Garmin Forerunner 310XT with Heart Rate Monitor
Posted by Notcot on Mar 31, 2010 in In-Car Technology |
- Fitness multi-sport GPS watch
- Waterproof IPX7 (50m)
- 20 hour battery life
- Includes HRM Heart Rate Monitor
- USB Ant Stick included
I have had the 305 and 405 and whilst these are both great products in their own right had a few short comings which, for me, the 310XT addresses
It fits nicely in the wrist and is lighter than the 305 and more comfortable than both the 305 and 405 that both feel a little rigid due to the satellite receivers. It has the great satellite pick up of the 405. Its waterproof so great for swimming and triathlon. The virtual runner shows both time and distance ahead or behind (305 only shows time). You can vary your target pace as you run (like the 405). The screen is easy to see whereas the 405 can be a bit difficult. The screens are more easily customisable than the 305 and 405 and has extra options such as actual speed e.g. 12.5kph when running rather than just pace.
The buttons for scrolling are simple and faultless (the 405 bezzel is a nighmare when wet when it rains or you are sweaty)
It has the ANT wireless and pairs easily with your computer
It doesnt have the pre loaded runs like the 305 such as 10k, half marathon but they take seconds to set up via the custom option on the watch or training software so they can be reused.
It also has vibrate alerts so you know when a split has been taken or you have started the timer etc as well as the usual beep option – I didnt think I would be to bothered by having it but now Ive used it its pretty handy.
Its a bit more expensive than the 305 and 405 but worth every penny
Rating: 5 / 5
I have owned the Forerunner 205 and 305 and was happy with both. This model though is a cut above. I considered buying a Polar, but was disappointed to read you have to buy a £50 gadget just to download data and even then they are not Mac compatible. I read reviews on Amazon and bought this one instead.
The watch is a good size and not heavy at all. The size is bigger than the 405 but you wouldn’t wear it as a normal watch anyway, so this is fine for me.
Here are the positives for me compared to other models:
1. The GPS pick-up is superb! It is quick, even if you move locations. I moved from Abu Dhabi to Brussels and it picked up satellites in less than a minute. It even worked in my kitchen!
2. The vibration alert is really useful as you don’t always want the watch beeping during events. Also if you have music on you don’t have to rely on hearing it.
3. The charging cradle/lead is really easy to use and small enough to travel with.
4. The virtual partner function is very useful again.
5. The ease of uploading data to my Mac. The watch automatically pairs with the supplied USB ‘dongle’ once initially setup. It then transfers data to your computer very quickly.
As a final positive, the Garmin Connect software is superb. It tracks maps on Google and shows you split times, etc at each lap. The stuff you can do with this software is excellent. It seems that Garmin are committed to improve the software/firmware as updates seem to be worked on regularly and a firmware update was available for me yesterday. I have not used this online software before but it really is very easy to use and shows great information. Much better than the Polar online stuff!
The only negative thing would be the…orange strap!
Rating: 5 / 5
I have never purchased a GPS watch before so have nothing to compare this with. Other reviews seem to say it is an improvement over older models, however I can only speak from my experience of this.
Firstly, I had problems installing the USB stick driver onto my PC. Having contacted Garmin support they suggested I turn off or uninstall all my security software (anitvirus / firewall etc.) and try to reinstall. I shut down as many programs and services as I could, after first disconnecting my PC from the internet, and tried again, but to no avail. Eventually I found the answer on a forum after searching on google, and it seems many people are experiencing the same problem. In the end I had to start the installation as usual, until my computer hung. Then reboot windows into safe mode, to complete the installation, then reboot back into normal mode and start the ANT program running.
After successful installation it began to upload runs to my PC without any problem. However, in the last week, the software has now started to error when it first attempts to upload a run. When I restart the software it appears to upload the run successfully, but doesn’t always work successfully, meaning I have lost some of my runs.
As far as the GPS goes, this is not perfect either. Last week I ran near my home, but by the time I had walked (a couple of minutes) to where I was going to start, the watch had not found the satellites, so I started running anyway. Three-quarters of a mile later the watch had found the satellites. I’d been running in an open park area, and there were no trees or buildings that should have blocked the signal. Also, when viewing runs on the computer after having uploaded them, there are sometimes small gaps where it looks like the watch has lost the GPS signal, and sometimes the recorded route seems to differ wildly for short distances from where I’ve actually run. In addition to this the inclines and declines recorded seem to be way out in places (though I’m not sure if it gets this information from the maps, or GPS). Unfortunately, all this makes me question how accurate the distances are it is telling me that I’ve run.
Having said all that, the GPS receiver seems to work better when I’ve run in areas outside my hometown, so perhaps I’m just unlucky with where I live!
I do still like the idea of the device, and what it tries to do, and in spite of the above, I think most of the time it is fairly accurate with the information it’s telling me. I’m planning on running my first marathon this year after starting running 5 years ago, and being able to review the runs I’ve done, and use the watch to help pace myself over the miles has been really useful. However, for the price that I paid for this item, I would expect it to work near perfectly, all of the time, and for me it’s too glitchy. Therefore I can only give it 3 stars.
Rating: 3 / 5
A proudly owner of a FR60 with HRM + Foot pod after I done a couple of Duathlon I realised that I need sthing a bit more specific for my training/competition, ordered it on a late Friday afternoon and it arrived at 11am on Saturday ( paid more for the express deliver but still cheaper than buy on any shop ) the watch is just what I needed. Gents ( ladies too ) the vibration alarm is off the wall, allows you to training with your IPOD blasting and you will know when to check. I small nag, if you try to wear it as normal watch it does only give you time and minute, not date, day of week and month. But other than that an excellent tool, also the option to set up the watch with transition between sports too is excellent, one touch and you are changing sports. Defo worth every penny
Rating: 4 / 5
This is by far the best so far great GPS reception no longer do I have to leave it on the bonnet of my car to pick up siginals like 405 & Edge 305 but it will pick up signal on my wrist as I am getting my bike ready. long battery life you can easy up in your Iron Man as completion in 8 hrs is no longer needed they say 20hrs I have used it over 12 and it was fine.
Yes it is waterproof (mind you I used my 405 in the water for over a year and it never leaked it was just the bezel that gave me grief)the new heart rate belt is much more sensitive and thinner but I still could not get heart rate in the pool it’s the turning you stretching and it loses contact no heart rate. Better under wet suit it loses contact intially but over alonger swim will pick back up. Also your old HR belts (305 405) are compatible with this unit and visa versa.
I have used this in water and it does pick up siginal however it always gives you a much greater distance than you have actually travelled now I though about this and perhaps it is because it is situated on the wrist so you’re arm is going backwards and farwards making the computer believe that it has travelled further than it has, you could always try just strapping to googles if it just the distance you want.
Everything comes enabled when you get the unit so if you are like me you will need to switch off your virtual partner and the auto lap which freaked me when the laps kept resetting after a couple of minutes of running you will need to do this in other modes say when you hold the mode button down and go from run into your bike settings etc.
It’s a little bulker than 405 (a bit more of struggle to get wetsuit over it)and perhaps not as pretty but I still wear it as an every day watch.
When hooking up to my Training Centre Software I did have a problem at first it picked up the watch but for some reason would not download into program how I resolved it I went on the Garmin site and downloaded the new 2.7 ant+ patch and left it connect while watching telly and eventually it connected and all my training appearedonmy computer.
I have not used the Power meter part but this sounds fantastic if it is able to connect to secondary Power Systems it might be worth buying one.
Overal this is the Daddy and I am really pleased with it.
Rating: 5 / 5