General Discussion Triathlon Talk » gettting a gps watch, which one? Rss Feed  
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2011-02-15 8:24 PM

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Subject: gettting a gps watch, which one?
B-day is in 2 days, gonna invest in a gps watch. which watch do y'all have, do you like em? if not, which one is the one to get? thanks for the future help


2011-02-15 8:28 PM
in reply to: #3357029

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Master
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Dirt Road
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
I have a Garmin 310xt and can't imagine anything better.
2011-02-15 8:29 PM
in reply to: #3357036

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Master
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
Karibu - 2011-02-15 9:28 PM I have a Garmin 310xt and can't imagine anything better.


X2 
2011-02-15 8:31 PM
in reply to: #3357037

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Master
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
rsmoylan - 2011-02-15 7:29 PM
Karibu - 2011-02-15 9:28 PM I have a Garmin 310xt and can't imagine anything better.


X2 


X3
2011-02-15 8:31 PM
in reply to: #3357029

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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
I will save the BT "coaches" the trouble of responding to your question with the proverbial "use the search function" response so you don't get flamed.  IMO if you have the money, the Garmin 310 XT is a popular choice for triathletes because it's water resistant and basically does it all.  This review link by DC Rainmaker might be helpful as well:


http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/12/so-you-just-gotta-garmin-fitness-watch.html


Edited by threesome 2011-02-15 8:38 PM
2011-02-15 8:47 PM
in reply to: #3357029

Regular
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oklahoma
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
ahhhh the search function, if it weren't for silly people like me then the convo's on BT would be minimal. Flame away! lol


2011-02-15 8:49 PM
in reply to: #3357029

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Expert
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Savannah
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?

I'd say save a few bucks and get the Garmin 305.  I might not be top of the line but by far the best value. 

This opinion is not applicable if you are training with power.

2011-02-15 9:11 PM
in reply to: #3357042

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Elite
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
threesome - 2011-02-15 9:31 PMI will save the BT "coaches" the trouble of responding to your question with the proverbial "use the search function" response so you don't get flamed.  IMO if you have the money, the Garmin 310 XT is a popular choice for triathletes because it's water resistant and basically does it all.  This review link by DC Rainmaker might be helpful as well:


http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/12/so-you-just-gotta-garmin-fitness-watch.html
X2....this question always opens up a can of "whoop a$$" on this board. Check dcrainmaker and choice#1: 310xt no doubt! Choice #2: garmin 305
2011-02-15 9:33 PM
in reply to: #3357068

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Master
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
mktoson - 2011-02-15 8:49 PM

I'd say save a few bucks and get the Garmin 305.  I might not be top of the line but by far the best value. 

This opinion is not applicable if you are training with power.



x2 on the 305, love it.  Amazon has it for under $128 and change with free super saver shipping.  The 310XT is like $400.  So now you can review previous BT posts and product specs on these two and make your decision based on what your personal needs are.
2011-02-16 10:34 AM
in reply to: #3357029

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Fort Rucker, Alabama
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
Agree on the 305, I love mine and it does everything I need. I will upgrade to a 310xt once I get a power meter. At $130ish the 305 is the best for your money period.
2011-02-16 10:47 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
Karibu - 2011-02-15 9:28 PM I have a Garmin 310xt and can't imagine anything better.


x(Z) where Z is the highest number so far +1


2011-02-16 10:47 AM
in reply to: #3357827

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
When/if I need a new one, I would probably LOOK at the 310 and price it.  But for 150 bucks (at Best Buy), the 305 seems like a great deal and does more than I could ever use.  It's the same is the 320 but a bit bigger and not waterproof.  That's about it (so I've heard).
2011-02-16 11:34 AM
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
Have the 310xt and would recommend it, although it won't turn any heads if you wear it out to a fancy dinner party.
2011-02-16 12:24 PM
in reply to: #3358031

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Master
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Essex Jct, VT
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
YeaJackson - 2011-02-16 12:34 PM  although it won't turn any heads if you wear it out to a fancy dinner party.


