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2013-05-01 9:45 PM
in reply to: #4723013

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
ettringite23 - 2013-05-01 3:17 PMI use the 910XT for the entire race. I set the watch to "Multi-Sport". I hit start; the lap button in and out of transitions; and stop at the end of the race. My biggest problem is forgetting to hit the lap out of T1...x2

Edited by davidfedez 2013-05-01 9:46 PM


2013-05-01 9:54 PM
in reply to: #4723309

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
japarker24 - 2013-05-01 6:39 PM
Kido - 2013-05-01 6:41 PM
ettringite23 - 2013-05-01 3:17 PM

I use the 910XT for the entire race. I set the watch to "Multi-Sport". I hit start; the lap button in and out of transitions; and stop at the end of the race. My biggest problem is forgetting to hit the lap out of T1...

Yep, it's stuff like that made me stop using it.

One time I had a good swim, fast T1, a 5 second bike leg, 3 hour t2...

I mean, the reason I wanted to use it was to have all the data at the end.  But if you skip a button, or press it twice in the rush of transition...  Then it doesn't load into training software well and it's of no use.  I think I tried using it 4 times and only once got it right.

Another time I had it waiting on my bike all ready to go.  Get there after the swim and it turned itself off.  So had to turn it back on, wait for satellites....  I kept on racing, but it was a couple min into the bike it finally was working.

 

To me, my Timex HRM and bike computer give me all the information I need.  HR, speed, laps.  Run pace I can figure out pretty quickly just doing the math from aid station to aid station.  I guess I found myself too concerned/worried/focused on if my Garmin was working correctly, or be upset during the ride if I forgot to push the button and it didn't put me on the bike screen showing speed/cadence and stuff and obsess about it during the race.  There was more important things to think about and any additional stress during a race is counter productive.

 

KISS - Keep It Simple Silly.

That is why I don't do the "include transitions" mode.  You complicate matters exponentially by having to hit the lap button twice in each transition.  All my races give me T1 and T2 splits, so I don't need the Garmin to do that.

If you "exclude transitions" then for all intents and purposes, you only have to hit buttons twice during the race (once in T1 and once in T2).  You press start (immediately) before the race and stop (immediately) after the race.

I even keep it more simple by not using it.

2013-05-01 10:16 PM
in reply to: #4723378

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
Kido - 2013-05-01 4:54 PM

I even keep it more simple by not using it.

X2

2013-05-02 7:43 AM
in reply to: #4723391

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
metafizx - 2013-05-01 11:16 PM
Kido - 2013-05-01 4:54 PM

I even keep it more simple by not using it.

X2

That's too bad considering someone paid approx. $400 for the device.  I would have gladly paid double for mine.

2013-05-02 8:03 AM
in reply to: #4722948

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri

I have the 310xt and use the multisport mode including transitions.  Usually practice a few times before the race.

2013-05-02 9:37 AM
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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri

I have used both a Garmin 305 and a 310xt.  I used them both with the quick release mounts and multisport mode and included transitions for both.  

With the 305 i put the garmin in my swim cap but I also wore the quick release strap on my wrist.   It was easy to push the start button at the beginning of the race even with it under my cap.  I then removed my cap,goggles and garmin while running to t1 and put it in the quick connect wrist strap.  During the bike I actually moved the garmin from my wrist to my bike so I could see it better then just before getting to t2 moved it back to my wrist.  At one point I missed hitting lap crossing one of the transition mats.  But I was glad I did include transistions since the timing system missed one of my other transitions so I had enough data to figure out the actual times.

For my second race I upgraded to the 310xt after putting my 305 through the washer.  With the 310xt I just wore it on my wrist during the swim with the quick release wrist band.  Moved it to the bike after getting going and moved it back just before finishing the bike.  Didn't miss hitting the lap button on this race.  I was a little worried about the 310xt coming off during the race but it stayed on just fine.  i have heard of people losing the watch on the swim with the standard wrist band when one of hte pins connecting the band failed.  But apparently the quick release band mounts to the watch more securely and eliminates this issue according to garmin.

I also wore a heart rate monitor during swim for both races so I had it during the bike and run but didn't have to fumble with it in t1.  Also I have yet to do a tri where I wore a wetsuit so no experience with that.



