Garmin 305 vs 310xt

[meowracer]

I am in need of retail therapy and this has been on my list. The thing is - not sure if the 310 is worth the extra $$$. I have read it picks up the signal faster a bit faster, plus it is waterproof. I do triathlons, which they are seeming to cater this one too, but I don't need it for swimming (plus reviews say it isn't that accurate for swimming) and my bike is set up with what I need there. Mostly, I need it for running but if the 310 has more and better features that are worthwhile, they I don't mind spending more. Also, anybody know if they are compatible with Polar HRM straps?

 

[janie1234]

I'm waiting for more reivews on the 310XT. It sounds like what I need. Looks slimmer, . .BUT I made the mistake of jumping the gun and buying the 405 right when it came out for the hefty price and I ended up returning it. The 305 is super reliable, . . .easy to use but bulky as heck and I'm small with small wrists so it is like wearing a brick but other than that it has never failed me. The reason I'm leaning towards the 310XT is that although I do not swim, . . .at least I know that it is super water resistant and that if I ever wanted to take up swiming I would have it as an option. I also mountian bike so it will come in handy there too. I love Garmin. I think that they make great products. The 305 is really a great buy now a days, . .I paid a fortune many years ago when it first came out. As far as if the Polar HR monitor strap would work, . . .I don't know? I would think that it wouldn't though but that is only my guess. Let me know if you decide to buy it. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

[meowracer]

Thank you, Janie! Do you use the HRM? Now I am wondering if it is worth the extra when I could just use my Polar. Hmmmmm, decisions, decisions.

 

[janie1234]

Thank you, Janie! Do you use the HRM? Now I am wondering if it is worth the extra when I could just use my Polar. Hmmmmm, decisions, decisions.

Hi Shana. You know for my 305 I paid the extra for the heart rate monitor but surprisingly I've never used it. You've deffinitely got me thinking about not paying the extra for the heart rate monitor. I've noticed 1 review about it on Amazon aparently it has a longer battery life, . . .although I'm no marathoner and would not work out for longer than 8 hours. The reviewer gave it high scores though. I may have to wait out till Christmas. With everyone here enabling me with this whole Insanity thing and of course I have to get STS cardio, . .dang it so much I "want" to buy so little money.

 

[cindi1]

I have a polar and the Garmin 305. I don't think the polar strap works with the Garmin. I really like my garmin and used the HRM a lot last year (my first year running), but now that I have good handle on my exertion relative to HR, I prefer to not wear the strap. I don't like having it around my chest for long runs in particular. I use my Polar strap with the treadmill when I do Cardio Coach workouts but otherwise, I don't use it that much. The Garmin will still estimate your calories and I think that's good enough unless you are trying to lose weight and having a tough time with it to where you need to track calories more carefully.

Hope this helps.

 

[sancho]

I have the Garmin 305 that has the HR moniter and I like seeing my HR during my runs so I know when I'm in my zone and when I'm not pushing myself hard enough. I agree with the comment about it being like wearing a brick on your wrist. But, it's such a fun little device to have anyway. Such a luxury!!

I noticed that one poster said the 310 was waterproof and the other said water resistent. I learned the hard way that these words do not mean the same thing. Water resistent just means that it can get wet, but it does not mean you can submerge it in water (even if it says water resistant to 60 meters). I jumped in the pool with my water resistent polar and it never worked again. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Since it sounds like the 310 was made to go in the pool, it is probably waterproof, but just double check before you jump in.