The Garmin 310xt Heart Rate Watch Review

Athletes all over are screaming out for the newest introduction from Garmin. Finally, a GPS enabled watch made specifically with the serious triathlete in mind! If you are also excited at the thought of a watch with the capability to work in water as well as on land, you need to read this Garmin 310xt review before you rush out to make the purchase. This short Garmin 310 heart rate watch review will tell you everything you need to know to determine whether this one is really everything you expect it to be.

Heart Rate Watch Review: Garmin 310 in the Water

The biggest perk to the Garmin 310xt that is reeling in many serious athletes and beginners alike is its capability of plunging into the water or running through the rain without being destroyed. While this is technically true, don't purchase this watch expecting it to accurately track your workout information while in the water.

The GPS technology does not work well in the water and what information you do get while swimming will not be entirely accurate. This is openly stated in the product's user manual, but many people feel the advertising as a triathletes best friend is a bit deceptive.

Yet, the Garmin 310xt is waterproof and can go from the pool or lake directly onto your bike or wrist without slowing you down, so that is a benefit many of its competitors can't match at this time.

Heart Rate watch review: Garmin 310 on Land

While running or biking on land, the GPS and tracking technology is very accurate. You will be able to track your distance and pacing information and have it instantly transferred to your computer when you get home, no actual connection to the computer necessary!

The catch here is you have to be within a given distance to your computer for transfers, so you cannot do this while away from home. There is no way to update the maps and the unit does not accept data cards, so if something becomes outdated there is no way of updating.

You can also develop your own workouts on your computer and transfer the information into your Garmin unit. Space to save your personalized routes is provided on the watch and it comes with a variety of other programmable options as well, including the ability to have the watch vibrate every time you complete a lap. It will track up to 1,000 laps at a time.

Heart Rate Watch Review: Garmin 310 Review on the Design

The larger sized buttons are easy to push without stopping and the entire watch weighs a light 2.5 ounces. It is larger sized, which some users may find awkward when wearing a wetsuit or other attire that must be changed between activities. The extra size makes it possible to have a larger rechargeable battery, which goes for about 20 hours before requiring a recharge.

The charger is the only accessory actually included with the original purchase. There are a lot of extra expenses with this model. You must purchase a separate kit in order to hook the watch to the bike, which is essential for accurate tracking while cycling. The Garmin 310xt also will not track your heart rate without the purchase of a separate heart rate monitor kit.

If you can afford the price of this Garmin 310 Heart rate watch plus all of the extra accessories, the technology does work rather well on land. There are some kinks with the programming for some users, but those bugs will surely be worked out as the technology progresses with later models.