Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I had such high hopes for this! I'm a marathoner, ultra marathoner, and triathlete and I have owned a Garmin Forerunner since the first series. I love Garmin, so this isn't "let's bash Garmin."

Loved it at first. I definitely like that it has the vibrating alarm as well as audible. It's easy to use, easier than the 205 and 305 (which I have had). It catches the sats REALLY fast.

Unfortunately there were three issues that I couldn't overlook. I suspect that they will be taken care of in future firmware updates, but for the price I couldn't justify keeping it.

1. Swim distant wildly inaccurate. I took it out for a swim twice. The first time it had me swimming 4.5 miles in 40 minutes. SWEET! I qualify for the Olympics! The second time I wore attached to my goggles, figuring the arm going into the lake was the issue. It was better, but it was still off by about a mile. I realized I could probably wear my 205 under my goggles, in a waterproof bag, and get the same result or better.

2. The HRM is also inaccurate. I had the 305 and found the HRM inaccurate so I exchanged it for the 205 and wore another HRM. The calorie burn is important to me, as I am maintaining a 100 lb loss AND am an endurance athlete. I need to fuel correctly. During a marathon it had me burning less than 1500 calories.

3. The final straw was that it would charge to 100% then, while on the charger, start discharging. I could have waited for the upgrade for the other two things, but the 20 hour battery was a big selling point for me as I'm getting into longer ultras. Well if I don't watch it, it discharges. If I take it off the charger, it discharges. It was a lose lose situation.

So back it went. Maybe when it's better, I'll purchase it again. Since I already owned a 205, the problems with it didn't justify the extra cost.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I run a marathon or two each year and participate in four or so triathlons, so I was looking forward to the 310 to replace my 405. However, I was so disappointed with the 310 that I returned it after two weeks.

First, I ordered early so a heart rate monitor was not included.

Next, the twenty hour battery claim is off by six to eight hours and there is no power save. The 310 battery does not last any longer than the 405's. The 405 goes into power save when not in use. The 310 has to be turned off or the battery goes dead.

Mostly, I was disappointed that a device marketed to triathletes ignores the swimming option completely. There is not a swimming category. There is an option for Run,Bike 1-2-3, and Other. Also, the GPS records a mile after 12 or so laps in the pool. Not even close to 32.

Last, another missing option for triathletes is the ability to start in one mode and change to another mode without stopping the timer and resetting. I lost two five mile runs after two different bike rides. I assumed that a cross training device would be able to switch on the fly, but each time I changed the mode without stopping and resetting, the run was not saved.

I have been in the pool with my 405 since day one, a heart rate monitor was included, and the battery usually holds a charge for 10 to 12 hours. For all these reason, I say save the money and get a 405. You will be just as happy.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

This is a wonderful product. I stepped up from the 405 because I did not like the touch bezel design. Good in concept, but lacked in performance. The touch bezel would not operate correctly with wet fingers. I don't know about you, but when I train, I sweat.

The 310XT corrects that problem and adds a plethora of useful features. I love the vibration alerts and you can customize the watch to a T. Takes some time to figure out the little stuff, but chances are if you want it to do something you can have it do it.

It is somewhat bulky, but not uncomfortable. And when I wear this, I am certainly not going for fashion.

As for the swim, it is not intended for lap swimming. Perhaps the latest updates have fixed the problems the other reviewers encountered, as I have had none.

I did purchase the quick release kit and going from wrist to bike in seconds is wonderful. The calorie calculation is even more accurate than the 405 and the heart rate monitor is much more comfortable and accurate.

I have had zero issues with battery life. I always look and it still shows full!

Train on!!!

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I've had this dude for a little over a week now and have been much impressed. This is my first gps watch, and also my first Heart Rate Monitor. I've just crossed the threshold into a more competitive recreational athlete since recently graduating college and decided that this would be a useful tool to help me reach my potential.

I decided to get the 310 because of the waterproof features. Which would save a little time in T1 on my Tri's by not having to stop to put it on. And also would provide a means to time an entire Triathlon with one device. Ant+ is a... well, a "+."

On the swimming: I haven't tried to use it to measure distance or heart rate.... Why would I? I know how far I am swimming before each swim, and don't want to alter my stroke by checking HR every few minutes, so what's the big deal? I just turn the GPS off, set the display to a big timer, and time my swim so that I can upload it to the garmin connect website to log my progress along with my runs and rides. This suits me fine, but apparently not others.

