Forerunner 910XT
| Forerunner 910XT | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Forerunner 910XT multisport GPS watch | |
| General Information | |
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Type | Multisport GPS Training Watch |
| Series | Forerunner Series |
| Release Date | October 4, 2011 |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Price | $399.99 (watch only), $449.99 (with HR monitor) |
| Predecessor | Forerunner 310XT |
| Successor | Forerunner 920XT |
| Sizes Available | One size |
| Display | |
| Size | 1.4" diagonal |
| Type | Monochrome LCD |
| Physical | |
| Case Size | 54 x 61 x 15 mm |
| Weight | 72g |
| Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water Rating | 50m (5 ATM) |
| Battery Life | |
| GPS Only | Up to 20 hours |
| Features | |
| HR Sensor | No (external ANT+ chest strap required) |
| GPS | Yes (SiRFstarIV) |
| Sensors | Barometric altimeter, accelerometer |
| Storage | 1,000 laps, 100 waypoints |
| Connectivity | ANT+ wireless USB stick |
| Key Features | Pool swimming metrics, Barometric altimeter, Virtual Partner, Virtual Racer, 20-hour battery, Power meter support with TSS/NP/IF, Multisport mode |
| Related | Forerunner 310XT, Forerunner 920XT, Forerunner 610 |
The Garmin Forerunner 910XT is a GPS-enabled multisport training watch released by Garmin on October 4, 2011.[1] It was the successor to the Forerunner 310XT and represented a significant advancement for triathletes and multisport athletes, being the first Garmin multisport watch to offer comprehensive pool swimming metrics including distance, stroke count, stroke identification, and efficiency scores.[1]
The 910XT was announced in preparation for the Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii on October 8, 2011, where it was prominently displayed.[1] According to Garmin's Vice President of Worldwide Sales Dan Bartel at launch: "Having one solution that provides athletes with all the metrics they are after is what the Forerunner 910XT is all about. Seeing swimming metrics such as stroke count, stroke rate and stroke identification, and seeing running and cycling metrics such as pace, distance, heart rate and power, place the Forerunner 910XT in a class of its own."[1]
Overview
The Forerunner 910XT was designed as the ultimate all-in-one GPS-enabled device for triathletes and multisport athletes.[2] It featured a sleeker profile than its predecessor, allowing users to easily slide wetsuits on and off, while maintaining the 20-hour battery life that made the 310XT popular among endurance athletes.[3]
The watch introduced several key improvements over the Forerunner 310XT:
- Pool swimming metrics — First Garmin multisport watch to track swim distance, stroke count, stroke identification, and efficiency in the pool
- Barometric altimeter — More accurate elevation tracking than GPS-only altitude measurement
- Run/Walk alerts — Configurable alerts for training programs alternating between running and walking
- TrainingPeaks power metrics — TSS, NP, and IF support for power meter users
Like all Forerunner models of this era, the 910XT did not include a built-in optical heart rate sensor and required an external ANT+ chest strap for heart rate monitoring.[3]
Swimming
The most significant advancement of the Forerunner 910XT was its comprehensive swimming capabilities, making it Garmin's first multisport watch to offer extensive swim metrics.[1]
Pool Swimming
The 910XT utilized an internal accelerometer to track swimming metrics in the pool, measuring changes in direction and acceleration to determine stroke information.[3] The watch supported pool lengths of 25 meters, 50 meters, 25 yards, or custom lengths between 22-100 meters/yards.[4]
Pool swimming metrics included:[4]
- Swim distance — Total distance swum based on pool length and lap count
- Stroke count — Number of strokes per length
- Stroke identification — Automatic recognition of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, or mixed strokes
- Stroke rate — Strokes per minute
- SWOLF score — Swimming efficiency metric calculated as the sum of time (in seconds) plus stroke count for one pool length
- Swim efficiency index — Sum of time and strokes to swim 25 meters
- Pace — Time per 100 meters/yards
The watch recorded per-length data, allowing detailed post-workout analysis of each individual length within a set.[3]
Open Water Swimming
For open water swimming, the 910XT provided GPS-based distance tracking along with stroke metrics from the accelerometer.[3] The watch featured improved smoothing algorithms compared to the Forerunner 310XT to produce cleaner GPS tracks when worn on the wrist during swimming.[3]
Open water accuracy was typically within 10-15% of actual distance when worn on the wrist, as GPS signal was lost each time the arm submerged during the stroke cycle.[3] For maximum accuracy, placing the watch under a swim cap was recommended, though this negated the stroke tracking benefits.[3]
Heart Rate Limitations
The ANT+ heart rate signal did not transmit through water, meaning heart rate could not be recorded while swimming.[3] However, the heart rate strap was waterproof and could be worn under a triathlon suit; the 910XT would automatically resume heart rate recording within seconds of exiting the water.[3]
Barometric Altimeter
The Forerunner 910XT introduced a barometric altimeter to the Forerunner multisport lineup, providing more accurate elevation data than GPS-only altitude measurement.[3] This was particularly valuable for:
