Your WATCH

FR 910xt

I have used a Timex Global Trainer for the last 3 years. It has worked pretty well and I've been generally satisfied with it on most occasions. Recently a couple times it would not find sattelites even after turning it on and off a few times and waiting 1/2 hour. I gave up and started my run. It did finnaly pick up sattelites about 2 miles into the run.

My wife has been using the Garmin 310xt for about 2 years and shee has been very happy with it.

She just bought me a Garmin 910xt for my birthday last week. I have only used it on one run Saturday morning, but it worked flawlessly and I'm very happy.

It really depends on what features and functions you want.

I wanted a long battery life, navigation, trisport, swimming and a watch I could wear all the time.  So, that put the 910xt out of the running, and I bought a Suunto Ambit2 in december.  I've been very happy with it.  Stable as a rock, looks good.  works well.

Most feature laden watch out there right now; probably the Fenix 2.

although, the idea of my watch doing HR all on its own, without a chest strap is enticing.  the new TomTom Cardio is a great merge of technologies.

Garmin 910xt

Has all the features I need/want, long enough battery life for an IM, and it doesn't require me to change devices during the race. 

I generally wear dress watches not sport watches, so the fact it's huge and ungainly and can't really be used as a "real" watch doesn't matter to me.

So for the record, I have a 910xt and love it.  But,.....  I wouldn't buy one if I had to do it again.  I've had it almost 2 years and have replaced it once already.  If you look at the forums here and especially on the other site, you will see a ton of people who have had to get a replacement or 2.  In most cases it was within warrant.  Mine was just out of warranty but Garmin took care of me.  That does not excuse the fact that a 1 year old watch that I paid almost $500 (with accessories) died.  And I took really good care of it.  My other watches I have had in the past (both Polar), lasted 10 and 12 years each.  So while I love the functionality, I'm not sure that the quality of the 910 lives up to what it should.  I will likely try something else Sunto, the new Garmin Fenix or another Polar in the future.  (Hopefully my current 910 lasts many more years. )

Currently I use the Garmin 620, but before that the 610, and before that the Nike+ watch

I think it came out... but they called it a Fenix 2.

I have the Forerunner 305, had it for over 5 years and it has never had an issue. I wish it would die already so I would have a good excuse to upgrade. I will likely end up selling it when I get my upgrade.

I am going to go for the Fenix 2 when I finally pull the trigger. Does just about everything the 910 does and then some and it is small enough for daily wear or for other activities where I don't want a laptop hanging off my wrist. I like just about everything about it, as long as it isn't plagued with software glitches it should be a great watch. I will likely be ordering one in the next few months.

The Fenix 2 is not the replacement for the 910.

I have a 910xt and an Edge 500.

well, I get what you're saying.  Sure- I know that it was born from their outdoor/hiking line- the Fenix. But with the new firmware it's a full tri-sport watch, with all the bells and whistles, even bluetooth.  So, yeah, it doesn't match the form factor of the 910xt- but it sort does everything that an upgrade to the 910xt would have done.  

6 months ago I wouldn't have hesitated to say that the 910xt was the top of the line (in capability and functionality) watch out there.  Now- it's pretty clear that the Fenix 2 takes that spot.  Better nav.  Can count your ski runs, talks to your cell phone, etc.  So, it has leapfrogged the 910xt for now.  What features would a 920xt include?  bluetooth for sure.  I'm thinking the next great "I gotta' have" is integrated HR- like the TomTom Cardio has.  You make that work while swimming, and Garmin will have the next step up.   

Until they add a camera to the watch, and then a cell phone chip, and integrate it all with your google glass display.  

as if we didn't look like Borg already.

Agree with this.

With all the features of both watches and the better size and look of the Fenix, also the running dynamics, I like the Fenix over the 910.

Battery life on the Fenix 2 is a complete deal breaker for me.  DC Rainmaker quotes it as about 8 hours when running in the highest data recording mode.  50 hours is for ultratrac where GPS is not constantly active.

And although I wouldn't use bluetooth for any other purpose than uploading my workout to my phone after completion, I do find it strange that the Fenix 2 can't use bluetooth and ANT+ at the same time.  So live tracking and ANT+ data is a no go.

Lastly, I will always use a dedicated bike computer...but for those looking for an all in one solution, they may be disappointed with the Fenix as a bike computer.  No quick release mount and only 3 fields available per screen.

I agree that there isn't much room for improvement on the 910.  At least as far as adding features that are actually useful.  I'm not interested in live tracking, and I for sure don't want a color screen (I think it makes it harder to read).  But while the Fenix 2 has some nice cool features, I don't think it jumps ahead of the 910 as a pure triathlon watch.  

Of course, my likes, dislikes, and opinions do not represent everyone as a whole...so by all means, if you want the Fenix 2 over the 910...that's up to you.

I LOVE my 910XT when it's working.  I got a replacement last fall.  The altimeter (sp??) was way off.  It woudl show elevation gains of 30,000 feet on 60 mile rides.  Now I know I'm an amazing example of athletic perfection "cough" "cough" but that was not even close.

Garmin hooked me up with little hassel and I was close to, if not out of, my warranty.

Also I have trouble with my HR monitor.  I've had to replace the strap ($20) a couple of times but not the transmitter.  I think they go bad to fast.

All that said, when the unit is working well, it's a great tool and cranks out a ton of data.