Dr. Pete…any idea of what the total memory time is for the 310XT when recording ANT+ power?
Dr. Pete…any idea of what the total memory time is for the 310XT when recording ANT+ power?
No, but once I fill it up I’ll let you know… It seems odd that Garmin doesn’t really go out of its way to tell you how much memory in MB these things have. Assuming, though, that you buy what the manual says, i.e. 20 hours of recording with a trackpoint every 4 seconds, then using a powermeter for an IM bike leg and having the device default to 1s sampling might fill the memory before you get to T2. That might turn out to be an issue…
DrPete,
A very usefull review.
One quick questions:
Does the 310XT averages zeros during coasting in power average??
DrPete,
A very usefull review.
One quick questions:
Does the 310XT averages zeros during coasting in power average??
I have the same setup ( Quarq and 310 ).
Average Power on the 310 drops zeros. The Average Power on the 310 comes in higher than Average Power as calculated by WKO+, and slightly under the Normalized Power as calculated by WKO+. That tells me that it’s not including zeros in the average.
I was not able to get the 310 to pickup signal on my wrist when in aero. Tried on both the inside and outside of my right wrist. I’ve ended up mounting it on the stem for my training rides, so it’s at a ~45 degree angle. I can read it easily enough, even from aero ( though I do have to look down ). Does not drop signal in that position.
I’m going to go with the quickrelease/mount and the profile “knob” on the stem for my IM. Not going to wear the 310 on the swim, it’ll start on the bike. Hit start as I exit T1. Coming into T2, I’ll pop it off and carry it into the tent and put on the wrist strap for the run.
As far as recording, I don’t think you’re going to fill it up before T2 unless you take a reallly really long time ( and miss the cutoff ). I did a 1:00 run and 3:30 ride last Saturday, then on Sunday did a 5:15 ride, and brick run after. No problems with all of that data on the device. There’s no way to view current memory consumed that I know of though, but I’ve put ~10 hours of gps + power data with no problems.
-Chris
I posted on the Wattage group that the 310XT does not receive from a quarq cinqo on your left wrist. At least when it is on the outside of your wrist. However, if you turn it around, it will read when on the inside. This does get in the way of your bars.
I should give a try on my right wrist.
Also I’ve found that the 310xt reads power 3-5% lower than a 705 in post ride analysis. In WKO+, kJ and average power are lower. Seems the Garmin units post process the raw ANT+ signals and thus you get different readings. I have sent garmin an email regarding this issue.
If you only use one device, then this really doesn’t matter. The 310xt is consistent enough that day to day power data is meaningful. But if you switch between a 705 on your road bike and the 310xt when doing bricks, etc. then you have a bit of a problem.
Have now done a few rides with mine paired to my powertap. Picks up the signal perfect on my wrist. No issues at all and the hub is farther from my wrist than the cinco. Wonder why the difference. 310 appears to read about the same as the pt computer but lags about 2 seconds behind it. When I analyze the files more I will give a more detailed report.
The PT has a more direct path to the 310xt. With the cinqo, its going through the bike frame and my arm. its gotta be my arm since it works when i turn it to the inside.
Thanks for this. I recently lost my 705 in a terribly stupid way and was considering a 310, although Im mostly a bike racer / TTer. Look forward to seeing more people’s experience with power dropouts on the bike. I had my fair share with the 705/Quarq combo until building a mount that placed the computer low enough to have a clear line of sight to the PM.
What do the dropouts look like? I have a small issue where about once every 10 “zeros” pedal backwards 4-8 times I lose the connection between the 705 and Cinqo. I have to rescan for the power meter to get it back.
Ken
great review. thx
Good report on the two. I have been using the 310 for couple of weeks and love it compaired to the 405. I want to now sell my SRM and move to the Cinqo, so great info here.
One question to the OP. Do you need to “zero” the Cinqo? Coming from SRM land you do this few mins into a ride to reset the stain guages for Temp offset. Just wondering if you do the same for this setup?
