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2013-04-22 6:38 PM
in reply to: #4709949

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
I am on my third Garmin (loved the big 205 until it died, hated the 405 and traded it in for a 310xt).  The 310xt works great, when it dies I will get the 910.  The best part of the 310xt for me is the long battery life.


2013-04-22 8:33 PM
in reply to: #4709949

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
I think it depends on various factors.  Yes, the 910Xt is the end all, be all followed by the 310XT, BUT price is a factor and some people don't want all the bells and whistles and just want basic functions.  I'd like a GPS watch but I have some training routes preplanned and I know the distances.  In a race, I have a mileage counter on my bike and the runs are marked off usually.  Right now I have a cheap Oregon Scientific HR watch I bought used off someone here on BT for like $20 and it works perfect!  It tracks HR nd time and I can swim with it.  I wouldn't mind a FR70 as my next one though.

Edited by lakelandsledder 2013-04-22 8:34 PM
2013-04-22 9:38 PM
in reply to: #4709949

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Regular
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
2nd Garmin; 301 then jumped for the 310xt when the price was right over Christmas.  Concur with earlier poster-LTF has LARGE pace clock; don't really see need for additional $$$ for 910.
2013-04-22 10:30 PM
in reply to: #4709949

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
I just got the garmin 310xt; in love with it. I know its not quite a great as the 910 but its still pretty awesome. 
2013-04-22 10:54 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

Keep in mind that for another $150 you can get a Garmin Swim which is great for pool usage.

The 310XT works fine in OWS.

Also there is a new swim watch coming out (forgot from whom) that will track HR on top of strokes and length. HR in water is something Garmin can't do.

This being said, I have a 310XT and a Swim.

The 910 combines both, but the issue is if it breaks you loose both ;-)

If you are tight on money get the Timex and a Garmin Swim later.

2013-04-23 2:14 AM
in reply to: #4709949

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

Another vote for the 910xt

In the pool you can usually rely on the pace clock, but I like to use the 910xt as a data logger, maybe I'm a data junkie but this way I get my splits logged and it's easier to update my activity log.

Also, AFAIK the other Garmins may be water resistant but not designed for the swim, I recall DC rainmaker recommend keeping other models in a ziplock pocket under the swim cap for better GPS and protect it from water. The 910xt is designed to do the swim.

Another factor to keep in mind: The 910xt has multisport mode so you can use it in races including logging transition, and AFAIK it's the only option with enough battery life to follow you through an IM race as long as you stay within the cutoff time.

I haven't  been following up on new models but I think that 910xt is still unique in offering the full triathlon solution.



2013-04-23 3:52 AM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
I don't know if anyone has mentioned the 910xt, but it's amazing. It does everything short of preparing your post session recovery meal.
2013-04-23 5:06 AM
in reply to: #4711009

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

TriMyBest - 2013-04-23 10:52 AM I don't know if anyone has mentioned the 910xt, but it's amazing. It does everything short of preparing your post session recovery meal.

Rumours has it that an upgrade will add golf data. The accelerometer will record your hits and hit velocity, and with GPS the length, just push the lap button at each hole. And of course there will be GPS navigation ... it's only short of brewing coffee.

2013-04-23 5:35 AM
in reply to: #4709949

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
For tris. 910>310>305.....yes go to dc rainmakee
2013-04-23 7:14 AM
in reply to: #4711026

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Fort Wayne, IN
Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
I got this watch back in 1993.  The Indiglo no longer works, the display is a bit dim, and the lap alarm no longer works, but it's been a great watch.  I've been using it mainly for swimming since i got a Garmin 305.  I'm upgrading the a 910xt so this old watch will only be a watch from now on.  The watch has 100 laps, 8 memos for storing information, 2 time zones, and a count down timer.  I've used this watch in all my races.


Edited by nickster 2013-04-23 7:15 AM




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2013-04-23 8:19 AM
in reply to: #4709949

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

I have the 305, but will need to upgrade for IMFL since the battery life is only up to 10 hrs (I wish I could complete my first IM before the battery dies :-)).

I just bought my hubby the 910 and he loves it. I am still undecided if I want to get the 310 or 910 for me for money reasons. But do checkout Trivillage.com. I bought my husband's 910 there with a 15% off coupon that they have posted right on their site.



2013-04-23 8:37 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

While I have not heard anything, I would not be surprised to see a successor of the 910XT come out later this year.

I think the 910XT was announced end of 2011, 2 years seems to be a realistic cycle.

Also the Suonto Ambit with the open SDK is somethign to have an eye on, if you are a geek

2013-04-23 9:25 AM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

I read this subject as "Best Tri Training to Watch"... I was thinking something along the lines of "the cute co-ed pushing her spin workout at the gym."

Never mind.



Edited by Danielfberlin 2013-04-23 9:26 AM
2013-04-23 9:33 AM
in reply to: #4709949

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
2013-04-23 4:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

rick4657 - 2013-04-22 7:38 PM I am on my third Garmin (loved the big 205 until it died, hated the 405 and traded it in for a 310xt).  The 310xt works great, when it dies I will get the 910.  The best part of the 310xt for me is the long battery life.

