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BLACK

Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black

$350.00

(16)

Item # 816863

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The Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS fitness monitor features a touch screen that lets you simply tap or swipe to scroll through menus, change settings and view pace, distance traveled and GPS position.

Simply tap or swipe the touch screen to view workout data, scroll through menus and change settings
Touch screen is built tough to take on rain and sweat, yet it's sensitive enough to be used while wearing running gloves
610 fitness monitor provides accurate distance, pace and GPS position; it can also guide you back to the starting point of your run so you'll never get lost
High-sensitivity GPS receiver stays locked onto satellites, even near tall buildings and under tree cover; HotFix® satellite prediction locks onto satellites quickly
Virtual Racer™ feature lets you race against your previous best time or challenge other users' times that have been uploaded to the Garmin Connect™ website
Virtual Partner® allows you to compete against a static pace that you set before heading out for your run
Set up custom exercise sessions with the interval training function and automatically see your pace for each interval
Use audio and/or vibration alerts to know when you've reached your target for time, distance and calories
Mark locations, save locations or navigate back to the starting point with the basic navigation capabilities
ANT+ wireless technology lets you automatically transfer data between your computer and Forerunner without even taking the watch off; compatible with both Mac and PC computers
ANT+ technology also enables the watch to communicate with the Tanita BC-1000 scale (sold separately)
Use the Garmin Connect community website to track your time, speed and distance; store and share routes with other Forerunner users on the website
In Garmin Connect, you can see the route you traveled on a map, view a summary of your run, create goals and find new courses to run
Built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 8 hrs. of use in training mode and 4 weeks in power save mode
Water-resistant construction meets IPX7 standards (submersible to 1m for 30 min.)
Optional heart rate strap (sold separately) lets you track heart rate and calories burned; add the strap and gain access to customizable heart rate zones
Adding the strap also lets you measure the impact of your workout on your fitness with Training Effect; calculation based on user profile, heart rate and activity difficulty
Optional foot pod (sold separately) transmits speed/distance data without the use of satellites, so the Forerunner 610 can also be used indoors
Forerunner 610 tracks your cycling workouts when paired with a GSC 10 Speed and Cadence Sensor, sold separately
Includes Forerunner 610, USB ANT+ stick, charging cradle, AC adapter, owner's manual on disk and quick start manual

Please note: Garmin products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Imported.

Item 816863

$50 Rebate Available!
Buy this product by 7/31/13, plus trade in your old Garmin Forerunner GPS by 8/31/13, and get a $50 manufacturer's mail-in rebate. Get offer form (PDF 1.13 MB)

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Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black

3.6

(based on 16 reviews)

71%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Accurate (10)
Intuitive menu (8)
Large screen (7)
Simple controls (7)
Quick navigation (6)

Cons

Unreliable (3)

Best Uses

Running (15)
Cycling (6)
Anytime (3)
Hiking (3)

- Sizing:
- Feels full size too small
  
  Feels half size too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  100%
  (5 reviews)
  Feels half size too big
  
  Feels full size too big

- Reviewer Profile:
- Power user (8), Enthusiast (6)
- How are you with directions:
- Great w/directions (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (12), Yes (3)

Reviewed by 16 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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May

2013

3.0

Strap Issues

By offandaway

from Erial, NJ

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Intuitive Menu

Cons

Short Battery Life

Best Uses

Jogging

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

This watch was easy to set up and use. However, like many others, the pin became loose and I almost lost my watch during a race. Such great technology on sucha flimsy strap. A shame!

Comment on this review

Oct

2012

5.0

Great Watch

By EndorphinJunkie

from Hampton, NJ

About Me Avid Athlete

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Comfortable
Easy to use
Simple Uploads
Waterproof

Cons

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

I love this running watch. I was a devout Nike+GPS user for years, so I was a little hesitant when I received this watch as a gift, but I LOVE it! Being able to see my pace and other stats quickly while running is great. Uploading the data is very easy too and there is even an app for my iPhone to review my stats.
My first watch's screen did die on me, but REI returned it no problem and gave me a brand new watch that hasn't given me any problems.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

5.0

Love it!

By cdutch29

from Seattle, WA

About Me Avid Athlete

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Battery Life
Comfortable
Easy to use
Good Signal
Lightweight
Stylish
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Anytime
Competition
Cycling
Gym
Running

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

I use my watch for half marathon training. I often run alone, and I love the virtual partner feature because it pushes me to compete on tougher runs. I love the touchscreen, though it can sometimes take a bit of effort to make the screen respond. The GPS is incredibly accurate and relatively quick to load. I travel a lot for work, and the watch has easily picked up a GPS signal in a lot of remote places. The buttons are the perfect amount of responsive. I also really like the Garmin online software to compare runs and races. I could not be happier with this watch.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

button fell off

By fearister

from madison, wi

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

Had this for one day and was in the process of setting it up when a button fell off. I cant say anything about the watch as I never got to use it. We will see if the next one is better.

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Perfect out of box but after a year....

