Author Topic: Garmin 910XT GPS watch  (Read 16664 times)

kwhilden

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Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« on: March 20, 2012, 08:35:31 AM »
I just got  Garmin 910 XT watch. It's the latest in GPS watch technology. The big claim to fame is that it counts strokes using an accelerometer. It's designed for swimmers. I tested it for SUP, and it works pretty darn good, only missing a stroke every 20 or so.  It seems to adapt and learn your stroke rhythm as you get a consistent flow going. 

The Heart Rate and GPS features are solid as well.  Really good for training at specific HR zones, while tracking your speed and distance.

The only drawback is that the software won't allow simultaneous calculation of both HR and strokes. It seems like a software "design" feature, since they go to great lengths to state that HR monitors cannot transmit a signal while submerged.  This is not a problem for SUP, kayaks, and canoes. 

I've started a thread on Garmin to ask for this feature in the next software release... add your voice if you want it too! This would make it the ultimate SUP training tool.

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=26360
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natas585

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2012, 09:30:34 AM »
I just got one for my birthday.  I've only used it a few times so far but in the running mode.   Do you just workout in the swim mode for it to track your stroke?  And I have only seen the pace displayed but no real time speed display.  I have looked in the manual and if there is a speed only mode I am unable to find it.
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kwhilden

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2012, 09:32:53 AM »
I'm mostly interested in HR training, so I run it in "other" mode. You have to customize the display to show the fields that you want. I find this very useful.

The "swim" mode doesn't give speed, only pace. It's not a very useful mode for SUP, other than to watch your stroke rate which you can't do yet in any other mode.
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ScottCocoaBeach

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2012, 12:48:20 PM »
I have one of these and am planning to use it for SUP.  My understanding was that the other mode would be the best to use for SUP but I haven't tried it yet.  I have been using it for cycling and love it.  Looking forward to seeing what it can do for SUP as well.  I use the HRM and speed/cadence sensor for biking.  I bought the footpod for jogging but haven't had a chance to try that out yet either.


headmount

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2012, 01:37:06 PM »
So how does it count paddle strokes?  Movement of a person's arm?  That is cool.  Someone will come out with a  specific SUP design and go to the bank.  But this sounds close.

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2012, 02:48:40 PM »
I just got  Garmin 910 XT watch. It's the latest in GPS watch technology. The big claim to fame is that it counts strokes using an accelerometer. It's designed for swimmers. I tested it for SUP, and it works pretty darn good, only missing a stroke every 20 or so.  It seems to adapt and learn your stroke rhythm as you get a consistent flow going. 

The Heart Rate and GPS features are solid as well.  Really good for training at specific HR zones, while tracking your speed and distance.

The only drawback is that the software won't allow simultaneous calculation of both HR and strokes. It seems like a software "design" feature, since they go to great lengths to state that HR monitors cannot transmit a signal while submerged.  This is not a problem for SUP, kayaks, and canoes. 

I've started a thread on Garmin to ask for this feature in the next software release... add your voice if you want it too! This would make it the ultimate SUP training tool.

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=26360


So..I've not had much success with mine counting strokes or capturing stroke rate with any accuracy - I've tried moth open water swim modes and pool swim (with pool length set at 100m) without much success. 

At one stage I thought mine was counting half my stroke rate (manual count against the Garmin seemed to indicate roughly half). In several tests I've counted strokes manually against the Garmin-measured stroke count and they have been way off...eg I count 20 strokes, garmin counts 6-8 strokes.

What settings are you using (presumably in swim mode?) - any clues most gratefully received  ???


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kwhilden

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2012, 03:16:42 PM »
Upwinder: you should update to the latest firmware, if you haven't already. I believe that improves counting accuracy.

Headmount: It counts stroke using an accelerometer inside the phone that measures the circular motion of your hand during a paddle stroke. Pretty cool... eh?

The "Other" mode is best for SUP in terms of measuring speed and heart rate, but it can't count strokes... yet. I'm hoping they add this in a later firmware update.

Like I said... post a reply to my thread on Garmin.com to encourage them to add this capability. https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?t=26360
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sideshore

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2012, 03:51:42 PM »
Anybody know what the major differences are between the 910XT and the 310XT besides the $150 price difference. Thanks!

juandoe

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2012, 07:24:30 PM »
I had been meaning to post this too.  I can't get a reasonable count either.  I have the latest firmware.  I am not sure if it is averaging out strokes or what.  It displays a count of 11 when I am pushing 60/min.  I run mine in other mode so I can use HR.   Overall, probably not worth the upgrade from my 405.

waveslider

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2012, 11:04:46 PM »
how is the gps feature? just starting to get into some longer distance paddling and it would be pretty cool if i could get an accurate plot of my course on a map

LaPerouseBay

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2012, 11:25:01 PM »
Use garmin training center for your lines.  Click on 'view' and choose ''view in google earth''

It works great on my pc.   
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peterp

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2012, 10:38:24 AM »
I've got Mobii with accelerometer which also has an algorithm to calculate strokes. If you only paddle one side it works perfectly as it works out your arm movement and then puts out a figure. Problem with Sup'ing is we change hands and when we do so it needs a few strokes to get back into the swing of it (excuse the pun) so on the Mobii I'm out about 10-15% (comparing it to some video footage) - so it kind of works....

It has been quite neat to look at downwinding data and find that the best km times are the ones with the least strokes.....makes you think a little about hacking away....

pdxmike

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2012, 11:01:09 AM »
It has been quite neat to look at downwinding data and find that the best km times are the ones with the least strokes.....makes you think a little about hacking away....
Good point even for flatwater paddling.  As soon as you can measure something new, like stroke rate, or distance per stroke, or anything, then you try to improve it.  But if have to keep in mind the ultimate goal is going faster, not flailing away as fast as you can, or going as far per stroke as you can, or whatever you're measuring. 

But as long as you do keep that in mind, so for instance you're thinking about increasing your stroke rate but without shortening your stroke, then it's all great information.

JonathanC

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2012, 11:51:14 AM »
I've got one too and my main reason for buying a gps watch was to enter a destination point then have a pointer showing what my correct bearing should be.
The watch comes up with a compass face graphic with a clear direction heading, works very well.
When I bought the watch the guys in the shop who are specialists in watches like this said that Garmin are aware of the shortcomings of the paddle stroke counter for SUP and very keen to create firmware that lets this work, have to agree the swapping side to side is going to be a real challenge.

peterp

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Re: Garmin 910XT GPS watch
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2012, 12:14:52 PM »
I don't really see a way of getting it 100% accurate using the accelerometer unless you have one on each arm and software that knows when to swap from side to side.....

Been checking my data re the stroke rate - what I get is strokes/min and stride length ave and max per predetermined sector. On my flatwater runs I've got it set to 250m and on my downwind 1km.

I'm not mathematically inclined enough to see clear a picture as I get some interesting numbers ie. (flatwater example - 250m sectors): speed 8.06km/h ave stride length is 6.9m and i did 62 paddle strokes (give and take 10-15%) - then on the next 250m I sped up to 9.47km/h my stride length decreased to 6.7m and I increased my cadence to 78 strokes. So I'm gliding further with each stroke with slower cadence but my speed also suffers......now to work out the ideal stroke rate??!?!?!?!?!?

 


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