Detailed Review: If you have 10 minutes to spare and want to know quite a bit more then this link is for a DETAILED review of the Garmin 920XT.
This is a feature-rich, triathlon sports watch and activity tracker that will cover 98% of the features you want (but perhaps don’t need) for training and racing.
Positives: if it’s functions and features you’re after; the 920XT is more likely to have them than the competition. It is highly feature-rich and is used by many Age Group-level triathletes. The Garmin ‘data ecosystem’ is open, allowing you to get its data elsewhere on the whole. A wide range of ANT+ sensors exist and support for STRYD/MOXY/BSX is now relatively good.
Negatives: aesthetics are questionable; GPS/current pace are suspect at times – although improved in late-2015 with footpod support; numerous reports of ‘losing’ connections with sensors – which is a fundamental issue – plagued earlier iterations. Later iterations have seen the device slow down with the installation of CIQ apps. Some may argue that more features mean more stuff to go wrong and, to a degree, that has been the case although (Jan 2017) this is now largely resolved.
Comments: It still requires work on the swim functionality although that has been improved to include workout support. There were notable firmware updates in 2015 and 2016. Later in 2016, a further-upgraded version is possible to introduce optical HR. It still lacks ‘repeat’ functionality for training bricks and Otillo.
Alternatives: This link covers some alternatives but the equivalent watches are shown in the image above AMBIT3 and Polar V800.
Last Updated on 5 November 2020 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
