Garmin 305 vs 310xt

It looks to me like the new 310 does not come with the HR monitor strap by default - it's an optional extra for an additional $60 (or more for the 'premium' HRM strap).

The 305 includes the HR strap in the box as part of the standard package.

Just pointing out another difference between the two.

I am eyeing the 310 myself. It is massively al a cart right now. It comes very basic, but to add the HRM, bike mount etc to it will get $$$ I like the waterproof, just because it realy is a pain to get stuck in a massive downpore while using sensitive electronics. Nuked an Ipod that way.

I am very intrested in the swim aspect, especialy since I know a few people using the 305 under swim caps to check how good they are sighting when in the water.

With that said, I am a techno weenie on a massive budget, so I will continue to wait for at least the first few months to go by. Let someone else be the first in line like the Iphones and get the bugs in the softwear sorted out before I put my money down

 Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing.

Has anyone tested the 310 with a PowerMeter yet?  The Edge 705 still has some major issues with reliably recording power.  Missing data every few seconds when set to 1s recording makes the data pretty unreliable.

Waterproof, ant+ are good enough reasons for me. I have used 305 with a lot of success training and racing, including HIM. Battery lasts for me as Garmin advertises up to 10 hours.

My 305 complaints are:
1. Not being able to time my race swim, therefore no total race time info availbale during race
2. No power meter display as I will be adding Quarq this year

I wanted a one "do it all" device and I think we got it. I want swim time during race, power/hr/speed on the bike and hr/pace on the run, all at a click of a lap botton. It will have bugs for sure at the start, but every new device does. I belive Edge 705 problem is being worked on or maybe done. It is worth just sitting out a little and going for 310XT.

I think 310XT all the way.

I got a call today from the guy at the local running store (Gary Gribble's in OP for Atasic and Tell3131 who has been tracking down the 310 for me.

He said the first package without a HR strap or waterproof band (seriously? how could it not be waterproof?) will come out on May 8th. Shouldn't be a big deal since the existing 305 HR strap is supposed work with the 310.

Another 310xt package with a HR strap and waterproof band will will come out in July.

I've got store credit there for a 405 that I returned, so I'll probably grab one of the first batch of 310s.

I have a Garmin 705 (for sale in Classifieds) but I may have to keep that for the bike and Powermeter and just stick with my Polar for HR. . .  I like Atasic would like something that does everything, but may wait till next season to put down the bucks on the 310XT. . .of course once I see one all nice and shiny in the package, my checkbook may plop out and ink may appear!   

What powermeter do you have?  The coded 2.4 strap for my PowerTap works with my 305 (it's the same strap with a different logo printed on it) so it should work with a 310xt.

Karen,

GPS operates at a frequency that attenuates (decreases in strength) very quickly in water.  Thus, the watch is unable to stay locked on to a signal as you are swimming.  Hence, it can't determine distance.  (Some people get around this by putting the Garmin in their swim cap, effectively keeping it above the water.)

Any watch functions, such as the stopwatch for time, should certainly continue to function regardless of the environment.  Thus, it will definitely be able to record your time in the water.

I need to call him back, he left all that in a voice mail. However, it sounded like he was talking about the watch band itself. In the pictures, the band looks the same as any Ironman watch, not sure how it wouldn't be waterproof.

He couldn't have been referring to the band on the HR strap, because in the sentence before, he'd told me the first batch wouldn't have a HR strap. Plus, I've worn my HR strap for my 305 in the water plenty of times, they are already waterproof.

I'll update once I have a chance to talk with him.

Thanks Wingsfan.

Question for anyone.  Will the Garmin HR Strap work between their products.  For instance will the Garmin 705 HR strap (that came with it) work with a Forerunner 305?  And vice versa? 

I wonder if the Garmin HR straps we have now will work with the 310XT? 

Thanks everyone!