Over the past few years I have been using a Garmin Forerunner 210 to record all my running AND cycling data; however, the strap just broke. The only issue I’ve had is the battery life. Since I’m in the market for something new, should I get something along the lines of a forerunner 210 for running and an edge 500 for cycling? Or should I look into a multisport watch such as the 910xt or fenix2?
You can buy an Edge 500 (one gen back) and a very cool Forerunner 220 (latest gen but a step down from the 620) for about the price of the multi-sport Garmin 910XT. The Forerunner 220 is definitely a smaller footprint. The pair won’t capture your swim data but it isn’t clear if that is an issue for you.
I prefer using a dedicated running watch and only bring out my 910 for races, tri-bike rides, and open water swims.
YMMV
… should I get something along the lines of a forerunner 210 for running and an edge 500 for cycling? Or should I look into a multisport watch such as the 910xt or fenix2?
So I used to feel very strongly that a watch (I’m using the 310XT) was all I needed. Then I graduated to training with power and during intervals it become difficult to stare at a watch (yes I do wrap it on the bars). Although, like you, I did have a band break while wrapping it on the bars. I like to keep it tight so the watch doesn’t spin.
I have contemplated going to the Garmin 500/510 for cycling now. But I wouldn’t use it during a race, only for training.
That being said, I would like to have the 910XT over the 310 (and the 210 for that matter) because of the added swimming functionality. There’s also some additional power fields that can be utilized with the 910.
I was torn on this decision a couple of months ago too. I ended up getting a Garmin Edge 800 for the bike and and 620 for running. I really like having a dedicated bike computer and figured the 620 will be enough watch (with all it’s features) to last me quite a few years. Since I added a power meter, it’s been really nice to have 10 fields running on one screen and still be able to see them without much strain. The lack of swimming metrics are a non-issue to me. I swim slow and I know it, all I really need is a stopwatch for that which the 620 on my wrist provides.
If you want your race and training metrics all in one device, get a multisport. But for me, I’m glad I have a watch that’s a watch I can wear anytime (not huge) and don’t have to rig it up to the bike to get my metrics. If I had a multisport watch, I would probably still end up buying a dedicated bike computer anyway.
To each his own, but that’s the way I see it. However, I did end up spending more than I would have if I’d just bought a mulisport watch.
Over the past few years I have been using a Garmin Forerunner 210 to record all my running AND cycling data; however, the strap just broke. The only issue I’ve had is the battery life. Since I’m in the market for something new, should I get something along the lines of a forerunner 210 for running and an edge 500 for cycling? Or should I look into a multisport watch such as the 910xt or fenix2?
Unless the size is really a factor for you, go for the 310 over the 210. It has a much better battery and with a bigger screen it works well on the bike…for $20 more. Later on, you can decide whether to add in 500/510.
I have a 910/500 combo now, and love the setup. For a race, I’d probably use both.
I have small wrists, so I’d prefer not to use a 310xt. You say you would get a 500 and not use it for races? Is that because you’re afraid it might get stolen?
I can tell you that having the 910xt is nice to have to be able to use for all sports. It’s especially nice to have all your race information in one place (in fact that is probably the biggest plus to the 910xt). That said, I’ve also got the 620 that I use while running as it gives some running metrics that the 910 doesn’t have. I’ve also got a 510 that hasn’t gotten much use just because I’m more comfortable, coming from a run background, with having that information on my wrist.
…You say you would get a 500 and not use it for races? Is that because you’re afraid it might get stolen?
When I race, I leave my 310xt strapped to my bars. I hit start once I leave transition. Early in the ride I’ll transfer it to my wrist and leave it there for the remainder of the day. I’m not too worried about someone running off with it before the race.
Doing intervals I’m trying to stay within 20W (give or take) and that requires a lot of focus for me. So, I need something that I can practically stare at. Whereas racing I’m going to be checking the watch, but proportionally less than during training. That and I don’t want to fuss with multiple devices for the bike and run.
i bought 910 from the start after a few months I bought the 510 for training. Its really different when you have a big screen on the bike.
