So what's the final verdict on the 910?
So...
I've lately gotten into Strava and am finding it a good and fun motivational tool for my local training rides. We have a LOT of local cyclists and its fun to see who's doing what on "your" climbs, setting long term goals to crush your friends KOM's, stuff like that.
I'm currently just using the Strava app on my iPhone 4S and it looks like I could get about 4.5-5hrs battery life using the app. Which is fine, but I see my cell phone as a safety device and don't want to run the battery down if I don't have to. So I've thought about getting a Garmin 500, because it's relatively cheap, but that has me thinking about the 910 as I'm currently rocking the run with a 5yr old 305 which keeps on ticking.
So:
- I heart my Joule. It rocks. Is the 910XT a better powermeter monitor than the Joule? I think the 910XT now displays WKO metrics but are there any bugs with getting it to talk to computers, software, etc?
- Any quicks on the run?
- Any strap issues with it falling off in the swim, etc? I absolutely won't wear it in pool swims but have had problems with expensive Polar monitors breaking buttons rendering them less-water resistant in races.
Basically, I'm fine rocking 2007 on the run and 2010 on the bike but I'm digging Strava and am considering an ANT+ / GPS device for the bike. Sell me on the 910
Comments
-It is an adequate power meter, and displays stuff accurately, but it is not better than a Joule.
-Run bugs SEEM to be all gone, but let's give it another month or two. A few months ago, my standard, run-it-all-the time six-mle Loop was showing up as a 5.25 miler - and some of it was in Lake Michigan.
The thing I like least about this watch? The buttons are a little too easy to push: It keeps turning on when getting bumped in my gym bag and losing all of its charge.
It is light, comfortable, and pretty easy to navigate. Overall review: I wouldn't be sad if I still had my 310xt.
The 910 is a triathletes computer and it's strength is being able to be on from start to finish for an IM. To me the 910 can be a bike computer but that is not it's primary purpose. If you want a bike computer there are other better options from Garmin (edge 500 and 800) but if you want the best bang for your buck then the 910 is a great option.
The edge 500 costs half as much and has a bigger display that can show more data. If you are primarily looking for a bike computer, go with the edge 500. if you want a single device that can do everything, then get the 910XT. If you want the best of everything, use a edge 800 or 500 on the bike and a 910 for racing/swimming/running.
To answer your actual questions:
- Yes, 910, 800, 500 have TSS, IF, NP and they are accurate and do not have issues downloading data, etc. As I mentioned, not better, not worse than the Joule, they have different features (customizable display, GPS, maps, etc).
- As Beth said, there were some run pace/distance bugs, but they all appear to be fine for me now as well.
- Strap seems solid to me and I've used it in open water (races) and the pool. I wont wear for a normal workout, but for a 1000 TT pool swim it's great as I just swim and can glance at it and see my avg pace and the distance I've gone so far. No more losing count and I can see my metrics for every 25 out the the 1000.
My advice for you would be to get a Edge 500. It's smaller than the Joule, meant to be a cycling computer, works with Strava and everything else, costs half as much as the 910xt, you wont look like a triathlete or fred with it on your road bike, and the display is easier to read. I don't think you will ever use the swim features on the 910 and the old 305 works just fine on the run. For a tri geek like me, the 910 is great.
I have all the garmin products so if you have questions, ask away.
Bottom line. I'll get another 910XT. I use for swimming, and using it in open water is cool. I like it better than my 305 on run cause it's lower profile, the buttons are better, less prone to sticking. As for the bike, I'll continue to use my Joule, but will wear it anyway. I like comparing distances, speeds, etc between the devices.
I totally agree with Mancona. I have the 910 and really like it. It swims great, but Garmin is launching an inexpensive pool swimmer this month. 910 races well and smoothly got me around Wildflower transitions and everything.
