The Garmin Forerunner 310XT is a waterproof running and biking GPS watch that is marketed as the triathlete’s dream device. It boasts quite an extensive list of features that are not found on many other products of its type. By wirelessly connecting to a computer, the Garmin Forerunner 310XT compiles and organizes workout data automatically and saves lots of time and effort for any trainer. It is extremely durable and is one of the first devices of its kind to be waterproof. All in all, this device is at the forefront of this type of technology.
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Garmin Forerunner 310XT Features
The Garmin Forerunner 310XT allows a trainer to track position, distance, and pace. By adding the appropriate accessories, namely a Garmin Premium Heart Rate Monitor and a Garmin GSC 10 Speed/Cadence Bike Sensor, the trainer is also able to track heart rate and power data. All of this data can then be wirelessly sent to a personal computer where it can be stored and later analyzed. The product is rather rugged. Its waterproof build is reliable to a depth of fifty meters, or around one hundred and sixty four feet, and the single lithium ion battery lasts up to twenty hours. A one-year warranty guarantees the Garmin’s durability.
- Waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, so you can wear it in the pool or the lake to time your swim
- Tracks bike and run data and sends it wirelessly to your computer
- Track your position, distance, pace, heart rate (with bundled monitor), add accessories to measure power data and more
- 20 hours of battery life
- One-year limited warranty
Garmin Forerunner 310XT Customer Reviews
The Advantages
Compared with other products of its type, many users have described the Garmin Forerunner 310XT as having a short learning curve. Some people figure out the basic features without even referring to the owner’s manual. Online features are also vastly improved from previous iterations offered by Garmin as well. For fans of the “MapMy” list of sites, there are some very convenient integration features available.
The display is fully customizable and accommodates up to four parameters per screen page. One is able to track heart rate, time, distance, and pace covered on one display while another can incorporate a display of calories burned, a visual map of heart rate, and many other options. It is very easy to fully customize this device.
Routes can be recorded into the GPS tracking so that multiple trips can be compared and contrasted. This route recording feature also improves the accuracy of the GPS on subsequent runs. The Garmin actually creates a “Virtual Training Partner” which incorporates the statistics of the previous performance of a particular run, and then tells the user hoe far ahead or behind he or she is. By using the auto-multisport option on the device, an athlete can simply click the lap button, and the Garmin will switch to the next “sport”.
Fitness tracking is rather customizable and can be highly individualized. Users can enter height, weight, age, and fitness level and the Garmin provides calorie expenditure information among other things based on the GPS input. On top of these, there is a myriad of other things one is able to configure, adjust, and fine tune.
The Disadvantages
In general, the number one complaint about this device seems to be the ineffectiveness of the GPS route tracking once the user enters the water. Time is still tracked accurately, and some users say that routes are mapped with marginal accuracy after multiple runs, but all in all most features become useless in the water. This is acceptable for most devices, but this is an almost fatal flaw in the Garmin because of its rather explicit marketing towards the triathlete. In fact, there is not even a swim setting on the device itself; the third sport display looks like a downhill skier or some sort. (In the product’s defense, this is a problem with all GPS technology. It simply does not penetrate under water as it is currently designed. Both the Garmin website and the owners manual do not claim that the device will work well in the water. It seems this flaw is mostly brought out by the marketing and not the product itself.)
Some users have expressed problems with elevation accuracy, sometimes in the neighborhood of almost six hundred feet. This also seems like it would be a rather large bug in the system for prospective triathlete users. That being said, other users contest this inaccuracy and claim that the Garmin Forerunner 310 XT has worked extremely well in tracking their elevation.
Another common complaint from customers is the relatively inflexible event switching features. It is not possible to switch sports in the middle of a workout without erasing all of the accrued data. For example, a cross trainer bikes on one day and then runs the next. If this trainer forgot to switch sports before the run, there is no way to switch parameters without starting from scratch. Although this is a rather specific bug in the system, some people have found it to be a very negative aspect of the product’s programming.
Last but not least, there is the issue of cost. At well over three hundred dollars, many users have complained about the price of the product. There is also the additional cost of accessories if one wishes to record heart rate and power data. This is certainly up to the consumer to decide. There are no competitively priced products of its kind that offer the same amount of customizable features.
In Summary
All in all, the Garmin Forerunner 310 XT is one of the most advanced designs for a product of its type. Although there are quite a few flaws perceived in that design, many of them are associated with all GPS devices and not just the Garmin Forerunner 310XT in particular. Cost may be prohibitive for some, but this can be expected to lower over time. The vast majority of users of this device seems to be very satisfied with its features and believes that it lives up to its marketed expectations. Despite the swimming limitations, it is one of the best products on the market for serious triathletes.
