Race Gear or 310xt

If I had to pick between those two options and I did not already have a Garmin, I'd go with the 310xt. For me its more about the journey (daily training) than the races so I'd pick what I could enjoy more often. My garmin 205 makes my running much more enjoyable. I am kind of a numbers freak so I crave the numberic feedback.

excellent idea.  Only thing you "lose" is 20 hour battery time, power data, and being able to swim with it.  in my 2 years with it, those haven't been issues

I think those are huge issues. The 20 hour battery alone is worth getting a 310xt over a 305. I guess it is a matter of personal preference.

All depends on your priorities.  If you use powerit's huge, if you don't it's irrelevant.  as for swimming, the gps isn't all that accurate in the water and I don't swim by HR, so for me that's irrelevant

As for battery power, 305 is plenty for a half.  For my IM i didn't need anything but HR or time, since I don't race long by pace (and you can figure out pace with the bike/run mile markers easily enough), so I used an old basic Polar that I had before the 305.  I also know people that have used the 305 in IMs both with the GPS on and turned off and it lasted the race (minus the swim where it wasn't used).

I will probably end up getting a 310 just cuz I like toys.  But none of those issues are currently worth $150 (to me, of course). 

ETA - Actually, I do have one issue where the 310 hopefully outshines the 305, the friggin speakers.  On the 305 they are on the back. I am a heavy sweater, and I've drowned two 305 units and killed the speakers (come in handy for intervals or laps).  I know others have done the same.  Hopefully, the waterproof quality of the 310 means the speakers won't fry out.

Edited by ChrisM 2009-06-24 3:22 PM

So it's split 50/50 so far, that doesn't help much!

This!