Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I labeled myself as a "casual user" only due to limited use of product, as I've had for only 1 month now. (Have used approx 10 times so far) This forerunner is an upgrade from the original forerunner model, 201. This was my bday gift this past Jan.

The purpose for upgrade was the added HR feature for fine-tuning my training, which the earlier forerunner models lacked.

Purpose of use is primarily for running. I have no plans to swim with it, but do like peace-of-mind for the water proofing, as I do run in rain too.

My running consists of 1/2 marathons and various shorter races as part of training; 5k, 6k, 10k, 12k and 15k distances. Trail running is my preferred, as it offers various terrains, levels of difficulty and untraditional distances and typically rain or shine. Of course the outdoors and scenery are a bonus too!

I felt the forerunner was a bit pricey for my intended use, but I believe it's more to do with the "tri athlete" features. If you don't plan or want to use with swimming or cycling, you may find an alternate forerunner with HR at less cost.

The added HR monitor has been an eye opener for my training. Im able to upload my training session and the software will analyze your values; average speed, distance and HR average and HR by the second. Display settings will allow either actual HR reading or % of maximum HR (personal settings will have you add you gender, age, weight, resting HR and max HR values for caloric burn calculation)
Whether or not you use the HR monitor, your training data can be uploaded for analysis and record keeping. **be sure to either immediately turn off the forerunner or remove the HR monitor once training event is completed. If not, the forerunner will continue to record your HR which will factor into your overall training event and fluctuate your caloric burn overall. Hitting "stop" on your timer is not enough. The HR will continue to read and register on the forerunner.

Absolutely love the vibrate alert setting. Very strong, gets your attention.
Has audio alerts too, no different from previous models.

Overall, still learning all the setting options for fine-tuning my training, but very pleased with the product thus far. Can't wait to use it for my next 1/2. Gave 4/5 stars due to buggy software in beginning.

**Mac users, use caution when downloading software from Internet. We in countered a bug which caused our Mac to recovery mode. Luckily no loss, no damage done, but a few hours with Apple Care, some headaches and a few foul words. Software has since downloaded and is performing well.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

try to use when training for ironman

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I'm a triathlete that competes in a few races each year, always racing for a personal best.

I use the Forerunner310XT to track my results and the GarminConnect software to track and plan my training schedule.

I don't love that the HRM is not waterproof, and the watch screen often gets foggy when I swim in the [Pacific] ocean (water does not leak inside, but the combination of the cold water and the sunlight generally result in a foggy watch face).

I have not experienced any battery issues like those depicted by other reviewers, but I have experienced many issues with software that manages data transfer (from the watch to a computer) on specific computers (all running Windows7). That said, I have been consistently successful with data transfers using a Mac (running OSx Lion).

Garmin's tech support is unresponsive, so be prepared to return the product if you have issues with transferring your workout data from your watch to your computer, don't have other computers to try and value the data-transfer capabilities.

Lastly, the data the watch shows you is highly customizable (with the latest software update) and you can add a myriad of accessories that will make your training much more enjoyable.

All-in-all, I'm disappointed with the value of the product for the cost, but enjoy enough of the product's features to keep it.

(please excuse the brevity of this review)

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

This is the most frustrating piece of gear I have ever owned. Garmin does not know how to write an instruction manual! I can't rate the product 'cause I can't figure out how to use it! I learned to fly a plane, build my own computers and teach software application training but I can't figure out how the thing works. It's probably going back next week.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I purchased this Garmin after my 305 was unable to charge at all after only a year. This unit said battery low after it was fully charged and I had only used for a 3 hour ride and it's supposed to have twice the capacity of my old version. I don't need the wireless feature so having to keep track of the jump drive in addition to the charger is just one more thing. I am returning to REI and purchasing the old version off [@] for [$] (can't buy at REI anymore). Such a disappointment for me and maybe I got a lemon but not interested in the hassle of setting up yet another one!

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I received the 310XT as a gift from my wonderful wife. In the past, I have used a variety of Garmin products from ETrexs to Forerunners since 2004 for physical training, hiking, and with the military. I have used this watch for cycling, running, hiking, swimming, and driving without any problems. First off, I absolutely love the vibrating alarms, the lights, the ease of use, the data screens, ability to switch profile of user and type of exercise with a few push of the buttons.

The 310XT had everything in a watch that I was looking for, especially being waterproof and having the ability to display MGRS which is important in my job and was why we returned a previous version of the forerunner. In the past, we have lost many a GPS when swimming in the ocean no matter how we dry proofed them. The 310XT held up well, although I cannot attest to using the 310XT for having accurate distances during this time.

