What makes us grin regarding Garmin's newest GPS watch, the Forerunner 310XT? It's that this watch operates like a running watch, a bike computer, a swimming watch, a watts output meter, a precise tempo and distance metrics device. Plus this watch allows you to synchronize vibration or chiming alarms for lots of diverse metrics. This watch is unparalleled as a multi-event watch - big, giant punctuation mark. It even has a heart rate monitor.
The only criticism from testers would maybe be the dimensions of the monitor - it is big - however it seems no different on the wrist than a average monitor as it is, in fact, quite light weight. Additionally, the dimension renders a nice, big display screen that is quite comfortable to see, which converts the perceived weakness in to a strong point, and will show up to four measurements per display screen with four display screens meant for each event. Maybe the capability to change screens through mental telepathy would be good. Who know, maybe that will be coming soon. These display screens are wonderful for older eyeballs like mine with no reading glasses required.
We chose to put on view distance, tempo, pulse and pace while we tested it running. The partner attribute, or as Garmin calls it the Virtual Partner, lets you place an exact pace into the monitor and, therefore, it tells you right through the route of a particular run how far ahead of time, or beneath pace, you are from your particular objective that day. Its is a truly nice element and, in our tests, it helped testers pick it up to stay on tempo.
During biking we selected to put on view tempo, cadence, pulse and power, which is put on display if the bicycle you are pedaling provides a power meter. A GPS watch might factually take on the role of your bicycle computer, however, we suggest making use of the watch bike mounting device for safety reasons. It keeps your hands on the bars where they belong and keeps you safe.
For the swim session we established a meters related tempo goal and switched on the vibration notification. Swimming doesn't allow time to glance at a watch so we discovered the vibration notification quite helpful and, in fact, placed the monitor on on top of our wetsuits since it did not feel right and would not fit beneath the neoprene.
In our estimates this GPS watch is terrific for a wide array of various users and not solely the triathletes who acted as the genesis of its creation. People that swim will be partial to it. The 310XT is a superior bike computer and provides the diversity to be utilized for other sports. Kayaking you might assess tempo, distance, pulse and do all the rolls you like because the Forerunner 310XT is totally waterproof. In fact, it is the first GPS watch that is completely waterproof.
Watts, caloric consumption, pulse, tempo, distance, and elevation: You choose the measurement you desire and they are all here. The 310XT will also assist in making your exercise further successful. You can simply establish custom interval training sessions and targeted zones for all your measurements right in the 310XT. Garmin also offers a magnificent software in Garmin Connect where you can wirelessly download all of your exercise data through your PC for later analysis.
You can even use Google Earth mapping with the 310XT to map your routes. The vibration notification is a good feature since it allows you tune out on the I-Pod and still understand when you have gone outside the parameters for your measurements. It further means that you do not have to inconvenience your workout partners with continual notification chiming all through group exercise.
If we were movie reviewers we would say two thumbs way up however because we grade products like a GPS watch on one to five stars we will bestow the 310XT 4.9 stars.
