General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps? Rss Feed  
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2013-06-16 6:51 PM

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Subject: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
I am pretty interested in picking up a 910xt to record all of my training. One big thing I am hoping it will be able to do is accurately record pool laps. I enjoy swimming distances at times, but have been getting tired trying to keep track of my pool lengths once I get up over about 80. *Did I do 78 or 80?*

I see lots of issues with the Garmin's in the pool, but it also appears as though most of the threads I have read have resulted in it being mainly user error with the setup or something. I just wanted to get some more feedback from folks who have this Garmin. Have you figured out the swim issue and keep track of pool lengths, or is it actually a problem for the 910?


2013-06-16 6:56 PM
in reply to: keqwow

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Usually it works pretty good for me. a few time it has missed a length.
2013-06-16 7:02 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?

I've been using mine since January or so.  I only swim about twice a week, but in that time, I haven't caught it making a single mistake identifying a stroke properly or counting lengths incorrectly.

I love it.

ETA - Here's an example of the kind of data it will spit out from a recent swim:   

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/328064402

 

 



Edited by TriMyBest 2013-06-16 7:11 PM
2013-06-16 8:19 PM
in reply to: keqwow

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Originally posted by keqwow I am pretty interested in picking up a 910xt to record all of my training. One big thing I am hoping it will be able to do is accurately record pool laps. I enjoy swimming distances at times, but have been getting tired trying to keep track of my pool lengths once I get up over about 80. *Did I do 78 or 80?* I see lots of issues with the Garmin's in the pool, but it also appears as though most of the threads I have read have resulted in it being mainly user error with the setup or something. I just wanted to get some more feedback from folks who have this Garmin. Have you figured out the swim issue and keep track of pool lengths, or is it actually a problem for the 910?
Ha, I start losing track way earlier than that.  My 910 has been really great at counting laps.  I've swum 30x100 many times with no misses and based on the time long continuous swims (2000-3000) have taken, it seems to be right on with them as well.  I'd go for it. 
2013-06-16 10:11 PM
in reply to: TTom


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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
It has worked great for me as well for counting laps. I got some random added lengths when I initially got the watch, but I then realized that was from swinging my arms around/stretching in between sets... don't do that! or stop the timer first at least. haha
2013-06-16 10:27 PM
in reply to: #4777967

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Works great in the pool for me.


2013-06-17 6:02 AM
in reply to: berndog

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Might miss a length in 3000 yds every few workouts. I understand that's from me not pushing off the wall hard enough for the accelerometer to register the turn. I really like the watch.
2013-06-17 7:43 AM
in reply to: TriMyBest

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Originally posted by TriMyBest

I've been using mine since January or so.  I only swim about twice a week, but in that time, I haven't caught it making a single mistake identifying a stroke properly or counting lengths incorrectly.

I love it.

ETA - Here's an example of the kind of data it will spit out from a recent swim:   

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/328064402

 

 



Thanks for posting the garmin data - interesting to see that! I need to try mine in the pool sometime soon...
2013-06-17 7:47 AM
in reply to: kingofbanff

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Originally posted by kingofbanff

Might miss a length in 3000 yds every few workouts. I understand that's from me not pushing off the wall hard enough for the accelerometer to register the turn. I really like the watch.


I'm 1 month in with my 910. Upgraded to from 310 because I wanted the lap count feature. I couldn't pass up the deal they had. I knew going into it that the key is to push off the wall hard. I played around with this during one of my workouts by not pushing off the wall and it missed some lengths.
2013-06-17 8:23 AM
in reply to: GAUG3

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
When I started using it, I thought the lap count didn't work very well, because it added a couple extra laps every 1,000 yards. It turned out, my stroke was terrible. As long as you have a decent stroke and you push off the wall (normal push is fine), the lap count feature will work great for you.
2013-06-17 8:28 AM
in reply to: bigmike3541

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Originally posted by bigmike3541

It has worked great for me as well for counting laps. I got some random added lengths when I initially got the watch, but I then realized that was from swinging my arms around/stretching in between sets... don't do that! or stop the timer first at least. haha


Same here.


2013-06-17 8:34 AM
in reply to: keqwow

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
I stopped wearing mine in the pool. It threw in 3-second ghost butterfly 'laps' in the middle of free sets, dropped laps, etc. I'm sure it's a flaw in my stroke and/or turns but regardless it made it pretty useless for me in the pool. But I only swim 1:30/100y, I'm sure it's better for good swimmers.
2013-06-17 8:49 AM
in reply to: jlruhnke

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
I use the 910 in the pool 3 or 4 times a week and it works perfectly in counting laps. However, it won't count laps if you are using a kickboard since your arms are not moving. Probably an obvious point, but one of my tri club members hates that it doesn't keep track of the laps during kick sets.

It will differentiate betweend a butterfly, breast, and free style.

Couple of tips that I have learned using the 910 in the pool:

It works with both flip and open turns very well. Make sure you give yourself a full lap and push normally off the wall. The Garmin will recognize the change in direction.

During intervals: Hit Lap, then Stop between sets. For example, if you are doing a 10 X 300 workout and want to record your 300 times, the best way "that I have found" is to hit Start, push of the wall, do your 300, then hit Lap then Stop right away. When you are ready to start your next interval, simply push start and repeat the same process.

