Needing a new GPS watch for biking and running

[OakLeaf]

Someone I talked to said that they thought the 301XT felt LESS bulky than the 305, even though it looks a bit bigger.

Yep. One of the reasons I (and many women) skipped the 305 is the size. The 310XT is half an inch shorter and lacks the bump that wraps around the wrist on the 305. I don't know that it even looks bigger. The displays are the same size, and there's a lot more bulk to the 305 beyond the display, than there is on the 310.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare....areProduct=349

The strap on the 310XT still s*cks and people have complained about the pins popping out on some units , but it's easily replaced with a retaining strap like the 301 used to have.

Basically, for the extra money, you get power meter compatibility, a waterproof case, and HR-based calorie computation. None of which I really use... but it was the size that really was the breaking point for me on the 305. My wrists are just too small - I even have to wear a sweat band under the 301 and the 310XT so they don't bruise the "bump" on my wrist over a long run. That, and okay, I'm a sucker for "the latest" ...

They advertise a much longer battery life on the 310XT. I have no idea what real world battery life is on the 305, but it's closer to 13-15 hours than to 20 for most people on the 310. YMMV, there are a lot of variables that go into battery life.


Not sure about this - but I think I've heard it mentioned that the 310 has a different GPS algorithm than the 305, that makes it more accurate even though they both have the same receiver. Could be wrong though.