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In addition to the accelerometer data that Garmin has been using for sleep tracking, it is using heart rate variability data from the optical HR sensor to provide REM sleep tracking with this update.
Garmin provides the following guidance for the most accurate sleep tracking:
Wear your device at least 2 hours before bedtime and keep it on while you sleep.Make sure your device’s heart rate monitor is on, and the device fits snugly but comfortably.If you have more than one activity tracker, set the device with advanced sleep monitoring as your Preferred Activity Tracker.
Advanced sleep monitoring is currently supported on the Garmin Forerunner 645, Forerunner 645 Music, vivoactive 3, vivoactive 3 Music, vivomove HR, vivosmart 3, and vivosport. It will be coming soon to the Fenix 5 and 5 Plus series. Unfortunately, my Garmin Fenix 3HR lacks the optical heart rate resolution to track REM so it will not be able to provide this detailed sleep data. I guess that’s one more reason I can use to justify a Fenix 5 Plus purchase.
Garmin is definitely getting closer to Fitbit in regards to the sleep tracking experience, but Fitbit has a better insights area where the app shows what is typical for your age/sex and what kind of goal is reasonable. Garmin lets you create custom reports though and with this new REM sleep tracking functionality it is easier for me to justify keeping a Garmin wearable on my wrist at all times.
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