Garmin or joule

cgres123

I'm using a PT Ant CPU now and looking to switch up to a Garmin or Joule. Does anyone have a preference over one or the other and why ?

Thx D

gilliatt

I have a joule but I think if I were in the market again I'd look hard at the garmin. Good things are happening. Garmin is releasing software updates to put TSS/IF/NP on its display. It might pay to wait a few months and see if the prices drop.

cgres123

@ Dan, I do like the features that the Garmin has but what is missing is the TSS,IF, NP display. They add that to the Garmin I'd give it a long hard look. I'll wait and thanks for the info !

D

Norton

The joule has not served me well; the chronic short battery life has driven me batty.

jburbatt

Here's the discussion on NP coming to the Garmin: http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/6842/Default.aspx

I'd guess it would be soon, considering the press release.

I'd recommend checking out DC Rainmaker if you haven't already. He does a pretty thorough review of the Garmins (and I think he did the Joule with the Power Tap).

jburbatt

And here is Ancona's review of the Edge 800: http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/6937/Default.aspx

Very helpful!

cgres123

Got to love this place ....

tuckerm

Well David you could also jump on one of these...

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/10/garmin-forerunner-910xt-in-depth-review.html

mancona

Now that the news is out...

If depends on what you are looking for. if you want the latest with all the bells and wistles, order a new Forerunner 910XT... which will realistically probably be in your hands around Thanksgiving.

If you want a single device to do everything, but on a budget, watch for sales on the 310XT.

if all you care about is a bike computer, then I would go edge 500 or wait for the new joule to come out.

Michele Cellai

I have 2 Joules and 1 LYC. I prefer the LYC.
I can't clear the Joule history. You wait for the memory to get full and replace the card.
Downloading a Joule ride takes forever. I truly set it up and leave, usually checking back hours later. Total PITA.
Joule is not easy to read (IMO).
DH has Garmin. I covet it but say nothing. He is a techno geek. I am waiting for him to get tired of it and toss it my way.

Nemo Brauch

Put IF,TSS,and VI on my Garmin 310XT and I'm gonna be one happy camper (and will likely be selling my Joule that I use on the road bike). The lap swim stuff on the 910XT looks great too- (if I upgrade to the 910XT I'll also be selling my swimovate). My issue is generally fit. So the question will be if the 910 wrist band will fit on my freakishly small wrists- oh yeah, and price!!!

You gotta love DC Rainmaker.

tuckerm

@Nemo, heard it will be $400! A little bit pricey for those of us with pre-existing equipment but a downright bargain for someone who would say be new to power. A watch for all three sports you where you can train and race with it for $400 is really nice.

cgres123

I really like this new product I'll have to keep my eye on it to see what the real price is going to be. that was a good find tucker .

tuckerm

It's gonna be $399 w/o heart rate strap, $449 with it. I know Garmin was having a $50 rebate to turn an old watch in for a new one. Not sure if that is still around. Should be hitting distributors second week of November.

cgres123

I really like this new product I'll have to keep my eye on it to see what the real price is going to be. that was a good find tucker .

mancona

Tucker has the prices right. Typically you can find Garmin products for about 10% off at various online bike shops, otherwise you end up playing about full price.

Personally when I buy sports electronic devices retail I like to buy from REI. Thy have an awesome return/exchange policy so if you break it they take care of it for you. Also if you become a member you get 10% back at the end of the year.

cgres123

REI is a good idea too. Some place to take it to vs on line you can walk out the door with a Garmin in hand !

jburbatt

Posted By Nemo Brauch on 04 Oct 2011 02:20 PM

Put IF,TSS,and VI on my Garmin 310XT and I'm gonna be one happy camper (and will likely be selling my Joule that I use on the road bike). The lap swim stuff on the 910XT looks great too- (if I upgrade to the 910XT I'll also be selling my swimovate). My issue is generally fit. So the question will be if the 910 wrist band will fit on my freakishly small wrists- oh yeah, and price!!!



You gotta love DC Rainmaker.

 

910 will also offer a velcro strap option, so that should work for your wrists I know it does for mine!

Nemo Brauch

Jennifer- I saw that, and I'm hoping you are right!

Tucker- $400 does feel steep, but if I sell my Garmin 310XT, Joule, and Swimovate all for half their original cost, I should be able to make it sort of a "trade". They certainly hit the mark right in my opinion on this one.

Mancona- I'm with you on the REI purchase. My first Garmin died out of warranty. Garmin would exchange it for a refurbished unit plus $$ (can't remember the $$ but it seemed high to me at the time). REI on the other hand has a lifetime guarantee so they exchanged it outright. Plus, I buy lots of camping/hiking stuff there and can always use the rebate. Hopefully they will carry this model when it comes out!

mancona

Actually, Garmin has been VERY good about warranty for me, even before I was sponsored by them. However, the 2 times I had to send brooken devices in, I had to pay shipping and it took a little over a week to get them back. As David and Nemo pointed out, walk into the local REI, walk back out with a replacement 5 minutes later is hard to beat and worth the premium in my opinion.

FWIW, the items I sent back were a 1st Gen 310XT with water under the screen and a first gen footpod that stopped working. The newer and free replacements of both have worked great.

Nemo Brauch

Sorry- I wasn't trying to say Garmin wasn't honoring their warranty. My first Garmin (the 301???) broke down well outside the 1 year warranty period so their response wasn't unexpected. But lifetime guarantee by REI is hard to beat at worth the extra $$ IMHO (and I don't live near an REI so even the extra shipping is worth it to me).

Michele Cellai

I want the 910XT. I decided not to get the 610 this summer when they had the $50 rebate and would refurbish the unit for a new user.It would have been a nice gesture, but I couldn't justify it and the LBS dude agreed.

But the 910!! I am getting it, and I am not usually an early adopter. I might be lazy about getting it in a timely manner, but I will have it for next race season.

And I will sell my Joule in a heartbeat. I prefer the LYC.

Nemo Brauch

DC Rainmaker has a new blog post with a few preliminary results on the indoor swim/lap functions of the new 910XT. I'll be waiting for Garmin to add the "pause" function to their firmware for the 910XT before I pull out my cc. See the review here: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/10/friday-tidbits-first-garmin-fr910xt.html

cgres123

Thx for the update on DC, I have been waiting for THAT particular function of the watch to be tested just a little more too. I do have wall time !

Michele Cellai

Since I never stop my watch when swimming or resting between sets, I'm not sure that this would be a deal breaker for me. Especially when the yardage will still come out correctly. Then again, I don't get too OCD about my swim times.