Garmin 310XT GPS Review

I have used several Garmin Forerunner wristwatch style GPS models over the years and have found the Forerunner 310XT to be the easiest to operate and the most useful GPS for competitive outrigger training. Of course, it is one of the more expensive but truly a good value. The GPS is $379.95 CAD ($419.95 with the optional heart rate monitor) online from GPS City in Calgary. The 310XT is obviously designed after the largely successful 305 and the 405 with unique features of both models. Garmin appear to have taken the best features of both models, left out the ones that were not so great, added some improvements along the way and incorporated the lot into the 310XT.

I purchased this model with the heart rate monitor right after it was first introduced in 2008! I would buy it again it in a heart beat if I for some reason I needed to replace my existing 310XT.

The Garmin Training Center software that works with this watch records all your speed, rate, time distance and heart rate information in a database on your computer and on their online database at no extra cost and automatically. Even for the computer illiterate, it is dead easy to use. You can share this online information with your team.

In my opinion, Garmin build great products but the number of warranty returns is still a bit high.  I have had problems with reliability of other Garmin units. The Forerunner 301 model seemed to have a chronic problem with corrosion of the USB cable interface when used in salt water and eventually would not download to a computer. The first Forerunner 405 unit I purchased brand new had to be replaced within two months and once I received the replacement, it has operated without problems for 4 years now, albeit in the hands of another paddler. All that aside, Garmin's Canadian mail-in warranty repair outfit in Montreal attended to my returns promptly and without any question and I would rate Garmin's warranty as excellent. It seems once you get a good unit, they perform very well and the excellent warranty offsets the odd problem. If you are interested in viewing more about this GPS, CLICK HERE.

The only other criticism I have of this model is the flimsy watch style pins used to attached the wrist band.  While they will breakaway in the event the watch band is caught on something providing a safety feature, you may inadvertently lose the watch in the drink. I caught the band on an obstacle and it separated the watch band from the GPS and it came off my wrist. I was thankfully still on the dock, else it would be under the dock with the other GPS, keys and sunglasses from many years of oopsies. I have learned this is common to all fitness watch style GPS, so its really a non-issue.

The 310XT is completely sealed against water penetration and in my opinion is superb. The download of information to the computer is wireless through a small USB ANT+ antenna and will happen automatically just by walking within 20 feet of your computer. This to me is one of the best features!

The user screens are easily and completely programmable. The display setup and appearance, number of data types visible on any one screen and numerous types of data can easily be programmed by the user according to preference.  Most paddlers, like myself, will probably only use one of the sports this unit supports. It was designed to support triathalon events, is marketed as a "Multi-sport GPS" and will accept input from optional cadence sensor, foot pod or heart rate monitor.  It also has the ability to switch from sport to sport and record the transitions.

I regularly use the wireless heart rate monitor as a reference only mode and find it accurate and comfortable to wear. On previous Garmin GPS Forerunner units, I found the heartrate monitor would intermittently connect with the GPS. This model seems to work without fault.

Another strong feature of this GPS is its much improved satellite signal capture ability. It often even works in 'soft' buildings. The improved reception coupled with an improved 20 hour battery life makes a very functional unit. If you are interested, the operation manual for this unit is available from the download section of this website or from Garmin.

Another feature of this newer line of Garmin GPS is storage and connection to Tanita wireless body compostion monitors for weight/muscle balance control, if you interested in that sort of thing.  I am lucky to be lean and regularly paddle my ass off (literally) so I have little use for such a feature. http://www.tanita.com/en/bc1000/

Overall I would highly recommend this GPS to anyone who is looking to purchase a watch style GPS for running, cycling, paddling or any combination of these sports.