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Garmin 310xt vs Joule 2.0

Steve WestSteve West
in General Training Discussions

Help for us 'power newbies' .....

I have a 310xt that will work as a CPU for the soon to be mine PT Pro+.  Would it be worth the money to get a Joule for the robust features or is that just over kill?  What key features will I be missing if I use the 310?

Run Strong,

Steven

Comments

  • gilliattgilliatt
    Real time TSS and Normalized power, VI is what you miss. You don't need them. They are nice to have items not absolutely necessary though. Hard to say if it is worth the money. I don't have a joule.....those that have them love them though. They look pretty sweet
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    I've been riding with real time TSS, Pnorm, and IF for years with the Ergomo, now with the Joule. VERY powerful information to have, for training and racing. I also like the fact that the Joule and PT are made by the same company. I'm always nervous about getting other peoples stuff to work with other peoples stuff all the time. Add WKO to the equation and the need for all of that to talk to each other...I prefer simple.

  • tgarsontgarson

    Steven, I ended up going into a pretty specific compare and contrast of my experiences with the 310xt versus the Joule here: endurancenation.us.dnnmax.com/Commu...fault.aspx

    See my post to Matt towards the bottom. The short version is that the 310xt is perfectly functional and I trained with it as my sole head unit for almost a year, however once you start getting into some of the more advanced applications of power, the Joule starts to become a lot more attractive.

  • Steve WestSteve West

    Dan - thanks for input.  Guess I havent read enough yet 'cause I don't know what VI refers to.

    Rich - I kind of knew you would chime in fully in favor of more data is better.   Being a coach and all, I'd be more surprised if you didnt. 

    Trevor,  Excellent review and very much what I was looking for.   Makes me realize I can get started with my 310 and do fine.   It doesn't seem like I will be lacking any of the most important data capture.   As I get more experience with the data and analysis, I can revisit the question with a better feel for how much value the added features will be.

    Thanks to all

     Run Strong,

    Steven

  • Bill McKinneyBill McKinney
    VI = NP/AP = how steady are you riding. I'm sure there's a more thorough definition in the wiki or in the riding with power material.
  • Chris GChris G
    I have both and think the joule is easily worth the money. It is a very good tool. As noted above the 310 does work fine, just not the same. I also preferred the ylc to the 310 as a bike computer even thuugh it did not have tsp or np.
  • Steve WestSteve West

    Being the geek that I am, I'm gonna have to go the Joule.

    Thanks to all for sharing.

  • rah2774rah2774

    thanks for the thread and the input, will check out the compare/contrast post work... I was planning on Quarq/Joule in the off season... but now my Garmin 305 is on the blink and I'll be picking up the 310XT in the next day or so bc I still have some training to do til IMFL...

    I logged on planning to ask the question but I see Steven beat me to it... at least I have some time to pay off the bike ... and the watch... and the new shoes... before I get power (early Dec, I think - in time for Jan OS).  Seriously, when it rains it pours.  Wish all my stuff crapped out on me at different times (and not in the 12 weeks leading up to my first IM).    But I'll be on a purty new bike with purty new shoes come Nov. 6 ... and the 310XT battery will hold up for the duration of the race.

  • Steve WestSteve West
    @Becky, I hear you on the $$ drain. Just before the Pumpkinman challenge I decided to upgrade my compact for a Ultegra 52/39/30 and new rubber. Now 6 weeks later I plunked down an even bigger chunk on a PT Pro+ and the Joule. But the way I figure it, the investment in training tools will be well worth it. I used a 305 for several years of running an I loved it, but the 310xt is really way better. If you liked the 305, you will love the 310xt - waterproof, long battery and very configurable screens.

    Run Strong
  • Bob IrwinBob Irwin

    I decided to get the garmin edge 500 when I got my firt PT early this year - the Joule was still a couple months away.  It was very easy to pair with the PT and has worked like a charm - and the price is pretty reasonable.  A couple of months ago, I got a REI gift card and decided to use it towards a 310 as my old polar 625 is starting to give up.  I have been very happy with the two together when racing.  I don't think that I would like the 310 by itself as a CPU for the PT (too many things missing), but together they are great (and I think about the same price as the Joule by itself).

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