Should I buy a Garmin 310XT or Get the 910XT?

John Stark

Hi Folks:

Searched the forms and saw some threads about the 310xt and 910xt but nothing asking my question above.  So . . . 

I have used the 310xt and my wife has since "acquired" it and uses it all the time as she is an avid runner.  I really liked it but it is hers now.    I have done some quick research and see there is a 910xt on the market and looks like awesome tri-geek tech porn.  But do I really need it?  I like the 310XT and it met all my needs 2+ years ago.  The 910xt is ~$400 and the 310xt is ~$180.  Is the 910xt worth the extra $$$$.

Any insight is appreciated.

John

Peter Noyes

The main reason to get the 910XT is for swimming, at least from my perspective. The 310xt only helps you for open water swims if I remember correctly. The 910xt will track a ton of data in a pool workout. It is really nice, not just for analyzing later, but for helping me get through the workout. I have it set up to show me the SWOLF score from my last lap for instance.

Here is my morning swim workout tracked by a 910XT (I know I am slow...)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/403785460

Mark Cardinale

John - I have never used the 310, but I love my 910.  Not sure about the feature differences, but I have noticed in the stores that the 910 has a smaller profile than the 310.  I use it for all my pool and open water swim workout and for all my runs.  The only time i do not use my 910 is on the bike when i use my edge.  As you might expect DCRainmaker has a detailed review on the 910 and check out this article for a comparison of the 310 vs 910.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/05/incredible-fr910xt-fr310xt.ht

One thing to consider....If you decide to pull the trigger on the 910, wait until black friday.  There will most likely be 10-20% off deals which at $399 is a nice chunk of change. 

Steve West

John, I'm an old dog that doesn't like to change unless I see value to me.

Currently on my 2nd 310xt and if I had to replace it, it would be a no-brainer to get the 310xt again. I don't need bells and whistles, just a solid tool.

Got some extra $$ laying around? Go for the shiny object. Just need something to track your progress? Get the 310 and use the difference to take the wife and kids somewhere for a day.

robin sarner

Lots or problems with the 910. Are these firmware solved yet?

MattAaronson

I have a 910 xt. It works perfectly and I love it. The advantage over the 310 is lap-swimming and I believe (but am not sure) that the open-water swimming mode is more accurate.

harrast

I'm still rocking the forerunner 305. They used to be cheap, about $150. But now I see the price is $364 on Amazon. Must be a cult item. Anyway, works great. No complaints even if it is a little slow picking up the satellites and it chafes the wrist. Someday I'll upgrade because the swimming tools in the newer models would be nice.

Mark Cardinale

@Robin - I've heard about the issues with firmware updates, but so far (knock on wood) i've been lucky in that i haven't encountered any problems.  I have heard good things about Garmin's customer service.  One person in my local tri-club is now on their third 910 and the last replacement came well after the warranty period.  While it's not good to have multiple problems, it does seem Garmin is committed to making things right.

tcattri

@John - I just went through this same process. I have had the 305 for ~6 years and it has always worked (and continues to work) like a charm. I read the DC Rainmaker reviews and feedback from the EN forums. I chose the 910 versus the 310 or just getting a stand alone cycling computer.

I have had my 910 for a few weeks now and love it! I love that I have one device for everything and the quick release system works great. I downloaded the 3.0.0 firmware (my understanding is that the firmware issues were with the 2.7.0 version). The only issue I have is that sometimes it misses a lap in the pool if you do not push off hard enough (which was also noted in one of the reviews).

I actually found a discount code in one of the EN forums, so I saved 25% off the ~$400, which also sweetened the deal. I have never used the 310 so cannot compare it, but there's my two cents.

ezellrh

John, the only thing I would add to the conversation (having used both the 305 ~3 years and the 910 ~2 years) is that besides the swimming , the 910 offers a vibrating alert. While it doesn't sound like a feature worth the extra $$$, I find that I really like this feature and currently have it set to ping me every mile (so I can check my split). I try not to run staring at my wrist. The wireless workout downloading is a very "nice to have" feature as well. Both devices are quality, but I'm now exclusely using the 910 and have the 305 for emergency backup.

Dino Sarti

Is this question coming from the man who waited in line to get the latest and greatest Playstation console?

I am stunned.

John Stark

@Dino - You funny man!  The Playstation is for my son.  But believe me I had him do his research before he made the decision to buy it.  :-)

Thanks for the feedback everyone.  I have decided to go with the 910XT because of your feedback and:

 - The pool swim data piece

 - The OW swim data piece

 - Wireless download

 - It's shiny new tri tech  

I read the DC Rainmaker review and it sounds really nice.  I used his posted discount with free shipping and no sales tax and ordered it. 

Thanks again for the feedback.

Stark out!

Dino Sarti

That's my man!

John Stark

Posted By Dino Sarti on 15 Nov 2013 01:35 PM


That's my man!

Gotta keep up with the Joneses.  Sorry, I meant Sarti's.  :-)

Laura Becker

@ John- how do you like your new gadget?? 

And I have a quick question about the 910XT just out of curiosity.... Can the 910XT replace your bike computer? May be a silly question but just wondering peoples thoughts about that....

John Stark

@Laura - Only used it for a pool swim so far.  I like the size and seeing my swim data.

Yes it can replace your bike computer.  the mount is here:  https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sho...29-00.html

Scott Alexander

I went through this internal discussion late last year, and for the money I went with the 910. Esp since I do most of my swimming indoors, and it counts laps/distance pretty accurately.

Although I wish WKO+ had a swim threshold value, so accurate TSS could be generated - but that's not a discussion for here!

John Stark

@Scott - Years ago I started putting my swims into WKO+ manually.  1 TSS point per minute of swimming.  And I always put my IF at .8.  Not perfect but at least the data is consistent.

You probably do this already, but just wanted any new folks know there is a way to add to your weekly data.

Rock on, brotha!

MattAaronson

Posted By Scott Alexander on 19 Nov 2013 12:00 PM


Although I wish WKO+ had a swim threshold value, so accurate TSS could be generated - but that's not a discussion for here!

I can't resist, sorry...TrainingPeaks calculates a TSS based on a t-pace you enter in your profile.

Coach Rich

I'm on an old 305 and 500 for the bike.

The 305 is getting tough to download, I probably need to clean the contacts on the watch and download cradle thingy. The 500 is requiring more deliberate button pushes but both are simple and work for me. 

I could see getting the 510 when/if the 500 dies on me, for the Strava and online features. 

On new to me mtn bike rides/routes I mount my Garmin Montana 600 GPS to the bike, the same unit I use for my motorcycle stuff  and I may start to carry one of my UHF radio tuned to whatever emergency freq my local SAR friends recommend. 

Joseph Lombardi

I have the 310xt and still love it...can't see any good reaons to pay up for the 910xt...though if I had money to burn I might...Note: I have a Garmin Swim for inside swims...which I also like very much.,