Setting up Garmin 310XT for swim

I noticed that the garmin gets confused on pool swims with all those 180 degree turns. I don't think it's accurate enough for pool stuff. Anyone else get it working in an outdoor pool?

I have heard of that issue with small outdoor pools, I'd figure a 50 meter is better? I guess I could just add the laps by distance, the only reason I wanted to try the Garmin out was it would save me from having to hit lap and also see if it is accurate as well.

It's the sharp turns that it doesn't handle as well so the 180 at the ends will be the issue.  Perhaps it wouldn't be as confused if you went under the lane line (but that would mean that you had 2 lanes open).

I've used the 310XT during a few OWS lately. It's not nearly accurate enough for what you want; there's way too much noise in the data. The distance it captures is something like double the real distance:



Edited by MDHillSlug 2010-08-25 8:05 AM

Hey Ray,

   Thanks, I do remember reading your test before and looked again. It seems the cap method is pretty accurate compared to using the watch on the wrist even with the new firmware. I also have been using an outdoor 50 meter pool so that probably makes the back and forth less of an issue. Thanks again for the great reviews. I initially had the TGT and returned it to get the 310XT which is a awesome watch. (The TGT was was inaccurate on long distance for some reason).

Quick question (I have read yuor reviews on these watches) do you prefer the TGT or the 310XT? I was in a big struggle between the two before I settled on the 310XT.

Hmmm... with the new upload when I used it in my last race (750 meters) the data showed .48 miles, pretty close. The line was jagged but the distance pretty accurate.  When I talked to someone at Garmin the other day we talked about the new upload and how it figures out the distance after you get out of the water.