Garmin 920XT....Worth it?

I have a Garmin 910XT and now considering upgrading to the 920XT. The 920XT seems to have a lot of cool features but is it worth making the jump?

920…I’m still rolling with a 305…This thing just won’t die!

I have a Garmin 910XT and now considering upgrading to the 920XT. The 920XT seems to have a lot of cool features but is it worth making the jump?

For me, the upload via bluetooth was absolutely 100% worth it. I like the bluetooth notification feature as well, but that is secondary to the wireless upload.

I’m wondering if the 920xt is less finicky to charge than the 910xt and the upload more reliable.

I’m wondering if the 920xt is less finicky to charge than the 910xt and the upload more reliable.

in my experience, charging is fast and I’ve had no issues with it. I strictly use the bluetooth transfer to upload workouts and that works great.

I’m agreed re: the wireless upload. I don’t notice much of a difference with the function of the watch (although I doubt I even use 25% of its capabilities). But the wireless upload to my cell has made my life SO MUCH EASIER. No more struggling on Sunday nights trying to get my watch to sync with my comp. No more downloading files off of garmin onto my desktop in a never-ending process to get them moved into my trainingpeaks platform.

Also a small detail…I like the new charging clip of the 920. I used to have difficulty sometimes on getting the charging clip properly aligned with my 910. But the clip for the 920 is far more secure (you just need to snap it into the clip as opposed to having to finagle it to align properly). Those small features are enough to be worth the switch IMO.

I’m wondering if the 920xt is less finicky to charge than the 910xt and the upload more reliable.

It is. The 920 has a cradle that snaps onto the watch and it is nearly impossible to do incorrectly. Unlike the 910 that had the “clamp” that you had to seat perfectly or it wouldn’t do anything.

As for uploading, while sometimes the Garmin software for your phone can be error-prone, in general the upload just works. You finish a session and by the time you are done putting away your bike, or done your shower, or whatever, the file is uploaded. No messing with cables (that again have to be clamped just right).

Charging is idiot-proof, literally never had an issue.

Uploading is a little finicky, but only a little. I have my home wireless network set up, and if I finish a workout within range of it, it’s immediately uploaded. But if I finish a workout away from home, and then try to connect once I get home, I almost always get an error message. And then a few minutes later it’ll connect on its own and upload the workout. But it really doesn’t like being instructed to connect, that rarely works. Odd.

Bluetooth works well, you just have to enable Bluetooth on both ends and open and app and then wait and in a minute or so it’ll start syncing. Don’t know why there couldn’t be an option to tell it to sync in the Garmin Connect app, but it does seem to initiate it reliably on its own.

Yes. But hold out a little longer if you can. I have a dying 910 that I am itching to replace. I am holding out for the next gen 930/935/whatever that may come in the fall. I do not want to get a 920 and then see the newest and latest come out right after I get mine.

If you must get a watch now, the 735 is very compelling. It’s only weaknesses are battery life and a slightly smaller screen. It’s size is fantastic.

Lack of a barometric altimeter in the 735 could be a big one for some people, arguably bigger than the battery issue. The 920 is a fantastic device, worth every penny IMO. Mine has been bomb proof for 18 months, it just works. Wireless uploads, whether WiFi or BT are fantastic. My only caution is that Garmin has clearly stopped upgrades/support for the device. The Fenix3 is getting updates every other week it seems, but the 920 has been cutoff feature wise.

I have a Garmin 910XT and now considering upgrading to the 920XT. The 920XT seems to have a lot of cool features but is it worth making the jump?

I upgraded a year ago after I lost my 910xt in a transition at a race. I had no plans to upgrade but ended up going with 920 rather than replace with another 910.

So. Worth. It.

IThe 910 was like having a 1983 Honda Civic. Sure it runs great, and there is nothing wrong with it, and it does what I need to.

But then it gets totaled and I end up with a shiny 2016 model. And it’s night and day between the two.

That’s how I felt going to 920. If there’s nothing wrong with the 910 then don’t sweat it. But if you have the coin burning a hole in your pocket then so worth it.

Lack of a barometric altimeter in the 735 could be a big one for some people, arguably bigger than the battery issue. The 920 is a fantastic device, worth every penny IMO. Mine has been bomb proof for 18 months, it just works. Wireless uploads, whether WiFi or BT are fantastic. My only caution is that Garmin has clearly stopped upgrades/support for the device. The Fenix3 is getting updates every other week it seems, but the 920 has been cutoff feature wise.

I’m not clear what you mean Garmin has stopped upgrades/support? I just received an recent firmware update for my 920xt. As far as enhancements go, what is missing that they could possibly add?

The recent firmware update did bring a few small features like swim workouts and the latest IQ platform support. I don’t remember when the previous version was released but it has been quite a while. Just read this https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=7623 and you will see just how many features and updates the Fenix 3 is getting in comparison. I am not suggesting that the 920 is necessarily missing anything that you would use, or that it isn’t a good buy, I am just saying that Garmin has sent a clear message that the 920 is what it is and you won’t see much else added.

The recent firmware update did bring a few small features like swim workouts and the latest IQ platform support. I don’t remember when the previous version was released but it has been quite a while. Just read this https://www8.garmin.com/…_details.jsp?id=7623 and you will see just how many features and updates the Fenix 3 is getting in comparison. I am not suggesting that the 920 is necessarily missing anything that you would use, or that it isn’t a good buy, I am just saying that Garmin has sent a clear message that the 920 is what it is and you won’t see much else added.

the Fenix 3 is newer than the 920 and they also just released the Fenix 3 HR so naturally they would be updating it more. For me, the 920 does all that I need. And I get from Garmin’s perspective, at some point new features only come to new watches otherwise they would need to charge $1000 for a triathlon watch.

If your 910 is working just fine, I say keep using it. Wait for either the 920 to go on a deep sale or the 930 to come out (at which time the 920 will go an an even deeper sale). The 920 is awesome, and I would say it is worth upgrading, but from a pure functionality perspective, the 910 does all the core stuff you need it to do. The 920 just adds some upgraded glitz & glam to it. Wait until you can upgrade for a lot less.

If your 910 is working just fine, I say keep using it. Wait for either the 920 to go on a deep sale or the 930 to come out (at which time the 920 will go an an even deeper sale). The 920 is awesome, and I would say it is worth upgrading, but from a pure functionality perspective, the 910 does all the core stuff you need it to do. The 920 just adds some upgraded glitz & glam to it. Wait until you can upgrade for a lot less.

Normally I would agree. However, my birthday is in June and it’s only coming around once this year.

Hell, if this is a birthday present, I say go for the tri bundle!

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-01174-40-Forerunner-920XT-Tri-Bundle/dp/B012J1DVH6
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Lack of a barometric altimeter in the 735 could be a big one for some people, arguably .

I think not having a barometers a great idea, the only reasons I have had to send back three 910xts and two 920xts is also because of a bad barometer, this might cut back on Garmins returns.

Personally I like my Fenix3 over the 910, 910 was a great watch but I like new shiny things. The profile and design of it just appealed to me as an everyday watch and the fact that basically the entire watch is a GPS antenna also was appealing.

The only thing the 920 has any type of benefit to me is if you get the bundle with the swim and tri HRM’s. the HRM with the Fenix3 bundle is the HRM Run, which by itself give some cool runniing dynamics.

Love this watch
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