Changes

The Garmin 920XT is an update to the [[Garmin 910XT]], adding many of the features from the [[Garmin 620 ]], while shrinking in size to become far less bulky than its predecessor. It's a large watch, but I found it comfortable even on my tiny wrists. Its [[GPS Accuracy]] is disappointing, and using the Russian GLONASS satellites makes this worse. However, the 920XT is the first of several watches in the Garmin range to support the revolutionary [[Connect IQ]]. This will allow the 920XT to run applicationapplications, much like a smartphone.* The 920XT is has a great device for casual runners. Its clear display, real buttons, and rich functionality that make it an attractive option if you can afford it. The [[Connect IQ]] extensibility adds some potential future proofing. * For marathon runners the 920XT lacks a critical feature; an accurate display [[Best Running Watch| simple evaluation of current pace. While a GPS watch]], I look at how well it can answer some basic questions:* '''How far did I donrun?'t expect '' This is the most casual runners will be as concerned by the lack of accurate current pacebasic question, this is critical to many marathon training programsand sadly, and to effective marathon pacing strategy. The only way I found of getting accurate current pace is to use the older 920XT has rather middling [[Garmin 610GPS Accuracy]], [[Garmin 310XT]]and while firmware updates might improve this slightly, or [[Garmin 910XT]] with a [[Footpod]]. * For ultramarathon running I doubt it will get close to the battery life accuracy of the 920XT makes it a strong candidate. See [[Shoes#Watches for Ultrarunning| Watches for Ultrarunning]] for more details. =GPS Accuracy=The [[GPS AccuracyPolar V800]] for the 920XT is middling; it's not the worst I've seen, but it's far from the best. Determining if it's good enough for you will depend on your usage. * The 920XT will give you a reasonable estimate of how far you've run and your overall average pace. The level of error will depend on your route; on straight lines it will be remarkably accurate (as will any other GPS watch), but on a twisty course like the one I run on, it is out by around 0.5 miles on a 20 mile run. That's enough to mess up your marathon training. If this is important to you, look for a more accurate watch. * Sadly GPS is not accurate enough to give '''How fast am I running?''' Knowing how fast you 're running can be a useful reading nice to know, or it can be vital for your training or race performance. Because of the nature of GPS, watches that rely on GPS signal alone tend to have serious problems with current pace. For that you need the older [[Garmin 610]]Thankfully, [[Garmin 310XT]], or [[Garmin 910XT]] with a has added support for the display of current [[Pace From A Footpod]]while getting all other data from GPS. Those devices will allow * '''Where am I? '''The 920XT has some basic navigation functions. ** '''Track Outline'''. There is a display of where you to get your current pace from 've run, rather like a breadcrumb trail. There are no maps, so this is just the footpod while using GPS for everything elseoutline on its own without any context. Of courseHowever, you can use itto backtrack along your path. ** 's quite likely ''Course Outline'''. This is an outline of a route that [[Connect IQ]] will allow can be downloaded. I've found this useful during ultras or in unfamiliar cities where I've needed to be added know where to the 920XTgo. * I* '''Back To Start'''ve tested the 920XT with and without GLONASS enabled. This is a simple arrow point to your starting point, so it won't help you backtrack. ** '''Back To Waypoint'''. You can mark a location and surprisingly use the accuracy is worse with GLONASSarrow to point to it later. In theoryAgain, GLONASS (this is a simple "as the Russian equivalent to crow flies" pointer. ** '''GPS) should improve accuracy, but that does not appear "Compass"'''. There's no magnetic compass so you have to be moving for the caseGPS to give you a sense of direction.If you want better * '''What's my cadence? '''[[GPS AccuracyCadence]] than ''' '''is one of the 920XTmost critical and often overlooked aspects of running. If you get your Cadence right, then many other things naturally fall into place. Not only does the 920XT get [[Polar V800Cadence]] from a [[Footpod]] , it will also get it from the Garmin Run Heart Rate monitor. There is by far also support for Cadence from the best internal accelerometer, though Ifind that've testeds not as accurate. The Cadence alerts are especially useful for keeping you on track. For ultramarathon running the battery life of the 920XT makes it a strong candidate for shorter races (50 miles/100k). But if you hope to be still moving during the [[Second Dawn]], then you should look elsewhere. See [[Best Running Watch#Watches for Ultrarunning| Watches for Ultrarunning]] for more details.

* Like the [[Garmin 620 ]] and [[Garmin Fenix 23]], the 920XT will supports [[Running Dynamics]] which can show and record [[Cadence]], Vertical Oscillation (VO) and Ground Contact Time (GCT). The 920XT has a nice display of Cadence, VO, and GCT that gives a color coded indication of how well you're doing.

* The While Garmin claims a 24 hour battery life , I found that 19 hours is more likely even under optimal conditions (no backlight, no button presses.) That 19 hours is good enough for many shorter ultramarathons, and the extended mode allows for 50 hours with degraded GPS accuracymight be viable for you. In my informal testing of the extended mode, the 920XT did not perform as badly as I expected. Unlike some other Garmin watches, such as the [[Garmin Fenix 3]], you can't charge the 920XT while you're running. I find charging on the run is a pain, but it's nice to have the option. * There is a nice display that shows the route you've taken for navigation, but there is no support for displaying a map; you need the [[Garmin Epix]] for that.

