Sports and GPS go hand-in-hand. That is unless you’re swimming or going off to remote areas where tracking often poses a challenge. Innovations in GPS technology now make it possible to track your workouts, and races, when swimming. Garmin is among the sport watch manufacturers to leverage this new technology.
The company’s new Forerunner 910XT is a multisport watch, an all-in-one GPS-enabled device that provides detailed swim metrics and tracks distance, speed/pace, elevation and heart rate for running and cycling. The 910XT has an on-board barometric altimeter for improved elevation data.
A smooth, low profile allows for athletes to slide tight-fitting wetsuits over the watch. This makes it possible for use with water sports. It also facilitates quick outfit changes necessary for triathletes competing in races where a wetsuit or other protective and warmth gear is necessary.
(Video after the jump)
httpv://youtu.be/h4Y5v1PDsxM
It used to be that if you were out of heart rate range the monitor would beep to an annoying pace, which often irritated friends or other racers. The 910XT uses a vibration motor for alerts such as heart rate, pace/speed and distance. You can still use the audible tones, but the vibration is often more effective when you can’t hear a beep.
Forerunner 910XT’s Virtual Racer feature lets users race against the clock. It allows users to race themselves over previous bests, or against the times of competitors. Register for the Garmin Connect community to set goals, track workout progress and share workouts with friends and family.
Garmin enlisted ANT+ for its wireless connectivity for syncing to heart rate monitors, foot pods, compatible third-party fitness equipment and power meters. It also connects to a PC or Mac for automatic data download. The Forerunner 910XT was announced in preparation for the Triathlon World Championship in Kona, HI, October 8, 2011.