Garmin 910XT or 305 + Edge 500?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m a marathoner getting into triathlon (done a bunch of sprints, and one 70.3, signed up for IMAZ 2013). I have a Forerunner 305 and happy with it. I’ve been using it for runs and rides (with bike mount) so far, but looking to upgrade a little. For my swim workouts (pool), I just use a standard Timex stopwatch on my wrist and that’s been fine.

The two options I see are

  1. keep the Timex for swimming, 305 for running, and get an Edge 500 for the bike; (side note: is it worth the upgrade to the Edge 705 over the 500?)
  2. get a Forerunner 910XT to handle everything.

I’ve never interacted with either the Edge 500 or the FR910XT, so I’m turning to you all for feedback. Is the all-in-one 910XT as good feature-ful as the individual units? I imagine it’s better for swimming than the cheap Timex, and likely better for running than the 305. But is it better for riding than the 500 (or 705)? At the moment, I do not intend on getting a power meter (due to cost).

Thanks for your help!

2

I ended up with the 910. I had the Timex Global trainer and wanted something else for the bike… and for the pool. Got tired of trying to count how many times I turned around at the pool. The Timex trainer was just a big stop watch in the pool. I am also one for being simple. One device & all areas covered. I went with the quick release band and have no issues (although, there have been many that has had many issues with the quick release). Plus… on open water training… it is nice to have better data.

Anyways… just my two cents…

BTW. I will be doing AZ 2013 as well…

good luck

3

500 is better for the bike because of more data fields. Just get both. I use the 500 as my display, but still hit start on the 910 on my wrist for easy workot syncing with garmin connect. I just pull the 500 off the bike every week or two for charging.

4

I ended up with the 910. I had the Timex Global trainer and wanted something else for the bike… and for the pool. Got tired of trying to count how many times I turned around at the pool. The Timex trainer was just a big stop watch in the pool. I am also one for being simple. One device & all areas covered. I went with the quick release band and have no issues (although, there have been many that has had many issues with the quick release). Plus… on open water training… it is nice to have better data.

Anyways… just my two cents…

good luck

X2–just buy the 910 an be done with it :slight_smile:

5

I use a 500 for the bike and 910 for running. I have found its easier to keep my eyes on the 500 while in aero and not have to pull the unit off the bike (like I used to with my old 310 before it died). 910 is good for pool swimming but I never look at it while swimming in a race. Seems you have all of the tools right now except for the 500.

6

Great question and one that any triathlete who enjoys technology would find themselves facing. That includes me (I’m in the current predicament).

I’m a current 305 owner with needs to measure all 3 sports (swim, bike, and run). I love the Garmin 305 and have drooled at the 910XT but the cost leaves hesitation only because I’ve read reports from more than 1 user indicating issues with condensation in the faceplate. I’ve never had condensation issues with the Garmin 305 (but then you can’t swim with it).

The Garmin 305 Lifespan

My 305 is now 3 years old and beyond it’s last leg. The battery won’t hold charge for more than an hour and of the 4 rubber buttons on the sides of the watch 2 have deteriorated to the point where they have fallen out (leaving 2 open holes in the case). I took great care of it (including monitoring the charge cycles of the rechargeable Li-Ion battery) yet this is simply what I am convinced is the expected life span of that product.

The buttons fell out due to the rubber gaskets holding them simply disintegrating. I never used any chemicals to clean the watch. It’s only exposure is sweat and salt water and an occasional paper towel.

I knew the battery would do this over time and had planned on replacing it once it was no longer able to hold a charge long enough for me to complete my exercises. When Garmin came out with the 310XT, they gave it a longer lasting battery (something I figured I’d research and find since I didn’t see any feature reason to upgrade - as I could do the battery replacement on my own).

Well, ever since taking the cover off the watch, I also noticed the connectors have began to become less reliable once every couple of weeks (and I have to reset the cover and make sure it’s flush and secure). I was waiting to do the battery upgrade for this holiday break and will secure the cover on with a much more permanent adhesive to eliminate the cover issue altogether.

What to do? I can upgrade the battery for 0.31 cents.

Yes, a 3.7v 1300mah battery on ebay for 31 cents and multiple people have tested it to work with reports over 6 months indicating it’s a winner (giving battery life of the 910 in a 305… makes sense similar battery amperage).

I’m still on the fence on how to overcome the failing buttons and might have to upgrade. Might find a used one somewhere on the cheap that needs work (where I can harvest the case).
What about the original question from the OP?

Cycling…

I love the data I get on the 305 on a bike (same as 310 and 910XT). The quick release is awesome and the cadence sensor works like a charm.

305 (310 & 910XT) Real time Display:

Speed: XXmph
Cadence: XXXrpm
Distance: X.XXMiles
Heart Rate: XXXbpm
Time: XX:XX Ride Timer (I do have to switch screens to get this 5th data point, however it’s never been an issue).