The Bike: Haven't got the quick release yet. For now I have been strapping the unit around my handlebars, which is fine but would cost time in both T1 and T2 for tris. I used the unit on my wrist yesterday on the bike and it picked up satellites just fine. I think I'm going to change the lap alarm so that it doesn't beep every flippin' mile; I'm doing the local Multiple Sclerosis 150 mile bike ride this weekend and really really don't want to hear 150 beeps.

Run: I love to run, but like to know how far (just like 99% of others) I was amazed at how awesome it is to see live distance, pace, time and heart rate all on the same screen. The lap alarm is quite motivating for the run, the thing beeps and vibrates each mile making you want to push yourself to the next beep.

Accuracy: Everything checks out ok, except elevation. I compared distances to google maps and they agree. Time, obviously, is accurate. ELEVATION ON THE OTHER HAND is not accurate. I live in New Orleans and run all over town. The highest point in the city is 6 feet above sea level (not counting the levees) and the lowest is about 6 feet below sea level. My last 13 mile run says that I had an elevation loss/gain differential of about 900' (that's a bunch of bull) and that I somehow ran up a 120 foot tall hill (which doesn't exist). Well this all amounts to a hill of beans because I can just ignore elevation since I know it is constant in my neck-o-the woods. But for others in semi-hilly terrain, you may give a darn. I guess if you were doing the Leadville Trail 100 then it being off by 100 feet wouldn't be a big deal considering the thousand foot climbs. Take it for what you will though.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I hate having to write this review, but do not buy this watch - unless you have the reflexes of a cat and plan on treating it like a crystal vase. I had this watch less than 24 hours before the glass on the face totally shattered. Did I run over it? Drop it from 3-4 stories up? Did it fly off my bike and hit the pavement? Nope. A friend was holding at waist height and it slipped out of his hands, hit the floor and shattered.Fine - stuff happens. But being a sports watch intended for endurance sports, you might think this is rare. Sorry - not true. Do a google search 310xt broken - seems to happen all of the time. I'm thoroughly disappointed in Garmin for not building the watch to withstand at least minor impact. And worse? It isn't covered by the warranty. So [$] to replace the face - and then who knows how many times that you'll have to have it replaced.Plus, I hate that even if you get it fixed you have to treat it delicately. Last thing on my mind when I'm racing is to be careful with my watch.On the flip side, I've had the 305 for years and not a scratch. It has popped out of the quick release on my bike at least 3 times, hit the pavement, and is totally fine. I can't comment on the functionality as I didn't have it long enough to test any of them out.Final word - If you can treat the same way you would an iphone or other delicate electronic, give it a go. If you're like me and plan on throwing it in your bag, using it through all triathlon disciplines, and have an expectation that it won't break with real-life use, then I'd suggest looking at another option.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I've been waiting a long time for a compact, reliable wrist GPS device. The 310XT was worth the wait. The 310XT is extremely accurate and relatively easy to use. I purchased the combo speed/cadence sensor for my tri bike and found it to be within 1/100th of a mile accurate vs my bike computer. I ran a course of known distance and again observed the distance to be spot on. The 310's fine in the water as a timing device (GPS doesn't work under water (duh). The download to PC/web training log is automatic, seamless and handily interfaces with Google Earth (cool!).

The setup is fairly straight forward, but you definitely need to read the instructions to set the 310 up properly.

For the serious multi-sport athlete the 310XT is a great value.

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.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

Expensive cost aside, this watch is terrific. I was looking for something offering the functionality of the 305/405 and waterproof: 310xt.

Yes, it would be fantastic if the GPS/HRM functioned well underwater, without having to place the watch under your swim cap. Otherwise, the large (sometimes described as bulky) display is easy to read, and fits my wrist better than the 305 or 405.

I am very happy.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor:

I have been debating buying a GPS/heart rate training tool for quite a while and have been reading reviews extensively. I bought this product from REI because of the outstanding sale price I received. I followed the directions for getting the most up to date firmware (which is critical and resolves numerous issues that undoubtedly led other reviewers to label this software "buggy") and have used this both on my bike and while running and have been very impressed so far. I am very glad I received the newest soft strap heart rate monitor as it is very comfortable and couldn't be easier to use with the 310XT - just put it on and the Garmin senses it immediately. I have already bought a few accessories to go with it and I am very excited about using this device to help me with my triathlon and half-marathon training.

Service and delivery comments:

REI was nice enough to deliver this device without shipping cost (membership has its privileges). I was a little upset by the estimated delivery date but was very pleasantly surprised when it arrived within just a few days of ordering. I'm impressed with REI's service.