Breathing some life back in to this topic since I am in this exact same situation. I dropped my 310 the other day and the screen spider-web’d. I still use it occasionally, but now I’m forced with the “920 or Edge500+Forerunner220” debate. I could also get another 310, but size and additional metrics on the 920 have me looking that direction.
For those racing with multiple devices, which do you use and how? The 500 would have ample battery life for the biking portion of a 140.6, but the 220 only has 10 hours of life, so it’s not like I could turn it on prior to the swim and utilize it the entire race (in order to track my total race time).
Any other alternatives? 920 + wahoo bike case with my iPhone (for larger screen while riding)? Thanks.
I’ve been using a 910xt since it came out and have really liked the swimming functions as well. I’m very happy overall, if you want to got that route, wait for the 920xt to get to the stores as the 910 should be discounted soon.
Not sure with yours but…when I was using the 305 for IM I used speed cadence sensor for the bike and turned on gps for the run…increased battery life for well past time needed
.
Thanks. Does the 305 offer power metrics as well? With what I have seen from the 910/920/500, the power metrics on those is unparalleled to other devices.
I.do.not think.you want the 305. Just,since it had that capability thought the others would to
I’m a bit fan of 1 device to rule them all.
Still got my 305, my next one will be the 920XT. I waited because 910XT GPS signal is way too slow to start-up, like the 305.
Best bang for the buck for me. Depends what your use-case is, but for triathlon it’s perfect, you can keep that device forever it’s not changing so fast like Apple stuff 
You can buy an Edge 500 (one gen back) and a very cool Forerunner 220 (latest gen but a step down from the 620) for about the price of the multi-sport Garmin 910XT. The Forerunner 220 is definitely a smaller footprint. The pair won’t capture your swim data but it isn’t clear if that is an issue for you.
I prefer using a dedicated running watch and only bring out my 910 for races, tri-bike rides, and open water swims.
YMMV
I do the 500 / 220 combo. I have thin wrists and the 910 just feels like I’m wearing a laptop. I love the 220, it’s become my every day watch.
i have had the 910 for 3 years. I have had no problem aquiring a signal…unless you think waiting 20 seconds is a problem
20sec isn’t a problem is its *always *20sec.
With the 305, it can take 20sec or 5minutes, I like to optimize my training time and I don’t want to pay for a new device if this problem isn’t fixed.
I always thought they haven’t fixed the gps acquiring delay with the 910XT, I may be wrong though!
For those racing with multiple devices, which do you use and how? The 500 would have ample battery life for the biking portion of a 140.6, but the 220 only has 10 hours of life, so it’s not like I could turn it on prior to the swim and utilize it the entire race (in order to track my total race time).
I have the 620/510 combo. I turn the 620 on before the swim and track the swim time. You don’t even need to wear a watch if the race have a clock at the swim exit. That’s all I really want to know for the swim. GPS and all other metrics are useless for me.
Once I am out of the water, I turn it off and start the bike. the 510 is on now and right in front of me with all the metrics I need for the bike. Once I am off the bike, I turn back the 620 on and off to run the marathon. I will find the official overall time once I am done.
I still have my 310 and haven’t used it once this year. This method seem to work. The reason I went with this combo is I noticed myself hating to use my 310 because of it ugly color and huge size. the 910 is uglier. Never used it outside of racing tri. So decided to just go with what I do in training and use a bike computer for the bike, and running watch for the run.
One watch to rule them all, bro. I’m going to continue to use my 310xt until it croaks, then upgrade to the 910/920.
I don’t really need 10 screens…it’d be a distraction to me.
for the bike, i use 3 and 30 second power, distance, and hr.
For the run, i set time, distance, pace, HR.
Stays on my wrist for training or racing.
Simple.