]]>Garmin has indeed upped their game with this new GPS enabled sports watch and for all you Garmin fans out there, the Garmin Forerunner 405 is causing quite a stir. The sports watch combines the power of GPS and the features of a suave sports watch that can be worn comfortably the whole day. It really takes the pressure off having to switch watches constantly between your workout sessions and going out; the sleek design captures both worlds. Another one of its features is the wireless platform, which sends signals to your computer and feeds it your data; a very handy little innovation. It also comes with a touch bezel that you can use to change the screen with a simple tap.
This gadget is the new generation fitness timer combined with trendiness and user comfort and it comes in two color options – black and green. It makes fitness a little more comfortable and lets its user incorporate a little individuality in it too by flaunting their fashion.
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Garmin Forerunner 405 Features
Anyone in today’s world easily understands the importance of combining timing with other normal requirements like distance, speed and heartbeat. It saves data about where you ran the fastest, or slowest, lets you tailor your workouts so you can improve the results, while monitoring your heart rate all the time. The Garmin Forerunner 405 takes all these details and does the calculating for you so what you have in the end is easy-to-understand data in your computer, which you can then use to improve your workouts.
- Touch bezel lets you change screens with a simple tap (no more fumbling for buttons)
- Training features that continuously monitors your time, distance, pace, calories and heart rate (when paired with heart rate monitor)
- ANT + Sport wireless platform wirelessly sends your data to your computer
- Includes both the USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor
- Download recorded courses to compete against previous workouts or race a Virtual Partner
The Garmin Forerunner 405 is a newly released and improved wireless GPS-Enabled sports watch with USB ANT stick and heart rate monitor. It has many training features for your workouts that continually monitor your times, speeds, distances and more importantly, your heart rate. When you do a run, the watch stores the details in its memory so you can pull out the data any time you want and see how you can improve your future performances.
It also has a GPS locator system that works with a very strong receiver and retains satellite reception wherever you are. The Garmin Forerunner 405 comes with a water resistance coating that allows you to use it in all types of locations so you can finish a run and then dive immediately into a pool. It also has an optional foot pod and heart rate monitor. Some versions of it do have the heart rate monitor and some do not, so it is really up to you to decide whether you need to incorporate that in your workout program, if you have not already.
The versions of Garmin Forerunner 405 that do come with a heart rate monitor continually scan and record your heart rate per minute while comparing your workout to previous ones so that you can improve your health.
Navigation has been made a lot fancier with the touch bezel, which allows individuals to go through the features and start new workout sessions with a simple tap, check out their previous workout record and better still, challenge a virtual partner. This comes in handy when you need the motivation.
The Garmin Forerunner 405 allows you to synchronize and share info with all kinds of devices that work with the ANT+Sport connectivity. With this platform, you are able to connect with a host of other devices sharing the same connectivity and broaden your wireless field. The best part is when you stack up data from all your runs, the ANT+ Sport wireless technology is able to transfer the data to your computer whenever you are in range and it happens wirelessly so there are no hurdles for you to overcome.
The Garmin Forerunner 405 is wonderful for those long distance runs and bike rides; you simply need to hook up the foot pod on your ankle and since it comes with a GPS sensor, it can record your run and show the distance and time it took you. You can also use a similar system to record your cycling workouts since it records automatically when you start moving.
If you want to share your courses and workout history with other Garmin Forerunner 405 users, you can easily do so when you set up the wireless ANT+Sport technology network as you hang out with your buddies.
This community spirit is what Garmin is trying to facilitate with the Motion-based system, which allows customer based GPS routes and maps to be shared in a wide area where other GPS users can enjoy a workout plan that goes well with theirs.
Garmin Forerunner 405 Customer Review
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Garmin Forerunner 405
Customer reviews are pretty good, with a lot of people appreciating this version’s regular watch size, because it allows the user to wear it all the time. Their good reviews also have to do with the fact that it comes with a host of inbuilt devices for HR, pace, distance and laps. The GPS is perhaps the most ideal feature through and through, because it allows you to map your success on the go without all the hassles of calculating distances and the margin of error in the calculation is minimal.
The are a few downsides to the watch though; for instance, the battery life is threatened easily when the GPS is enabled, so you have to charge it every couple of days to safeguard your workouts. Another problem is bad weather and how it affects the satellite. It can take you up to 2 minutes to get a receiver working in bad weather.
In Summary
For people working indoors, the Garmin Forerunner 405 needs a foot pod, which is extra gear, and nobody likes extra gear; not to mention, it is not cheap.
