What’s the difference and which one should I get?
I have both. The 910 is a bit more comfortable.
I can only speak for the five 910XTs I have had. The pace function sucks and in no way can you count on it. Sure, it gives you a number but its not accurate. I doing training runs in the 7:30-8:00 per mile pace but the watch displays 7:00-7:30 pace. One of the watches GARMIN sent me as replacement was within abou10seconds but the altimeter went bad and had to replace it.
I’ve like all the other GARMIN products I have own over the years but this one really has been a disappointment. The multi sport function also doesn’t work well or at all. Mine failed me in San Juan and at the 70.3 WC in Vegas. I have a couple buddies who’s multi sport functions don’t work either.
This is my experience
910 extras:
barometric altimeter
swim metrics
Are those are worth the extra $? The price of the 310 has been falling while the 910 stays around $400, so lots of people are asking the same question.
If I was buying today, I would get the the 310 and a 500.
Do you still use the 910XT?
That made me laugh.
910 extras:
barometric altimeter
swim metrics
Are those are worth the extra $? The price of the 310 has been falling while the 910 stays around $400, so lots of people are asking the same question.
If I was buying today, I would get the the 310 and a 500.
The 310 and 500 are what I use. I always hear my friends complaining about their 910’s. IMO the 910 is a better looking watch.
matt
I sort of still use the 910 for all kinds of not so good reasons. I just got a new 800 for my bike to replace my 705 that replaced my 305. I never counted on the 910 for biking but wore it as a backup. A device on my wrist while biking wasn’t easy and the screen was too small for my 55+ year old eyes. I know about haw far off THIS 910 is on the run pace and I sorta kinda work off that. It was suggested that I use av lap pace but I don’t want to know an average pace I’m running in a race.
The 910 when launched had significant issues with lap swimming but those have been fixed. I don’t know about open water swim numbers as relates to the distance, how would I know what’s right since buoy placement varies so much.
I got the 800 instead of the 500 for my bike because it was advertised as better screen resolution and bigger screen. The folks I train with (also kona and 70.3 WC sort do guys) that have old people eyes also complain about the small font labeling each selected metric. Not a complaint but clearly these things are developed by folks that haven’t hit that expectation of poor eyesight after the age of about 40 to 45 years old. Ugh!
I would go with the new 220 for running and the 510 for your bike.
I have the 310xt and it’s great for running, but a watch just isn’t ideal for the bike. I’m fired up about the ability to upload workouts via Bluetooth the way the 510 does it.
have the 310xt with the quick release for the bike. It is bigger than I would like and the 910xt looks better but I have had zero issues with the 310 on the bike or on the run. I would save the money and go with the 310xt and be done with it right now.
BTW, the other thing that seemed attractive on the 910 was the swim feature but everyone I have seen use it is constantly fiddling with the watch during the sets. Waste of time really.
I would go with the new 220 for running and the 510 for your bike.
I have the 310xt and it’s great for running, but a watch just isn’t ideal for the bike. I’m fired up about the ability to upload workouts via Bluetooth the way the 510 does it.
don’t count on it. Haven’t been able to upload my workouts using the bluetooth on the 510 and the Garmin connect iPhone app is a piece of crap.
Agree that the Garmin app is crap. My workouts get held hostage in it. But no issues uploading from 510 to iPhone.
Agree that the Garmin app is crap. My workouts get held hostage in it. But no issues uploading from 510 to iPhone.
yes, exact same issue. And the live tracking works for a minute and then it disconnect.
When does the new 220 come out?
“Fall 2013”. Garmin site says to allow 3-5 weeks for processing. The 210 does everything I need out of a run watch and the 610 has some cool features like VO2max testing and race predictors, but they require a heart rate monitor, which I don’t like wearing.
I have the 910 and just bought a 500. While running, 4 data fields is plenty. On the bike, I’d like to see a couple more.
I have worn the 910 as a watch several times…and while it is big, at least it is black. While running, I don’t care how it looks, but day-to-day that kinda matters. The only reason I got that over the 310 was a pretty killer deal (~$300 in May 2012).
Otherwise, I have had no problems with it. My instant pace is pretty close. The baro altimeter drifts a bit over long runs (slow pressure shifts), but not more than you would expect. Multisport mode once gave me a problem because I started it with ‘start’ and not ‘enter’.
I had the 310 for over 2 years and loved it, but I really wanted the swim feature of the 910. I was tired of losing lap count and also wanted other swim metrics to help with my lousy swimming so I got the 910 about 6 months ago and kept my 310 just in case I got the same problems others have had. Well, not only did I not have any problems with my 910, it has performed much better than I expected. The altimeter matches my 510 nearly perfectly so I feel just as comfortable with the data during races as the 510 (except I still keep my 510 on so I can look at it while riding). The swim features have been flawless once I figured out how to swim correctly and now always get the correct stroke and distance in the pool. Open water is a little long, but what can one expect from a gps in the water. I absolutely don’t care about run speed as I run by feel so could care less how fast at any particular instant. Finally sold my 310 to a friend. I did 5 tri’s this year with my 910 including one HIM and my first IM (Lake Tahoe). Worked perfectly every time.
I have a 310XT, an 800 for the bike and a Garmin Swim for the pool.
The only issue I’ve really had with the 310 is that if I’m running, end my run, do a reset and then restart the timer right away to track my cool down, I’ve had the watch freeze twice. If I take more time after the reset that doesn’t happen.
Yes, instant pace is not always accurate and bounces around, especially if you are running under trees or other interference, even if you calibrate the foot pod (if you have one as I do).
I’ve had no problem using multisport as long as I remember which buttons to press.
On the swim, I use the 310 when in a triathlon and like any GPS watch in water, it drops and picks up signals. Wearing it in your swimming cap is the best known solution. For my pool swims I use the Garmin Swim and don’t time any of my drills’ that saves me from fiddling all the time. I REALLY like it, it allowed me to analyze the time difference between breathing to the tight versus breathing to the left - I lift my head further out of the water on one side resulting Ina. Slow down. I can also see the difference in swimming with a pool buoy versus not.
On the bike I set up my 800 before the Tri, turn it on and leave it on and press start when exit. I also wear my 910, using it in multisport mode so I get my Transition splits as well.
On the tun I have my 310 on so I can monitor HR, overall run time and yes, I do use the instant pace feature as it gives me an idea of where I am at.
In comparison, the 910 has the Garmin Swim features already built in plus all the features of the 310 (and a few more). Although, I have read of issues with the 910.
I am waiting for the next generation of the 910 where I am expecting the new HR strap with the built in running components (no more foot pod required - see Garmins new running watches) along with BT and the new ride tracking software.
I bought a 310 for run pace. I got a refurbished one for about $175 a few months ago. It works perfectly.