login
replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ???
-
No new posts
 2015-01-23 12:01 PM |
Extreme Veteran  487  |  Subject: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ???Hi all, My trusty Forerunner 305, which has been one of my favorite possessions for years, is due for renewal. The battery lasts 4-5 hours, which is good enough for now, but won't be in a few months. There are a couple other signs of age too, like the occasional all black screen, and I have to re-seat it many times to get a data transfer connection (I could try harder to clean the connection though). So, what to do? I was psyched about the swim tracking and barometric altimeter on the 910 (the 920 looks awesome, but I could get a refurbished 910 for $220 or a used one for about $160, and I don't care about many of the new 920 features, especially the everyday watch/fitness tracker applications). But then I found the option to replace the 305 battery, which would get me through this year with the 305. I'm thinking next year I probably get a powermeter (probably 4iii or Stages, but who knows what that market will look like in a year), so I want to keep an eye to what I might want at that time. Any thoughts on A) risks of a used or refurbished 910, B) what a 910 wouldn't do that I might want a year from now, C) risks with replacing the 305 battery, or D) anything I maybe haven't thought about? Also, on dedicated bike computers... if they don't already, do we not expect phones to do everything they do? With a bluetooth transmitting powermeter, it seems like a phone app should be able to display all the cycling data plus map/turn-by-turn directions. Are we there or almost there yet? Thanks collective BT wisdom! |
| 2015-01-23 12:18 PM in reply to: neweyes |
1502   Katy, Texas | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? I just got a 910 a couple of weeks ago and I love it. I bought it used on ebay for $160 and I have had no issues with functionality. If there are enough pictures, you can tell the good from the bad, or at least have a moderate comfort level based on visible wear and tear. This is my first time using a triathlon watch, so all the features are new to me and awesome. Especially the swimming tracking. I found it to be extremely accurate provided you keep in mind how it is calculating your pool lengths. i.e. it's waiting for a pause from your push off the wall, so if you're in the middle of a length, and stop to look at your watch or adjust your goggles or something, it will probably mark you for an extra lap (which I have heard folks complaining about) but if your conscious of it and your movements, it works perfectly. |
| 2015-01-23 1:49 PM in reply to: neweyes |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? My 305 was down to holding a charge for about 1 1/2hrs this fall and was going through the same thought process as you. As of right now I am working off or perceived effort, I have not pulled the trigger on anything. I don't think there is much sense to putting any money into the 305 anymore, but don't want to spend the money on a 910 or 920. I really don't need most of the features on the new watches, so I'm thinking of just getting a 310. When I think about what I really want it's heart rate, pace, and distance. I don't care a bout the swim features at all, just don't want it to crap out if it get wet. Cell phones are not allowed during a race so that's only an option for training. |
| 2015-01-23 2:01 PM in reply to: neweyes |
Regular 606 Portland, Oregon | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? How much to replace the battery? If it is cheap, then I would do that and then take that money saved and put it to the powermeter. Read up on the issues with the 910 and stages. You may end up buying a bike computer anyhow if that is the one you choose. |
| 2015-01-23 2:49 PM in reply to: dfroelich |
Master 4118 Toronto Bronze member | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? Depends on how much you would want/use the upgraded features and if you are the kind of person who like familiarity. I personally would just get the 910/920! They are so cool! But I know there are folks out there who don't care to have the latest and greatest. I know people who will never use these things to their full capability and only really want distance and pace and have separate bike computers, etc. I had the 305 (loved it!) and got the 310 in 2010. I drool over the new ones but can't justify the cost when my 310 still works just great and does just about everything I want. For $160 i got the garmin swim to do the indoor features. Which is more reasonable than the price tag for the new 910's or now 920. A good vote for the upgrade is the extended battery life, even with a new battery in your 305 you can't beat the 301-920 for battery life. I've used my 310 for 3 HIM's and a full IM with absolutely no issue for the entire race. |
| 2015-01-23 8:02 PM in reply to: juniperjen |
| 643 | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? I'd go 910. I held off forever but after get am PM, I needed something. I always thought the pool swim feature would be useless but I love it! Last night I did 3,000 yd strait swim, since it's been a few months since I've done a baseline, and having it beep every 500yds makes it way easier to keep track of counting (customizable distance/time). Also looking at old swims is nice since I can tell if my intervals are getting faster or slower. 920 looks nice but man it comes with a hefty price. I got my 910 new ~1.5 years ago for $330 and was happy about that price but seeing how the 910 is in the $200ish market, I say go with that. |
| 2015-01-23 8:03 PM in reply to: juniperjen |
Extreme Veteran 1332 | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? For just the difference in battery life, getting the 310xt was more than worth it to me. If you get a used 910 ( or the occasional sale like i saw boxing day ) the 910 is an awesome device. That being said, if you do not want the swim metrics, the 310xt ( the one I have ) does almost just as much, and on amazon is only $160 or $171 with a new hrm ( worth the extra 11 bucks for e replacement just in case, usually a $50 upgrade ) whereas the 910 is going for 372 new atm. I borrowed a friend's 910 for a bit and loved the swim metrics, and immediately wished I'd gotten the 910, but managed to get a used garmin swim for $100 used locally, so I'm pretty happy!! |
| 2015-01-23 9:12 PM in reply to: dfquigley |
Extreme Veteran 1332 | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? |
| 2015-01-24 7:28 PM in reply to: dfquigley |
New user 72 | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? Love my 910. Got it on a rare sale at my local tri shop. The swim functionality has made me a better swimmer and saved me a few seconds in transition fumbling to put on my garmin in T1. |
| 2015-01-24 9:36 PM in reply to: Quix |
Extreme Veteran 487 | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? Thanks all for the input. I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on the 910xt. The reviews on the quick release failing during swims in races scares me, but it's not a deal breaker. Here's what I don't get: Is the quick release band sold separately from the bike mount??? |
| 2015-01-24 10:34 PM in reply to: neweyes |
Extreme Veteran 1332 | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? Might depend on the individual kit. The kit I bought for the 310xt came with a bike mount and the wrist mount ( otherwise what's the point ) You can separately buy bikemounts as well if you have more bikes. This one specifically has 2 bike mounts. https://www.heartmonitors.com/garmin-910xt-quick-release-kit.html |
| 2015-01-25 11:36 PM in reply to: neweyes |
| Richland, Washington | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? You could go win a 920xt... There's another forum giving one away in a few days. |
| 2015-01-26 5:16 PM in reply to: neweyes |
Pro 5361 | Subject: RE: replace 305 battery, buy 910xt, or ??? The 305 was a really great unit in its day, but they've come a long way. It sounds to me as if you've solidly earned yourself a modern gadget. the new ones have some great features (like preloaded satellite data so they acquire in just seconds- even when moving). The 910 is pretty good and fully featured, but not without its issues. I find the Suunto's, a little less featured, but way more stable. So, check out the 910/910, the Fenixes (Fenicians?), the Ambits. they're all great toys. |
|
|
|
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
|
| ||||
|
| |||
|
| |||
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK