Garmin has a lot of different product areas that many don’t even recognize. Obviously, Garmin is the leader in GPS devices. Many also know Garmin as a leader in fitness devices for athletes, including Bike computers and tri-sport monitoring. Personally, I own both a Garmin Fenix 3 HR and a Vivoactive HR, and use the Fenix almost exclusively now.
But, Garmin also produces a number of other products. Did you know that Garmin produces a dog wearable that helps with obedience training? Or, that it is also the leader in aviation and marine computers?
Today the company has announced its foray into another area where most of the fitness industry has yet to trod, the child fitness industry.
Announced today and available to ship sometime in late October, the Vivofit Jr. is a smaller version of its general (non-athlete) fitness tracker for adults, with many of the same features. Featuring 1-year battery life, the Vivofit Jr. tracks steps, sleep, movement activities, and is waterproof (5 ATM). And, with the accompanying app, Garmin takes it a step further by providing parents or guardians the ability to add chores and daily activity goals to the band and be able to monitor all recorded activities. Rewards come in the form of coins which can be used to help with behavior management or to set goals for real-life rewards.
Incidentally, I showed the announcement to the wife this morning and she immediately put it on the Christmas list for our 7-year-old. She’s a sweet girl, but having the ability to remind her to clean her room or read a book will be hugely valuable. And, that task timer...whoa.
The Vivofit Jr. comes in three designs: Broken Lava (red), Digi Camo (neon green), and Real Flower (pink, aqua, and white).
The device is available for pre-order today: Garmin Vivofit Jr. ($80)
Other features and specs:
· Auto goal: 60-minute daily play goal¹
· Chores
· Rewards (coins)
· Task Timers (2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes)
· Stopwatch
· Automatic sync: yes
· Audible alerts: yes
· Bands: Regular size accommodates wrists up to 145 mm; X-large fits wrists 146-170 mm. vívofit 3 bands are compatible.
· Step counter
· Move bar (displays on device after a period of inactivity; walk for a couple of minutes to reset it)
· Sleep monitoring (monitors total sleep and periods of movement or restful sleep)
· Watch functions = time, date and personalization (name)
· Battery = One replaceable CR1632 coin cell
· Battery life = Up to 1 year
· Display size, WxH = 0.39" x 0.39" (10 mm x 10 mm)
· Display resolution, WxH = 64 x 64 pixels
Features of the Vivofit jr. App (Android and iOS):
· Parents can view activity, responsibilities, sleep and more from any compatible Apple and Android devices, automatically synced from the Vivofit Jr. band
· Kids unlock a fun, mobile adventure trail by meeting their 60-minute daily activity goal
· Adventure trail offers individual and family challenges to inspire healthy competition
· Task timer keeps kids on top of chores such as homework, practice time and brushing teeth etc
· Parents can praise children with virtual coins and custom rewards
