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: Phantastic training aid!
Summary: 5 Stars
One great thing about running is that you can do it during travel as well. Before I owned a Forerunner, the only drawbacks were that I didn't know how far I was going and (sometimes) I couldn't find the way back...
The wristmount GPS allows you to track how far you are going and will let you find the way back. After using the device, I even vary the trails I am chosing at home - adding a lot of fun to running in discovering new places.
The 14 hr recharchable battery life is suffient for one week of workout, and the precision of the device is sufficiently good (I sometimes run in the woods, where it works remarkably good, given that the wrist is not exactly the optimal place for a GPS antenna [a hat mounted antenna would be great ;-)]). Its also nice to get a precise readout for altitude, so it's great for hiking.
After powerup, it may take up to a few minutes to track satellites (depending how far you went after the last switch off), a good opportunity for a prerun stretch.
The software that comes with it logs the time, length, ground track and altitude profile of your last run. This is ok, but I hope future updates will also record the latitude/longitude and
provide better editing capabilities.
All in all, a great gizmo that is worth much more than it costs.
Customer Review: Terrific Training Aid
Summary: 4 Stars
I received this watch as a gift. I have found it to be a great training aid. It's features are easy to use which is important to me as I am not a techno geek. The watch appears large and cumbersome but it is lightweight and you hardly are aware that you are wearing it. I like the large display because I do not wear my glasses when I run and I can easily read the display.
The data it collects is quite impressive. I set it up to record my intervals so when I do long training runs it will track my splits for every mile. It also keeps a record of my training runs in memory. I have also found its distance measurements to be reproducable - within 1%. The rechargable battery is a plus.
Here's what I do not like. The data from the watch can be downloaded to a PC. The watch did not come with a CD ROM so I went to the Garmin web site and I have had difficulty downloading their software. As mentioned previously, I am not a techno geek so when I tried to hook the cable into the USB port I was disappointed to find that I had to plug it into one of the ports in back. Since my PC is installed inside my desk, it will be a major effort to pull it out and sort through all the wires. This process would have been so much easier if I could just plug it into the USB port on the front of the PC.
Customer Review: Great Training Device
Summary: 4 Stars
What a great device! Most of the pros and cons have been covered adequately--and accurately--by other reviewers. My personal experience has been terrific. It holds a GPS signal very well, the interface is intuitive, and the range of data is just what every runner wants--speed, pace, avarage speed, distance, etc.What I really like about the Forerunner is that it helps me push myself into a faster pace. Prior to the Forerunner, I really had no idea of my actual training pace. I was simply guessing. Now, I can track my speed and keep my pace up where I want it. And I can be sure that I've covered the distance I want. (I don't run pre-measured courses. I'm one of those people who likes to vary my route almost every time out.)
I only have one complaint--Before the Forerunner I thought I was running faster and farther than I really was. I was surprised to see just how slow I really am. What a disappointment to discover the truth! (I always thought I was pretty speedy.) However, in just the month during whichI've been using the Forerunnner, I have really improved.
I only gave this device 4 stars because it still needs a little work. For example, a USB connection would be nice. And software to interface with computers is still on the way. And finally--a built in HRT would make this device almost ideal.
Customer Review: Excellant, though sometimes Errors
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a great little device at a great price. It holds its charge pretty well, has decent memory and screen, etc.
Now, the real evaluation.
This GPS seems to work fine most of the time in clear areas, but loses GPS signal on occasion - maybe a little too often. I could understand this if you're running in a city, but I run along the bay in San Diego and there's not much there to block signals except for a few palms trees (Am I missing something here?).
When it regains signal, it predicts where it should be and skips to that distance -- but sometimes very suspectly. On rare occasion it gets completely fooled and displays a completely wrong distance. For example, it once calculated a known 2.0 mile distance as 1.1 miles, but on the U turn distance back, it correctly calculated 2.0 on that leg.
On another particularly bad day, I placed it in my shorts pocket as I ran, and it calculated a 10 mile distance as approx. 19 miles. (That was great -- I averaged about a 4:30 min mile for 19 miles.. I guess it's Olympics time.) Hence, I wouldn't plan on putting it in your pocket.
To wrap this up, if I had to guess I'd say it works fine 90+ percent of the time. I think it could use a better receiver, but I'm still glad I have it.
Customer Review: No Problems at All
Summary: 5 Stars
Not an easy little item to get your hands on, but I have one! So far it is wonderful. More features than I realized, I still have to decide which data I want on my custom screen. The virtual partner is very nice. Lets you know at a glance how you're running compared to your target pace.I have had no problems getting or keeping aGPS signal. I understand some have. I suggest using the reset feature to get the unit on the right track. I run in a residential area with heavy tree cover, narrow streets and homes right near the sidewalk. My typical routes vary from quite open to fairly obscured, and I have never lost the signal.
Distance accuracy has been outstanding, less than 1% off on known routes. Since every other bit of data (pace, speed, calories, etc.) is a function of distance, this is vital.
The unit itself would be better turned on the wristband so the screen would be easily viewable without bringing my arm square across my body. But it is smaller and ligher than I expected. I really don't notice it at all.
All in all, its more than I hoped and well worth the very fair price. I'm sure there will be a better one in a year or two and I'll get that when it comes around. But, for now, this is fantastic. You just have to be patient and lucky enough to find one!