Garmin Forerunner 310XT

I also upgraded from the 305 mainly because it's waterproof.

- Everything works fine with the Mac.
- I am not particularly gently with equipment and have had no issues with the screen 
- The price was not an issue for me since I wanted to be able to swim with it. 

I have not used the quick release before and do not have the bike mount... considering the mount though.

Do it.  The waterproof feature should be enough.  DO NOT pay $399 for it.  You will find it cheaper across the net.  You can find the device and HR for $350 and below.

I do not have a MAC so I cannot answer this.

I have dropped my 310 a couple times and have lucked out.  Other people have not been so lucky.  It's all luck.  My advice, treat it with care and pay particular attention to the device.

For the mounting kit, they upgraded the kit a few months.  Previously, it was awful.  People would lose their devices during the swim when they popped out.  I have not purchased the new one.  On my road rides, I just strap it to my handlebar over a sock (need the extra width to fasten).  Nevertheless, I have heard good things about the new hit.

I have heard rumors of an updated model, but no dates and nothing official has been announced.

Thanks for the tips.  I have been waiting for the update but I really want it for Beach2Battleship so I think I'm going go ahead and pull the trigger.  I just wanted to be pretty sure of what I was getting into first.

I am considering getting one of those protection plans for it so that if I drop it, I'm not outta luck. 

i love my 310xt.  I've been using for a year and a half with both of my Macs, no issues.

It's been dropped many times face down on concrete and so far so good with the screen.

I've got the QR and bike mount and I've never had a issue with it popping out of the QR on swims or runs.  In Training I take the watch head out of the QR and just put the head of the watch under my swim cap, this gives you perfect GPS to track your distance.

Totally agree with the comment to search the internet for better prices.  A buddy of mine just got a brand new 310Xt. still in the sealed box, with HRM and speed cadence sensor for $299.  

Yes, I had that happen when I went to Lion, too.

Good news, though.  If you go to GC's website, you can import from there and ANT Agent works just fine.

Why?  Dunno.

mogulbumm,

Do you have the first gen or second gen quick release bike mount?  Just curious. 

I didn't know they changed it . I guess first gen as I see the new ones with all the O rings and it looks more complex. Mine works awesome. Anybody been able to compare the two?

I saw this review which is why I asked.  http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/06/quick-release-kitsolving-one-of-lifes.html

Aha.  Mine looks more like G1, but slightly different.  That is the first time I've seen the G2 version linked at the bottom.  For the same price, I'd go that way, but I have no issues whatsoever with mine and it is rock-solid secure on my wrist or bike.

I use the Profile Design computer mount on my Aerobars and tie the Garmin quick release there - that way it is right in the center of my line of view and easy to access.  I've tried it on my stem but can't really see it in Aero.

Otherwise, the quick release design is awesome and becomes second nature (i.e. unclip from wrist or goggle strap in T1, clip on bike, unclip from bike in T2, clip to wrist).  Doesn't add any time at all to the race since you are generally doing this as you are moving and it takes a fraction of a second.

Again my ONLY complaint (minor) is that the new wrist strap keeps opening - not coming undone, but the overlap part of the strap keeps coming out of the place you tuck it into (I have no idea how to describe that so I hope it makes sense...)  I would much rather have the original strap with the quick release but they haven't done this yet.

I'm on my third 310XT in just over 2 years.  My first one stopped recording distance until you did a hard reset then it would record it again for awhile.  Until it stopped again and you would do another hard reset.  You get the picture.  SUPER annoying.  Garmin warrantied it out and sent me a new one.

My new one developed a small defect in the corner of the screen after an open water swim.  It looked like whatever was UNDER the screen got folded down, but now I look back and realize the corner was cracked.  It was still working fine so I didn't think much of it.  I actually suspect the cold water temps might have done it.  One day I went for a run.  The screen was not cracked.  I downloaded the run.  Screen still not cracked.  I put the unit into my helmet for my bike ride the next morning.  I take it out of the helmet in the morning and now it has a crack halfway across the screen (starting from that damaged corner). By the end of my bike ride it was cracked all the way across.  So, without being dropped it developed a HUGE crack.

When I called Garmin to inquire about what could be done, they did ask me if I dropped it.  I truthfully said that I can't say it's never been dropped but that I had not dropped it recently.  Every time I'd dropped it (maybe 4-5) I had always immediately looked at the screen (I do the same thing with my iPhone) to make sure it hadn't been damaged.  I was one day inside my year warranty so they swapped it out for me.  I now have my third unit.

So, FWIW, Garmin may or may not switch it out if you dropped it!  I can see based on the design why the screen is susceptible to cracking.  You definitely want to avoid dropping this unit if possible.  I'd never cracked the screen of an electronic device EVER.  And while I am not the gentlest person on stuff, I'm pretty careful.

Does anyone have a link to the new quick release?  I am actually sick of trying to mount it to my bike by just wrapping it around the handlebars...on the other hand...maybe I should just buy one of the Edge products...