Garmin 310

[Dallen]

It may be a little early for this, but I saw an ad in Runners World for the new Garmin 310. Anyone out there going to get it? It looks a lot like the 305, but appears to have a flat face without the curved extension of the 305. Upgrades appear to be wireless data transfer (who really cares), waterproof for swimming (seems useless unless you're swimming in open water) and a 20 hour battery life (always good for that frequent 50-100 miler, Ironman, or extended time away from an outlet).

I'm interested in it because that curved part makes the top of the watch grind into my bony wrist. The 405 looks great, but nobody seems to like it.

What I'd really like to see in an updrade is an actual altimeter and a higher quality screen with some mapping functionality.

If anyone splurges for the upgrade, please post your opinions.

[Jon Allen]

Wow- this may interest me.  I like my 205 except for the bulk and the wrist bone grinding, like you mentioned.  It starts hurting on long runs.

[Dallen]

Here's the info

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=27335#featureTab

[James Winzenz]

Wow - that looks pretty cool.  My 205 has been a workhorse for me, although I don't really experience the pounding on my wrist like others have mentioned.  The only downside for me is the recommended price - $349.99.  Kinda steep.

[Sasha Pachev]

From:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=27335#specsTab

Barometric altimeter     No

BTW, which one is more accurate - barometric, or GPS? I've had a watch with a barometric altimeter, and it was not very precise at all - off by 200 feet or so.

[Paul Petersen]

z-values on a recreational GPS are terrible...but altimeters are even worse. At least you don't have to calibrate a GPS.

[Dallen]

Now that I thin about it, I once had a barometric watch and it wasn't all that accurate. I guess I'll take that off of my wish list. I still want a watch with the mapping capabilities of the larger GPS units.