I’m a long time Garmin user, currently with an Edge 510 and Fenix2, but I’m looking at options to move out of the Garmin ecosystem.
Ideally I want a watch that has multisport capability for running with and using during races. I could probably live with a non-multisport capable watch and just have to remember what each lap is for… I like riding (incl racing) with a dedicated bike head unit so want something that I can move between my Tri bike, MTB and CX bike. Ability to wirelessly upload is a big draw. Power meter support is a must for the bike unit at a minimum.
I’ve looked at DC Rainmaker amongst other resources, and from what I can tell there probably isn’t anything that can compete with the Edge & Fenix/910/920 sort of setup. Maybe the Polar V800 and V650 with a Bluetooth Smart cap for my Powertap…?
I’m curious what others might think are options or may be doing themselves…
I just picked up a TomTom Multisport with the hopes that it, with some bluetooth smart accessories, would get me out of the Garmin fold. Will let you know how it works out!
It does work well, when it works… the Fenix has pooed itself and it’s taken Garmin support 7 days to respond to my contact to them which I don’t think is good enough.
That coupled with the fact that the Bluetooth connectivity between the 510 and my phone is a bit finicky (I can get it to work consistently but it’s not as seamless as it should be), and my other feeling that Garmin just dumps stuff out there a bit underdone for us to be paying testers (Garmin Express anyone?) and doesn’t seem to really respond to their user base a whole lot makes me want to vote with my wallet…
I realise that other options may present some of the same issues or concerns, but I’m curious to see what others think.
I think you will see more companies try their luck in the multisport market in the near future, with the growing popularity of the sport. I have had very good luck with Garmin support, including covering products that were out of warranty. I do agree that at times they seem to release products before having the bugs worked out, but so do a lot of other companies. Keep us posted on what you buy and how it works out for you, it would be nice to have other options.
It does work well, when it works… the Fenix has pooed itself and it’s taken Garmin support 7 days to respond to my contact to them which I don’t think is good enough.
That coupled with the fact that the Bluetooth connectivity between the 510 and my phone is a bit finicky (I can get it to work consistently but it’s not as seamless as it should be), and my other feeling that Garmin just dumps stuff out there a bit underdone for us to be paying testers (Garmin Express anyone?) and doesn’t seem to really respond to their user base a whole lot makes me want to vote with my wallet…
I realise that other options may present some of the same issues or concerns, but I’m curious to see what others think.
This is why I have not upgraded from a 310xt which appears to be the best watch they’ve ever done for us. I’ll use that and a FR 15 for everything.
I hated Garmin express at first. I would have it on one computer and not on another for different watches and training programs. Then I finally quit fighting it and just let it take over everything including having training peaks just pull from GC. And it’s working wonderfully.
Yep, I use the sync between GC and Training Peaks/Strava and that works pretty good. I would miss that for sure.
Because I’m using the bluetooth connectivity to upload via my phone I don’t have express issues. My partner with her 910 and Mac has a hell of a time still.
I am on my second 310xt (warranty replacement) and have had most of the common issues plus some that I have not heard of. And the screen went blank on me 5 miles into the run at IM Lake Placid. Now the screen randomly goes blank occasionally in addition to the issues I have already had - Takes a long time to find satellites, date is wrong if I use it for indoor workouts without finding satellites, sometimes gives a completely random speed when using the (Garmin) speed sensor, cadence drops out, etc.
I hate to buy another Garmin product if I can help it. Does anyone make a watch equivalent to the 910/920xt that has a quick release kit to mount to the bike? I would really like to use the same device for all my S/B/R workouts.