- Cyclists — More accurate elevation gain/loss calculations and real-time grade information
- Ultra runners — Precise elevation tracking in mountainous terrain
- Skiers — Total vertical descent tracking
The barometric altimeter was sensitive to weather changes and could be calibrated manually using a saved location with known elevation, or automatically when within 50 meters of a saved location with elevation data.[4]
Cycling
The 910XT offered comprehensive cycling features comparable to Garmin's dedicated cycling computers like the Edge 500.[3]
Bike Profiles
Users could configure up to five different bike profiles, each storing:[3]
- ANT+ sensor pairings (power meter, speed/cadence sensor)
- Wheel size settings
- Bike weight
- Custom data field configurations
Power Meter Support
The 910XT was compatible with ANT+ power meters including PowerTap, Quarq, SRM, and Power2Max.[3] It was also designed to support the upcoming Garmin Vector pedal-based power meter with left/right power balance data.[1]
Power meter features included:[4][5]
- Current power, average power, lap power, maximum power
- 3-second, 10-second, and 30-second power averaging
- Power zones (1-7)
- Normalized Power (NP) — TrainingPeaks metric estimating the power that could have been maintained if effort were perfectly constant
- Intensity Factor (IF) — Ratio of Normalized Power to Functional Threshold Power
- Training Stress Score (TSS) — Composite measure of training load and physiological stress
- Left/right power balance (with compatible power meters)
The addition of TSS, IF, and NP metrics was announced at Interbike 2011 as part of a partnership with TrainingPeaks to ensure consistent metrics across Garmin devices and the TrainingPeaks platform.[3]
Speed and Cadence
The 910XT supported ANT+ speed/cadence sensors such as the GSC-10 for:[3]
- Indoor trainer use without GPS
- Cycling cadence measurement
- Backup speed data in tunnels or areas with poor GPS reception
Running
Run/Walk Alerts
The 910XT introduced run/walk alerts, a feature designed for training programs that alternate between running and walking intervals.[3] Users could configure:
- Run duration (time-based)
- Walk duration (time-based)
- Repeating alerts throughout the workout
This feature was also useful as a nutrition reminder, providing a window to take in fuel during training or racing.[3]
Foot Pod Support
For indoor treadmill running or GPS-denied environments, the 910XT supported ANT+ foot pods for:[3]
- Indoor pace and distance measurement
- Running cadence data
- Backup speed/distance when GPS signal was lost
The foot pod could be calibrated by running a known distance, with accuracy typically within 1-2% after proper calibration.[3]
Training Features
Virtual Partner
The 910XT included Virtual Partner, a training feature first introduced on earlier Forerunner models. This feature enabled users to set a target pace and race against a virtual competitor maintaining that pace throughout the workout.[4] The watch displayed whether the user was ahead or behind the target, showing both time and distance differential, and the pace could be adjusted mid-workout without stopping.[3]
Virtual Racer
The 910XT supported Virtual Racer, which enabled users to race against previously recorded activities rather than a fixed pace.[1] Users could race against:
- Their own previously recorded activities stored on the watch
- Activities downloaded from Garmin Connect
- Other users' shared workouts
While Virtual Partner maintained a constant pace throughout a workout, Virtual Racer followed the actual pace variations of the reference activity, including slower sections on climbs and faster sections on descents.[3]
Workouts and Intervals
The 910XT supported both simple interval workouts and complex custom workouts:[3]
Interval Mode:
- Configurable warm-up, work intervals, rest intervals, and cool-down
- Distance or time-based intervals
- Customizable number of repetitions
Custom Workouts:
- Created via Garmin Connect or Garmin Training Center
- Complex multi-step workouts with targets for pace, heart rate, power, or cadence
- Conditional logic (if/then statements)
- Downloadable wirelessly to the watch
Courses
Courses allowed users to follow previously recorded routes with breadcrumb navigation.[3] Features included:
- Course creation from past activities or downloaded from Garmin Connect
- Distance and direction to next point
- Map display showing current position and course path
- Ability to race against the original course time
Alerts
The 910XT featured configurable alerts with both audible tones and vibration:[4]
- Time alerts (repeating intervals)
- Distance alerts
- Calorie alerts
- Heart rate alerts (high/low thresholds)
- Cadence alerts
- Power alerts
- Run/Walk alerts
Multisport Mode
The multisport mode was designed specifically for triathlons and similar events, allowing seamless transitions between sports while maintaining a single overall activity record.[3]
Features included:[4]
- Automatic sport switching at the press of the lap button
- Optional transition time recording
- Separate data pages and settings for each sport
- Combined total time and distance across all sports
- Individual sport files for detailed analysis
The watch supported customizable multisport configurations including standard triathlon (swim-bike-run), duathlon, and custom combinations.[3]
Navigation
The 910XT included basic navigation features:[4]
