Running Watches

[dragitoff]

I've finally had enough of my Garmin Forerunner 110. I've had it for a few years and it's been a good watch, but it's finally starting to have more problems than good runs. At least once or twice a week, the distance is off. I have good markers on my daily routes and my wife also has the exact same watch and our watches are constantly off. Many times, it's as much as 1/4 mile! I've also had recently times where it would not sync despite me trying to sync 15 minutes before the start of the race. Of course, I've also had the dead battery issues that everyone seems to have with Garmin, but I've only had it die once on me during a run.

I'm going to upgrade and buy a new watch this week and I love the ease of use of the Garmin, but I don't want the same problems. I'm looking for an upgrade to a watch that will track my overall distance, overall pace, current mile pace (lap), and overall time. I love some of the options Garmin gives you to tell it your desired distance/time and it will tell you how far ahead or behind pace you are.

I'm looking for good recommendations for a watch. My budget is somewhere around $400 or under. Any advice and help is greatly appreciated. I've read alot of reviews online, but so many of those are subjective based on advertiser dollars or whatever. I really was personaly leaning towards the Garmin 910XT, but I'll take recomendations on any brand, any style, as long as it'll do the things I want it to do.

 

[FireDancer]

I've finally had enough of my Garmin Forerunner 110. I've had it for a few years and it's been a good watch, but it's finally starting to have more problems than good runs. At least once or twice a week, the distance is off. I have good markers on my daily routes and my wife also has the exact same watch and our watches are constantly off. Many times, it's as much as 1/4 mile! I've also had recently times where it would not sync despite me trying to sync 15 minutes before the start of the race. Of course, I've also had the dead battery issues that everyone seems to have with Garmin, but I've only had it die once on me during a run.

I'm going to upgrade and buy a new watch this week and I love the ease of use of the Garmin, but I don't want the same problems. I'm looking for an upgrade to a watch that will track my overall distance, overall pace, current mile pace (lap), and overall time. I love some of the options Garmin gives you to tell it your desired distance/time and it will tell you how far ahead or behind pace you are.

I'm looking for good recommendations for a watch. My budget is somewhere around $400 or under. Any advice and help is greatly appreciated. I've read alot of reviews online, but so many of those are subjective based on advertiser dollars or whatever. I really was personaly leaning towards the Garmin 910XT, but I'll take recomendations on any brand, any style, as long as it'll do the things I want it to do.

If you are looking for real time pace (which is something I find important) you are stuck with one of three options, the 310XT, 910XT, and the 610. I would personally go with either the 310XT or 910XT. The price of the 610 makes me look at either saving some cash and going with the 310XT or biting the bullet and going with the top of the line. The main differences between the two in my opinion are swim metrics (if you need that or plan on doing a tri) and the barometric altimeter which will give you more accurate mapping than GPS alone.

This link compares the three so you can decide for yourself. I have only used Garmin watches and while there are other good options I know my next watch will also be a Garmin. I currently wear a Forerunner 305.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

I use the Nike GPS watch, it will also give you real time pace and can customize the interface for under $200, and I have added a Polar HR monitor to it if that is something you like. The Nike+ website for downloading the runs is also really good.

 

[dburg30]

I really like my 310xt I bought a couple of months ago. With the customization that can be done with the screens it does everything I wanted it to. They arent really clear when you read the manual as to how you can set up different screens, while the 910 really pushes that. Well you can with the 310 I think 4 different screens with up to 4 different items on each screen. I did get the HRM and the foot pod and am very glad I did.

 

[dragitoff]

If you are looking for real time pace (which is something I find important) you are stuck with one of three options, the 310XT, 910XT, and the 610. I would personally go with either the 310XT or 910XT. The price of the 610 makes me look at either saving some cash and going with the 310XT or biting the bullet and going with the top of the line. The main differences between the two in my opinion are swim metrics (if you need that or plan on doing a tri) and the barometric altimeter which will give you more accurate mapping than GPS alone.

This link compares the three so you can decide for yourself. I have only used Garmin watches and while there are other good options I know my next watch will also be a Garmin. I currently wear a Forerunner 305.

I don't care about the swimming or biking parts. I only track runs. Any biking or swimming is just for recreation and fun, usually with my kids. I've heard good things about the 305's. That does everything I want it to do don't they?

I like the bells and whistles of the 610, but I've heard they have the exact same problems with them that I see with my 110.

