How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated April 9th, 2021 @ 10:29 am New Window | ||||
Price | $199 | $329 | $170 | $399 |
Product Announcement Date | SEP 1, 2009 | Jan 7, 2013 | APR 2, 2009 | OCT 4, 2011 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Dec 2009 | Jan 2013 | JUN 2009 | JAN-APR 2012 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB | USB & Bluetooth | ANT+ Wireless | ANT+ Wireless |
Waterproofing | IPX7 | IPX7 | Yes | Yes - 50m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 18 hours | 20 hours | 20 Hours | 20 Hours |
Recording Interval | 1-Second or Smart | 1-Second or Smart | 1s or Smart | 1s or Smart |
Alerts | Sound/Visual | Audio/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Good | Great | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | No | No | No |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | No | No | No | No | Connectivity | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | No | No | Via Wahoo Fitness Adapter | Via Wahoo Fitness Adapter |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | No | No | No | No |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | No | Yes | No | No |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | Q3 2015 | Running | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Designed for running | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | N/A | N/A | No | No |
VO2Max Estimation | N/A | N/A | No | No |
Race Predictor | N/A | N/A | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | N/A | N/A | No | No |
Run/Walk Mode | N/A | N/A | No | Yes | Swimming | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Designed for swimming | No | No | Partial | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | N/A | N/A | No | Yes |
Record HR underwater | N/A | N/A | No | No |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | N/A | Distance, no stroke | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | N/A | No | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | N/A | N/A | No | No |
Indoor auto-pause feature | N/A | N/A | No | No |
Change pool size | N/A | N/A | No | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | N/A | N/A | No | 20m/22y to 100y/m |
Ability to customize data fields | N/A | N/A | No | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | N/A | N/A | No | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | N/A | N/A | No | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Designed for triathlon | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Training Calendar Functionality | No | Yes | No | Yes | Functions | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | Yes | No | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | No | Yes | No | No | Navigate | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | Yes | No | No | Sensors | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric | GPS | Barometric |
Compass Type | GPS | GPS | GPS | GPS |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | No | No | ||
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | No | No | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | Q3 2015 | ||
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | Q3 2015 | ||
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | No | ||
ANT+ Remote Control | No | Yes | No | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | No | No |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No | No | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | No | No | No | Software | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | GTC/ANT Agent | GTC/ANT Agent |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | Garmin Connect Mobile (not direct to device though) | Garmin Connect (iOS/Android) | Garmin Fit | iOS/Android |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Edge 500 | Garmin Edge 510 | Garmin Forerunner 310XT | Garmin Forerunner 910XT |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |