My Forerunner 310XT seems to be dying and I need to decide on a replacement. As far as I can tell Nopesport last covered this in 2014:
http://forum.nopesport.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14414&p=163722&hilit=garmin#p163722
It seems that the popular choices then have now been replaced:
Forerunner 10 by Forerunner 30 (£100 on Amazon)
Forerunner 610 by Forerunner 235 (£170 on Amazon).
Any views on these?
I'm only really looking for GPS tracking, but anybody using more multifunction devices like the Vivoactive 3 Smartwatch (£175 at John Lewis)?
GPS watch guidance update
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
I've had good experiences with my 235. It connects to GPS fairly quickly and the tracking seems accurate. I can also use the import-to-Attackpoint functionality very easily.
If you go lower, I think there may be a risk that GPS accuracy might not be as good, or that it takes ages to connect.
Neither the 30 nor the 235 have a barometric altimeter, so your climb numbers will be a little rough, but mostly good enough.
If you go lower, I think there may be a risk that GPS accuracy might not be as good, or that it takes ages to connect.
Neither the 30 nor the 235 have a barometric altimeter, so your climb numbers will be a little rough, but mostly good enough.
- Arnold
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
Thanks. I've been doing a bit more research. It seems having dual sensors improve accuracy. Forerunner 30, 35 etc only have US GPS, but the 235 has the Russian GLONASS as well. The VivoActive has a European GALILEO sensor too. This is supposed to be more accurate still, but doesn't get fully activated until 2020.
More info here, ending "The tests were stark in their results: GPS/GLONASS dual-system antennas definitively offer a noticeable improvement in accuracy and performance." It also includes the wonderful fact that "Satellite signals are circularly polarized and travel in a corkscrew-like pattern". I used to have a reasonable understanding of physics, but.....
More info here, ending "The tests were stark in their results: GPS/GLONASS dual-system antennas definitively offer a noticeable improvement in accuracy and performance." It also includes the wonderful fact that "Satellite signals are circularly polarized and travel in a corkscrew-like pattern". I used to have a reasonable understanding of physics, but.....
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
The 230 and 235 will have the same GPS chip, and the only difference is the heart rate monitoring that comes built into the 235 (making it more expensive). I've seen some people say it doesn't work as well as having a separate strap.
So, if you've already got a working Garmin HRM strap, then you could get the cheaper 230 without a strap and use your existing strap with it.
So, if you've already got a working Garmin HRM strap, then you could get the cheaper 230 without a strap and use your existing strap with it.
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
Re GLONASS, the default setting is GPS only, so remember to change it on purchase.
Ditto with frequency of refresh, I recommend changing it from "smart" to "every second" to improve accuracy (at the cost of more storage space, but not a problem if you download regularly.)
Ditto with frequency of refresh, I recommend changing it from "smart" to "every second" to improve accuracy (at the cost of more storage space, but not a problem if you download regularly.)
- Arnold
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
Also turn off any auto-pause feature for orienteering!
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- ricardito
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
My 235 is a big improvement over the 210: finds a signal much quicker and gives a more reliable track and distance estimate. Heart rate data is garbage though.
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
Ah yes, the auto pause! I learnt that the hard way during a 1 hour score event...
I agree HR is garbage, as is live “pace” information which seems to be some sort of estimate based on cadence and stride length. Live km splits are accurate though, as they seem to be driven off the GPS track.
I agree HR is garbage, as is live “pace” information which seems to be some sort of estimate based on cadence and stride length. Live km splits are accurate though, as they seem to be driven off the GPS track.
- Arnold
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
Check this Attackpoint thread:
https://www.attackpoint.org/discussiont ... ge_1264075
I have TomTom Spark, GPS tracks are not perfect, but usable in Quickroute and Routegadget with adjustments. When you connect it to a computer, it stores the location of satellites for the next 3 days and then finds the satellites in about 20-30 seconds; otherwise, it can take a minute or two (never timed it exactly, though, so just guessing).
https://www.attackpoint.org/discussiont ... ge_1264075
I have TomTom Spark, GPS tracks are not perfect, but usable in Quickroute and Routegadget with adjustments. When you connect it to a computer, it stores the location of satellites for the next 3 days and then finds the satellites in about 20-30 seconds; otherwise, it can take a minute or two (never timed it exactly, though, so just guessing).
- MChub
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
Does anyone have any experience with the new Coros Apex? In particular, is the crown controller likely to suffers unintended clicks or turns when running through forest/undergrowth? Thinking it could provide a lower cost alternative to the mid/high range Garmins...
Edit: I'd guess it's lockable, but the need to lock/unlock the touch screen is one of my bugbears with my current Garmin FR630.
Edit: I'd guess it's lockable, but the need to lock/unlock the touch screen is one of my bugbears with my current Garmin FR630.
- ricardito
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
ricardito wrote:the need to lock/unlock the touch screen is one of my bugbears with my current Garmin FR630.
Why lock it? I always leave mine unlocked, as I don't look at it while orienteering anyway (except for score events). The only downside I find is when it is not active, and accidentally swiping the screen (such as when taking off a jacket) sometimes gets the message "app connection required", but this is no more than a minor nuisance.
- roadrunner
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
roadrunner wrote:ricardito wrote:the need to lock/unlock the touch screen is one of my bugbears with my current Garmin FR630.
Why lock it? I always leave mine unlocked, as I don't look at it while orienteering anyway (except for score events). The only downside I find is when it is not active, and accidentally swiping the screen (such as when taking off a jacket) sometimes gets the message "app connection required", but this is no more than a minor nuisance.
Good question... Thinking about this, I think the way forward may be to get rid of all the seldom/never used data screens on my Orienteering profile - down to one or at most two - so that an inadvertent swipe doesn't actually get rid of the key data. Something to look at over my morning coffee
As an aside, I do occasionally look at the watch when orienteering - usually when I need a reminder that pushing on can still count for something!
- ricardito
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
I've been using a Polar M430 for a few months now and been very happy with it.
- srocmapper
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Re: GPS watch guidance update
Polar Vantage M....
Go orienteering in Lithuania......... best in the world:)
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