Thanks
-mb
Just run the crank backwards for 4ish revs and it will fix any offset No need to make any garmin adjustments.
Update on my previous review and some other experience:
You do not need to re-zero the CinQo in T1. It works fine without that.
The 705 and 310xt record EXACTLY the same. I’ve compared them over 20x times now. In fact, I don’t really understand why they would record any different when their power data is coming from the same source, the CinQo.
Although the 310xt can record data when on the left wrist, if you wear it on the right wrist it has no dropouts in data collection.
Update on my previous review and some other experience:
You do not need to re-zero the CinQo in T1. It works fine without that.
The 705 and 310xt record EXACTLY the same. I’ve compared them over 20x times now. In fact, I don’t really understand why they would record any different when their power data is coming from the same source, the CinQo.
Although the 310xt can record data when on the left wrist, if you wear it on the right wrist it has no dropouts in data collection.
I turn it on and run it backwards before the start of the race. It most likely doesn’t matter… but it doesnt cost you anything.
The inside of your left wrist… excellent … I am going to try that. Excellent idea.
I have been comparing 705/310 and havent seen any difference (and there shouldnt be). The only potential difference is in bugs between the version of the two firmwares. There are also 2 features in the 705 firmware that I like that are not yet in the 310.
Update on my previous review and some other experience:
The 705 and 310xt record EXACTLY the same. I’ve compared them over 20x times now. In fact, I don’t really understand why they would record any different when their power data is coming from the same source, the CinQo.
Did you simulataneously record with a 310XT and a 705 and compare the results?
I have a wired PT, but I’m looking forward to upgrade to a cinqo + FR310XT.
I already got the 310XT, very usefull tool, just waiting for a new batch of cinqos to get one of them.
One simple question, does the 310XT average 0s on average power?
Yes, how would I compare them under any other conditions? My experiment ain’t got no controls, man! So it’s gotta be done head to head.
There are also 2 features in the 705 firmware that I like that are not yet in the 310.
What are you talking about? I rolled back my firmware to I think 2.6. This was recommended by Quarq and I haven’t had any problems with it on the recording side. On transferring to the computer I think it doesn’t work quite as well as the newest updated version of the firmware. I hope one day Garmin will get it together.
I really think you should go with right wrist to make certain you don’t drop data. It feels awkward to me but it works.
Oh, I almost forgot. I don’t even bother to run my cranks backwards before the race (mostly because I forget.) It doesn’t seem to make a difference. But I agree…doesn’t cost you anything if you do remember. What does cost me is my lateness to my last few races… 
There are also 2 features in the 705 firmware that I like that are not yet in the 310.
What are you talking about? I rolled back my firmware to I think 2.6. This was recommended by Quarq and I haven’t had any problems with it on the recording side. On transferring to the computer I think it doesn’t work quite as well as the newest updated version of the firmware. I hope one day Garmin will get it together.
0 averaging
+1 feature that is under NDA
Ill tell you the next version of the firmware seems really good. I havent seen anything weird
For the Swim, does anyone think that a release kit ankle band (not knowing if this exists or not) like we wear for race chips would be doable for the 310XT? I’m wondering if the GPS interference is due to the water itself or the fact that the arms are going back and forth (over 5 feet), or, both. Would have to be secure enough for the people trying to crawl over you during a mass swim start or around buoys.
I am actually in the market to upgrade from my Polar 625X (can’t switch between sport modes without stopping the watch and having trouble picking up my bike sensors) and Garmin 405 (can’t swim with it and the software is limiting). I keep going back and forth between the Garmin 310XT and Polar RS800CX reviews and am having a hard time choosing.
What’s appealing about the 310XT is not having an extra sensor attachment for GPS and the ability to go from one sport mode to another for races. Your explanation of how to do this during a race right now makes it very clear about the capabilities.
What’s appealing about the RS800CX is all the extra heart rate data (different zones for different sport modes, etc.), software capability and fitness testing.