- Storage for up to 100 waypoints
- "Back to Start" function
- Course following with breadcrumb trail
- Distance and direction to saved locations
- Map page showing track and waypoints
- Compass page with bearing information
Data Fields
The 910XT offered extensive data field customization with up to four training pages per sport, each displaying one to four data fields.[5] Users could choose from over 100 different data field options depending on the sport mode, including:[4]
| Category | Example Fields |
|---|---|
| Time | Time, Elapsed Time, Lap Time, Average Lap Time, Time of Day |
| Distance | Distance, Lap Distance, Last Lap Distance, Nautical Distance |
| Speed/Pace | Speed, Pace, Average Speed/Pace, Lap Speed/Pace, Max Speed |
| Heart Rate | Heart Rate, Average HR, Lap HR, HR Zone, %Max HR, %HRR |
| Cadence | Cadence, Average Cadence, Lap Cadence |
| Power | Power, Average Power, Lap Power, NP, IF, TSS, Power Zone, Watts/kg |
| Elevation | Elevation, Grade, Total Ascent, Total Descent, Vertical Speed |
| Swimming | Stroke Rate, Stroke Count, Stroke Type, SWOLF, Efficiency, Lengths |
| Other | Calories, Training Effect, GPS Accuracy, Sunrise, Sunset |
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.4" monochrome LCD with backlight |
| Dimensions | 54 x 61 x 15 mm (2.1 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches) |
| Weight | 72g (2.5 oz) watch; 21g (0.74 oz) heart rate strap |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters (5 ATM) |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours (GPS mode) |
| GPS | High-sensitivity SiRFstarIV receiver |
| Altimeter | Barometric |
| Memory | 1,000 laps; 100 waypoints |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) |
| Languages | Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish |
Accessories
Included Accessories
The 910XT was available in two configurations:[1]
- Watch only ($399) — Watch, USB ANT Stick, charging clip, AC adapter
- With HR monitor ($449) — Above plus premium soft-strap heart rate monitor
Optional Accessories
| Accessory | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick Release Kit | Wrist strap and bike mounts for quick transitions |
| Fabric Strap | Comfortable alternative to standard rubber strap |
| Expander Strap | Extended strap for wearing over winter jackets |
| GSC-10 Speed/Cadence Sensor | Cycling speed and cadence measurement |
| Foot Pod | Indoor running pace, distance, and cadence |
| Bike Mount Kit | Basic handlebar mounting |
| Out-Front Bike Mount | Aerodynamic front-mounted position (requires Quick Release Kit) |
Software
Garmin Connect
Garmin Connect was the primary web-based platform for analyzing workouts, creating training plans, and downloading courses and workouts to the watch.[1] The 910XT synchronized wirelessly via the included USB ANT Stick and ANT Agent software.
Swimming workouts displayed detailed metrics on Garmin Connect including:[3]
- Per-interval and per-length breakdown
- Stroke type identification
- SWOLF and efficiency scores
- Interactive swim graph
Garmin Training Center
Garmin Training Center was Garmin's desktop application for:[3]
- Creating and downloading workouts
- Viewing workout history with maps and graphs
- Managing courses and waypoints
- Analyzing training data
Third-Party Compatibility
The 910XT was compatible with third-party applications including:[3]
- TrainingPeaks
- SportTracks
- Applications supporting TCX and FIT file formats
Comparison with Forerunner 310XT
| Feature | Forerunner 910XT | Forerunner 310XT |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Swimming Metrics | Yes | No |
| Barometric Altimeter | Yes | No |
| Accelerometer | Yes (for pool swimming) | No |
| Virtual Racer | Yes | No |
| Run/Walk Alerts | Yes | No |
| Power Metrics (TSS/NP/IF) | Yes | No (added later via firmware) |
| Left/Right Power | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 54 x 61 x 15 mm | 54 x 56 x 19 mm |
| Weight | 72g | 72g |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Water Resistance | 50m | 50m |
| Price | $399/$449 | $349 |
Legacy
The Forerunner 910XT established pool swimming metrics as a standard feature for triathlon watches and demonstrated the viability of accelerometer-based swim tracking. Its combination of swim, bike, and run capabilities in a single device with 20-hour battery life made it the definitive triathlon watch of its era.
The 910XT was succeeded by the Forerunner 920XT in 2014, which added Bluetooth Smart connectivity, Wi-Fi, advanced running dynamics, and a color display while maintaining the multisport capabilities that made the 910XT popular.
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "The Ultimate Multisport Training Experience: Garmin Forerunner 910XT". Garmin Newsroom. October 4, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2026
- ↑ "The Ultimate Multisport Training Experience: Garmin Forerunner 910XT". Garmin Blog. October 4, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2026
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 DC Rainmaker."Garmin Forerunner 910XT In Depth Review". October 4, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2026
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 "Forerunner 910XT Owner's Manual". Garmin. Retrieved January 21, 2026
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "GARMIN Forerunner 910XT". TRAMsoft. Retrieved January 21, 2026
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