Similar. I got the 305 back in 2007 when i was purely running and LOVED it! It was great when I got into tri - got the cadence sensor and the bike mount kit to use it better on the bike.  Upgraded to the 310 a couple of years ago and it probably is my favourite training toy (aside from my bikes) - you'd have to pry it out of my hands to get me to give it up.  Love the 'auto multisport' feature and have used it for my two 70.3's and one IM - with absolutely no battery issues.

Would love the 910 for the indoor swim data but can't justify replacing the 310 just yet ... lots of folks in my tri swim group use the 910. 

2013-04-23 4:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

cynner - 2013-04-22 1:49 PM
Mike_D - 2013-04-22 11:33 AM My vote is for Garmin 910xt.

But this is the best site by far for comparisons: www.dcrainmaker.com
^^^^ x2 on the Garmin 910XT.

This ^^^ is the choice I should have made way back when I bought lesser training watches and didn't think I needed a 910.

Only problem I have had is the New Garmin Soft Chest Strap failing.  That problem is easily solved by buying the Polar soft strap and snapping your Garmin sending unit onto the Polar strap.

Hope this helps



2013-04-23 7:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

My first GPS training watch was a Timex Global Trainer. It was an awesome watch even if you don't consider the price point. I had some rewards cash from a customer loyalty program at my LBS and I upgraded to a 910xt for about $150. There really isn't anything currently out there that I've seen that can compete with the 910xt...it's amazing, especially for lap swimming, because I can't count laps.

 

So my recommendations?

If you are on a budget, the Timex is amazing, it lacks the pool swimming functions, but the swim cap trick works for OWS. It's ANT+ compatible, will work with power meters and HRMs. They can be had for super cheap compared to other options. It will do most of the same things a 910xt will do just minus the pool swimming stuff, so I recommend over the 310xt based on value.

If you have the cash to spend, the 910xt is worth it in my opinion for the lap swimming features. they are really really convenient .

2013-04-23 7:18 PM
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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
I am going to go the opposite route and recommend against the 910XT.  meh, who am I kidding.  The 910XT is awesome.  And despite it's rather large size it seems to fit small wrists really well. 
2013-04-24 4:02 AM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
bzgl40 - 2013-04-23 8:18 PMI am going to go the opposite route and recommend against the 910XT.  meh, who am I kidding.  The 910XT is awesome.  And despite it's rather large size it seems to fit small wrists really well. 
I'm still surprised so many people feel it's large, because to me it seems relatively compact, but as a guy and a former 305 user, my perspective is certainly going to be different.
2013-04-24 4:06 AM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
Doh! Triple post.

Edited by TriMyBest 2013-04-24 4:08 AM
2013-04-24 4:06 AM
in reply to: #4712552

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
Doh! Triple post.

Edited by TriMyBest 2013-04-24 4:08 AM


2013-04-24 6:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
Just have to put in a word for suunto. Previously had a t3d and now using the t6d. Chose it over the garmin due to its smaller size and the movescount software. Works great as an everyday watch, and can't complain about any of the functions during training. Living in Finland, and doing about 50% of my training indoors, so I love the option to have the gps as a separate unit. Not yet tried it during an ows, but I hope the gps pod in swimcap method works. And btw they just released a new gps pod. A lot smaller, also works without a watch (might be good for ows) and has an option for 10 sec interwalls (up to 100 hours on one charge).
2013-04-24 10:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?

Wife bought me a Garmin 405, which I like, though it is limited for triathlon purposes.

I bought a Timex Global Trainer to use for triathlon, and I HATE it.  It's always been problematic for me.  (Lap data fills WAY TOO frequently for me.)

I broke down and bought a Garmin 910XT for IMAZ, and lost the darn thing when the volunteer helping me out of the water grabbed me by the wrist and "quick-released" it into the water.  I debated going diving for it, but with a 100 folks queued up to get out of the water, it didn't seem like a great idea.  For the 6 weeks that I owned it, it was by far the best sports watch I've ever owned.

Since then, the battery on my 405 has died (no longer charges), and I'm stuck using the TGT - which I hate even more now that it is my only option.  I'm waiting for the statute of limitations to run out on when I can buy another 910 without my wife making life incredibly uncomfortable for me.

2013-04-25 9:57 AM
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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
Can't afford the 910Xt, was looking at the 310Xt which was on sale for under $200 new and then a FR60 showed up on the classifieds with a foot pod and HR chest strap for $60 shipped so I nabbed it.  If I get to the point of doing a IM I'll seriously look at the 910 since the price may come down in a couple years.  At this point I simply need to know my run pace, HR and time so it should work fine.  I may pick up the bike cadence sensor though since my bike computer doesn't do that.
2013-05-24 1:26 PM
in reply to: lakelandsledder

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Subject: RE: Best tri training watch?
I hear that there are 910 sales out there for $100 off.
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