Garmin Edge vs Forerunner

[Veronica]

I would have gone with the 310 if it could accurately track my swim. I know I don't swim in a straight line and I'd love to know how much extra distance I'm doing in a race. It's a got a software update now to estimate your swim distance, which is an improvement from when it first came out.

Veronica

[sarahkonamojo]

Just bumming because my FR 305 is getting old. the battery life has diminished to less than 4 hours of run time. Kind of a bummer on a long ride... replacement battery is $200. Technology can be so senseless.
Loved the FR when the battery could last all day.
Sarah

[zoom-zoom]

Just bumming because my FR 305 is getting old. the battery life has diminished to less than 4 hours of run time. Kind of a bummer on a long ride... replacement battery is $200. Technology can be so senseless.
Loved the FR when the battery could last all day.
Sarah

How old is your FR? Mine is going on 3 and the battery life still seems great...though I also leave it on the charger pretty much any time I'm not wearing it, so it's getting a full charge nearly every day. My hubby has found that his cell phone batteries last a lot longer than mine--he charges his every night and I charge mine maybe every 3-4 days and only once it gets down to 1 bar. Apparently a lot of rechargeable batteries lose their ability fully charge if they are run down too often.

[sarahkonamojo]

My FR is 4 years old.
I get different advice regarding battery management. Whatever my management style, it is NOT consistent. Battery has definitely lost its ability to hold a charge. But the battery rarely has run down to no charge until recently.

Sarah

[zoom-zoom]

You can buy a new FR for $140, from what I hear...so you'd be further ahead just replacing the unit, rather than have the battery replaced.

[SadieKate]

Resurrecting this thread because of the comparison discussions between the FR 305 and the 310.

How about the volume difference?

I finally called Garmin about the lack of volume on my 305 and would have to pay $80 for the repair (plus shipping). Considering the cost of a new FR, it doesn't seem worth it. Everything else is just fine.

The vibrate on the 310 would solve any lack of volume issues, but the Garmin rep also said the volume on the XT is louder. What say you all?

I have a feeling the poor retailer from whom I buy whatever is just going to love me when I insist that we test the volume first.

[OakLeaf]

I paid attention yesterday when I was running a few strides on the highway. I could not hear my 310 when a truck went by. As you say, the vibration makes that less important, but it does eat battery.

[marni]

Just bumming because my FR 305 is getting old. the battery life has diminished to less than 4 hours of run time. Kind of a bummer on a long ride... replacement battery is $200. Technology can be so senseless.
Loved the FR when the battery could last all day.
Sarah

when I became concerned about the decreasing battery life before a couple of long rides which Iknew would take at least 10 hours with stopping time, rest breaks,etc. I bought a small rechargeable battery that I can plug into the garmin through the usb while riding by strapping it to my aerobar.

Not that I am trying to talk anybody out of upgrading through desire or necessity. Just a thought.