I primarily use the 310XT for running and cycling. My favorite part about the 310XT is that you can set iterations/laps with rest periods and a vibrating alarm to let you know. On previous models, I would not hear the beep to let me know my distances. I have also noticed that the GPS picks up signal very quickly, even after traveling great distances. It was extremely helpful as well when using the GO TO feature in that it alerted me when I was close to my final destination.

I have read other complaints about problems with software or losing data. I have not experienced any of these in the past year. Recently, I finally lost power on my GPS. I think this makes it about 16 hours of total training time with tracks without recharging the watch. Additionally, I have not been gentle on my watch, but it has not shown any signs of wear with not so match as a scratch on the face.

All in all, this watch is awesome.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I've been racing triathlons for 15 years, and have used this device for the past 16 months. Prior to this, I used Polar HRM products.
Many training partners have the other Garmin devices, and they are fine, but the battery life on the 310xt is awesome. currently in Phuket on a 4 day weekend and have put in over 12 hours on the bike, 1.5 in the water and 2 running... on one charge!!!
the other advantage is you don't have the sweat issues like you do with the 400 series products (which are nice products, but if you live in a hot climate and/or sweat a lot, the 400 series products tend to geek out.) i have the speed/candence sensor on 3 bikes, and it helps, especially if riding in the mountains or near miliraty installations, when the GPS freaks.
the only real con is this thing is massive. sort of makes tommagowatchies look small. i only wear it training, but i've seen some of you newbies wear your training gear everywhere, and you'll certainly look like a noob if you sport this thing elsewhere.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

1/2 of time it will show my HR is 220+.
when I do my 5-6 hrs bike ride then do a T-run, it will show something like: total miles= 3.1 miles(the run miles will over write the bike miles) but moving time:5.5 hrs. ( i am not that slow.
Email garmin, no reply yet.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

The 310XT is still my favorite fitness GPS. Why? Because I can just grab it and go out in the rain or pool without worrying. Because it feels comfortable. The cool light blue backlight. The vibrate feature (so good)! The windows + customization. It works seamlessly with my powertap! Reception is really fast, and accurate. Wireless data transfer is pretty darn cool! Battery life is fantastic (sometimes, if I forget to charge it, I can still do a long workout on a nearly dead battery)! And it DOES work in the pool / open water (see below). This GPS is leaps and bounds ahead of the 305. I have owned every one of Garmin's fitness devices, and this one is simply the best to date. It makes me happy (almost) every time I use it.

My complaints: I was an early adopter, and suffered through a lot of software upgrades. Now, it's not so bad - but I still do lose data: about once every 60 days or so. I use the GPS 3 times a day, though (I work out a lot). When I lose tracks, I simultaneously have to do a hard reset. That is painful because I then have to re-enter all of my information, and set up the screens the way I like them. This takes nearly 1/2 hour (there are a lot of options, which is a pro). The con is that you cannot back up most of the settings on your computer. Finally, the heart rate strap. If you are using TRIMP scores, or other heart rate based metrics to analyze your data, you might as well trash the strap. I bought another, and ended up trashing two straps before I realized that my (less comfortable) strap from my 305 worked perfectly. No, this is not a "synthetic t-shirt / static electricity problem." The soft strap simply does not work. Garmin told me to wash it better. That helped a little, but what they really should have done is sent me a repalcement strap - like the one that comes with the 305. I hear that they may have improved the strap slightly (it is a new design as of 2011).

For everyone who complains about swimming: Put it in your swim cap. I get perfect tracks: in fact, it even measures my pool swimming 100% accurately! I never put it on my arm. I used to do the same with my 305 (only I put the 305 in a couple zip lock baggies as well). The 310 is way better in your swim cap, though, because of the vibrate feature. That way, you know when you press a button w/o having to look (which is hard to do when it is under your swim cap)!

Overall, it is Garmin's best GPS yet for fitness. They should fix the software issues (crashing, loss of data). That might be hard - but they absolutely should code in the ability to backup ALL of your settings on a computer. That way, if the device needs a hard reset, the situation is not quite so painful. Also, FYI, I have been able to successfully restore about 50% of my lost tracks - either by emailing them to Garmin for repair, or by importing (and then exporting) the BAD FIT files into various data analysis programs. Finally, Garmin needs to ship the watch with a suitable HR strap. The soft strap feels really nice (much better than the old strap), but functionality is more important - I might as well leave the strap at home if I'm getting reading of 250bpm all day.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I am a recreational triathlete and was waiting for this product. I needed a watch that I can train with in the water and on land. I've had my watch about a year now and things were going great until my watch fell out of my gym bag, about a 2 feet fall, and the screen had cracked. For something this expensive, I expected better quality. I am very disappointed with this product!

Service and delivery comments:

I called Garmin and they said that the cracked display IS NOT COVERED under warranty. It was going to cost $99 for them to replace with a furbished watch.