Other than that, the Garmin Forerunner 405 is a fantastic piece to have when you are planning your workouts and when you actually do train. It has a smart and fantastic new look, which allows you to wear it almost anywhere in any season, which is hard to say for a lot of workout watches.
]]>The Garmin Forerunner is perhaps one of the best performance monitors any runner can use. It has long been loved by runners and bikers for it useful features, accuracy, and precision, but the new Garmin Forerunner 305 takes things up a notch by a drastic reduction in size that makes it look like a slightly larger version of your favorite sports watch. The Garmin Forerunner 305 is not your average watch, however. It is essentially a physical workout data center on your wrist which allows you to keep track of your progress by recording speed and distance as well as keeping a record of your course for easy review.
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Garmin Forerunner 305 Features
Smaller, sleeker design
This monitor has undergone a radical departure from the old and clunky designs of the past. Previous models were chunky and were too big for something that you could comfortably strap on your wrist. The Garmin Forerunner 305 comes in a smaller size that is just as comfortable as any sports watch. Garmin’s engineers have also made sure that the 305 retains the waterproof feature in this latest model, along with the curved casing which allows for a better viewing angle. The Garmin Forerunner 305 also sports a display with a higher resolution than those of older Garmin models, which results to better levels of clarity.
Multiple Data Screens
This is considered the heart and soul of the Garmin Forerunner 305. The data screens provide real time information in all aspects of the workout such as calories burned, distance run, elevation and grades, pace and lap modes. The device provides heart rate data using the coded heart rate chest strap, which is responsible for taking data such as lap heart rate, average heart rate, and heart rate zones. Users can even record bike performance data using a separate cadence and speed meter. The data screens can be programmed to only show the data that you want for the moment, and important information can be set to be displayed front and center of the screen.
Virtual Partner
This feature is unique to Garmin monitors. The Virtual Partner is perfect for those who like to compete since the feature sets a collection of data that you can measure your performance against. This is often very effective since it helps egg you on in reaching the fitness goals you have set for the day.
Workout Intensity Options
For those who want to vary their routines according to the level of intensity, the Garmin Forerunner covers this by including three options for intensity levels which you can easily set in the workouts menu. You can choose between Quick, Interval and Advanced workouts depending on your level of fitness or based on the kind of activity you want to do for the day. This feature not only makes it easy to add variety to your workout routines, it also works seamlessly with the Garmin Training Center which allows you to set and store these workouts into any pc or portable device.
Garmin Training Center Software
The Garmin training software is a big help to those who want to keep exact records of their courses and other workout data. The software also allows users to download workout data which is used for detailed analysis. For example, users can easily review their performance on a given course and can do the same to other courses taken in the past for comparison.
SiRFstar III GPS Receiver
One of the great things about the Garmin Forerunner 305 is its precision and reliability even if you are on a bike or a raft. This is due to the SiRFstar III GPS receiver, which allows the device to track and keep a lock on your location. The device can also power up and start tracking your speed and distance after 3 minutes from start-up. Testing has revealed accurate and consistent tracking even if your course goes through and under sections of dense foliage. Tracking features are also bundled with rudimentary mapping, routing, and waypoint marking, features available in any basic GPS device.
Garmin Forerunner 305 Customer Review
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Garmin Forerunner 305
There is a lot to like about the Gamin Forerunner 305. The device gets props for its smaller design and its accuracy. The device is reliable and accurate, especially when it comes to distance and heart rate monitoring. The display is also a great selling point since it is hard to find a monitor of this size with the screen size that it has, coupled with the high resolution which allows for a clear and crisp display. Many users also love the enhanced customization feature which allows you to choose from 40 different data fields that you can put on the display. For example, you have the choice of putting current pace, average run pace, lap pace, and distance in the display, or you can choose completely different combinations of information.
Almost all users gush about the amazing accuracy of the Garmin Forerunner 305, including its satellite acquisition time which is faster compared to those of other brands. Users who have had poor results with other monitors also report of increased performance when they used the virtual partner which serves as an effective motivational tool, whether the user is running or hiking. Those who want to lose weight can definitely rely on the Garmin Forerunner 305 to give them the right amount of push that they need every time they run or hike.
Some users complain about pace tracking, which can vary drastically according to some user tests, with some swings as big as 3 minutes give or take for every mile. However, others suggest that as a way to get around this you can use the average pace value which has been found to be more accurate.
