Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

I have been looking for heart monitor device to use when I hike and bike (road and mountain). Instead of going with a bike model, I opted for the Garmin Forerunner 610 because its design has improved and is far less bulky than older models. I can actually wear this just as a watch and not look like I'm carrying a gigantic piece of equipment on my wrist.

I like all the features the device offers: GPS, heart rate, calories, etc. The heart rate is awesome, and so is the Garmin Connect feature. Once I'm home, I can automatically send my data to my Garmin Connect account. True, it sometimes takes quite a long time for the USB stick to pick up my device signal.

My cons are primarily battery life and touch screen responsiveness. As a watch only, the Forerunner battery lasts a long time. However, if you turn on heart rate and GPS, you better not expect more than a day's worth of battery life. I had a full battery on a Saturday morning, when I went hiking around 10 AM. After the hike I went biking and by 5 PM I got a warning that the battery was running low. So, 7 hours of uninterrupted use was all I could get. I went ahead and shut down the device. As far as the menus, they leave room for improvement. I know it's a toss-up between size and functionality. I don't have huge hands and fingers, but because of the screen size, I often hit the wrong menu selection unintentionally. I'd rather have that than a huge device, though.

Now that I have used the device more often, I know that if I intend to use it the whole day, I better plan on turning it off to save battery life if I'm not doing one of the activities. If I leave it running, the battery won't last more than 8 hours.

Nevertheless, in spite of these cons, I think this is a solid device and probably one of the best in its category.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

The watch is a little bulky. But, it does lock into satellites faster then previous models, and the touch screen is much easier to use than the touch bezel of the 410. Still has trouble locking into satellites "downtown" (near tall buildings), but I can live with that. The heart rate monitor locks in quickly, but I find the strap is irritating and has caused several abrasions. I have stopped wearing it for a while. The Garmin Connect website is not nearly as powerful as it could/should be. I load all my data to it, but then gather it in other websites for analysis as well. They could probably spend a little time on website enhancement and would have a killer product.

Service and delivery comments:

Fast delivery, in great condition. No issues.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

I got the Forerunner 610 to document my pace during long runs. The data easy to record and view during the run and download after; very happy with the data on pace, distance, heart rate and altitude all viewable on the computer. I enjoy looking at the history. You do need the manual to figure out how to do a few things including unlocking the screen and setting the device for indoor use. Securing initial position (getting satellites) takes longer than expected (2-4 minutes), so I can't just run out the door and hit the road. It's a little tricky using the touch screen with your finger; a stylus works much better, but I don't usually have one in my pocket. The cost was a little tough to swallow-- I'll have to eat peanut butter for a while...

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

I use the product every day, and I like the data it gives...however, the wristband is very rigid and it is not designed for smaller wrist sizes. The band has broken on 2 of the 3 forerunner 610's that I've bought. The charging cradle is awkward. It would be helpful to have a direct insert into a USB port like the NIKE watch does.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

Firstly I have to say that I bought this watch to get me through my first marathon, which it did admirably.
The unit is easy to use and presents great data when downloaded.

However, after 2 years of use it now reverse charges until it is empty and will not charge from a wall charger for some reason, only from a computer USB and then only infrequently.

Customer service from Garmin is non-existent and no reply to any of my emails. This issue is rife with these watches... check the internet and all users appear to have the same awful experience of Garmin's (lack of) customer service.

As such, it's great, but an expensive item to only last for 2 years.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

I use the watch to record runs and bike rides 3-5 times per week. It is easy to use, and Garmin Connect simplifies the tracking of metrics. I'd like to see more functionality on the Garmin site, but am still in the stages of building distance and endurance. No issues so far, so it meets my needs and expectations. I'm giving it 4 stars because it is not fully waterproof, which I think is disappointing for the price.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

The one major problem regarding the garmin 610 is that there is no battery life indicator. it would be nice to know when to plug it in. i have had it be dead when i want to use it and it has died during the middle of a run. very annoying. hopefully i am just missing the battery life indicator somewhere. i dont want to charge it if it doesnt need it. i use it almost every day.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

About me: Ironman triathlete, paddleboard racer, ultra-runner.

I really wish someone big would step up to the Fitness GPS Category and give Garmin a serious challenge. That may be the only way Garmin will improve it's products. I received this watch as a Christmas present. It was supposed to replace my old, bulky, but reliable 305.

1) The first thing I noticed on my first run was the instant pace being off. Not what I was expecting from a watch several generations "ahead" of the 305. The pace/per mile is accurate but for me I like to see my instant pace to know if I'm accelerating or slowing down. It shouldn't be too much to ask for since a device much older than it already had this function.

2) Flimsy watch strap. After a couple months of owning it, the pin on the watch pushed through the other side. It was an easy fix as I just pushed it back in and while a bit disappointed for a new watch, thought I would send it in for a fix when my racing season was done (or so I thought. This would later come back to haunt me). However, the pin started to protrude here and there and I would have to occasionally push it back in. After initially wearing the watch on a daily basis, I was now only wearing it on my runs.
More on the watch strap later

3) Garmin Connect flat out sucks. After my first run, I couldn't get anything else to upload. Downloaded new software, updated Garmin ANT Agent, searched Garmin Forums for users with the same problem. No solution. Unable to transfer much less view any information from my workouts.

4) I wore this during the Quiksilver Waterman's Challenge Paddleboard Race. A 10 mile distance paddle in the ocean. Conditions were perfect. Lost GPS signal right off the coast of Hawaii not more than 1/2 mile. It's not a multi-sport watch so fine but after 1/4 of the way on the race, I looked at my wrist and noticed that the watch was gone. The pin that had come loose on the strap a couple months earlier finally had it I guess. Now my Garmin is fish food somewhere off the Coast of Waikiki. I was pretty upset since this was an expensive gift from my folks and I just lost it after 4.5 months. No matter, I have a receipt and the watch is registered with Garmin. Maybe they would be able to at least offer me a small discount on a new one considering my misfortune and the fact I've owned 3 devices from them. First, I received no reply. Then when I sent a second complaint, the Garmin representative simply and callously said, they do not give any discounts on our products.

I had high hopes for this device but the fact is my trusty 305 is still kicking and is more accurate than this model was. I wish Apple would get into this market. Garmin, you need to get your act together. Listen to your customers and stop putting out products BEFORE they are ready and using customers as BETA Testers.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

I run 5-6 times a week, mainly in 5K segments, but some longer as I work towards my first half marathon. The watch is easy to read while running and I really like that it vibrates as I complete each lap. Seeing my lap times tells me if I am on the right pace. This is much better than the Timex Ironman I first tried. However, I did like the heart monitor strap for the Ironman much better. I am concerned that the back is showing signs of bubbling, indicating sub-surface corrosion probably, and the watch is only six weeks old.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor:

Great watch from a functional point of view. Size ideal. Amazing how many people show an interest in it. Only issue is strap, other reviews are right the pin holding the strap to the watch face pops out too easily. Happens if watch is on tight, or if it slips along your arm, for example if reaching up to grab something. This seems to become more frequent as time goes by, recently it fell off my arm during a run.
Would be great if Garmin could find a solution to this as everything else is ideal