Time while in cycling for me is an arbitrary figure. I know how long I’ve ridden for, and if I want to check it’s a click away. The data is relevant after the ride when I’m at my computer.

What else do I need?

Is it worth the money to get the Edge 500 for what it will give me?

Edge 500 Additional Features (over just the 305):

  • Barometer based altimeter (as opposed to a GPS based one - for me currently not important - I live in Florida)
    I’m not sure it’s that big of a deal. Accuracy of elevation between the 2 technologies? Maybe some of you mountain goats can weight in.
  • Temperature: Not Needed (for me)
  • Larger Screen (not a big factor, as the 305 screen isn’t too small - however if more data fields are needed, it’s required).
  • Battery Life: 18 hours (this is the advertised battery life - I’ve never had a Garmin device actually give me the advertised battery life so YMMV).

Swimming…

I have a Sport Count Chrono ($35) (http://www.sportcount.com/) that I love. It counts laps, saves splits, gives final time, can be paused, isn’t troublesome, very reliable, and I’ve yet to replace the battery 1 time in over 2 years of use. It’s also very small and isn’t a hydrodynamic factor.

What I’ve learned from swim data is… in the current technology available it’s useless while your swimming. I don’t see the 910 being any different in those regards. You can look at a watch while your flip turning, but what does a 910 tell you in that moment that a $25 Timex can’t?

The after swim data that can be uploaded from a 910 is another story. I can’t upload data from my Sport Count and you can’t upload the final time or splits from a $25 Timex either.

The question: Is the data the 910XT gives you (e.g., 1) Strokes per lap 2) Turns per swim 3)Heart rate - assuming this works 4) GPS coordinates (open water benefit) worth the $400?

For me, I have a feeling if I can’t find a used 305 to harvest the case from for extremely cheap (less than $25) then I will be buying a 910XT. If I do that, I’ll use the 910 as my cycling computer and call it a day. Regardless of how pretty the Edge 500 is, I have yet to see the reason to need it.

If I can find a 305 that just has a dead battery or broken screen, I can replace the battery for 31 cents (making it 20 hours instead of the original 12 advertised - which was actually more like 7 in real use).

I have a feeling the 910XT’s swim features (and new case) might be the game changer. But if the current design is still causing condensation I might extend the life of my 305 and wait for Garmin to fix the 910XT’s issue or release it’s upgrade within the next year or 2.

If someone wants to tell me what I’m missing I’m all ears. This has been my experience. Please share yours.

7

{The question: Is the data the 910XT gives you (e.g., 1) Strokes per lap 2) Turns per swim 3)Heart rate - assuming this works 4) GPS coordinates (open water benefit) worth the $400? }

The heart rate will not work while you are swimming. Though both the 910 itself and the strap are both water proof, the chest strap does not transmit to the watch while the swimmer is submerged.
Hope this helps

8

Thanks for some insight - very helpful.

Do you find yourself ever looking at the watch while doing your workouts (during kickflips)? I just don’t see it happening. I have the Sport Count and don’t like looking at it. Now the moment I’m done, different story.

But then, if the stroke count per lap feature is accurate, it wouldn’t matter, since is would be the convincing reason to have it as I could use that metric as another tool in improving my swim.

9

My wife bought me an edge 800 last year and its awesome. I have been using the timex for swim and run but didn’t love it. I broke down and bought a 910 last week and can say it was definitely worth to 400$'s

10

I’ve got a 910 and a 500. The 910 is nice in the sense that I can wear it from start to finish in a race. Same as the 310 since they’re both waterproof. Lost my 310 during a race when the band snapped. I never use the 910’s swim features though. I’ve been swimming all my life and just keep my splits in my head using an old fashioned pace clock.

11

Clearwater—I only do OW swim training here in Miami. Sorry I cannot b of help using the 910 in the pool, but I always look at the 910 while swimming. I OW swim at a beach that has buoys out in the water parallel to the shore to mark the outer limits of the swim zone. I look at my 910 as I swim past each buoy to judge my swim speed. I have used my 910 at new OW swim spots to measure the correct distance of a swim. With the 910 I can OW swim train anywhere. I just swim half the desired distance I want to swim then turn around and swim back. I also use my 910 when I freedive. It tells me my breathhold time from the time I start the dive until I return to the surface. (I know the 910 was not designed as a dive watch, but it is a nice extra feature that I like). Might b interesting to wear my 910 next time I skydive. Maybe it would record altitude / speed /distance / heart rate, etc during the skydive :slight_smile:
Hope this helps

12

I have the 305 + edge 500 combo and like it - worked great for me at IMMT. I like leaving the 500 on my bike and having a different watch for the run during races but that may just be me. I don’t use anything but a pace clock in the pool (and feel no need to use anything else) so I have nothing to offer there.