In Summary
The Garmin Forerunner is not just a device that allows you to track your heart rate, your speed, distance or your pace. With its array of useful features it doubles as a GPS, a competitive running buddy, and your personal recorder of daily physical performance which can help you review your progress for the week or month. Tracking physical performance goals has never been this convenient. If you are a serious runner, hiker, or cross country trainer, you will want nothing more than the Garmin Forerunner 305 on your wrist.
]]>If you are looking for the latest and most technologically advanced sports watch around for your morning or evening runs; the Garmin Forerunner 110 is one good option. It is a GPS enabled trainer watch that records all your runs in distance, pace and time. It also comes with a rechargeable battery and a heart rate monitor and can record your calories and help you make the right steps to make sure you are in good shape. This watch is meant to assist people in training smart, as the new technology in it allows for a detailed recording and mapping of routes thus saving time and energy.
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Garmin Forerunner 110 Features
One of the things you will notice with this watch is that it is quite easy to use and with a simple press of the start button, it will be ready to record. You do not have to calculate distances with this watch and since it has a GPS receiver, you will always know where to start. When you go for runs, all you have to do is put it on your wrist and the inbuilt features on this watch create an accurate account of your run and save the data.
- GPS-enabled trainer watch accurately records your distance, time and pace
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver stays locked on satellites, even near tall buildings or under tree cover
- Rechargeable battery provides 8 hours life in training mode, 3 weeks in power save mode
- Upload data to Garmin Connect site to view workout summaries, create goals and more
- Includes heart rate monitor for heart rate-based calorie computation
Information on all previous runs is stored on the watch’s memory so if you need to pull out data from the last month for analysis you will be able to with ease. To do a more detailed analysis of your performance, Garmin encourages users to log onto their website and upload the data on their watch to examine it more closely.
Garmin Forerunner 110 Review
The Garmin Forerunner 110 comes in different colors; for men it comes in black or red and for women there is the option of gray and pink. Nevertheless, whichever color you choose, you will still get a heart rate monitor that records your heart rate and saves the data in its memory. The recordings are done in beats per minute. You can also check to see how much calories you burn after each run and if you already have an ANT+ heart rate monitor, then you do not need to purchase the Garmin Forerunner 110 which is sold separately.
If you are just starting on a running program, then you are going to find this type of watch very helpful because you will be able to review data from your very first run. This watch can be very motivating because you will know exactly when you should push yourself further and how to go about it safely. The Garmin Forerunner 110 is created to make you run faster yet keep you from harming yourself.
The Garmin connect feature allows you to track your data and share when you upload all the data you have from your runs to the Garmin connect website where you can also analyze it further. After this, you will then be able to map out new and more challenging routes and create goals for your new runs.
The Garmin Forerunner 110 comes with HotFix satellite prediction, which works super fast, so that as soon as you step out of the house, you can start your run. It quickly locks on to satellites and picks up your location and since it has a sensitive receiver, it will not lose the signal even around tall buildings.
The Advantages & Disadvantages
As a full package, the Garmin Forerunner 110 comes with a heart rate monitor, AC charger and the manual. So what makes this Garmin sports watch better than the previous?
According to many user reviews, this one is sleeker because it is smaller and feels less bulky when wrapped on the wrist. A lot of the time, when you are on a run, your watch will begin to feel heavy and you may feel weighed down by it, but this one feels okay. The touch bezel on the 405 may have been a little temperamental too, according to some users, so this one has button controls and it displays larger numbers for distance, temperature and the like; thus making it easier to read data accurately when running.
The menus are fewer too, so navigation of the watch is easier.
GPS works very well even in congested areas or under trees, which is good when you want to run on a forest trail.
Just like the 405, the Garmin Forerunner 110 also comes with a rechargeable battery, but the 110 lasts considerably longer than that of the 405. You do not have to charge it as many times, especially if you are not using the GPS too much.
Whatever you need to record and track a race, this watch has and you can put the information on Garmin’s website where you can go back and look at performances to see how you could improve them in the future.
Unlike the 405, when you are running with the Garmin Forerunner 110, does not display your pace like a car speedometer, it does show you your average speed after your run.
Button controls make the 110 Garmin easier to navigate and since they are what many people are used to, no one is complaining about it. Negative feedback about the watch can be heard from one or two users who lost the accuracy of the timer because the GPS was interfered with when blocked from satellite by too many obstacles. Huge trees can have the same effect, where the timing can go off by a few seconds. The margin of error is good though, so you will not really be affected by it. In any case, all GPS enabled watches have a margin of error.
