Reviews of the Garmin Forerunner 310XT

Real Reviews Submitted by Real Users!

If you enjoy tri training then this is a great device. It allows you to configure several different sports, screens, and options. Since I love a host of sports it's important to utilize various screens throughout all my sessions.

Whether its street running, track running, or my tri and road bikes, the configuration for each one is easy.

If you're into Ironman training this device will give you enough battery life to complete all three stages. However, I wouldn't recommend a 405 battery because it doesn't last until the end.

Also, the only problem I found was the wrist band. It's quite fragile, because there were a couple times where I hit my friend's hand while running and it fell to the ground.

2. I've only been able to use it once, but I have to say that its quite enjoyable. Granted, I'm not a tri-athlete nor do I have a big amount of expectations. The best way to explain it is using something Norman Dale said in the movie Hoosiers; "I am supporting it for what it is, and not what it is not." It takes a little time to configure it, but the time is well worth it. It offers things like customizing age, weight, etc., and you only have to do it once. If you're in need of a basic unit like I was then it's definitely a good choice. This allowed me to stay away from the vast amount of features that can simply overwhelm you. Plus, the unit will upload various workouts right from your PC.

3. In the beginning I felt as though the size was going to be an issue. The 305 I used to have was a bit larger than I anticipated, but it turns out this was really comfortable. It didn't have nearly as much bulk and gave me plenty of references when it came to running and biking. If you plan on using it while swimming it could cause a bit of an issue when wearing a wetsuit. This usually revolves around pulling it through the sleeves. However, the strap is a lot more sturdy than most of the watches I've come across. I really love the waterproofing capabilities since you can look at your swim split during a Triathlon.

Probably one of the biggest benefits is enjoying long battery life, especially over a 3 day training period and the race itself. When you ride or run beneath trees the GPS antenna seems very receptive, and the HRM pick up easier. You will also notice that the HRM strap has improved over past models, so it's more comfortable and durable.

You will find that this is a very useful tool and is smaller than the 405. Anyone who is ready to train with an HRM should definitely take a closer look at it. Then again; if you need a speed distance pace monitor I wouldn't recommend spending the money. After all, the idea is to pay for what you need. Oh, and the colors of orange and gray can bring you a nice sporty appeal.

Summary:

Pros:
Waterproof
Smaller than Garmin 305
Sturdy strap
Easy buttons
Improved GPS antenna
HRM softer / more comfortable
HRM easy snap on button
HRM smaller sensor size (vs. Polar or previous Garmin or Timex)
Sporty color

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