Garmin vivoactive 4 vs Forerunner 245 - Which is better?

Both the Garmin vivoactive 4 and the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music are very powerful GPS sports watches. Both models also have a lot in common. However, there are also differences. Let's take a look at them and decide which Garmin is better for you. If you don't feel like writing a lot of text, go straight to my recommendation.

Differences between Garmin vivoactive 4 and Forerunner 245

In general, the vivoactive 4, like the vivoactive 4, is the watch for mass sports. The Forerunner 245 is optimized for runners, which is why it bears its name. This basically applies to the entire Forerunner family.

The decisive factor for the comparison is that we are talking about the Forerunner 245 Music. There is also the version without music. It has no built-in memory for music, which also makes the difference. Both the vivoactive 4s and 4s have music on board. This is a difference to the vivoactive 3, which is also available as a variant with music.

Sensors

Good and very important information in advance: Both clocks have almost the same sensors installed. Both watches are equipped with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. Thus they can record independently from the mobile phone.

In contrast to the Forerunner 245, the vivoactive has an integrated altimeter. This is also the reason why the FR245 cannot record floors.

Both devices still have it:
 

• Garmin Elevate
• compass
• gyroscope
• acceleration sensor
• thermometers
• pulse ox

Display

Both watches have a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 built in, but differ in the display size. There is also a decisive difference in the touch screen. Only the vivoactive series has it. The Forerunner is completely controlled by buttons.
 

Display comparison - vivoactive 4 vs FR245

	Garmin vivoactive 4s	Garmin vivoactive 4	Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
Diameter	27,9 mm 1,1 Zoll	33,0 mm 1,3 Zoll	30,4 mm 1,2 Zoll
Touchscreen	Ja	Ja	Nein
Display	MIP	MIP	MIP
Colour display	Ja	Ja	Ja
Resolution	218 x 218 Pixel	260 x 260 Pixel	240 x 240 Pixel

Weight and size

The differences in size and weight are not enormous, however existent. Of course the vivoactive 4s and 4s also differ.
 

Size and weight in comparison - vivoactive 4 vs FR245

	Garmin vivoactive 4s	Garmin vivoactive 4	Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
Size	40 x 40 mm	45,1 x 45,1 mm	42,3 x 42,3 mm
Thickness	12,7 mm	12,8 mm	12,2 mm
Wristband	18 mm	22 mm	20 mm
Weight	40 g	50,5 g	38,5 g

Battery life

The battery life of the vivoactive 4 and Forerunner 245 Music is very similar.
 

Akkulaufzeit - vivoactive 4 und FR245

	Smartwacht	with GPS and Musik
vivoactive 4s	7 days	5 hours
vivoactive 4	8 days	6 hours
Forerunner 245 Music	7 days	6 hours

 

Training mode

In the training mode we find serious differences. As mentioned at the beginning, the Forerunner is much better optimized for runners. With the FR245 Garmin offers you the possibility to record your runs better and to evaluate them much better. The vivoacative 4 only offers the basic functions for runners. For many of the functions, however, the Forerunner 245 also requires additional equipment.

The vivoactive 4 trumps in other types of training. That would be:
 

• Yoga
• Pilates
• Guided trainings (workouts via the clock)
• Golf
• Swimming with pulse measurement

Both watches are water resistant with 5 ATM and also suitable for swimming. The FR245 does not measure the pulse.

Which Garmin is better for you?

Whether the Forerunner 245 or Garmin vivoactive 4 is better for you is up to you. If you are more runner, then the Forerunner 245 offers you much more.

However, if you do more than one sport and are on the move with more variety, then the Garmin vivoactive 4 is your choice. Whether you prefer vivoactive 4s## does not matter for the function. Only the size and battery life differ.

If you want to save some money, the Garmin vivoactive 3 Music is still an interesting choice. You should check out the comparison between vivoactive 3 Music and Forerunner 245 Music. Also, the differences between vivoactive 4 and 3 are interesting in this context.