During long sets (1,000 - 2,000 yards continuously for example) I sometimes like to hit "LAP" every 250 yards just to get a feel for my pace. However, you can set one of the Data Fields to pace and it gives me a rolling pace per interval.

If you are uploading to Training Peaks, I have noticed that my total swim time after the TP upload will show the entire time I was in the water, including rest between sets. Not sure why it does this, but it does not do that when I upload to BT logs. Also, sometimes the total distance is not accurate when I upload to Training Peaks. If it is off, it is usally short. Not sure why this happens either but I usually modify the workout in TP after I have uploaded it.

When using the 910 in an indoor pool, I turn the GPS off. When I first turn the 910 on and it begins searching for satellites, I hit "enter" (sometimes I have to hit enter twice) and it says "Use Indoors?". I arrow down and hit yes. I can't say for sure, but it seems to work better indoors when it knows that I'm indoors.

If you buy it, you will enjoy it.

2013-06-17 8:58 AM
in reply to: siouxcityhawk

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?

you can "cheat" and get it to count a kick set by taking a couple random strokes with the watch arm during the lap, but it will mess up your average stroke counts for the workout.

2013-06-17 9:08 AM
in reply to: keqwow

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
I would say it is 99% accurate with lengths. It does occasionally miss a length but not very often (never had it add a length) and is very each to catch post swim if you use SportTracks.. To help with accuracy, when you push off, lead with your Garmin hand (helps it pick up the direction change).
2013-06-17 10:17 AM
in reply to: keqwow

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
I've been using a 910XT in the pool for about a year now. Had a few issues initially but there's been a couple of firmware updates since then and now, I would say that it is 99.99% reliable in terms of lap count.

When I first got it, it would frequently mis-characterize my freestyle as something else but then I realized this was more to do with the quality of my swimming than the quality of the watch LOL!

However, I wish it was as reliable for OWS. The problem is that the watch is continually losing then attempting to regain the GPS signal as your arm goes in and out of the water. I've had some *very* odd looking OWS data. Apparently, many people overcome this by putting the Garmin under their swim cap - you'll lose stuff like stroke data but get a more reliable GPS track.


2013-06-17 10:43 AM
in reply to: keqwow

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
I got the 910xt when it first came out, the pool lap mode was sketchy in the beginning, but now after all the firmware updates its pretty spot on and I depend on it in the pool
2013-06-17 10:59 AM
in reply to: smallard

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
mine works great sometimes it will miss a length or two but nothing crazy and sometimes when we are waiting at a wall for the next set and I do not pause it and move my arms getting a drink etc ill add a length haha.

I have had zero complaints about the swimming portion of the watch I did run into the common elevation issue with it and had to get it replaced under warranty but that was super smooth.
2013-06-17 11:07 AM
in reply to: Exige

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Mine also might miss a lap once a week, but is pretty spot on. Be mindful of your firmware version when reading about how other people use Lap & Stop. Earlier firmware versions included rest periods in your average pace, so you needed to hit stop. The current version doesn't do that, and you can just hit Lap.
2013-06-17 12:59 PM
in reply to: CCS_56_EX

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Mine doesn't miss laps. If I have a problem at all it is with EXTRA lengths.

I usually swim sets of freestyle with single laps of easy breaststroke in between as active recovery. Sometimes it counts an extra length of BS. Something inconsistent with my touch turns somewhere. I HATE having the numbers off, so on my next BS lap I won't start the watch until I'm turning around on the other end.

I hit stop then lap when I finish an interval.

2015-07-19 8:14 AM
in reply to: berndog

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Does anyone know if I can set the lasso counter to 16meters or even count it manually?


2015-07-19 8:18 AM
in reply to: TonyAbbott

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Originally posted by TonyAbbott

Does anyone know if I can set the lasso counter to 16meters or even count it manually?


I can set mine down to 20 meters
2015-07-19 10:33 AM
in reply to: marcag


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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Great info! I'm considering the 910XT as well.

How does it do with measuring distance during open water swims? Does it provide real time distance measuring or only when data is uploaded to the Garmin app?
2015-07-19 11:13 AM
in reply to: Somnospeed

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?

How does it do with measuring distance during open water swims? Does it provide real time distance measuring or only when data is uploaded to the Garmin app?

It gets a little confused on position (so therefore distance) in open water because your arm is always going under water -- some people report better open water distances by putting the watch in their swim cap, but I don't like that since I like to be able to see it. It does give real time measuring, just like running or cycling.

btw-- you can only upload directly to the Garmin app if your phone has an ANT+ receiver (or with the ANT+ dongle), because this watch doesn't have bluetooth. I upload to my computer and then can read the data on the Garmin website or the app.
2015-07-19 11:15 AM
in reply to: Somnospeed

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Subject: RE: Is Garmin 910xt actually any good a pool laps?
Originally posted by Somnospeed

Great info! I'm considering the 910XT as well.

How does it do with measuring distance during open water swims? Does it provide real time distance measuring or only when data is uploaded to the Garmin app?


For example, I OWS to an island that is exactly 550m away (measured by GPS and a canoe). When I hit the lap it will read anywhere between 525 to 575. It will give me a pace/100m, stroke count, stroke per min. Now +/- 25m will throw the pace off considerably but it gives you an idea.
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