Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor
by Garmin
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor
Customer Review: Somewhat Misleading Advertising to Triathletes
Summary: 3 Stars
This device has been represented as a triathlete's watch and the first swim proof GPS watch. If you watch the video from Garmin or see any of the advertisements, Garmin leads you to believe that this watch will collect reliable data for all 3 multisport events. It is reasonable for someone to assume this watch can be worn in a race and collect GPS data in the water, since, of course, SWIMMING is the first event in a triathlon.
If you are considering buying this watch realize the following:
-This device does not collect usable data in the water, period (other than time, which any $20 waterproof watch can collect in a much smaller form factor). No heart rate data and totally unusable and inaccurate GPS data while in the water.
-There are preset modes for run, bike, and "other", in which "other" shows a person on skis (explain that one?). They intentionally omit a category for swimming, despite advertising that this watch is for triathletes (see the photo I added under product photos).
-You will need to purchase a separate quick release kit if you want to use this watch on a bike. It does not get accurate data on a bike if you are wearing in on your wrist. It auto pauses, then unpauses for most of the time I am riding if I wear it on my wrist -- even if I have it set to only auto pause when completely stopped. The quick release kit IS NOT the more common one for the 205 and 305 Garmin 010-10889-00 Forerunner 305/205 Quick Release Kit, so do not buy that one. They have made a new one for this watch and most places do not have it in stock yet. As of the date I am writing this review, it is not yet available on Amazon.com. Go to Garmin's website and look under the accessories tab for this watch. You will see a different model number. I have confirmed this with customer service. The part number for the proper quick release kit is: 010-11215-00. Google it.
-If you want foot cadence or the ability to track distance indoors and assume you get it for spending $400 on this device, think again. You will have to buy a separate foot pod which costs $80-100, depending on where you buy it (earlier Garmin Forerunner watch kits included foot pods). Garmin Foot Pod SDM4 (ANT+)
-The watch is large and sits high on top of the wrist (they packed 20 hours of batter life into this watch), so to wear it under your wetsuit will let water in the wetsuit, or you will have to wear it on top of (or crammed in front of) the wetsuit, which will not allow you to remove your wetsuit without first removing the watch (thus adding time to your transition and sort of negating that whole "triathlete" angle). You can see a photo of this watch on my wrist under the photos section of the product.
-There is no way to turn off GPS tracking for only one of the 3 events in multisport mode. Therefore you will always either have incorrect GPS data recording for the swimming mode (or, actually "other", since there is no "swim" mode, as previously mentioned). I have called customer support and they confirm this. Their solution was to turn off GPS while I am swimming, then reset and manually start a new timer and mode during transition 1 for my bike event. I'll let you be the judge of how to take that advice.
So, in conclusion, if you want to setup this watch for a bike and run, and want the ability to wear the watch in the water before hand (and no start it unless you want some incorrect distance data included), you will need to buy:
$400 - the Garmin 310XT with HR
$25 - quick release mount kit (for wrist and bike) (no link in Amazon yet)
$80-100 - foot pod (if you want cadence)
Garmin Foot Pod SDM4 (ANT+)
$35-50 - speed/cadence sensor (if you want cadence for the bike)
GARMIN 010-10644-00 Speed/Cadence Sensor
You'll be into it for $575 retail. Garmin, you did us wrong on this one. Some of us are willing to spend this kind of money on a product if it proves to do what it advertises itself to do. We're not asking it to do anything more than perform as advertised. I realize your fine print saves you from lawsuits, but it doesn't gain you repeat customers. It sends them over to Polar.
[EDIT: I have edited the title of this review to what it currently reads from "Misleading: Not a Triathlete's Watch," because it seems that Garmin has somewhat softened their advertising and marketing surrounding this watch. I purchased this watch when it first came out in 2009, and at the time the marketing videos and advertising in triathlon magazines mentioned nothing about the fact that it doesn't track GPS data in the water, and in fact seemed to lead the consumer into believe it does. That advertising has since softened.]
