First Look: Garmin 910XT

I asked Garmin if this unit was going to be the "high water mark" for some time, or if there is other technology already on the boards above this. Their reply was interesting: "Well, where else can we go from here?"

The key new technologies on this unit are the pool/indoor usability for swim diagnosis, the continuous race telemetry for any format triathlon (swim, bike, run; swim, run, bike, run; etc.) and the forward compatibility with the new Vector power meter that easily walks from bike to bike, takes power directly from here it is applied and measures left and right leg independently- all for less money than PowerTap and SRM or Quarq.

If I'm hearing you correctly, I don't think that is entirely accurate.  Some PT's will still be less than the Vector at $1500.  Am I wrong?

My question exactly.

"How is this display an improvement over the 310XT?"

Great question.

The display is configurable like all Garmin units so no difference there. I do want to measure the overall size of the largest font in the display. I suspect it is either overall larger, or there is better contrast. I'm not sure which.

In any event I can tell you I was able to easily read up to two lines of data without reading glasses while moving. I have a little more difficulty with more data fields selected since I wear a 1.5 power reading glass.

I see.  Thanks Tom.

"If I'm hearing you correctly, I don't think that is entirely accurate.  Some PT's will still be less than the Vector at $1500.  Am I wrong?"

An advantage to PowerTap is you can buy power measurement for under $1000. You are married to the same rear hub/wheel- which is a problem on race day if you want to switch wheels, or if you don't use the same wheels racing and training.

PowerTap can start economically and then become expensive. It's up to you.

This new Garmin Vector power measurment unit is not temperature sensitive like PowerTap and SRM and Quarq. the Vector uses a silicone strain guage- not a foil strain gauge- so it produces more consistent readings.

Additionally, Vector walks from bike to bike easily with the turn of a wrench. It travels easily to- it's just a pair of pedals.

The key advantage to Garmin Vector is that it measures power where and how it is applied- independently on left and right leg. It measures power where it is applied. The interpretation of the power data isn't degraded by deformation of the crank arms, crank, bottom bracket, chain deflection, all the other issues that make a minor difference between where the power is applied at the pedal and where it is measured at the rear hub with PowerTap.

The primary drawback is you are (for the time being...) are married to the Look style pedal associated with the Garmin Vector. No Speedplay, Time or Shimano SPD/SL. I asked Garmi why they did that and they said it was because "more rider use look on the road than any other pedal format".

Very nice!  Maybe I'll get it for Christmas hehehe!

It's a tiny bit thinner, but it's still huge like the 310XT. The 305 has that extra bit that wraps around which makes it look even bigger.

Edit: here, there's comparison pictures on the first few paragraphs:

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

Mine too. I can do "one touch" race day thing with my 305, just without the swim part. Maybe the 910 can read timing mats. That would be bada$$!!!

I have the quick release but then you would need to remove it from your wrist in T1 and put it on the bike. Then reverse in T2. I'm just wondering what others think it would probably just take garmin doing a software update to make it work. It would allow you to leave it on your wrist for the whole race and be able to view it easily