By CWV

from Greensboro, NC

About Me Avid Athlete

See all my reviews

Pros

Customizable
Good at finding signal
Touchscreen is perfect

Cons

Best Uses

Anytime
Running

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

This is probably the best GPS watch out there. I've had 5 and this is near perfect. Out of the box it grabs the signal and you can go. It holds a charge very well, and you can travel with it for a few days without worrying about the charger. And the touchscreen is perfect - not too sensitive, not affected by moisture, but functional. From a feature perspective, the other reviews say it all - it is fantastic. I would not consider another one from a "when it works" perspective. My concern however is that this is the second forerunner that I've returned for the same reason: after about 1 year, the thing stops charging. I think it may be the charging contacts reacting to perspiration, or perhaps it's the battery. But the reason is unclear, and the failure to charge is not obvious. Rather it displays as if it's charging, and then about a mile into the run, it quits. And, yes, I've made every effort to clean the charging contacts, situate the charger differently- everything I can think of. Also, my experience is that, for some reason, the older these get, the slower they can be to grab a signal. This would not be an issue, other than the [$] price tag - a cost point at which one should expect more than a year's worth of functionality. That said I LOVE THIS watch. I simply ask Garmin to make available best practices to mitigate this issue.

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

(0 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best training tool

By EACH

from Encinitas Ca.

About Me Avid Athlete

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lightweight
Stylish

Cons

Best Uses

Anytime
Running

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

I use it always !!

Comment on this review

May

2012

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Buttons fall off

By MelanieS183

from White Lake, MI

About Me Competitive Athlete

See all my reviews

Pros

Quick satellite lock

Cons

Buttons fall off
Poor Craftsmanship
Poor quality

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

I returned the first Forerunner 610 nine days after buying it when two out of its three buttons had cracked around the blue seals and then completely fell off. REI was excellent about making the exchange, however the replacement 610 I received is now three weeks old and also has cracks in the sealant rings around two of the buttons. Other than a light sweat, my Forerunner never gets wet and is used for running approx 1 hr a day. I have owned four other models of Forerunners in the past and never experienced any issues. The poor quality of the 610 is baffling to me.

Comment on this review

Jan

2012

5.0

I love it!

By glt7959

from gresham, or

About Me Power User

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Intuitive Menu
Large Screen
Quick Navigation
Quick Signal
Reliable Reception
Simple Controls

Cons

Best Uses

Jogging

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

I had a 405cx that died an unexpected death, thankful that it was bought at REI by a REI member, got a refund, and I got the 601 for Christmas. Compared to the 405cx it is much easier to use, to scroll between screens, menus, etc. I love it. I like the web based training records, excellent for prepping for races!

Comment on this review

Dec

2011

5.0

Worth every penny

By Denverskymuffin

from Denver, CO

About Me Power User

See all my reviews

Pros

Battery life
Intuitive Menu
Large Screen
Quick Navigation
Reliable Reception
Simple Controls

Cons

Best Uses

Jogging

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

I recently sold my Garmin 405 CX because of a ridiculously short battery life. I had read that this watch watch was much better and thought I'd give it a try. I haven't been disappointed! The battery life is great, lasted 4+ hrs during a recent marathon. The reception was great in the city with the skyscrapers. It has a power button which is key for making sure the battery life will last during your activity. It also holds a charge between uses as long as you turn off the GPS. One last thing that I personally like is that it will vibrate at each mile if you want. The touch screen takes some getting used to and all in all this is well worth the price.

Comment on this review

Oct

2011

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Good, but not stable/durable enough yet

By Billy Newport

from Tenafly, NJ

About Me Power User

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate

Cons

Buggy Software
Unreliable
Weak Strap

Best Uses

Jogging

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor - Black:

I am training for ultras. I train on a treadmill and outside. I've had a garmin 305 for the past two years which I'm pretty happy with.
I upgraded to the 610 mainly to get the first beat analytics on calories and training effect. The 610 is also 'prettier' and easier to wear all the time.
Wearing everyday is ok. The battery life is good and I charge about once a week and train with it for 4-5 hours a week also. The strap is the main issue. It's not very strong. I woke up one morning and it had been stretched overnight so the strap had separated by maybe 1/4 inch from the watch and the metal tab normally in the strap was on the outside. I managed to stretch the strap to let the tab reenter the strap correctly but the strap seems weak on that side now.
Firmware wise, I like the wireless sync. I don't get the device timeout issues that plagued me on the 305. But, the issues with wireless sync are that I find it really hard to make it sync. It seems to sync when it feels like it. I've also had a 2 hour session sync correctly to daily mile/garmin training center but it's corrupt on garmin connect.
The training effect is cool but takes about 2 weeks to learn you so the readings start to make sense. There is no way to back up it's opinion of you which is a major problem as if you do a hard reset then it forgets and it's back to square one as it relearns you again. This has happened to me and it's really annoying. The firmware seems flaky (V2.6). I've had the watch hang several times and reboot itself during sessions and when syncing.
The training effect went nuts at one point and went to 5.0 within minutes of starting a session. Garmin supports only answer was to restore the watch to factory settings but that loses the TE learned settings.
So, I'm on the fence with the watch. The strap durability concerns me. The firmware issues also do. The lack of an ability to see what the TE settings are and to set them is also a major problem for me. Battery life is fine but short for ultras (9 hours).
I'm waiting for the 910XT and will trade in the 610 for that. The 910XT has the same features, 20 hour battery, no touch screen (this is a plus...) and has an altimeter.