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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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This article is a concise guide to the best running watches available today at differing prices and functionality. As well as recommendations for the best watch, I also have a few that are worth considering in spite of their flaws, and some to avoid. For most runners my top choice is the {{Garmin 310XT}}, which is great value for money and has all the features you're likely to need. If that's too big and you want something more watch like, then the {{Garmin 610}} is great, and it's often available refurbished at a great price.
{| class="wikitable"
! Watch
| {{Garmin 310XT with HRM}}
| {{Garmin 310XT without HRM}}
| {{Garmin HRM}}
| {{Garmin Footpod}}
|-
| {{Garmin 610}}
| Smaller than the 310XT/910XT recommendations.
| {{Garmin 610 with HRM}}
| {{Garmin 610 without HRM}}
| {{Garmin HRM}}
| {{Garmin Footpod}}
| {{Garmin HRM Run}}
|
|-
| {{Garmin 910XT}}
| Map of current route
| No
| No
|-
| Yes
| Record only
|-
| {{Fenix 2}}
| 5.3 (preliminary)
| 3.2
| 32
| Good (50m)
| No
| Yes
| Yes
| Good (15Hr, more in extended mode)
| Yes
| Map of current route
| Yes
| No
|-
| {{Garmin 910XT}}
* The battery life is good for about 16-20 hours, which is enough for most people. Ultrarunners doing 100 mile or longer races will find this a problem, though it is possible to recharge it while in use.
* For races where the GPS track is not important, you can extend the battery life by turning off the GPS receiver and use the [[Footpod]]. After 24 hours of running I still have most of the battery left. If you're running on a reasonable smooth surface, the [[Footpod]] is often more accurate than GPS.
==Smaller – Garmin 610==
The {{Garmin 610}} is smaller than most of the available watches and overcomes many of the issues seen in the 4xx range (see below). With the release of the 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 [[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 910XT/310XT 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).
* The 610 displays and records 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 short. It is claimed to provide 8 hours, but based on experience with other Garmin devices, the actual live may be quite a bit less. This is likely to cause an issue for slower marathon runners or ultrarunners.
* Not the range of accessories that the 910XT/310XT has, such as power meter for cycling.
* No display of course maps or mapping of your current route, but it has a simplistic 'back to start' arrow.
==The most features - Garmin Fenix 2==
The Fenix 2 combines the best features of the Garmin 910XT and 620, plus some extras and is the best running watch at the moment. This is a remarkable watch, with a vast array of features, but remains reasonably easy to use. The only flaws are the lack of current pace from a [[Footpod]] and the disappointing results of my initial [[GPS Accuracy]] testing.
* The Fenix 2 is large, but not as big as the 310XT or 910XT and it looks like a watch rather than a dive computer. .
* There is good navigation displays, with options for waypoints and courses. The Fenix 2 can have uploaded maps.
* The battery life is good claimed to be 15 hours with normal recording, and but I found that 11 hours is more likely. It has options to extend the battery life up to a claimed 50 hours (I've not yet tested the extended mode personally, though the normal mode seems goodyet.)
** There is an option only to have the backlight turned on when the sun is down, which is another small, but useful feature. The backlight is also red colored, which prevents the watch from blinding you at night.
* The Fenix 2 will link to a smart phone to upload a workout as it takes place, which is nice for folks tracking you during a race, though it means wearing the watch and the phone together.
* The Fenix 2 includes an internal accelerometer to give you an idea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod. I found it was too far out to be of any use, giving a display that was off by 1-3 minutes/mile. A lot will depend on your running style and how you use a treadmill.
* You need to have the new "HRM Run" for the running dynamics features. It will display Heart Rate and calculate Training Effect with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation.
==The solid choice - Garmin 910XT==
The {{Garmin 910XT}} is a version of the 310XT with extra features, but it's more expensive. Probably the most useful feature for most runners is the calculation of Training Effect. It can also record laps when swimming, is better at recording altitude, and can record [[Heart Rate Variability]]. If you can afford the 910XT, then it's a little better than the 310XT, but the 310XT is better value. (The 910XT is available with the [[Heart Rate Monitor]] as {{Garmin 910XT with HRM}}.) At this price point, compare the 910XT with the Fenix 2.