My thought is that the 500 is a better pure cycling computer. It has more data fields. The 910 only has 4 fields per page versus the 8 for the 500 and it is cheaper. If those aren't issues for you get the 910 which I use exclusively on my Tri bike and while swimming. I use a 610 as my runner and the 500 on my roadie.
I don't understand why you need a fancy GPS watch for the swim, especially the pool? It's a measured distance, pace clock, etc?
Am I missing anything else?
However, this new, cheaper little lady could be the way to go for pool swimming on at a known distance: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/06/garmin-swim-watch-in-depth-review.html
I could be pretty slick for around town as well if you like that rugged, triathlete vibe....
While you don't need it for a pool swim, it is nice to have - counts laps/yardage for you, counts strokes, calculates SWOLF score, etc. I use it with a footpod on the run - instantaneous pace using GPS is still way too erratic for my likes, and once calibrated the footpod is dead-on accurate.
One possible issue that I have noticed is that my NP after a ride is consistently lower that I thought it would be based on looking at 3 sec averaged power during the ride. This happened to a lesser degree using the LYC and I learned to compensate for it, but the effect seems much greater using the 910xt. Not sure if it is me riding to variably, or something about the 910xt. But after each ride I'm still a little surprised at NP values lower than I thought they would be after looking at the 3-sec averaged readout.
When it comes to counting laps and swims sets, I've got game, after a lifetime of practice
.
I think I'll keep the Joule + 305 + $35 Timex
Actually, I can ride with the 305 on my wrist to record the track and upload that to Strava. The Joule remains the PM. I just can't integrate GPS and power data in Strava, but that's cool. I'm more interested in not burning the battery on the iPhone.
Of course, all of this Strava stuff changes next spring when Bucky Chablis starts crushing all of the SGV KOMs
One last thing. If you buy a 910XT, you can get a $50 rebate from Garmin on your 305.
http://garmin.blogs.com/promotions/
The bike power metrics. The 310 will not be getting that update.
The 910 strap also has way more adjustability than the 310 strap. The watch is also much more securely fastened to the strap than the 310. The 310 was very poorly designed in that regard.
It's also black and not bright orange.
It picks up the satellite signal much quicker than the 310.
Thanks all.
I had dinner with Sawiris last night and I plan to pick up a 500 (red or blue, natch) this week before my east coast camps.
I think Strava will be a great training tool for me next year for IMCDA. I don't do formal intervals, I do courses, and there are a LOT of segments around me that I ride all the time. Very easy for me to create my own solo training TT series of increasing length and difficulty, slap those on a calendar, straffe the leaderboards and call it training
In the near term the 305 on the wrist (Coach R stylie) might be a way to start recording rides on Strava...
I know i need to learn to ride steadier, so i am working on that on my ABP rides, just riding at .75 the whole time and am truly amazed at what my total IF # turns out to be for the 3 hour effort.
perhaps a new thread?
I ride courses, not intervals, but I have the terrain around me to support that -- hilly routes, flats, mix of both, etc. I basically just toss my leg over the bike, ride to where my informal course starts, go as hard as I can, done.
It's kind of a moot point because I gather that you are in the market for a computer right now (and I think the Edge 500 is a fine choice anyway), but there is a new version of the Joule with GPS that is coming out "soon".
It looks like it may be pretty slick, and DC Rainmaker just got updated units that I think are for review... so it may actually come out this time. But they've been really flaky on the dates so still probably a much better bet to just get the Garmin.
@ Rich - what time frame would you hope to see one on a continuous hill in order to be able to do your method? i do have a lot of 4-8 minute strong hills near me, some longer rides can entail at least two hills of at least 6% and at least 10 minutes... with lots of other shorter but certainly steep hills thrown in. I guess the question is, at what duration can one convert to the push when terrain allows you to push mentality, vs the smooth power interval?
My biggest concern is that i never hit the 20 minute smooth power interval because i will spin out on many of the downhills.
and yes, we have chatted about this before, but i am getting smarter
and more thoughtful on the topic