Customer Review: 310XT is most everything Garmin says it is
Summary: 5 Stars
I felt compelled to write a review, because I am disturbed with what some other reviewers are publishing. This is the best watch of it's kind I have owned, and as long as a purchaser understands what it does, and it's limitations, I think they will be more than satisfied. It may be that this watch will not meet their needs, but it should not be a cause to deliver a poor rating.
I have owned the Forerunner 305, the 201, the Timex GPS and a Polar, so I have years of experience. Since I do triathlons, I was most looking forward to the waterproof controls, and 20 hour battery. The charger is a bit funky design, but for me it seems to work just fine. My battery has been lasting at least 16 hours--I haven't tested it further before recharging. One issue that I had with the 305 also, though: the watch should be TURNED OFF while you are charging. If not, as soon as you disconnect the charger, since the watch is ON, it will start "discharging" (as it does normally while it is on. I have been caught several times with a depleted battery on my 305 because of this quirk--I think the watches should be programmed to automatically turn themselves off when the charger is connected).
I have used the new watch swimming, biking and running and hiking, and I am pleased with the performance for each sport. One reviewer pointed out that there should be a "swim" mode--I agree, but I think Garmin may have avoided that mode because the GPS does not work well in the water. Several reviewers complained about that, however Garmin does write on their website AND in their manual that the GPS does not work well in the water (I don't know that I would blame that on Garmin--probably the technology is just not there yet--besides, GPS signals do not penetrate water.) In fact, I did NOT get an accurate GPS distance reading for open water swimming, but it did map my COURSE correctly, albeit with a lot of zig-zags (I know I can't swim in a straight line, but I am not THAT bad).
The biking portion works great. The Garmin matches pretty closely with the distance measured on my bike computer (I don't have the Garmin bike sensor--I want that and the quick-release mount for my next birthday). Of course it also tracks speed, altitude, heart rate, etc. (I used the heart monitor strap from my 305).
Running works well also, basically same as biking although I do set up the display screens differently.
Other, useful new features I have noticed:
1. The watch locks onto satellites more quickly than my 305
2. The watch vibrates, although I wonder how this affects battery life. For instance it vibrates every lap (if I set it) so I know I have completed an autolap without having to look at the watch.
3. The software is more refined (lots of small fixes. For instance the settings function lets me know what sport mode I am in--although I think this could still be made easier and less confusing. And the time zone can be put on automatic--I always wondered why they couldn't do this before--the watch knows where it is for gosh sakes. And there are extra custom screens if you want them--statistic hounds take note.)
4. Wireless data upload. Very nice! Their new "Garmin Connect" site is also pretty useful, and the data can be uploaded directly to the Internet.
5. The 310XT is not much smaller or lighter than the 305 (according to the specs), but it FEELS MUCH smaller and lighter.
6. There is a progress bar for the battery charging. I would like to be able to see how much time is LEFT in my battery--I wish Garmin would add this.
In summary, I think this is far and away the best GPS watch Garmin has made, and is especially appropriate for triathletes (despite the swimming issue). You DO need to become accustomed to using the watch. Although I do not think it is hard to use, you SHOULD read the manual. At least you do not have to keep RE-reading the manual like I do for some other gadgets. I do think this watch is way overpriced, but I am a gadget freak, and I'm sure the price will come down over time, like it did for the 305 (which is a great deal, now, btw, if you don't need a 20 hour battery-life and a waterproof stopwatch :)
Customer Review: 310XT is fabulous, Garmin Connect is garbage
Summary: 3 Stars
I have had the 310XT for about 3 weeks and it is FABULOUS. It has a great GPS, a flexible user interface and lasts forever. I am not a tri-athlete, but I am a (SLOW) marathoner -- other watches have battery lives that are too short for me. I have used the 310XT about 10 times since I got it. I just love it.
