Summary
The Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Watch is Garmin’s newest and most powerful running watch. The 610 features a full touchscreen – similar to what you get on an iPhone – which is a big step up from the touch bezel that came in the 405 model. Garmin is a well-known manufacturer of some of the best high technology runners’ watches out there, and they do not disappoint with the 610.
The Garmin Forerunner 610 packs many of the advance workout features that the Forerunner series has been known for, but adds other features that were lost—and missed—on previous incarnations. The 610 has added in a number of new innovations as well.
Of course, the Forerunner 610 will track your pace, distance, time, cadence, calories-burned, GPS position and everything else you’ve come to expect from a GPS running watch. You can also track your heart rate if you get the version that comes with a heart rate monitor.
The 610 has packed in a host of new features, including a full touchscreen, a Virtual Racer, vibration alerts for pace, time and heart rate events, and faster reception of GPS signals. This watch can even guide you back to your run’s starting point if you need help finding your way back.
While Garmin develops its watches primarily for runners, many cyclists use Forerunner watches to monitor workouts. There are accessories sold separately that will enhance the watch’s use for cycling.
Amazon Price: $349.99
Amazon Ranking: 
Sample Customer Reviews
Some quotes from the Amazon reviews of the Garmin 610:
“I have had Garmin Forerunner models in the past but nothing beats this. My old watch would take forever to get the signal. Also if I ran the same route, the distances would always be off. First time using the 610, got signal in less than a minute. 2nd time, less than 30 sec.”
“This has a true touch screen, that works with gloves (I tested that). You can drag your finger across the screen to change views and tap to select. Very intuitive.”
“Never had a GPS watch, but this one was really precise.”
Features
Garmin was an early adoptor of GPS technology in runners’ watches, and they have pushed the boundaries again by being one of the first to implement a touchscreen display in their watch. The touchscreen makes it even easier to access training data during a workout, when you would rather not be fumbling with cumbersome buttons. Just swipe and scroll the screen to set your Garmin 610, review your workout and access other features. This touchscreen Forerunner is rain, sweat and splash proof so you can take it along your hardest outdoor runs.
Needless to say, the 610 does all the essential features you would expect from a GPS watch: track distance, pace, time, cadence, calories-burned and so on. You can also track your heart rate if you purchase the upgraded heart-rate monitor 610 model.
You can customize your screen easily, showing up to 4 variables at a time. You can create multiple screens, with different variables shown on each.
The 610 includes Virtual Racer, which is a program that basically let’s you race with yourself. It works by matching your current run with one of the previous runs you have already logged onto your watch and uploaded onto the Garmin Connect website. You can also opt to use Virtual Partner to test your run against a preset pace.
Targets can be set for time, distance, pace, cadence, heart rate and calories-burned. You can program your Garmin 610 to vibrate during your workout if you reach your targets.
For the first time, Garmin is using Training Effect—a feature meant to help you train smarter rather than simply harder. After inputting your user profile, heart rate and level of difficulty, Training Effect will be able to asses the impact of any given run on your own aerobic fitness.
Post-workout, the Forerunner 610 can wirelessly upload your run data to the Garmin Connect website. So whenever you’re ready, you can review and track your workouts. This works using the ANT+ wireless technology. You plug the ANT+ USB stick into your computer, and your watch will automatically connect to your computer. When logged onto to Garmin Connect, you can track your runs, check lap splits and look at how other users are doing. Garmin Connect works on both Mac and PC.
If you have the Tanita BC-1000 body scale, your Garmin 610 can wirelessly connect to it via ANT+ also, in order to to monitor weight, body water, fat and other body composition measurements. When within computer range, the watch can send all this data to Garmin Connect.
Cyclists can also use the Garmin 610 to track their bike workouts. The watch has a bike mode with customizable settings. Speed and cadence sensors are compatible when set in bike mode.
Some of the other features of this watch include:
- Customizable workouts
- Programmable intervals
- Run/Walk alerts
- Laps can be set using distance and position
- Goes on auto-pause when you drop down speed or stop
The 610 base model includes the GPS touchscreen watch, USB ANT+ stick, AC charger, charging cradle, printed quick start manual and the manual on disc. It sells for $349.99. You can also get the 610 heart rate monitor watch, which includes all the items listed previously, plus a heart rate monitor. This sells for $399.99.
