Garmin Forerunner 310XT GPS Multisport Watch - Grey

I bought this item about a month ago.Whilst it is relatively expensive compared to the 305 etc, this is an amazing piece of kit. If you are looking for an item to help motivate you, you really cant get better! I have run in the 2006,2007 and 2009 London Marathons and needed some extra incentive to go training. It acquires satellites very quickly (I have used it in the UK and Greece and it takes no more than 2 minutes to locate your position)...The ANT connection to my IMac was brilliant and easy to install. My 310XT now links with the computer after every run, without any problems. It is great to see your route on Google Earth.I have used it for tennis, running, swimming and canoeing! Running is certainly what this item is best suited to.Battery life is good and whilst the orange colour wouldn't impress everyone, it is completely fine!I really rate this item....Since I reviewed this item, the back light stopped working. I tried all the reset procedures and the light still would not work. usually I wouldn't mind too much, but since the daylight is drawining in, in the UK, I contacted Garmin. They really could not have been better. Make sure that you call them (you may be kept waiting for a while). The email method of contacting Garmin, gained no response. Despite this minor flaw, I continue to rate this product 5 stars. It is absolutely brilliant and all in all, my experience with Garmin was superb! Make sure that yiou keep the rather large packaging when the item arrives...If you want motivation to train, this is the item, I promise you!!

I thought long and hard befor going ahead and purchasing the 310 , but after using it for only a few days , I can confirm that it is money well spent ! It has a very easy to use menu system and after a couple of videos on youtube, I was pretty confident with setting up the watch as I wanted it.I found the 4 screen mode a little tricky to read whilst running but setting it to just 1 or 2 items per screen and autoscrolling thru them solved my problem in a jiffy.The information that is available when the unit is connected to the computer is astounding , maps , graphs , charts , facts and figures galore. Also planning an interval workout on the pc and then sending it to the unit straightforward , somthing that encourages me to vary my sessions rather that going out for a run or a quick ride on the bike.Satellite pickup is quick and constant and I have had no issues with the hrm , which works a treat.Dont delay , buy today.

This is easy to use, with a menu that you can soon get used to and an easy-to-read display. There's a good range of functions (can set up for multi-sport use and is waterproof for swimming, so great for triathlon) including an option to race against a pre-set pace (or 'virtual partner') and the heart rate monitor works a dream (inlike many at and below this price range). It's particularly powerful as a training tool if you make the best use of the 'Garmin connect' and upload your data onto a Garmin account (or my son uses Strava with it and that seems to work well too). It seems to pick up satellites faster than most other sports watches and the battery life is more than adequate for longer training sessions and my early experience suggests that the manufacturer's claim wouldn't be unrealistic as long as you don't keep recharging before it runs down. The only obvious downside would be the large size relative to most systems (but I've got a small wrist and am quite happy with it - I like the clear display & easy controls that this allows). I've seen that you can get an even better watch for a lot more money but, for anyone up to pro level, I doubt that you'd beat this for the price.

I bought the 310XT as a replacement of an older Forerunner (which succumbed to water ingress), and the 310XT is a huge improvement.Pros:* The device is waterproof. You can literally go swimming with it (although the GPS won't work well under water, but that's due to physics, and not Garmin's fault), and I took it along several muddy obstacle courses. Afterwards you just rinse it off.* The heart rate monitor strap is washable (and much more comfortable to wear compared to the older models that had quite a wide semi-rigid part), you just detach it from the fastener buttons and reattach it later.* You can configure the information the watch displays very flexibly. It does take some time, but once it's done, you can get all the info you would want during a run.* Much improved battery life.Cons:* You charge the device via a USB-connected claw with two metal teeth (looks a bit like a snake biting the watch). In principle good idea, but a bit fiddly, as the teeth may lose contact if you shift watch or computer around.* Data sync has caused me much misery. The ANT+ stick included has a fantastically small form factor, and in principle you could leave it in the USB slot all the time. At least if you don't have small kids around the home whose tiny fingers are just the right size to pull it out and stuff it in their mouth. Then you need to store it somewhere, and the small form factor is no longer an advantage.* Next, I developed sync issues. Garmin Express, the software that uploads the workouts to Garmin Connect (web based workout manager) would no longer connect to my watch. Suggested solution was to factory-reset the watch, but then you lose all the personalisation stuff.* Finally, after less than two years, the ANT stick just stopped working. As it's out of warranty for Garmin, your only option is to replace it, which will set you back between £26 Garmin ANT CHIP and £41 (manufacturer's RRP) - or you go for a cheaper off-brand version.In conclusion: GPS and fitness monitor functionality is great, but durability and handling of the accessories could be improved.