Garmin Forerunner 201 Waterproof Running GPS
by Garmin
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Our Price: $299.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $99.95 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 201 Waterproof Running GPS
Customer Review: A great product that works well.
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall this is a great product that works well and does exactly what it should. The only real drawbacks are what others have mentioned already. The serial interface is a pain, but for a few dollars you can buy a cable on ebay that will convert serial to USB, so that's not a huge deal. The other thing is the reception. It is not bad, but definitely not great. In addition when you are going at a decent pace and then make a sharp corner, your info is way off for a few seconds while the unit realizes that you are not still moving in the same direction. I'm not sure if Garmin has fixed this with the new Forerunners, but this can be a pain sometimes when you turn a corner and suddenly the unit shows that you are barely moving!
The other thing I have experienced is that the contacts on the charging unit get corroded, so the connection to your PC can be shady sometimes. I have to periodically brush off the contacts to try to upload to my PC.
One thing that has improved is the ability to use the Training Center software instead of the Logbook software which was the only thing originally available with the 201. If you don't have it, check it out on the Garmin website.
Overall a great product that I have been very happy with and has seen me through a couple of years and many, many miles! If the new models improve on this they are definitely worth the money.
Customer Review: Be sure to consider your running conditions
Summary: 4 Stars
I've used the Forerunner 201 for running for about 6 months now. I have also used, for several years, a footpod device (Fitsense, no longer available, but Nike and Timex make similar models) with some of the same features. If you're thinking of purchasing one of these devices, consider the following:
1. GPS devices never need to be calibrated and it doesn't matter whether you're running on asphalt, sand, snow, or ice.
2. However, exposure to the sky is key for GPS reception. I live in a neighborhood with many trees and a steep slope to the north. I rarely get satellite reception in the summer until I get into more open and level terrain. This wasn't as much of a problem before leaves came on the trees. The same problem will be caused by tall buildings except, of course, it's not seasonal.
3. Footpod devices work based on the movement of the foot. Once they're calibrated, you will usually get very good accuracy (within a couple percent). However, unpredictable surfaces like snow will result in wildly inaccurate readings.
4. Footpod devices respond more quickly to changes in pace.
Consider the main uses of the device. If you run on open land, the Forerunner is a great product. But if you run where there is dense forest, tall buildings, or steep terrain that hide you from the satellites, you may want to consider a footpod device.
Customer Review: do not be surprised if you have a problem
Summary: 2 Stars
i hope garmin reads these reviews because it was clear talking to their technical support they did not have a clue. i have purchased about 15 of these units. of the 15 units three of them arrived defective, one was completely DOA, one had lines through the display and the third had display artifacts. the power supplies are very fragile and the primary of the transformer will die with any kind of surge or minor over voltage. do not attempt to use this power supply overseas as the 50hz gives you about ten minutes before the tranformer primary goes away. so far in use i have had two of the remaining units just die for no apparent reason. taking them apart it appears part of the problem is simply the way these units are constructed. the boards in the unit do not use plugs/sockets for the interconnects, but use metal fingers and the pressure of the boards to make contact. this means any moisture or probably even a good shock could result in a lost connection. the bottom line is for a few more cents in construction the unit would probably be a lot more reliable. right now it is not so. i would not trust it for your primary GPS if you are going to use it to find your way back from somewhere.
the unit itself is a good sensitive receiver and when it is working it is great. the form factor is very good and mounts nicely on a bike. the problem is do not be surprised if it dies on you.
Customer Review: Wonderful training tool...can't run without it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely love my Forerunner and find that it's a must-have when running, second only to my running shoes!
I am not a die-hard super competitive marathon runner, but I do some smaller, shorter races as well as run for fitness and recreation. At first I was hesitant about the Forerunner, wondering if I would really get that much benefit from it. After using it the first time, the hesitation was gone. This product is great for any kind of runner, competitive or not.
It works well when I run solo or with my daughter in the jogging stroller. I've used it on my wrist and carried it in my hands, as well as attached it to the handlebar of the jogging stroller. I've also used it in my home area of flat farmland, in the rolling hills of subdivisions and the country, and on vacation in a city. Other than some areas where trees block the LOS, I can't complain.
Another fun thing that I've done with the Forerunner is to take it when we went on vacation and mark points of interest. For example, on our trip to San Antonio last summer, I marked the location of the Alamo and our hotel. I also have my current house marked, as well as the houses of my parents and in-laws for use when I go running when visiting them.
All in all, this is a great product and helpful training tool for runners. As I've already mentioned, I can't imagine running without it!
Customer Review: Extremely Happy with this.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have looked at the previous reviews, and I have to say that I have encountered none of the problems that some of the other reviewers have. I was able to get the unit up and working the first time I used it. I have used it in Kansas and Georgia, and have had it drop the GPS signal about once a week at most, regardless of weather conditions. I have one spot where I regularly run where the trail actually goes under a building, and sometimes I lose signal, sometimes I don't. The unit always picks up immediately when I come back out into the open. Because I am left-handed, I took the unit off of the strap and turned the strap over to make it easier to put on my left wrist. I had no problems getting the pins out and back in. The only tool I used was fingernails. I am very happy with the accuracy of the unit, unlike the types that have to "learn your stride" in order to be of questionable use. If you read the instruction book, you know that it has to boot up for about 30 minutes the first time you turn it on. After that it only takes a couple minutes to start up. Usually it is ready before I finish stretching. I have to admit that I use a paper log book, so I have not tried to connect it to a computer. Maybe I'm not getting the full use, but for distance and pace it is fantastic. I won't run without it if I have a choice.