Tips for Using the Garmin Forerunner 610
The Garmin Forerunner 610 is Garmin’s most advanced running to date. Its touchscreen is a major advance from previous models making it much easier than before to control the watch during a workout. The touchscreen does require you to press much harder than you would press with an iPhone, and this takes a little getting used to. However, you can, unlike the iPhone, control the touchscreen with gloves on. Winter runners everywhere will find this a big plus.
Like all other Garmin models I have used before, the 610 requires some technical savvy. You have to play with the 610 and make friends with the manual to get yourself well acquainted with all its cool features. It’s unfortunate that you do need to read the manual, but you will really get so much more out of your investment if you take the time to learn all the different functionality of this watch.
The 610 is rated as being able to withstand an hour underwater, however, I wouldn’t advise testing the limits of the watch here. Nonetheless, you will be able to use the watch in inclement weather without much concern.
Garmin Connect is a website you should also get comfortable with to maximize all of the 610’s cool features. Here, you will find lots of programs and intervals that will make your training more interesting and challenging. This is certainly worth investigating for runners who like to train smart.
If you like setting complex workouts on your computer, send them right over to the 610 by uploading them to the Garmin Training Center where the data can be transferred to your watch.
If you would rather keep things simple, you can also set basic interval workouts on the watch itself. Just input parameters like run and rest intervals and you’re ready to go.
Pricing
Garmin Forerunner 610 Touchscreen GPS Watch
Amazon Best: $349.99
Garmin Direct: $349.99
Garmin Forerunner 610 Touchscreen GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
Amazon Best: $399.99
Garmin Direct: $399.99
Assessment
Pros
Mostly importantly, this watch delivers reliable GPS-based measurements for running or biking. It connects to GPS signals faster than most previous Garmin Forerunner models.
The touchscreen definitely makes using the watch much easier. I remember having a Garmin Forerunner that had buttons that were so hard to press and would work on and off. The touchscreen, after more than a month’s use, has caused me no trouble. I think all sports watches should eventually use touchscreens.
I’m a believer in the Run/Walk method for long distance runs, so I’m a big fan of the Run/Walk alert feature.
Another new feature I like is Virtual Racer. Seeing how I am running compared to my last best race in real time is a great motivator. Plus, no more guessing how I’m doing in the middle of a long run.
So far, I find that distance, pace, cadence, heart rate and other metrics are pretty much accurately monitored by this watch. Garmin has always been reliable when it comes to accuracy, so no surprise there.
On top of all that, I like the sleek, modern look of the Garmin 610. I’ve even been using it as a regular day watch.
Cons
Battery can be improved and should provide more than just 8 hours of power. Another power issue is that it doesn’t allow the use of ANT+ power meters, which is what some people want when cycling. Garmin can definitely work on these issues when they come out with the next updated version of this watch.
Also, this watch is already great for running and cycling, but it is not suitable for swimming. Triathletes who want to monitor their full workouts will need to go with a model such as the Forerunner 310XT.
Garmin watches are accurate, but they are maybe 1% off. They always seem to have you running a tiny bit faster than you are actually running. Over, say a marathon, 1% can add up to a couple of minutes. So if you are trying to qualify for Boston, make sure you are checking your times against mile markers on the race course. If you rely only on your GPS watch, you might find that you cross the finish line a few minutes slower than you had thought would be the case.
Overall though, there’s really not much I can complain about.
Alternatives
While there are many running and multi-sport watches out there that use GPS, there is only one other GPS watch that also uses touchscreen interface: the Nike+ SportWatch GPS.
There are a number of other GPS running watches, including a large number from Garmin here.
You could also consider the Timex Ironman Global Trainer With GPS Watch – Speed + Distance. This sells for about $250, although the feedback on this watch is not as good as that for the Garmin 610..
Conclusion
The Garmin 610 touchscreen GPS watch is, in our opinion, the most advanced sports watch available on the market. The touchscreen works as promised. The GPS is accurate as expected for a Garmin. Advance workout features make runs more interesting and effective. This is a great choice for both runners and cyclists.