I use the 910xt with the triathlon bundle (bike speed and cadence sensors). I have not had a problem with it in any regards. As for swimming, during my slower laps it works just fine. The watch, using an internal gyroscope, senses when you turn at a wall and will add the appropriate distance traveled at that point. Very easy to use and the HR strap is much nicer that the 305, which I upgraded from. If your wife is a numbers junkie like me and money is not an issue, go for the 910xt.

Spot on.

FWIW, I have a Suunto HRM (not GPS) that has been great. I have a bike pod and foot pod to use with it for running and biking to make up for the lack of GPS (though obviously I still don't get things like elevation data). Easy to use, reliable and has proven very durable. I don't know anything about their GPS stuff or the Ambit specifically, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Suunto product based on my experience.

My GF also has a suunto, and while it's gotten less use/abuse, her's as also never failed us.

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I looked at the 900. I went with the combination of the 500 for the bike and the Timex Global Trainer for the swim/run. I like the convenience of not having to switch from my wrist to the bike and vice versa.

I went with the 310xt, once my 305 died don't need the pool features of the 910xt, or the cost.

I went with the garmin brand quick release kit, works EXCELLENT.
Just a half turn and it pops in and out!

Best part is, the battery life is SOOO much better.

I've had it for just over 3 months.

The 310xt is SLIGHTLY smaller than the 305, but not much, basically gets rid of the curved part.

I never had the quick release for the 305, but adding the quick release to the 310xt made it stick out slightly more than the 305 without a quick release. That being said, VERY glad I got the quick release

I also bought extra mounts since I've got 3 bikes.

I won't be wearing it for the swim, I'm going to leave it attached to the bike.

From what I've seen and read, if you're swimming in the water it's pretty unreliable anyways, so if anything, tuck it under your swimcap so that it can have better reception.

I'll just wear my standard watch for time in the water ( and it will give me my overall time through the race ), and then start the gps on the bike fir that and the run.

Last thing I want to do is both get unreliable swim data AND have the chance of losing it in the depths

I have switched from Polar to Garmin in the last month and am very happy with the decision. The 910xt is rechargable and doesn't need speed sensors and footpods (though you can make use of these if you want).

For me, both brands are a good bet. I went for the Garmin in the end because it can be used for open water and indoor swimming and because it is rechargable. Watch batteries don't give you a warning when they are about to go flat, they just do. And as a trainer that is incredibly inconvenient. With the Garmin I know precisely when I need to recharge.

But from a tech point of view, Garmin, Polar and Suunto are on a par. You just need to decide which features you need the most.

One more question... what would people's preference be... one device, or a specific device for biking and another for running?

Was thinking a Forerunner 410 and a Edge 500 is about the same cost as a 910xt. Seeing that she wouldn't use the watch for swimming all that much, I'm wondering if she'd get better use out of more dedicated devices to the task.

She already has the cadence and wheel sensors... so don't need to get all the accessories.

Thoughts?

Dave

I prefer separate devices. I've left my 305 strapped to my bike before coming out of T2. It sucks to say the least. It also helps when you get into something like an Ironman and may not have enough battery time to do the whole race. Not sure what the 910s battery life was like but my 305 was like 8 hours. Not good enough.

One more question... what would people's preference be... one device, or a specific device for biking and another for running?

Was thinking a Forerunner 410 and a Edge 500 is about the same cost as a 910xt. Seeing that she wouldn't use the watch for swimming all that much, I'm wondering if she'd get better use out of more dedicated devices to the task.

She already has the cadence and wheel sensors... so don't need to get all the accessories.

Thoughts?

Dave

This is the exact setup I have, the FR410 and the Edge 500, but I do have the Garmin Swim for my pool workouts. The 410 I picked up because Amazon had it 50% off just before Christmas. I only really have two complaints about the 410. At times it takes a while to recognize the footpod is present (although this may be user error). Also the bezel control can be a bit of a pain in the butt.

Before I found a good deal on the Edge I was using the FR410 for both my bike and running workouts. The only thing that the FR410 doesn't allow for is power meters on bikes. So honestly if she's not going to use a power meter you could get away with the 410 for both running and bike. Because of the troubles with the bezel controls it takes a little time to switch from bike to run, so not sure I'd rely on this for a race as my sole device. For training purposes though you could very easily make do with just the 410.

Personally I'm sticking with separate devices during my training. Before my first race of the season I may treat myself to a 910XT.

I'm curious, what makes you say the hrm is essentially useless for both, and that the gps tracking if flaky? Honestly I've heard only good reviews about both of these features. In fact dcrainmaker posted the hrm accuracy as one of his pros on the 910xt review. I mean obviously the hrm won't work while swimming.

Since I've got time before my first race, I'm also waiting for a good deal to come along. I've set up alerts on slickdeals.net to let me know when anything comes out for the 910XT or the 310XT. If all else fails dcrainmaker offers a 10% off discount code at clevertraining so since you have all the accessories already the 310XT would be 190.79 w/free shipping and the 910XT would be 359.99 w/free shipping.

Separate devices rated for 8 hours wouldn't work for me, I tend to do ridiculous rides like double centuries etc. with some buddies, so it would die 2/3 or less through. I used to carry my 305 and a buddies, nothing but a pain.

Much better now with the extended battery life.

The main difference for the 910xt is the pool metrics.

You can set it to say 25m indoor pool and it will track your laps for you, strokes per lap, all sorts of neat stuff.

Many people will pay for a specific swim watch to do all these, but the 910xt has it built in.

A little more than just a bit more water accuracy

Congrats - I think either one is a good choice.
Make sure you d.l the garmin training center software (the one that you have do everything on your PC - not the one where it pushes everything online) , It makes creating workouts so much better!

If you mind me asking - what kind of coupon did you have? (something online??)