Need a new training watch -- your help in picking it out apprecaited

I have the Garmin 310XT.  I have it set up with the quick disconnect wrist band and use it on my road bike and tri bike.  It is definitely more $$, but you could sell the current bike computer and buy the speed/cadence sensor.  A friend has the Garmin 405 which she likes, but after seeing some of the things my 310 does, she regrets not spending a little more for the 310.

I don't know of a watch that meets all those requests.  The Garmin 310xt will do it all, but it's not small enough to actually wear as a watch, nor is it cheap.  If you want cheap, and highly functional- consider the Garmin 305 (it's big and ugly, but it works... not waterproof tho').  the Garmin 210 can be worn like a regular watch- it's small enough, but not really waterproof.

Actually- I think the Garmin Forerunner 60 might be what you're looking for.  It's not GPS, but it's got a footpod for tracking running distance, will work with ANT+ items (HR strap, bike speed/cadence monitor), is waterproof, small enough to be work like a regular watch, and I think you can get them for ~$100.

Check out DCRainmaker's review on it.  Could be the one for you.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/my-2010-athletic-gps-device.html

I have and really like the 310XT.  I haven't had other GPS watches with which to compare it.  I don't have a bike computer, just use the Garmin.

ellen

When I first got into running and triathlons I bought a Garmin 405. It is a good GPS watch but you can't swim with it. It has a touch Bezel which is cool but soon becomes annoying if it gets wet or your finger is wet.

I recently bought the Garmin 310XT. This GPS watch is sweet!

Do yourself a favor and save yourself time, money and frustration, buy the Garmin 310XT and be done.

$.02

Running with a GPS is awesome.  To me, it's like having power on the bike because you can see exactly how fast you're running no matter what you feel like your running.

I'd stick with Garmin or Timex.  I personally have a Timex Global Trainer and really like it.  I think it's a little cheaper than the garmins.

I did this.  I second this conclusion.

X3...big time.

x2

The Timex Ironman is great because it has a decent amount of memory storage; you could go a few days without having to delete it. It also has a countdown timer. I use it for running splits and swimming, although I'm such a slow swimmer I'd best be served wrapping a calendar around my forearm.

For GPS/HR info you can snag a Garmin 305 for cheap off Amazon, that's still a pretty decent watch for the money.

Don't forget there are several different softwares that work with smartphones to do the gps, Blue tooth HRM.  These work great on a bike and run.  Many of these softwares are free.  I use Endomondo which works most of the time. I then listen to my music through my bluetooth hedphones.  Every mile I run, Endomondo stops the music and tells me my total time, split time, and distance.

Its not perfect as sometimes the gps gets confused and tells me things like I just ran 208 miles in 37 minutes.   There are others that work with iphones etc.

For me, I decided that I'm best off with a timex IM watch with HRM and a garmin 500 edge cycling computer.

Reason I went with this is because I wanted a watch I could wear all the time.  At work, in the shower, swimming, biking, running, etc.  If I have a watch specific for training that is not suitable for everyday use, that increases the chances that I'll forget it at home.  I also didn't want something I constantly need to charge the battery.

I use a garmin 500 computer only because I have a power tap, and I needed a computer that could read power.  If I didn't have a powertap, I would simply use a cateye computer. 

ETA: I do forget my 500 at home sometimes...

I have a Timex IM women's watch... I use it for swimming. It's about $30.00, if you Google it, you might be able to find one cheaper on eBay or something.

I have a Garmin 310xt as well. I use it for everything else. EVERYTHING.

I've got the Garmin FR305.  Gives me splits every mile for run and bike.  When I head out for a run with an unknown distance or my route changes, the Garmin GPS picks it up so I have all the data when I get home.  Very simple to program and download to PC.  You can view splits on the watch itself w/o connecting to PC.

I swim laps in a pool so I have little use for it there.  Open water swims are infrequent, those I just swim for a fixed time at a solid effort.  Swim progress can be assessed in the lap pool.  If you only swim in open water that's a different story, 305's not waterproof.

Garmin customer service is exceptional also.

So far I love my Timex IM watch, it's easy to use, works great with the HR monitor it came with(which by the way, I do believe it compatible with other HRM apps and such) and it was relatively inexpensive, about $100.

Go with the Garmin 305 for the function vs $. 

I want something like the forerunner 210 but when you swim with it, currently not waterproof.