2013-05-02 9:53 AM
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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri

I have the Timex Global Trainer. I tried doing the whole multi sport mode thing but it was more trouble than it was worth. Like someone else said the timing chip keeps up with all the splits. I now just display my heart rate and total event time. I also turn off the gps. On the run I will just hit the lap button every mile to see what my pace is.

2013-05-02 9:57 AM
in reply to: #4722948

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
Anyone have fears of losing their 910 in the water?  I've read reports of them sinking to the depths after having some contact during the swim (quick release strap only).  I've only had mine on in the pool so far.
2013-05-02 10:47 AM
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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri

I use the 901xt and include the transitions.  I did screw it up once, which was a bummer, but I figure I get my results from the race anyway - if I don't screw up, then I get even better data...

I admit that I also left my 800 on the bike for that leg, and so had double data for the bike - which helped the time I screwed up the button pressing (first time I'd used it)!  Probably going to leave the 800 at home for races this season, as I can get power and HR on the 910...

Does BT, TP, GC (i won't even mention Strava - they don't care much for multi-sport types, apparently) will figure out the transitions and such and load each leg separately?  Or do you have to manually crop or such?  Haven't tried that yet...

Matt

2013-05-02 11:16 AM
in reply to: #4723391

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
metafizx - 2013-05-01 11:16 PM
Kido - 2013-05-01 4:54 PM

I even keep it more simple by not using it.

X2

I've had the same thought, but getting the usage of the watch right requires the same thing as everything else in a triathlon.  Practice.  I have taken to setting it to multisport mode when I do bricks at home, and also for when I run through my transitions (which I do a few times over the summer).  Practice practice practice until it is second nature.

2013-05-02 2:45 PM
in reply to: #4722948


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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
Thanks for the replies. I think I will put it on at T2 as I start running. I have a computer on the bike. If it shows me what I need for the run great if not I will leave it at home next time :-)


2013-05-03 8:37 AM
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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
japarker24 - 2013-05-01 6:17 PM

I have the 910XT and use it during the entire race.

Push "start" when the gun goes off.  Push "lap" in T1.  Push "lap" in T2.  Press "stop" at finish line.

It is that simple.

This ^^^  is perfect IMO and what I do also. (I have the 910XT after trying many others).  I like to ride/run at the highest HR I can maintain for the race distance and also watch my HR to monitor my fuel/hydration here in Miami heat. 

GoFaster---the losing it problem is why I do not use the 910XT quick release.  I OW swim in 4-5f viz ocean water several times a week and use my 910XT for distance and time.  I've had my 910Xt hit pretty hard during OW races and the original strap has worked great for me.



Edited by spearit 2013-05-03 8:53 AM
2013-05-03 9:09 AM
in reply to: #4723065

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
siouxcityhawk - 2013-05-01 3:56 PM

I wear my Garmin 910 for the entire tri, swim start to run finish.

Although, I have an indoor swim triathlon this weekend so I'm not sure if the Garmin will pick up satellites.  In this case, I will just use my regular bike computer and my timex ironman. 

Have you tried the "Indoor Swim" option?  

2013-05-03 9:38 AM
in reply to: #4725695

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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri
Hoos - 2013-05-03 9:09 AM
siouxcityhawk - 2013-05-01 3:56 PM

I wear my Garmin 910 for the entire tri, swim start to run finish.

Although, I have an indoor swim triathlon this weekend so I'm not sure if the Garmin will pick up satellites.  In this case, I will just use my regular bike computer and my timex ironman. 

Have you tried the "Indoor Swim" option?  

I was going to look at that tonight.  I'm not sure if you can set up the multi-sport option using an indoor swim for a triathlon.  If so, then I guess when I would hit lap going into T1 that the watch would try to acquire the satellites and maybe by the time i'm out on the ride it will have picked up enough to give me a good reading. 

We will see.  My tri tomorrow is a sprint and it's supposed to be about 40 degrees outside with 40% chance of rain and 20 mph wind.  When it's all said and done, I just hope to finish this race. 

 

 

 

2013-05-03 10:24 AM
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Subject: RE: How do you use your garmin in a tri

I have the 305, with the quick release mount.  I have it on my bike and turn it on before the swim (with sprints and olys only, never done anything longer).  In T1 I start it.  In T2 I move it to my wrist.  I use multisport mode so I only need to push the lap button.

I don't have a bike computer.  If I did, I probably would just use that during the bike and then use my garmin for the run.

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