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Garmin Forerunner 910XT: Preview

Get the low-down on the new multisport offering from Garmin, the Forerunner 910XT

Posted: 7 October 2011

We don't need a heart-rate monitor to tell us that every time Garmin launches a new GPS sports watch, our pulse starts to quicken. We can't wait to get our mitts on the Forerunner 910XT, which has just launched ahead of the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Here's the low-down on this multisport beauty.

What it is?

A three-in-one multisport GPS watch that'll monitor your pace across all three triathlon disciplines. Perfect for both training and racing, the watch will be available from mid-November at a retail price of £359 (£389 with HRM).

What does it offer?

For the swim:

Designed for use in both open-water and in the pool.
Water resistant to 50 metres.
Extensive swim metrics, including swim distance, stroke count, swim efficiency and swim pace.
Computes a SWOLF score - the sum of the time for one length plus the number of strokes for that length.
Records the path you swim in open water, so you can review it afterwards on a map in Garmin Connect.

For the bike and run:

Tracks distance, speed/pace, elevation and heart rate for running and cycling.
Training Effect feature allows you to measure the impact of every run and bike session on your aerobic fitness.
On-board barometric altimeter for accurate elevation data.

Transitions:

Moves easily from wrist to handlebar with optional quick release and bike mounts.
Log and review transition times with the click of a button.

Any other features?

It won't slow you down in T1, as its sleek profile allows you to easily slide wetsuits on and off.
Easy-to-read display
20-hour battery life
Virtual Racer features allows you to compete against your PBs or other users' times.
Create and plan workouts with Garmin Connect, then send directly to your 910XT with the click of a button.
Get alerts to vibrate/sound if you stray from your heart rate, pace and distance goals.

They say...

"Garmin Forerunner 910XT will record, motivate and guide every stroke, every pedal rev and every step of the way, making this the world's most complete training watch ever, " says Andy Silver, Garmin's EMEA Product Manager Fitness.

We say...

Definitely top of our Christmas wish-list. We're excited: the Garmin Forerunner 910XT promises to be a GPS game-changer that'll transform the way you train and race.

Find out more

Watch a video of the Garmin Forerunner 910XT in action or head to the Garmin website.

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Discuss this article

Sonny Winston 2

For a full review check out the one and only DCRainmaker really in depth look at the 910xt, and just how AWESOME it is.
Posted: 07/10/2011 at 13:42

Slugsta

reported
Posted: 07/10/2011 at 13:55

Blobfish

This blokes reviews are the dogs cohones honestly, well worth a read
Posted: 07/10/2011 at 14:17

Blobfish

Was actually looking at the exact article last night it, has every bit of info you could ask for before deciding to invest in what is a costly bit of kit. Compares and contrast with other makes and models and even has piccies of the function screens, and if it dont do what it is supposeed to do he says it doesnt.

IMHO one of the best reviewers around

someone will now pop along and tell me he works for garmin

Posted: 07/10/2011 at 14:21

M.ister W

I don't think the OP is the writer of the blog so is not breaking the T&Cs. I've had a quick peek and, as our blobby friend says, the reviews are really good.

Posted: 07/10/2011 at 14:24

Little Ninja

I thoroughly doubt the OP and DC are related esp considering Sonny looks to his own blog in his other post on here. DC Rainmaker's site is greatl

Posted: 07/10/2011 at 18:04

Sonny Winston 2

Reported for what? Pointing out a well written blog that has help me made a world of decent equipment choices, how very ridiculous. That will teach me for being so helpful

I think the guy that writes the blog is involved with Garmin from a consulting type point of view, but he is always open and honest in his reviews etc.

Nice bit on there a few days ago on the new Timex running thing that is coming out.

Posted: 14/10/2011 at 12:50

tom boroughs

Have just pre ordered a forerunner 910xt this morning

Its a great watch, i actually ordered after reading this article so thankyou to the person who wrote it

Posted: 04/11/2011 at 11:06

Flat Foo.ted

I have one thing to say on the matter.......................I WANT ONE
Posted: 04/11/2011 at 19:00

TJ1004

Ditto looks amazing.

Question is do I buy this or a garmin 800?
Posted: 04/11/2011 at 23:02

Iron Rose

both
Posted: 06/11/2011 at 13:57

Dave Cochrane

I got one and I love it, although the indoor swimming metric software in the watch needs improvement - a lot of it, compared to the Finis Swimsense. I absolutely love it but Garmin's stock answer (at the moment) of basically "swim better if you want it to work properly" isn't really good enough. We don't all have the stroke quality of the olympians who were no doubt used as testers and guineapigs. It has a tendency to greatly over read your swum distance (I wore my Swimsense and the 910XT the other day to compare them). I am racing this weekend so I can test the open water swim mode then, and I can't wait to see how awful my track is!!

HOWEVER - in every other respect it is absolutely superb. Far easier to read and operate than the Forerunner 610 (which I'm presently selling), the strap is far softer, battery life is unbelievable (easily 20hrs), the ability to double tap the screen to turn on the backlight is great, the bike metrics are spot on, and the ability to upload courses to follow is really useful too.

The best GPS watch I'd owned before this was the Forerunner 305, which I had for over 5 years. This absolutely thrashes it!

Definitely worth buying.

Posted: 07/03/2012 at 07:09

bburn plodder

I currently have a Garmin 405, with a bike sensor.

It used to have a crap battery life (less than 3hrs), but a few months ago it went back to Garmin for repair cos it wouldn't charge up, and the refurbed one they sent back as a replacement has a excellent battery life, I reckon at least 7 or 8 hours - which is plenty for my training.

I really like the sound of the 910xt, and want one, just cos!!, but can't justify it on cost when what I have works absolutely fine. The only bit I'm missing out on is the swimming, and from what you say, it's not great anyway, especially for crap swimmers like me. That makes me feel better