Which GPS watches do you guys recommend?
When I'm swimming in open water, I want to know the straight-line distance of the course. I'm not nearly as interested in how much extra I ended up swimming by veering off course. That's an interesting data point, but I don't get credit for the extra distance in a race, so I don't count it in training either.
Because of that, I don't care too much about the swim correction feature. I'm fine if the data ends up with a bunch of zig-zags. As long as I can hit lap to pinpoint landmarks on the course, I can figure out the straight-line distance in Google Earth.
I do care about how quickly it can get a signal.
A lot of my triathlete buddies have the Garmin 310XT. That seems to have a bunch of features I don't need. Plus, I think it's really ugly. I truly hate the idea of spending that much money on a humongous gray and orange watch.
The reviews I read on Timex and Polaris GPS watches don't look that great--I see a lot of complaints about them being slow to connect and the software being a pain to use. Have any of you had good experiences with them? What about lower-end Garmin models?
If I did break down and get the 310XT, would I ever even be wearing it on my wrist, or would I have to wear it under my cap?
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Former Member
This is an in-depth review of the 910XT. It looks like it will cost about $50 more than the 310XT. It's smaller, nicer looking, and it is supposed to work in the pool, counting laps and strokes (like the Finis SwimSense or the Pool Mate).
Spending $349 on the 310XT would kill a little part of my soul, but, if the 910XT works as advertised, I probably wouldn't mind parting with the $399.
To get an accurate distance or to get an idea of how straight you're swimming, you still have to wear it under your cap.
This is an in-depth review of the 910XT. It looks like it will cost about $50 more than the 310XT. It's smaller, nicer looking, and it is supposed to work in the pool, counting laps and strokes (like the Finis SwimSense or the Pool Mate).
Spending $349 on the 310XT would kill a little part of my soul, but, if the 910XT works as advertised, I probably wouldn't mind parting with the $399.
To get an accurate distance or to get an idea of how straight you're swimming, you still have to wear it under your cap.