 

[dragitoff]

I really like my 310xt I bought a couple of months ago. With the customization that can be done with the screens it does everything I wanted it to. They arent really clear when you read the manual as to how you can set up different screens, while the 910 really pushes that. Well you can with the 310 I think 4 different screens with up to 4 different items on each screen. I did get the HRM and the foot pod and am very glad I did.

It's sad to say, but I've not used the HRM for my 110 even once. I've never even synced it to the watch. Does your 310 do the things I was looking for?

 

[dburg30]

It's sad to say, but I've not used the HRM for my 110 even once. I've never even synced it to the watch. Does your 310 do the things I was looking for?

yes. plus lots more. possibly more then what you want. I just actually like the larger size of it.

 

[wiigirl]

I use the Nike GPS watch, it will also give you real time pace and can customize the interface for under $200, and I have added a Polar HR monitor to it if that is something you like. The Nike+ website for downloading the runs is also really good.

Thats what I run with too....works well and very easy to use.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't care about the swimming or biking parts. I only track runs. Any biking or swimming is just for recreation and fun, usually with my kids. I've heard good things about the 305's. That does everything I want it to do don't they?

I like the bells and whistles of the 610, but I've heard they have the exact same problems with them that I see with my 110.

Yes, the 305 would be perfect if you can find someone with one left in stock or selling a used one. Unfortunately it is discontinued.

 

[dragitoff]

Yes, the 305 would be perfect if you can find someone with one left in stock or selling a used one. Unfortunately it is discontinued.

I've seen some new ones (still in box) on eBay for around $300. I've also seen used or refurbished ones for under $200. I may just get the refurb or used one and save the $100-$150. I have a friend that has one and he loves it too.

Do you have any locating satellite issues or problems with it being off on the distance?

 

[John VN]

Had 305 now 910XT.

Would have preferred to have it years ago.

 

[FireDancer]

I've seen some new ones (still in box) on eBay for around $300. I've also seen used or refurbished ones for under $200. I may just get the refurb or used one and save the $100-$150. I have a friend that has one and he loves it too.

Do you have any locating satellite issues or problems with it being off on the distance?

I've never been off much distance wise. There have been a few times where I've had trouble getting a satellite signal but that was the location more than the watch. The only time it was really an issue is during the Pittsburgh half marathon. The buildings blocked the satellite signal and it caused my pace and distance to be way off. It happened at the start of the race downtown and when we went back through the city on the way to the finish. I've done a lot of races in other cities (Cleveland, Nashville, DC, Buffalo, Phily, and more) and never had that problem so I attributed it to the satellite's position in the sky relative to the buildings.

Outside of that instance I've never had any real problems at all with the watch.

 

[FFigawi]

Yes, the 305 would be perfect if you can find someone with one left in stock or selling a used one. Unfortunately it is discontinued.

Why not just buy one from Amazon?

 

[FireDancer]

Why not just buy one from Amazon?

$310! I only payed $148.25 back in 2010.

 

[FFigawi]

I only paid $150 for mine too. Best running money I ever spent. Still, if the OP is after a great unit for under $400, the 305 is an option.

 

[dragitoff]

I only paid $150 for mine too. Best running money I ever spent. Still, if the OP is after a great unit for under $400, the 305 is an option.

I've found a few on eBay from good sellers for under $150. I'm going to order that today. For $150, I don't think I can go wrong can I?

 

[FFigawi]

I've found a few on eBay from good sellers for under $150. I'm going to order that today. For $150, I don't think I can go wrong can I?

I don't think so. They're pretty well-built and should last for quite a few years.

 

[dragitoff]

I don't think so. They're pretty well-built and should last for quite a few years.

Just bought one shipped for $136!

 

[Duanerice]

Love my 305. Actually that is pretty much all I've ever had. OK, it's only been about 6 years. I still have another old one that I can send in and get replaced for $79. Might do that so I have 2 working 305's.

I hate when they discontinue a great watch, shoe, etc.
Duane

 

[MouseDogMom]

I loved my 305, but the volume completely disappeared within a year. Since I use it at the track, I need to be able to hear it to know when I've finished a lap. After a couple of years (and I only paid $100 for it at Best Buy when they discontinued it), I upgraded to the 610 (after trying the 210 and the 410). Love it. But for the money, I think you made a good choice!

Jackie