did get online straight away & buy 2 glass protectors for $2.90 that will hopefully protect it as I wear my watch for sup'ing, mountain biking & running (plus I'm a Firie & things get scratched which is where my Suunto has been so good with it's crystal glass lens)
The NEW Suunto Spartan will compete with the Garmin Fenix but will be around $1000
I considered getting a Rip Curl GPS as well but I already have a RC tide watch & now with the Garmin you can still log your waves (not that I need to know how many waves I've caught because I surf everyday)
The features & app's with the Garmin are fantastic so if you a match that does everything (especially for training) you can't beat it.
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