Garmin Connect -- This is a web site that works with the data on your watch, displaying your runs and rides, etc. If you have *any* intention of buying this watch so that you can upload your tracks, see where you ran on a map, and "play" your run or ride over, forget it. At least forget it as of August 23, 2009. Garmin Connect is a fantastic idea that will work some day, and when it does, Garmin products will be worth buying just for the fun that Garmin Connect provides. It just doesn't work now. I have a Mac and have had a 3 week odyssey of having my runs upload just fine (4 of them), then fail to upload at all (6 of them). I have been told that I need to re--install software (which I did), that I need to de-install software... no wait, a NEW version of the software is out which might now work...., no wait, it still doesn't work.
Garmin Connect and the associated 310XT functionality are *purely* in the pre-release stage. Garmin just decided to throw them out there and let the users help debug. It is a scandalous approach to consumer electronics at this price.
So the device itself -- stand alone -- is 5 stars. You will love it. Garmin Connect and the associated functionality on the watch are 1 star -- they simply don't work. Put it all together and I give it a 3 star rating.
Just so you can see what awaits you if you wade into Garmin Connect, see below pasted from a "Admin" user on the Garmin Connect site. It is one of the many, many, drifting, vague, conflicting, useless threads about my Mac problem. Notice the irony -- you spend $400 on the 310XT and heart monitor and then you have to wade through this sort of un-informative junk, which ends with the Admin's tag line of "I'm a happy girl". Well, I can tell you, I am NOT a happy girl about Garmin Connect.
Old 07-23-2009, 05:21 PM
RUNKKRUN RUNKKRUN is offline
Administrator - Team GC
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 106
Default Resolution for Garmin Communicator Not Found in Safari 4
Original post from APELOSI:
If you are using Safari 4 Beta and the Garmin Communicator Plugin shows as not being installed (when uploading new or from list), please remove "Macintosh HD/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.webplugin" and restart Safari 4.
From IShouldBeRunning:
Uh, ok... but what if I use Flip4Mac?
From saeedi:
What's interesting is that after removing Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.webplugin I still have a plug-in called Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.plugin that seems to allow the browser to view WMV files in the browser. And Communicator does work in Safari still.
From saeedi:
A new version of Flip4mac was released (2.2.3.7) but unfortunately, still an issue with the web plugin.
From petej:
Thank you for the workaround, and for the hard work on getting Garmin Connect running for all devices.
Now that Safari 4 is no longer beta, will the conflict with Flip4Mac be resolved? Has someone at Garmin opened a Radar with Apple on the issue?
I'm really happy GC now supports my devices.
From APELOSI:
I was informed we opened up a case with Apple when the "solution" was first found but I have no insight into whether or not Apple opened a case in Radar (gotta love the little ant eater) or not or what its progress is.
I'm a happy girl.
Customer Review: Best GPS/HRM Watch Given Tech Limitations
Summary: 5 Stars
GENERAL/RUNNING/BIKING:
Pros: - The watch is easy to set up out of the box. ANT+ pairing is quick and simple, and the online tools are much improved from previous editions.
- Display is customizable, with up to 4 items per screen with easy scrolling to another screen with different layout and information. You can include pace, heart rate, heart rate map, caloric burn, time, distance and several other options (those are the ones I use).
- Auto-multisport allows for pre-programmed hot swapping between sport modes (i.e. bike to run to "other") by pressing the lap button.
- The watch also includes a virtual "rabbit" (a.k.a. pace maker) that will simulate a preset pace and tell you how far ahead or behind that pace you are. Awesome in-training motivation!
- The watch also tracks your individual fitness once you enter your height, weight and fitness level. You can even pair it with the Tanita BC-1000 scale and have it automatically update this information wirelessly through that scale. Haven't tried this myself, but it sounds sweet.
- People complain about OTHER mode being on the options menu, but as someone who also snowboards and windsurfs I appreciate Garmin expanding this watch's functionality beyond the three triathlete sports (see SWIMMING section below)
- There are several other features and options you can customize here, but those are the primary ones I use.
