The Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor can take your multisport training to a whole new level. Find out what I like about this stellar little marvel.
The Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor is a powerful GPS cross training device that can be worn during practically any sport or activity. With an array of advanced technological features, this monitor has a big “Wow” factor. It is the perfect gadget for all types of athletes, as it can accurately monitor distance, pace, and position from both land and water and even heart rate while you work out on land. Moreover, all data can be sent wirelessly to a computer, so athletes can analyze and share their figures at the touch of a button. Garmin truly went above and beyond with this model, which is why it gets overwhelmingly positive reviews from experts and newbies alike.
Slick Packaging
The Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor gets rave reviews for its stylish and functional design. The watch is compact and lightweight, so it can be worn during any activity. It has a flexible wristband so it can be easily removed and switched from the wrist to a bike mount with ease. This is great for people who do multi-sport activities and want to monitor all segments of the workout. In addition, the large screen makes it easy to read the data, even while moving.
Water Ready
This is one of the only GPS training watches that works both on land and in water. The watch is waterproof up to 50 meters, so it is great for tracking data while swimming, surfing, kayaking, or rowing. Users can set the watch to swim mode, and the device will monitor open water swim distances and swimming speeds. Garmin says in the user’s manual that you should only swim freestyle outdoors to make sure the device can get an accurate GPS reading. When the activity is finished, you can press the lap button, and the device will take the time and the GPS data to compute how fast and far you swam. This is also a great feature for runners who tend to sweat a lot, as perspiration is no match for the durable waterproof materials.
The only knock against the Garmin Forerunner 310XT is that the heart rate monitor functionality will not work while you’re swimming. The reason for this is that the wireless transmission between the chest strap and the wrist unit gets garbled and distorted as it passes through the water. This is the case with most wireless heart rate monitors, not just the Garmin. There are only a couple of models that offer heart rate recording under water and those typically use an optional chest strap accessory that you need to purchase separately. While using this special device, your heart rate information will not be transferred to the wrist unit but will instead be recorded directly at the chest unit. If being able to record your heart rate while you swim is essential to you, then I recommend you check out the Suunto t6d heart rate monitor. I have a full review of this model on the site. If you can get by without heart rate data while swimming, the Forerunner 310XT is still a fantastic choice because it offers so many other features for swimmers.
No Wires Necessary
Another great feature of the Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor is that it can automatically sync data from the device to a computer in range. The device uses ANT+ technology to wirelessly send information, so there is no need to deal with cables. Users can analyze their stats online, gauge progress, and share details with the Garmin Connect online community. Workouts can even be pre-planned on the computer, and then transferred wirelessly to the fitness training device.
What the Forerunner Can Do for You
The sheer amount of information that the Forerunner can provide puts this training device ahead of the rest. The watch uses advanced GPS technology and HotFix satellite prediction to monitor your exact position, even when running between buildings and under bridges or trees. It can track your distance, pace, and laps in multiple sports modes. There is also an optional heart monitor, which you can set to a specific heart rate zone to ensure you are getting a solid workout. The monitor can also compute the amount of calories you burn per session, and track weight and body fat.
You can even set the watch to show a virtual training partner. The screen will show two icons, one that represents you and another that is the training partner. It will then show who is ahead in a simulated race as you run, bike, or swim. You can program the virtual partner as you want. For example you can program it to keep the same pace that you ran a particular route last week so that you can try to improve and beat your previous time this week.
The Garmin Community
Garmin Connect is the online fitness community where you can upload your data wirelessly with the Forerunner. It contains many features that allow you to analyze your fitness data, set goals, and monitor your progress. The data is displayed in easy to read graphs and charts that can be grouped by the sport, day, month, or year. You can also create fitness goals that can be sent to the GPS device so you stay on top of your training. Progress can be monitored through the records of your activities. In addition, you can share your progress reports and statistics with other people on the site to stay motivated and even partake in friendly competition. The Garmin Connect website is compatible with all Garmin devices.
If you want to read a little bit more about setting up and using the 310XT you can check out the Garmin Forerunner 310XT heart rate monitor owner’s manual.
What Customers Like About the Forerunner
Reviews of the Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor are very positive. People love the fact that the watch is small and lightweight enough to wear in any conditions, and that the quick release makes it simple to slip the watch on and off. Many people comment on how easy it is to set up and use the Forerunner. You simply turn on the watch, enter in your personal data, and it is good to go. The fact that the screen can be customized to show up to four different types of data is also an appealing bonus for customers. Many people like the fact that the watch has a vibrating option to notify you when you finish a lap, or when you are straying from your heart zone. The GPS tracking system seems to be very fast and responsive no matter where it is used, as the system receives rave reviews from people in places as diverse as Japan, Brazil, and the United States. Many people also comment on how long the battery life is, with reports of it lasting up to 17 hours, even when using the display lights at night.
Overall the Forerunner 310XT comes highly rated with over 110 reviews on Amazon.com with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars. 65% of owners gave this monitor 4 or 5 stars, which is excellent. You can read many more Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor reviews by clicking here.
What Customers Do Not Like About the Forerunner
Although reviews of the Forerunner are mainly positive, there are a few issues that some people have with this watch. A few people have commented that the GPS tracking does not work when in the water, and that the distance calculations for swimming can be off by quite a bit. Garmin has recently remedied this problem with a software update that allows the Forerunner to give accurate readings of swimming distances and times. Another thing that people dislike about this watch is that it must be turned off to charge, otherwise the power drains when the charger is disconnected. This problem can easily be solved by remembering to switch off the device before charging it.
Best Place to Buy
This is a popular sports watch so there are a lot of stores selling the Forerunner 310XT. I looked around and found the best deal on Amazon.com. They were even selling a few used and refurbished models for a discount when I checked. You’ll get free shipping with this unit as well. I’ve always had a really good experience buying products from Amazon. Click here to get the best price on the Garmin Forerunner 310XT GPS Heart Rate Monitor.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Garmin Forerunner 310XT Heart Rate Monitor is a highly advanced multiple sport training device that receives great reviews from customers. The sleek, waterproof design is perfect for all types of activities, including water sports, and the wealth of information that the device can record goes above and beyond other training devices on the market. In addition, the automatic wireless syncing makes it easy to upload your information so you can assess your progress and work towards your fitness goals. Despite a few small complaints, this cross training device gets extremely high ratings from satisfied customers all over the world.