Garmin Forerunner 910XT is a smartwatch that, in addition to its main function, is able to measure heart rate, speed, calculate and remember the distance covered and many other functions useful for cyclists, runners, swimmers and those who just want to keep themselves in shape.
The device has a built-in compass and altitude indicator, which is indispensable for those who like hiking and skiing. Runners will benefit from the ability to sync with the foot pod, which attaches to the shoe to keep track of cadence and speed without fear of losing GPS connectivity.
Description of the watch
The watch comes in a versatile black color. The small LCD screen has a blue backlight. The notification system consists of vibration and sound modes, which can be activated both separately and simultaneously. The strap can be adjusted to any thickness of the arm, it can be removed and used separately. For example, in order to attach to a special bike holder or hat.
Those who prefer fabric straps can purchase it separately. You can also buy separately a pedometer, a power meter and a scale. The scale will measure the ratio of muscle, water and fat and send it to the profile for a more holistic picture of the performance of sports.
Dimensions and weight
The device has dimensions of 54x61x15 mm and a low weight of 72 g. This model is thinner than its predecessors. For example, unlike the 310XT, this sports watch is 4mm thinner.
Battery
The device is charged by USB. The watch has a built-in lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 620 mAh, thanks to which it can work in active mode for up to 20 hours. For a watch, this is not a very long operating time, so it will not be very convenient to use it as a basic watch.
Water resistance
This watch is waterproof and designed for active use in the pool. They can measure data both in open and confined water. You can dive to a depth, but only up to 50 m.
GPS
This gadget has a GPS function, it is needed in order to determine and save in memory the speed and trajectory of movement in the terrain. Signals are transmitted using sensors with ANT + technology used to exchange information between GARMIN devices.
Software
The watch is equipped with Garmin ANT Agent software. All data can be transferred using ANT + (Garmin's proprietary technology similar to Bluetooth, but with a large coverage area) to a computer in order to collect statistics and observe dynamics in Garmin Connect.
If for some reason working in Garmin Connect is inconvenient, then there are third-party applications, for example: Training Peaks and Sport Tracks. This is done using a connector that looks like a USB flash drive that comes with the kit. If there are many devices in the apartment, then they do not jam each other's signal in any way, but each work at its own frequency.
There is a website https://connect.garmin.com/en-GB/ in the database of which you can store your profile with all settings and data. Then whatever happens to the computer, they will be safe.
There you can also observe the traversed path on online maps. It is possible to create your own trajectory plan and upload it to your watch.
By connecting the watch and setting it once, each time it is connected, the information will be automatically downloaded to the computer.
What can you track with this watch?
You can set the alert function for calories burned, distance covered or heart rate increase. For athletes, these functions are relevant, since they often need to get into a certain window for one reason or another.
Using a complex algorithm, measuring the pulse and knowledge of the size of a person, the device will accurately calculate the number of calories burned during a workout.
Even the slope of the surface can be monitored with the barometric altimeter, a very useful feature when running on hilly terrain. During the run itself, on the screen, you can observe the pace at which the movement is performed and what is the pulse, the frequency of steps.
With the help of the accelerometer, the gadget can sense that a sharp turn has been made, this function is useful for shuttle running and swimming in the pool. You can independently choose the length of the track and the device will calculate how many tracks have been overcome.
A maximum of 4 fields can be selected simultaneously for displaying data. If this is not enough, then set up automatic page turning.
Advantages of the Garmin Forerunner 910XT
The GARMIN company is one of the leading specialists in the production of such gadgets, and this is far from the first model. Each model is more and more improved.
Use during running workouts
For example, this model has become thinner and the "run / walk" function has appeared, with which you can set your own intervals for switching from running to walking and the watch will notify you when it is time to start running. For a marathon race, this feature is indispensable, as this alternation will help prevent "clogging" of the leg muscles.
And cyclists can now score the parameters of their own bike.
Beforehand, you can completely prescribe a running training plan, its intervals and distance. Auto Lap automatically detects the start of the lap. And if you set the minimum speed in the Auto Pause function, then when this mark is reached, the rest mode is activated. As soon as the threshold is exceeded, the rest mode is disabled and the training mode is activated.
To give a little stimulus to your workouts, it is possible to compete with a virtual runner at a certain pace. The function is in demand when preparing for a competition.
This device does not have an ordinary heart rate monitor, but HRM-RUN, its specificity is the ability to perceive vertical vibrations and the time of contact with the surface, possibly due to the presence of an accelerometer.
Switching sports
For convenience, there are modes of sports: run, bike, swim, other. You can install them manually. And if you need to switch modes without human intervention, then the auto multisport function will save it, it will itself determine which sport is going on at one time or another. You can customize the alert for each sport. Sports names are included by default and cannot be renamed. The data is written by the device to different files.
Use in water
Due to its complete waterproofness in water, all functions are fully preserved. And just like on land, you can start and stop the timer, switch modes and watch the pace. In water, the sound can be deafened, so it's better to switch to vibration mode, this watch has a very powerful one.
The watch of this model has become even more accurate to observe the movements of the swimmer in the water. They can record the distance covered, the frequency and number of strokes, fluctuations in speed, and even determine what style a person was swimming in. At the same time, there are no obstacles in the fact that the pool is closed. The only thing that will need to be set in the settings is that the training takes place in the indoor pool.
When used in open water, the device will record the distance traveled as accurately as possible, down to centimeters, and calculate the distance covered.
The intensity, speed and pace will be different at the start of your workout and at the end, so you can see the information for each lane at the end of the swim. In this watch, you can safely take a shower and swim, but dive deeper than 50 m, and therefore, you cannot dive.
Price
Prices for this device vary greatly depending on the configuration. Models with a heart rate monitor in the kit will be more expensive. Watches can be found at a price of 20 to 40 thousand rubles.
Where can one buy?
You can buy these smart watches in various stores on the Internet. But the most reliable way is to purchase in those stores that are official dealers of GARMIN, their addresses are indicated on the GARMIN website.
Do you need this amusing little thing? If a person is running at an amateur level, then perhaps not yet. But if he went in for sports professionally, then many functions will help him a lot.
Yes, the price may seem a bit high. But if you think about it, this is practically a mini-computer with sensitive sensors, which will provide athletes with an invaluable service. So you can still spend money once on such a multifunctional thing that will serve faithfully for more than one year.
