910XT Swim Data

I find it helpful for counting laps during longer sets, and then logging the pace afterwards. I have it display the lap distance/lap pace/total distance and that seems perfect for me.

SPL is also useful for pointing out large problems with stroke rate, but since it only records the strokes on one arm, there's a large large potential for error in that number (eg. if it records "9 SPL", that could be 18-20 strokes counting both arms)... not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind.

Potential downside - It's made me very lazy...I don't even bother counting on sets longer than 100m now... just glace down every so often.

At present TraininPeaks calculates swimTSS based on total time & total distance, so the utility is limited with SwimSense or Garmin 910XT.

I like the swim data better in SwimSense than Garmin Connect, but I expect both will be updating to be competitive.

I end up using both watches, as the Garmin cannot yet work accurately in pools less than 22yd, and I swim in a 20yd and a 25yd.

I still haven't seen a convincing argument for a watch.  What I see, and I see it a lot, is the ridiculous pressing of buttons on the send-off and then the subsequent panic to press buttons on every turn or at the finish.  This is incredibly disruptive to your training partners and lane mates.  Additionally, it causes you to have horrible form on your walls as you obsessively try to get a time.  The pace clock provides you all the input you need.  The time it takes you to glance at a pace clock is far less than screwing up your stroke to mash a button.    

It is far easier to write a workout that states the interval and desired repeat time within the interval and then, gasp, look at the pace clock. One group I coach has about 25 swimmers over 35 who can all go sub :55 in the 100 and they are maniacal pace clock users.  They can give me much more info about their swims simply from using the pace clock than the triathlete who comes in with the silly huge watch.  

I don't ever press a button unless I'm going to stop on the wall anyway.  Not sure how that is disruptive. 

The masters program in my area has gone down hill dramatically, to where I get nothing more than a written workout when I walk in the door.  No instruction, or help in any way.  So I'm forced to do things on my own.  I can't see myself swim besides a video if I can get my wife down to help me every once in a while.  As with the other parts of my training.  The more data I get the more I can analyze and improve.  My "big silly watch" is a GREAT, and I'm looking forward to using it more to it's potential.

Being a triathlete I fail to see the importance of "wall form".  I understand some people don't like to change.  However, with data I can take home with me, I can then analyze my progress myself and see if what I'm doing is productive toward my improvement.  Yes, I can see the pace clock.  However, when I consult a coach online or otherwise remotely, I don't remember my time on the clock from the first set in the workout.  Guess what.....my Garmin does!   It can tell a coach what I did.  It's ok, some people aren't meant to change or adapt to technology.  Some people are just fast already and can just swim.  That's all good for them.  But the 910xt is good for me.  Sorry that upsets you and you have to deal with my disruptive behavior.  LOL

There are people who post to PowerTap threads that powermeters are a waste of money.

There are people who post to Cervelo P3 threads that fancy aero frames are a waste of money.

There are people who post to 910XT, PoolMate and SwimSense threads who that swim watches are a waste of money.

I always wondered why they felt compelled to do so...

And this is why I would never come to you as a coach.  I like the watch, I like the data.  As others have said, we don't all have coaches.  And I do take a printed workout.  The watch doesn't replace that.  The only thing that it replaces, is the need to remember every time differential of my workout so I can log it accurately and remember what I did.  

I love the fact that at the end of my workouts, I can look at data and correlate pace, strokes and distance to fatigue and loss of form.  In fact the other day, I was able to see intervals where by decreasing my stroke pace, I was actually increasing pace because I had less dropoff in my form.  Sometimes taking is slower is better.

So sorry, you coach your way and I'll continue to enjoy my watch and "Mash" my buttons.

It has nothing to do with technology adaptation.  I'm a huge believer in technology.  A good coach with a good workout and knowing their athletes can do 10X what a watch can do.  If you have a good workout that forces you to work on your shortcomings or maximizes your strengths the watch is a silly bauble that provides no value.  

So, you can stare at your watch and screw up your finishes or you can watch the clock IN REAL TIME, adjust your pace, etc.  

I realize tris think that every gizmo makes them better, but in this case, no, sorry.

yes you are correct, a good coach knows his athletes soooooo well he can tell by looking at you what your lap time was last week! LOL

A good coach knows all his swimmers and keeps track of their progress.  That's called coaching 101.

Awesome!  you've made a great case here proving you know what we all need, or don't need.  All of us triathletes will now be practicing our "wall form" on our next OWS! lol

Seriously, thanks for your opinion.  You're entitled to it, that's fine.  A lot of us decided to spend good money on a device and are seeing success, or at least using it to reaffirm what we are doing is working.  You can call it "silly" if you'd like, but it works for us and is worth the cost to us.  We understand that cuts into your bottom line and are resistant to that.  But that's life 101.

I own one as well.  I don't agree that a watch affirms a training program or a coach.

Trying to convince tris to act like swimmers in the water is usually pointless and this discussion is just further proof of that.  When I can get a tri to swim like a swimmer in the water, the success is usually far greater, and that includes the watch obsession.