* The 920XT will record your personal best performances, such as fasted 5K or longest distance. These are a nice novelty, but for most people you want besetting won't be setting PR's on a regular enough basis for it to add much value.

* The 920 XT is not unattractive in a rather plastic way, but it's nowhere near as elegant and stylish as the [[Polar V800]] or the [[Garmin Fenix 3]].

Here are some of the watches that our are competitors for the 920XT:

* [[Garmin 610]]. The 610 the predecessor to the [[Garmin 620]] and its price has dropped to make it an attractive option. While the 610 lacks many of the cool new features of the 620/920XT, it performs the core functionality you need is a runner as well as (or better than) the newer devices. When I'm pacing marathons, I still make use of the 610 with a [[Footpod]] to keep me on pace. (I'm hopeful that the ability to get current pace from a Footpod will be added to the 920XT through [[Connect IQ]].) I would recommend giving the Garmin 610 serious consideration, even though it's an older device.

* [[Polar V800]]. The V800 is a far more elegant watch than the 920XT, and is beautifully made. The V800 also has outstanding GPS accuracy, which makes it a strong contender for your money. However the V800 is quite expensive, and it can only display your [[Cadence]] if you're using the enormous Polar stride Stride Sensor. I believe that Cadence is so critical to efficient running and injury prevention that I find it hard to recommend the V800.

{{BuyAmazon|AZID=B00FBYYC90B00O4D4KPA|AZN=Garmin 920XT}}=Visual Comparison={| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Garmin 920XT-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 920XT top]]|[[File:Garmin 920XT-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 920XT side]]|[[File:Garmin Epix-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin Epix top]]|[[File:Garmin Epix-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin Epix side]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Suunto Ambit3-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit3 top]]|[[File:Suunto Ambit3-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit3 side]]|[[File:Suunto Ambit2-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit2 top]]|[[File:Suunto Ambit2-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Suunto Ambit2 side]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Polar M400-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Polar M400 top]]|[[File:Polar M400-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Polar M400 side]]|[[File:Polar V800-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Polar V800 top]]|[[File:Polar V800-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Polar V800 side]]|- valign="top"|[[File:TomTom Cardio Runner-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|TomTom Cardio Runner top]]|[[File:TomTom Cardio Runner-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|TomTom Cardio Runner side]]|[[File:Garmin 620-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 620 top]]|[[File:Garmin 620-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Garmin 620 side]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Leikr 1-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Leikr 1 top]]|[[File:Leikr 1-side.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Leikr 1 side]]|}=GPS Accuracy =The Garmin 920XT has middling [[GPS Accuracy]]; neither the worst nor the best. * The 920XT does well going under the bridge, an indication that it is not having excessive problems with reacquisition. * On the out-and-back turnaround the 920XT does poorly, but no worse than I'd expect given its overall accuracy. * Running in a straight line is a fairly easy task for most GPS watches, and the 920XT does okay. * I've not had any issues with the 920XT acquiring or maintaining the GPS signal, unlike some other devices. {| class="wikitable" |- valign="top"|[[File:BridgeGarmin 920XT.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| The 920xt does surprisingly well under the bridge and no issues reacquiring the GPS signal. It does poorly around the twisty section, often cutting the corners which results in a short measurement. It does okay with the sharp turn seen on the right side of the diagram. Notice that the tracks are quite spread out, especially if you compare them with the [[TomTom_Cardio_Runner#GPS_Accuracy| TomTom's tracks]]. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]|[[File:BridgeGarmin 920XT (GLONASS).jpg|none|thumb|x300px| With GLONAS enabled, the accuracy through the bends is a lot worse, and the section with the sharp turn is also poor.(This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]|- valign="top"|[[File:AccuracyGarmin 920XT.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| This close up section of a zigzag shows the 920XT follows the line of the course, but is offset more than other devices. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]|[[File:AccuracyGarmin 920XT (GLONASS).jpg|none|thumb|x300px| In the close up with GLONAS, the lap markers are slightly more distributed. If you look at the image below that shows direction of travel as color, you can see that the 920XT with GLONAS is having accuracy problems in the section to the right of the diagram, but only when traveling east-to-west. This is a surprisingly common phenomenon, where a watch has a dramatic difference in accuracy depending on the direction of travel. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]|- valign="top"|[[File:ZigZagGarmin 920XT.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| Here the 920XT displays the typical GPS behavior with the tracks that have the green lines shifted slightly down and to the left, blue up and to the right. You can see the lap markers similarly shifted. (This image has the tracks color-coded for direction, with green coming from the right, blue from the left.)]]|[[File:ZigZagGarmin 920XT (GLONASS).jpg|none|thumb|x300px| Activating GLONAS seems to cause more a random looking distribution, rather than the clear shift of blue and green lines. However, the lap markers remain offset. (This image has the tracks color-coded for direction, with green coming from the right, blue from the left.)]]|}