I disagree, it does, just not the way you mean.  
2011-02-16 12:29 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
2011-02-16 2:28 PM
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
I will give a recommendation specifically AGAINST the garmin 405. It looks nice (almost like a regular watch) but I have returned two within the 1 year warranty for battery problems, and there is reports all over which I agree with regarding the 'touch bezel' being less functional that it should be. It's a nice idea to have a 'touch bezel' controls, but when you are sweaty, or it is raining, the touch bezel is basically useless.

I asked Garmin if I could actually upgrade to a different model (or even downgrade) within my warranty, but no go.


2011-02-16 7:46 PM
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
I've had a 305 for a few months and I love it.  I don't see much need for a waterproof GPS watch, since I don't plan on wearing it during triathlons anyway.  It seems very accurate, and the HRM is great. 

Only negatives are that elevation readings tend to be a bit erratic (they're close, but don't expect the same kind of precision you get with your lateral movement), but if you really want to know how hard that hill was you just climbed, check your HR at the top.  Also it take about a minute to get the satellites in order sometimes on start up.

One tip if you get one, I recommend setting it to update every second.  By default it is in "smart mode" which updates less frequently, but allows you to record workouts longer than 3.5 hours.

I've heard anecdotally that the newer more "regular watch" looking models are not as accurate as the older ones. 
2011-02-16 8:26 PM
in reply to: #3357029

Regular
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oklahoma
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
So I decided on the 305, seems to be the best bang for the buck. i love triathlons, hate swimming, so I could care less about the swim portion of my training. I just do the laps, keep up the yardage to be able to still get out of the water in the middle of the pack. thanks for all the help on this matter. cant wait  to try this thing out in the metroparks and the open road.
2011-02-17 8:23 AM
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?

I guess you've already made your decision, but I'll chime in anyway. My Garmin 405 is a terrible, terrible device that I found to be less useful than no watch at all. I have no experience with the 300 series, but I hear good things.

I've been using free apps for my iphone for the last few months. Aside from the bulkiness of the phone (which could be addressed with an armband) and the lack of HRM (which can be addressed with a dongle), I far and away prefer Runkeeper and MapMyRun to any watch.

2011-02-17 8:37 AM
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Expert
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Savannah
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
jmio - 2011-02-16 9:26 PM So I decided on the 305, seems to be the best bang for the buck. i love triathlons, hate swimming, so I could care less about the swim portion of my training. I just do the laps, keep up the yardage to be able to still get out of the water in the middle of the pack. thanks for all the help on this matter. cant wait  to try this thing out in the metroparks and the open road.


Sounds like a conflict of interest.  Just sayin'...
2011-02-17 8:41 AM
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
I just got a great deal on the 310XT with HR monitor and I love it. I don't know that much about the difference between the 305 & the 310XT but I did try to buy the 305 first. I couldn't find it in a store that I had a gift card for so I got the 310XT instead. The store only had one 310XT in stock and it was an open box so they took like 30% off. I also had a gift card and a $25 off coupon so I bought it. Damn thing was DOA. But not to fear I called Garmin faxed over my receipt and they sent me a brandy new one. I just sent back the DOA 310XT. I got the watch a week or so ago and I love it. With the discount, gift card and $25 off coupon. My out of pocket cost was a little over $100. Can't beat that with a stick.

Now as I have posted on another thread I am looking for some feed back for those of you with the 310XT and use it on a bike. How do you like it and would you recommend getting the quick disconnect kit and the cadence sensor for the 310XT and would you use the 310XT as your only bike computer? Thanks


2011-02-17 10:17 AM
in reply to: #3359084

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Elite
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Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
jmio - 2011-02-16 9:26 PM So I decided on the 305, seems to be the best bang for the buck. i love triathlons, hate swimming, so I could care less about the swim portion of my training. I just do the laps, keep up the yardage to be able to still get out of the water in the middle of the pack. thanks for all the help on this matter. cant wait  to try this thing out in the metroparks and the open road.


ever thought of only doing duathlons if you hate swimming so much?
2011-02-17 8:04 PM
in reply to: #3357029

Regular
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2525
oklahoma
Subject: RE: gettting a gps watch, which one?
oh yeah, definitely planning on some duathlons this upcoming year.
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