Calling all Garmin users...input please!

banslug

banslug

Cathlete
OK....lay it on me. I'm taking my running to the next level and I believe it's time I invest in a Garmin for my running. (good thing I was talked out of the slanted risers and the CC deal, lol). But I really believe this is going to help me KICK IT INTO HIGH GEAR!

What do you have/use?
Do you like it? Why or why not?
What are the pros/cons of it?
Worth the price:
If you could suggest which one to get, which would it be?
Is it easy to use?
How bulky is it on your wrist?
Any other details or questions I may have missed?
Where did you buy it? (online, brick n mortar store, etc)

ANY INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thanks for taking the time to help me decide!

Gayle
 
Gayle,

I currently have a Garmin Forerunner 305 and love it! I bought mine from Amazon and don't remember what I paid for it (probably about $200), but it is absolutely worth every penny. It's user-friendly, has an HRM, and allows you to upload your training info to your PC. It's bulkier than your standard stopwatch or HRM monitor, but it's not bad overall and is relatively lightweight.

Prior to the 305, I owned the 201, which I later gave to my dad. The 201 has some PC-compatability issues. Despite a good chunk of time spent with Garmin tech support (they even sent me a new cable), I couldn't get it to sync with my PC. Even the Garmin folks acknowledged there are "issues." When using the 201, I also had to wear my Polar which, when combined with my iPod, made for too many gadgets that had to be worn. All that being said, if the training logs and/or HRM are of no interest to you, then a more basic model might do. The 201 was a bit bulkier than the 305.

You will wonder how you ever ran without one.

Just a note: unless things have changed with newer models, you won't be able to use your Garmin indoors.
[font face="heather" font color=black size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

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I have the 301 and love it. I bought mine from walmart.com for around 150.00 I think. I wouldnt run without it. It tells you everything about your run so all you have to do is go run.
 
I had the 205. (I'm still kicking myself for losing it!) Anyway, I LOVED it and have had a hard time living without it. I didn't even use a lot of the features because I just wanted to hurry up and go run and not spend time sitting around playing with it. I got the 205 from Wal-mart. The cons would be that it felt very bulky on my wrist and I had to remember to turn it on a few minutes before I went to run to give it time to connect to satellites. The battery life is pretty short. (You charge it like a cell phone) Plus, I can't verify but I heard the 305 with the HR monitor overestimates your total calories by far.

Anyway, a new version is coming out (late Feb. from what I hear) that is a smaller version and looks really cool. I ordered the 305 from Amazon after I lost mine but sent it back when I heard about the new 405 coming soon. There is a thread at the Runner's World site with info about it. (http://forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/194106038/m/8201049204) There are also other threads about the other Forerunners. I'm holding out for the 405 and hoping I don't regret it.
 
OK...good info, guys. THANKS! I'm not all that much interested in the HRM aspect. I want it more for tracking my pace and distance for outdoor runs, which I'll be increasing starting next week. I checked out garmin.com and LOVE the idea of synching the info to my PC for tracking purposes. And, I didn't know WalMart carried them.

THANKS SO MUCH, GUYS!

Gayle
 
I also have the Garmin Forerunner 305 which is the GPS and Heart Rate one. I LOVE it! No cons that I have noticed, all pros! I bought mine online a bit after it 1st came out so I paid about $275 and I feel it is worth every penny. Which one to get depends on if you want to have the GPS tracking only or also the HRM. I did not have much trouble using it, but it does take some reading. I don't feel mine is way bulky but smaller would be nice. Might be worth the wait for the 405 if that one will be smaller. I love how you can download all the runs onto the internet and you can keep track of everything, pace, time, weather, avg speed, avg HR and so much more....:)

I don't feel the calories are over estimated at all in the 305. And I do download mine after every run and it charges on the PC. So I don't have much battery trouble. I do turn it on outside and then come inside to stretch while it finds the satellites, but that does not take much time. HTH
 
Thanks, Carole, that does help. I'm trying to decide if I can wait for the newer model or not. I'm not all that patient! LOL

Gayle
 
I have the 201 and it's been just fine for me. I've had it for 2 1/2 years and if I were to get another one I would probably get the 305. Mine doesn't have the HRM or any bells & whistles, but it does tell me the pace, time, distance, cals burned, etc. It's gotten me through MANY miles and I'd be lost w/out it!!

So my advice would probably be to go for the 305 or better if you can!! ;-) You'll love it!
 
I have the 205 and mainly just use the pace and distance. I used to run the same couple of routes because I knew how long the were. I love the freedom of running wherever I feel like and knowing exactly the distance that I've run.
 
Hiya Gayle!

I had the 201 and loved it but it was a bit bulkier than the 305 which I currently own. I agree with Carole and Cathy re: the 305. I have used the HR on it but most times do not. As Carole said, I like to download the runs and check out my progress etc on the different terrains... Go for the 305 if you can. I got mine online somewhere for almost the $170ish me thinks about a year ago? Do a google search on it and shop around (Walmart does have them online). Anyhoo, you deserve a Garmin, that's for sure!

Thomasina

P.S. - someday I'll find the time to check-in with the BFL'ers (I've been lurking) but for now I barely have time to check in with my beloved Cheetahs and as you know, my Cheetah pack has gotta come first...lol...But you're an awesome inspiration to me with BFL more than you know! :7 :7
 
Thanks, again, everybody! I think I've made up my mind on the 305. I was reading a bunch of stuff about the new 405 that's coming out and it seems the difference from that one to the 305 does NOT justify the expense of that one. NOW...to find a good price!

THANKS!

Gayle

p.s. Thomasina....thank you! And I'll forgive you...the Cheetahs are fine 'establishment' to hang out! HA!
 
>What do you have/use?
I have a Garmin 2-something or other (the latest one, but without the heart-rate monitor).

>Do you like it? Why or why not?
LOVE it! I use it for power walking, and seeing exactly how fast I'm going (I work for speed) and doing 'my own' 5 K times is very motivating.

>What are the pros/cons of it?
Pros: motivation, allows me to keep accurate records of my walks and improvement.
Cons: can't think of any right now!


>If you could suggest which one to get, which would it be?
I like mine. (Some previous models are bulkier)

>Is it easy to use? (yes)

>How bulky is it on your wrist? Like a big watch.

>Where did you buy it? (online, brick n mortar store, etc)

Amazon.com
 
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