GPS Watches

Read dcrainmaker's review of the 310xt to get an idea of they type of track you should get when using it for OWS www.dcrainmaker.com/.../new-garmin-forerunner-310xt-openwater.html Yedswim, thanks for posting this link. Definitely the best technical info I've gotten on the subject. My race was cancelled, so I did another test in the pool. It turns out the problem was with the settings. I had Auto Pause and Auto Lap turned on in the previous tests. I did two tests today. Both with Auto Pause and Auto Lap turned on. In the first test, I had the Data Collection Mode set to collect data every second. I swam 750 yards of drills/drill-paced swimming. Garmin came up with 830 yards, jagged path, but pretty much in the general area where I was swimming. Then, I set the Data Collection Mode to Smart Collection. I swam 250 yards, a little faster than drill pace, open turns. Garmin came up with 264 yards, almost exactly straight. So, the magic settings are, drum roll please, Auto Pause OFF Auto Lap OFF Smart Recording ON great topic, i'd like to hear what other people are using. i've 2 forerunner 305's. ugly? got to agree with you. it is always on the back of my head, held in place by goggle straps, then everything covered with a latex cap. no baggies or other water protection. the swim distances it comes up with are the same as i get from topo maps, probably because there is unobstructed satellite reception in the middle of lakes. can't say the same about its distance-accuracy when using it for forest trails. 305's can be had at times for as low as $110 new on Amazon. Geog, how long have you had your 305? I would love, love, love to ditch the ziploc bag, but I'm afraid it might reduce the lifespan.

Despite the 310XT being ugly, it is nice to not have to worry about bagging it or other contortions to keep it dry. I took mine off the supplied strap, replaced the spring bars with some beefier ones and threaded it onto my goggle strap.

What does the 310 xt cost?

On Amazon, it's $349 without the heart rate monitor, $399 with.

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.

On Amazon, it's $349 without the heart rate monitor, $399 with. FYI Garmin just released the Forerunner 910XT that allegedly has more swimming functions: sites.garmin.com/.../

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. The lap counting features sound very cool. Pity I just bought my 310xt like two months ago :frustrated: I suspect there will be good deals on the 310XT when the 910XT starts to ship so it might still be a good option if OWS is the primary use.

I use my Garmin 205 to swim in open water. I put in my bag of dry Swimsafe ISHOF is dragged behind me. The dry bag is thicker than a bathing cap. I guess I'm sure the dial is turned up, but that's all.

My engineering firm uses GPS for land survey, and the accuracy of the location depends on the quality of the GPS equipment and the number and quality of the satellite positions. The USAF lifted their public restrictions on accuracy many years ago and you can now survey locations using GPS to within hundreths of a foot with survey accurate equipment and network RTK GPS that adjusts the data location without post-processing. If you don't have network RTK GPS then you have to post process the data to correct for satellite signal varriations. That said, the GPS equipment in watches is probably only accurate to about one to five meters when satellite condions are best, and falls off from their if you aren't getting good satellite reception. Because you don't post-process the data, there is no way to make corrrections for satellite variations (not that you would want to given the accuracy of the this equipment. I'm guessing the watches are typically accurate to about 20 -40 meters horizontal (about the same as for a car garmin, again depending on satellite conditions). This is why when you swim laps in a pool you see a lot of fuzz and it plots some the locations in the parking lot. HOwever, it should be plenty accurate for OW swims as long as you can keep it out of the water. I've been using the swimovate pro (no GPS) in the pool and it works well, except kick and drill sets which you have to edit into the database after you upload. Most of my pool swimming in NJ is indoors so GPS won't work anyway. Probably will get a GPS watch for running and biking to try some triathlons.

I know that all GPS watches are not that accurate in water, but still it it better than nothing. You complained about the size of the Garmin 310XT - well I think you should look at the battery aspect. The battery of the Garmin 310XT works for up to 20 hours workout. I personally like the grey orange style. I read a nice review about the Garmin Forerunner 310XT. I definitely also want to check out the latest Garmin models. It all boils down to how much you want to spend. I just love the Garmin watches - so that's why I would not go with a different brand.