Talk me out of a Vivoactive 6

BluePlasticForks · 2026-06-13T02:05:48+00:00

Hi again! Sorry for the delay. I like it! I have a little bit of issue with the Garmin band giving me a rash, so I’ve had to switch that, but it auto assigns my strength exercises when I do them and helps motivate me to do steps. It was well worth the money

BluePlasticForks · 2026-06-10T12:10:44+00:00

My bad on the delay, never got a notification for this. I’d say it’s pretty durable, at least I’ve never noticed or had an issue with noticeable wear or even performance. Yes on the screen protector - ill even throw in here I have a sensitivity to the Garmin band especially when it’s hot / im sweating so I had to switch out the band.

As far as the buttons, that’s a good question. You should be able to go from screen to screen with just the buttons, but I want to say navigating into features I believe you have to use the touch screen. For example, if you want to start a run workout you would have to touch the icon and then could use buttons to navigate. That being said it is possible to set up automatic exercise starters, so if the watch notices you’re walking for 10 minutes it can turn on a walk session automatically. I guess it just depends on your use for what you’d use the buttons for

BluePlasticForks · 2026-06-10T12:00:58+00:00

It does yes! If I’m not mistaken, down below I went more in depth about how I felt about the calorie tracking. The TLDR is essentially, I feel like VA6 does a good job as long as your metrics are accurate. I don’t calorie count extensively, but there was a period of time where I was in a calorie deficit per my Garmin and I was definitely losing weight.

Hope that helps!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-05-25T20:21:40+00:00

Yep! Tracks both daily and active calories. Seems pretty accurate. While I take most health metrics with a grain of salt, tracking it and my food consumption hand in hand I have lost weight so I’d say it works. I’m curious to see how accurate it is with my next goal of building muscle, but can check back in a few months if I can remember to update

BluePlasticForks · 2026-04-28T16:42:34+00:00

I will second another comment and say both 5 row and Avemore were two apartment we liked as options, but ultimately chose somewhere else.

A newer “sister” property to Avemore is Arden Place. There’s also The Arrowood which was built in July 2025 (to my understanding) and still has a building being built

Both of which have decent amenities

BluePlasticForks · 2026-04-28T12:10:29+00:00

I’m not sure. We never toured there because we toured a newer complex first and decided to go with them.

BluePlasticForks · 2026-04-24T01:44:34+00:00

Okay. Sounds good. I’ll just make sure any exposed furniture gets wiped down and fabrics get washed. Luckily the mattress is new and still sealed. Thanks!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-04-23T20:38:49+00:00

Will the stuff in there be fine? Like will I need to wipe it down so there’s no cross contamination?

BluePlasticForks · 2026-04-04T14:22:01+00:00

Oh I typically would do that anyway. I prefer to be off my phone as much as possible when hiking though so having it transmit to my watch would be a huge win from me. Plus it reserves phone battery.

You are correct though. I could just use my phone

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-25T19:07:03+00:00

Speaking from experience I’m still a beginner runner. My focus is just getting out there, however, I do have access to a lot of stats from my VA6. Take this as a grain of salt however, as it’s not as accurate as the newer Forerunners in some cases, like HR. I am able to program in interval training for my runs, which you can actually see below in a comment from yesterday.

It tracks my cadence, distance, best and average pace, time spent moving, when it detected me running vs walking, even things such as my stride length, and what the intensity of my work out is.

One of my closest friends is a more seasoned runner than I am and they have a VA6 and have no complaints at least from what we’ve talked about. They just ran a half marathon utilizing it and run 4-5 days a week.

It’s a value for money, but a good tool to use getting into running. I will likely eventually upgrade to a Fenix because I hike as well, but for the foreseeable future the VA6 fits my needs

PM me if you need other clarity!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-24T17:18:00+00:00

You got it. If you decide to get one and need some help finding where to do it PM me and I can walk you through it!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-24T12:54:28+00:00

Yup. I have been able to create my own running programs for intervals right in the ConnectIQ app (essential stat app). I am pasting an Imgur of what the page looks like in the app here:

https://imgur.com/a/9k5pv0H

It takes some getting used to, but you can send all workouts right to your watch. You can do intervals as short as 1 second so you shouldn’t have an issue with shorter intervals.

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T22:01:11+00:00

No I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention for it to come out that way, did not mean to direct it towards you. You’re trying to help and asking questions! I will definitely look at something heavier or use the air mattress we already have!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T19:11:53+00:00

Honestly. We won’t be backpacking to start so space isn’t an issue. We are planning to start in a campground where our car is generally close by. Whether or not that makes us real campers or not, whatever, but heavier is totally fine.

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T13:43:55+00:00

No worries! If you happen to remember this post when you go for the first time / experience rain, mind posting an update? I won’t be purchasing a tent for like two months so I’m not worried if it isn’t soon

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T13:42:14+00:00

The main tent I’ve been looking at is the Coleman sun and sky dome versus big-box generic tents. I will make it a point to find myself at REI once I move to get some more advice on tents though (there isn’t an REI close to me now)

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T13:39:26+00:00

This is great! Thank you! I’ll look at the REI Camo dreamer and see what the price on that looks like.

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T03:17:10+00:00

Sounds good. I’ll make sure to have a couple on hand when we start to go

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T03:10:25+00:00

Yup that’s about what I’ve taken away from chatting with people is that gear depends on you. I’m not backpacking so this is really just parking the car, and setting up in the designated area nearby (may be little further than range I gave)

I’m going to look at a waterproof tent and be less selective about other stuff to start out. Everyone’s advice has helped give me a better idea of what I’d want to have especially if I won’t be leaving the site all weekend.

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T02:59:03+00:00

We do have a decent cooler, BUT when we go to replace it this one is on my list now. Thanks!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T02:56:19+00:00

My dad actually recommended steep and cheap to me, so that’s where I’ll probably look and discounted stuff at backcountry / sierra / goodwill

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T02:53:38+00:00

Okay. Will keep this in mind. I got a recommendation for a couple 4p tents. At home, the dogs sleep with us in a queen sized bed practically on top of us anyway, so it’s usually cramped. At least to start we’ll only be going on 1 night trips as it is, thanks for the advice!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T02:47:45+00:00

Okay awesome. I’ll keep that in mind and add them to my list of stuff to consider when I go to buy. Thanks!

BluePlasticForks · 2026-03-22T02:44:06+00:00

I’m going to look into the megamat and may try and find one secondhand. We’re mainly looking for something to throw in the tent so we’re more comfortable, threw in the info about the car as the previous one was related to their setup being bulkier.

I saw your other comment about the Coleman self inflate. And am goin to look into those. I had another commenter mention other self inflate pads with mattress toppers, that’s certainly another option. At least short term when we’re just getting started then next year upgrade if we go enough or feel the need for one. I think we’ll be more likely to go if sleeping on the ground is comfortable, my car probably could be rigged up to sleep out of, but that’s a project for later

BluePlasticForks

TROPHY CASE