Pool swimming

Indoor pool. If so, you need to set the length of the pool. Any errors would then be multiples of that distance. If you stop mid-length or wait too long at the end of a length, it might add another length, 'though it might somestimes correct itself when that happens. There's another thread here where some have complained about problems, but it has always been very accurate for me.

Here's the other thread ... one of the posts links to tips for increasing accuracy: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?353271-Swim-Lap-Miscounts-For-an-average-swimmer-who-tends-to-glide

I'm on the beta firmware 4.05 and seems pretty good to me. If you have to pause then hit the lap button (but remember to hit it again before you set off!!)

Pool swimming - Garmin 735xt

The thing I'm a bit confused about is if the watch measures lengths by measuring stroke rate as you swim through the water if the coach then says get out the floats to do some leg work my arms aren't going to be moving so those lengths aren't going to be registered. In a 90 minute session I could do 40 minutes of drills (many of which involve no arm movements or just 1 arm moving) and I don't know what I'll be doing until I arrive. Does this mean the pool swim option is useless for these sessions if I want to measure the laps completed?

Thanks,
Richard.

I'm no expert and only have done 4 swims with the 735XT but I think it registers a length by the change in direction, so as long as you push off strongly from the wall each time you'll get a length and a time counted.

I believe you are correct on strokes though, if the arm doesn't move you won't get any strokes!

Be interested to see how it goes for you.

There are some general tips for using pool swim mode here.

The watch will not automatically count lengths when you are doing drills that affect arm motion. It needs to see strokes in order to detect turns. However, there is a drill logging function so you can still capture this distance. (It will be labelled with stroke type "drill".) There is a detailed explanation on how to use this feature here. It sounds complicated but it's actually pretty quick and straightforward. You could practice using the feature at home before heading to the pool.

There are some general tips for using pool swim mode here.

The watch will not automatically count lengths when you are doing drills that affect arm motion. It needs to see strokes in order to detect turns. However, there is a drill logging function so you can still capture this distance. (It will be labelled with stroke type "drill".) There is a detailed explanation on how to use this feature here. It sounds complicated but it's actually pretty quick and straightforward. You could practice using the feature at home before heading to the pool.

Great Tips!! thanks

Hi:
I´d like to upgrade my 235 to the 735 because the 235 is almost useless when swiming (I use the Garmin Connect app called Swim). My problem is that most of my swimming sessions are in a 14 m pool and I've read that you can only configure the watch for 17. Is it true? If so, Is there any way of cheat the watch? (or the workout after?).

Thanks

My problem is that most of my swimming sessions are in a 14 m pool and I've read that you can only configure the watch for 17. Is it true?

My 735, with the 4.05 beta firmware, only goes down to 17m.

I think I'd get dizzy in a 14m pool! :)

Hi,
Having used a Garmin Swim, 920XT and now 735XT I can definitely confirm that the watches reward consistency when swimming. That is - making sure you commit to the push off at the start, at the end of each length and making sure you don't stop part way. I've had to stop mid length in the past due to a lane blockage and it treats it as two lengths. I've only ever done my swim sets in a 25 yard, 25m and 50m pool and the watches have been pretty much perfect - can't comment on any other pool lengths though.

If you bear these in mind it's a brilliant tool though - especially when you get into longer sets (my poor brain can't count more than 10 lengths before losing track.)

Hope that helps,
Simon

My 735, with the 4.05 beta firmware, only goes down to 17m.

I think I'd get dizzy in a 14m pool! :)

¡That's true! When you spend an hour swiming in a 14 m pool you don't know if you 're going or coming back. But many times is The only one that I can use.