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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Garmin 610 Review}}
The {{Garmin 610}} is smaller than most represents good value for money, providing all the key features you're likely to need in a small package. It misses out on some of the available watches and overcomes many cool new abilities of the issues seen in more recent devices like it's successor, the earlier 4xx[[Garmin 620]]. With the release of the [[Garmin 620]] the price of the 610 has started falling, so it has become better value. While the 620 has many more features than the 610, the 610 is actually a better watch as it has good slightly better [[GPS Accuracy]] and can display pace from a Footpod.
[[File:Garmin610.jpg|thumb|none|200px|{{Garmin 610}}]]
=Garmin 610 Pros=
* The 610 is smaller than the [[Garmin 310XT]]/[[Garmin 910XT]] and closer to the size of a traditional watch.
* Like the 310XT, it can use the optional [[Footpod]] to display your current pace while using GPS for overall pace, distance and route. Only the 310XT, 910XT and 610 can do this (so far). Given that current pace can be out by more than a minute a mile, this is a great feature.
* The 610 displays and records [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]], an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is. I don't think the algorithm in the 610 is quite as good as the 620, it's still useful.
* The touchscreen interface works with gloves and in the rain, unlike most touchscreens found on phones or media players.
* The 610 will not display [[Heart Rate Variability]] but it is possible for it to record [[Heart Rate Variability]] for later analysis. This recording can be enabled from the firstbeat.com ATHELTE software (there's a free trial).
=Garmin 610 Cons=
* The battery life is rather shortat 8 hours. It is claimed will be fine for most runners, but ultrarunners will need to provide 8 hourslook elsewhere. =What's Missing=While I don't consider these missing features as 'cons', but based on experience it's worth understanding the features that are missing compared with other Garmin deviceswatches. * '''GPS Pre-cache'''. Most of the time, even GPS watches without satellite pre-cache will locate the actual live may be GPS signal quite quickly provided you've not traveled far from the position of the watch was last used. However, those times when you have traveled, a bit lessGPS watch without satellite pre-cache can take several minutes to locate the GPS signal. This can be remarkably annoying when you're freezing cold and wanting to start your run to warm up.* '''Altimeter. '''GPS is likely to cause an issue far less accurate vertically than horizontally, so a barometric altimeter can provide a much better idea of your ascent and descent. It can also be useful for slower marathon runners navigation if you're ascending or ultrarunnersdescending a mountain. In some races I've been far more interested in how much ascent is left rather than the distance to the top. * Not '''Downloadable Apps'''. Smart watches have got is used to the range idea of accessories a device that can be extended with new functionality, and this concept is being introduced to running watches.* '''Extended battery life'''. Some porches can extend the 910XT/310XT hasbattery life by turning the GPS reception off for short periods. This can dramatically reduce GPS accuracy, such as power meter but it's a useful trade-off for cyclingsome ultramarathons. * No display '''Navigation.''' The navigation capabilities are useful if there is a risk of course maps or mapping getting lost. I've made good use of your current routethis feature when running in an unfamiliar city, but it has or when running remote trails. There is a simplistic 'back to start' arrow, but that's a poor substitute for a map display. * '''Graphs'''. Instead of simply displaying a numeric value for things like heart rate, some watches will display a graph of the value over time, giving you a sense of how things are progressing.{{BuyAmazon|AZID=B004XC3MXI|AZN=Garmin 610}}
=Comparison Table=
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}