Best HR Monitor and GPS setup

Frankly, I see nothing in the 310 that makes it twice the cost of the 305.

The fact that it is new...Swimming convenience is nice but I agree price is not worth it unless you have wireless PT and no head unit and still need a hrm/gps. Even then it is still on the spendy side. 305 is the best bang for your buck that I found. New it is less than 140 pretty easily.

Aha! Hence the "until this morning" in the other thread. Sucks some a-hole stole your watch. How was it stolen?

there are more display options and the screen is sharper as is the backlight.  If you train with a powermeter than that is a bonus. if money is tight get a used 305... if not the 310 is nice.

I did read about the powertap...trying to figure out how much that setup would cost as a whole and reviews of others that have used it and whether or not it was hard to get working.  I'll do a little digging.  For now, I'll go naked.  I felt kind of free this morning without it to be honest.  Can't hurt for a couple of days...


edit:  ya, someone stole it and my little girls diaper bag, which is just wrong.  But my wife said it was found on the side of the road so at least that was recovered.  That 305 is long gone though..

Edited by acumenjay 2009-08-28 2:47 PM

I love the XT310. I've had the 305 and the 405 before it. 405 is terrible. The touch bezel is a p.i.t.a. and no auto multisport function either. I agree that the 310 offers little functionality over the 305. However, I'm using a Quark Cinco power meter (which has no head unit, must use Garmin 705 or XT310 for the ANT+) and it's a really sweet setup. Cheaper than an SRM and just as accurate. I used to use Powertap, but fooling with the two units, Garmin for the run and Powertap for the bike, as well as being tied to using that wheelset was a pain too. Now it's all together in 1 unit and free to use different wheels. Yes it's waterproof, but the HRM still will not work in the water. Their new HRM strap is just waterproof, not water capable (like Polar's) because the Garmin uses a digital signal, can't travel through water. Also, Garmin has a new foot pod (nice on the treadmill to record winter workouts or work on your step cadence) it's really small, much nicer than the first 2 versions. Finally, the quick release strap for the 310 is better than the 305. I always had a little trouble getting the 305 to unclip/clip into the bike mount or onto the watch strap. It usually took 2 hands. The 310 mount is circular like a clock face and turns to click in/out. It's really easy and fast. I can pop it off the bike mount just before going in to T2 and get it on to the watch strap with ease. 

And no, I don't work for or get sponsored by Garmin...I should tho, huh?