Cons: - The watch works very well in the trees, but not so much on switchbacks. If you like running or biking switchbacks, the GPS mapping mode does not interpret these very well and will likely cut off some distance on your route. The Forerunner 305 is better in this regard.
- Elevation accuracy has a lot of noise, and goes from mediocre to worthless on your route. This isn't a big deal for me, as I'm familiar with the elevation of the routes I run, but it would be irritating for serious users of the elevation feature.
- The watch and PC software are not forgiving if you don't set it up correctly prior to the workout. If you change modes mid-workout outside of the pre-programmed hotswapping it drops any previous data rather than appending the old data to the beginning of your new workout. I found this shortcoming reading other reviews and then testing it myself. Just be sure you set the watch up correctly prior to training and you'll be fine.
SWIMMERS/TRIATHLETES: Before you read any other reviews, there are some basic facts about GPS and ANT+ technology you have to understand before you set your triathlete expectations about this or any similar watch. GPS and ANT+ signals do not penetrate water effectively. You are not going to find an ANT+ HRM that works well submerged until they upgrade the ANT+ standard, and until the government switches out the orbiting satellites, GPS will simply not work when you are submerged.
That said, if you wear this watch in the back of your swim cap facing the sky, the GPS is a lot more functional. DC Rainmaker does some great testing ([...]) that demonstrates how the 305 and 310XT both fare in GPS tracking using this technique. The short answer is "It actually works pretty darn well." If you want a good, aquatic HRM, I recommend the FINIS Aqua Pulse ([...]). Garmin did not include a dedicated SWIM mode, because it understood the tech's aquatic limitations, and before you buy any product you should understand those limitations as well.
Customer Review: Satisfies expectations ...to date.
Summary: 4 Stars
First of all I need to make clear that I will use this device for running (90% of the time) and biking. No swimming. I've read many posts on how poorly it performs under water and I am not surprised.
I've had the 310XT for a month now, after my 305 finally died because of rusty contacts inside (there went the water resistant claim).
I am hoping that this one will really be water resistant and be able to handle the sweat and occasional rain. And I had a 201 before that. All in all I've had a Garmin running watch for about five years and I have seen the progression of this technology and how much it has improved, and I LOVE IT.
I like the design and color combinations in the 310XT, the wrist band is also nicer (not that I ever had any trouble with the 305's wrist band).
The 310XT catches satellites faster, and it seems to be able to cling on to low GPS signals better than the 305. Really nice in order to give you very accurate reads on your workout parameters (distance, pace/speed, etc.) Part of my runs are in narrow streets lined by high rises, and mapped runs look really fine.
This is the main reason for any owner of a watch like this, so it better deliver, and it does.
I like the refreshed display interface which seems to have even more options than before, very customizable. The main numbers are still big and clear, even for someone like me that needs glasses to read the finer print (I should note that I still navigate the watch by memory because I can't read the descriptions and prompts).
The vibrate alert is new, nice addition, which you can set according to distance, time, laps, etc., also highly customizable.
Training partner is still there if you need an extra kick to reach a desired pace, same as with the 305.
Another new feature that I noticed is that it also self-adjusts the time according to where you are. I don't know how it does this but I recently traveled from the US to Argentina and the correct time was set after I turned it on down south. Neat.
What I don't like is the new wireless interface, why did Garmin have to move away from the 100% reliable hardwired connection? Garmin's ANT Agent installed correctly on my Vista PC, and eventually I can get the workouts out of the 310XT, but I have to try 2 or 3 different USB ports every time, and when all else fails, I have to reboot the PC and start over. The cable in the 305 worked everytime, I had the base on my desk to pop-in the old 305 after each workout.
As for the HR monitor, not much to add about its functionality, it paired fine the first time and it works same as the old one. The design looks a bit sleeker, but there was nothing wrong with the old HR monitor. As a matter of fact, the design of the old strap made it very easy to change the elastic band (which in time stretches, unavoidable) without haveing to deal with the electrodes.
All in all a great GPS watch for runners and bikers. Not sure if you are a swimmer, read other posts for that.