Forerunner 610

[dragitoff]

I've never owned a GPS based watch. I'm currently using a watch that has a timer on it. I was really wanting some type of GPS based watch so I didn't have to mark every course I ran off with my car first.

I'm leaning heavily towards the Garmin Forerunner 610. I love alot of the features it has. Does anyone have this watch? Pros? Cons?

I live in the country so I'd think I'd probably get better satellite reception than some living in the city (with tall buildings and all)

Thanks!

 

[paxsarah]

I don't have any direct experience with it, but whenever I consider a running gadget I always check DC Rainmaker who has an extensive review of the 610.

I have the 305 and it's probably been the MVP of my running since I got it. I'm sure if I got the 610 I would love its additional features and lack of clunkiness, but I find the 305 perfectly adequate.

Edit: If you want to skip to DCR's pros and cons, he does list them waaaaaaay down at the end of the review.

 

[cewait]

I reviewed the 610 on some post... Funny, I can't remember where

If you are looking for a GPS watch with a countdown timer and still maintains other functionality like alarming at splits (i.e. every time you pass a mile) then the 610 is for you.

Pros

Smaller than the 300 series.

More functionality with additional data reporting variables available.

Better sat reception - leading to quicker on

Vibrating alarms in addition to the sounds.

Vibrating alarm prior to going into sleep mode (the 405 will go to sleep and if in a starting coral, you may not hear the unit beeping - only to find the unit in power save mode when you hit the timer button)

Watch function. - I wear the watch when on the road so I do not have to worry about resetting for different time zones.

Magnetic charger - no plug to wear or rust out like the 300 series and the charger is magnetic so the watch stays on the charger cradle )the 405 has a tendency to come off the charger if jarred)

Its touch screen so no buttons or bezels to worry about while running.

Glove capable - you can rotate through screens on the run with a gloved hand

Cons

A loss of pixels when viewing in quadrant read out (4 squares) from the 305. Though more than the 400. More screens so you can get most everything you want in a double screen mode

The back light does not come on at the alarming of an event. I miss that from the 305

The unit occasionally hangs up when dumping data to the computer - draining the battery

Sometimes when scrolling in edit mode, I do not have enough finger nail to catch the page to scroll - the result is that you open the field you happen to touch rather than scrolling

I would say cost but they are now discounting the 610

 

[K80K]

Charles: Are you saying it can still give you the mile splits as well as be used by those of us Gallowaying? I have been debating dusting off my 305 and wearing it with my 310 so I can have the intervals and the mile splits, lol.

 

[dragitoff]

I don't have any direct experience with it, but whenever I consider a running gadget I always check DC Rainmaker who has an extensive review of the 610.

I have the 305 and it's probably been the MVP of my running since I got it. I'm sure if I got the 610 I would love its additional features and lack of clunkiness, but I find the 305 perfectly adequate.

Edit: If you want to skip to DCR's pros and cons, he does list them waaaaaaay down at the end of the review.

I actually read DC Rainmaker's novel on it this morning!

I like some of the things it does that I don't think other GPS watches do. When running long distances, I'm currently running 5 minutes and walking 1 minute. I like the splits. I also like the fact that it can be used as a regular watch as opposed to a running watch only. I know that's a minor thing, but I like at least having that option.

 

[cewait]

Charles: Are you saying it can still give you the mile splits as well as be used by those of us Gallowaying? I have been debating dusting off my 305 and wearing it with my 310 so I can have the intervals and the mile splits, lol.

most definitely. This year after being semi couch like I am forced to gallowalk. The only thing is that you really need to look at the display when you feel the buzz. The split buzz is slightly longer than the walk buzz, but at the end of a long run, your mind starts saying all buzzes are walks.

 

[tiberius]

I haven't shopped for the 610 so I don't know how pricing runs, but keep in mind you can pick it up at the Running Warehouse website using the WISH Team discount for 15% off.

 

[fashionista311]

I have a 610 and I absolutely love it. It is so much more user-friendly compared to my old 405. Easy to read, easy to use, and it does everything I need it to. The satellite reception is no better/worse than any other Garmin.


I got it when it first came down and it was pretty hard to get my hands on it. I'm sure the demand has died down, but I don't think you'll be able to find one on sale (unless you use a general code like a previous poster has suggested)

 

[paxsarah]

Charles: Are you saying it can still give you the mile splits as well as be used by those of us Gallowaying? I have been debating dusting off my 305 and wearing it with my 310 so I can have the intervals and the mile splits, lol.

I will say that another invaluable (and way cheaper!) gadget in my training has been the Gymboss. It is simple and effective at giving me my run/walk intervals, so I can use my 305 for splits however I like. Although a caveat is that the Gymboss vibrate function seems to have pooped out on me even with multiple battery changes, so now I have to use the beep.

 

[DisneyRunnerGirl]

I went from the 205 to the 610 and LOVE IT!!! The smaller size and for me the best feature of all, the vibration for my intervals and at my laps.

When doing big races its nice not to have to strain to hear my own "beeps". The first Disney race I did with intervals my sister and I kept laughing at all the chirping going on in our part of the pack.