In Summary
Ruling; this is an amazing watch that any person who works out would find most helpful. The information it collects, from the use of the heart rate monitor to the cholesterol reader, is information that can literally save your life. The watch however does not record your heart rate under water, so it is a watch for runners and not triathletes, but either way, the overall analysis guarantees that it is a good watch.
]]>The Garmin Forerunner 210 is an ideal watch for a person who enjoy working out. This specialized sports watch not only tells time but also comes with a heart rate monitor and GPS monitor. The latter feature will enable a person to keep track of how fast, hard and long he or she has been working out. The watch comes in black and teal and can be worn by men and women alike. The cost of a Garmin Forerunner 210 watch depends on where one purchases it from, but generally speaking one should expect to pay about $250 if it is purchased online.
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Garmin Forerunner 210 Features
- Easy-to-use, button operated
- Records position, speed/pace, distance and calorie data
- Automatic Time Zone
Along with the watch itself, a person will also receive a top notch heart rate monitor, AC charger, charging/data clip, quick start manual and owner’s manual. The watch weighs about a pound and comes with a rechargeable lithium ion battery that lasts about eight hours. The watch is water resistant and has a high sensitivity receiver.
The Garmin Forerunner 210 is also compatible with Garmin’s Connect online community and software training center. The online community allows one to analyse, categorize and share data. This community is an invaluable help for a person who is just starting to make regular exercise a habit.
Besides the heart monitor, some versions of the Garmin Forerunner 210 also have a foot pad, which many find quite helpful. The watch also has an interval training feature that can be programmed by the user. The interval training feature enables one to set up exercise and rest intervals so that the watch will calculate workout data in an accurate manner. One more helpful feature that the Garmin Forerunner 210 has is
a heart rate based calorie computation device. This device enables one to calculate just how many calories he or she is burning while working out.
Garmin Forerunner 210 Review
Before investing in the Garmin Forerunner 210, one will naturally want to find out more about this unique multi-feature sports watch. It is always helpful to see what user reviews have to say about any given product, as this will help one to see at the onset whether or not the product in question is a good buy. Following is an overview of some of the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing this particular sports watch. This information has been compiled from a large number of positive, negative and neutral reviews.
The Advantages
Most reviews of the Garmin Forerunner 210 are quite positive. Those who have used it have noted that it is very comfortable to wear on the wrist. The GPS device is also extremely efficient. It connects with local satellites quickly and easily and has a high level of connectivity. The fact that the GPS is fully functional both inside a building and out is one of this watch’s strong points.
All of the features on the watch work as advertised, and the watch is made from strong, durable materials. The casual yet classy sports watch style enables one to wear this watch during the day. The watch clearly and accurately displays workout details that enable a person to see how effective his or her workout sessions are. While the watch is a bit pricey, no one has found the price tag to be overly high when compared to the value of the watch.
The Disadvantages
While the Forerunner 210 does have many features, amenities and advantages, it also has its disadvantages. Two particular features that many complain about are the recharging cord and the strap on the heart rate monitor. More than one user has mentioned the fact that this particular watch is very difficult to recharge. The watch uses a specialized USB cord and this cord must be connected just right or the watch will not recharge. Connecting the cord in a proper manner is not easy; it is also not easy to tell at a glance whether or not the watch is recharging properly. One has to check Garmin’s website to make sure the device is connected and is recharging properly.
It has also been noted that the strap on the heart rate monitor is not comfortable. This is not something that many reviews mention but it has been pointed out, meaning that at least some users have found that this strap causes mild to moderate abrasion while exercising. However, as it is possible to substitute the Garmin heart rate monitor strap for a strap made by another brand name, this small inconvenience does not pose a very big problem.
In Summary
Those who are looking for a high quality sports watch should seriously consider purchasing the Garmin Forerunner 210. It has numerous helpful features that enable one to keep track of heart rate, exercise time, jogging/running distance and speed and calories burned. This particular watch is also waterproof and can be used by those who enjoy swimming as a form of regular exercise.
The watch is durable, well made and classy in style. It is comfortable and can be worn by both men and women. The dials and data display are clear and are not overly cluttered. This enables one to find the data and features that he or she is looking for quickly and easily.
While this watch gets mostly good reviews, there are also people who are not satisfied with the Garmin Forerunner 210‘s performance. The main complaint against this watch is that the USB recharge cord that is meant to connect the watch to the computer is very difficult to use. The cord is not a standard cord and it is difficult to connect it to the computer in just the right way so that the watch can properly recharge. Needless to say, once the watch is connected, one will probably not want to move the computer until the watch has fully recharged. However, if a person can live with this relatively small inconvenience, then the Garmin Forerunner 210 provides good value for the money and is a well made sports watch.
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