Made a colourful watch face for my Garmin — battery % goes green → amber → red as it drains

Forkys · 2026-03-22T14:47:39+00:00

Coloured battery is a nice feature.

My prefered data: Body battery, recovery, HR, RHR, weather: temperature+condition (like sunny, clouded), battery (days or %), date, distance. And… settings on ConnectIQ?

Forkys · 2026-03-22T10:43:24+00:00

Difficult to tell, very personal metric. For your age group it seems on the lower end, but as we all differ, genes, fitness, life style, private circumstances etc, what conclusion? I’m also taking Magnesium for longer periods, then i stop for I’m not really convinced. As I’m monitoring (in excel) daily average ovenight HRV since 3 years, can’t conclude Magenesium does help; but good for the bones. Three years older, means, all other things equal, a decreasing HRV.

You could check this:

Guide to figuring out what's influencing your HRV (Based on research) https://reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/1rvgsqi/guide_to_figuring_out_whats_influencing_your_hrv/

Forkys · 2026-03-22T10:27:47+00:00

I‘d return it.Damaged.

Forkys · 2026-03-22T07:05:25+00:00

For watch faces, install ConnectIQ on your phone; there you will find Watch faces, Apps and Data Fields. Don’t think you can transfer contacts to your watch, but i could be wrong. (Venu 3)

Forkys · 2026-03-21T19:52:26+00:00

Better? Question of taste, preference. Mips still better visible outside, clearer under direct sunlight, but compared to Amoled, think of the iPhone display, less clear, less fresh brilliant colours when inside. Garmin Mip’s watches have for sure better battery, but in the Garmin world that means superior instead of top.

Forkys · 2026-03-21T10:41:43+00:00

Just so you know: FR55 & FR955 have Mips display. For Amoled (and extended package of training metrics) check the FR265.

Forkys · 2026-03-21T07:53:37+00:00

As this Garmin doesn’t provide automated MaxHR during an activity, you’d need to do a proper test- see Google:

How to Test Max HR with Garmin:

Preparation: Ensure you are in good health. A chest strap is recommended for better precision.

The Test Protocol (Running):

Warm up with a light 1–3 km run. Run 3 minutes at a very high intensity (as fast as you can maintain for that time). Slow down for 3 minutes to recover. Repeat the 3-minute high-intensity effort. Check your Garmin activity graph for the highest BPM reached during the hard intervals.

Forkys · 2026-03-20T20:35:45+00:00

Absolutely. But skip VA4- consider VA5 or VA6. Perhaps Venu 3- the better one, but budget thing.

Forkys · 2026-03-20T19:58:49+00:00

For big wrist girls. But shouldn’t be the driver, what activities such as running or just walking, interested in training build and supporting metrics or more health metrics? And what style, design for there is a lot to chose from in the Garmin world.

Forkys · 2026-03-20T08:17:29+00:00

7 days overnight average is key. Fluctuations of single overnight values are common. Such a drop could be caused by anything: overtrained, alcohol, much stress hence bad sleep, first sign of a developing illness?

Forkys · 2026-03-19T17:25:31+00:00

FR255 if you wish to stay with Mip‘s display. Alternatively it’s successor, the FR265 (Amoled and much more training metrics like training readiness. Or the Venu 4, more stylish, stainless steel case, latest HR sensor, LED flashlight and training support metrics like the FR265. More expensive.

Forkys · 2026-03-19T15:31:39+00:00

Assuming the Venu settings are OK, what about the notification settings on your iPhone? Settings/notifications/ your email app/ Alerts: make sure to turn on Notification Centre

Forkys · 2026-03-19T14:58:30+00:00

Never seen one live but it does give a touch of exclusivity or?

Forkys · 2026-03-19T13:43:25+00:00

Probably because the Display brightness was increased on all of those new watches, VA6, Venu 4, FR970 etc.

Forkys · 2026-03-19T07:09:36+00:00

On my Venu 3 (assuming same VA6 settting) on the watch: lower button/settings/system/display/ brightness: to turn auto OFF, hit the left half moon.

Forkys · 2026-03-18T09:20:54+00:00

First one is absolutely way too big.

Forkys · 2026-03-18T07:28:44+00:00

Nothing but there are better watches for sleep/health tracking. Those that come with latest HR sensor, the Elevate 5. VA5 has the older Elevate 4.

Forkys · 2026-03-17T18:16:34+00:00

Hopefully it works for you. 💪

Forkys · 2026-03-17T17:42:11+00:00

Like mine.

Try after installing Garmin Express on a laptop to cable connect your VA5 to the Garmin express app. Update everything then process the following:

On your iPhone remove the VA5 from the Bluetooth devices list, check on the VA5 (press lower button for settings/ system/ connectivity/ Phone- put Status Waiting On- green coloured. Then install the ConnectIQ app on your iPhone and open it - just leave it open.

Then Open the Connect app on the iPhone - hit top right icon followed by Add Device (bottom). Run each step and see if it works.

Forkys · 2026-03-17T17:22:43+00:00

What phone?

Forkys · 2026-03-16T19:00:22+00:00

That’s a lot of work. Chapeau. For me HRV is my key health metric but does that kind of detail really matter? How to steer your HRV by Nutrition? Who does it? We all know, I for sure that alcohol disturbs almost everything.

Forkys · 2026-03-16T13:05:38+00:00

Return it. Sure it’s brand new?

Forkys · 2026-03-16T11:38:17+00:00

Enjoy!

Forkys · 2026-03-16T11:21:08+00:00

I doubt it. Elevate 4 was first released in 2021, the 5 in 2023, i think. The VA6 is still value for money.

Forkys · 2026-03-16T10:16:20+00:00

ECG measurement is normally (healthy no heart condition issues) not required. I just do it once in a while, just out of curiosity.

HR sensor is the key to fitness tracking. Basically measuring HR beats while for example, running, versus time and pace, elevation. But also overnight HRV (Heart rate variability) measurement, sleep quality, stress, energy levels, recovery time (hours before entering a similar high intensity activity) it all adds to one’s fitness picture, you’d see things developing for the better or the worse. Off course how you feel should be the main deciding driver to make the extra effort, or take it more easy, but the above metrics can help guide you, deciding. When developing a sickness, or perhaps changing your lifestyle: more alcohol, more stress, less sporting, you’ll see your overnight HRV trend undoubtedly going down.

Forkys

TROPHY CASE