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: Very helpful aid for training
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had this for a couple months now and it's been great. Here are my comments.
1) It's a lot lighter than it looks. In fact it's light enough where I don't even notice the weight.
2) Extremely easy to use. I was afraid that I would have to read the manual to figure it out, but it was really easy. Turn it on, allow it to acquire the satellite, then press start and go. It takes a minute or two to acquire the signal, so I usually turn it on, do my stretching, then it's ready to go. It also saves the data from all your runs so you can look back at your previous history.
3) Fairly accurate. I've run several races, and it usually overestimates the distance I've run by 1% or so. For a marathon (26.2 miles on certified course) it read 26.5 at the end. For a 15K (9.3 miles) it read 9.4. I think that sometimes it loses the signal and estimates where you have gone, leading to minor errors. Sometimes the instantaneous pace reads incredibly low (5:00 min/mile when you know you're running 8:00 minutes). I have also seen on training runs where it jumps backwards, from say 9.5 miles run back to 9.3. That being said, for the most part it tracks along consistently and gives you a fairly accurate reading of you distance and pace. It's been great for marathons, especially the beginning where you are fighting to stay at your goal pace but everyone is excited and running faster. At the beginning of races I look down at the pace a lot to ensure I am around where I want to be.
Overall, highly recommended, especially if you run trails or other places where you can't measure the course with an odometer, or if you travel and want to go for a run but can't measure the distance. I've noticed that many of my guesses based on pace were a little too optimistic on some courses I run.
Customer Review: Why I Purchased the Garmin....
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been EXTREMELY happy with my Garmin 201 - although I really considered the Timex personal GPS. I am VERY pleased that I chose Garmin instead due to the following factors:1. The number one reason was that we have several Garmin GPS instruments in our two airplanes - and I knew that Garmin was a leader in GPS technology. Timex is great with watches, but I knew that Garmin had more GPS experience.
2. I didn't want to fumble with the two separate units that Timex offered - attaching one to my upper arm, etc. I wanted a unit that was relatively unobtrusive.
3. Although the cost wasn't a factor, Timex IS over $100 more (for a bulkier unit).
4. The free software from Garmin, which allows you to track your progress.
5. It holds a charge for about 10-13 hrs!
I LOVE this device!! I was really concerned that it would not pick up the signal in the canyons where I do most of my hiking as there are a LOT of mountainous enclosures, etc. However, I figured that I could always return it if it didn't. But, it comes through LOUD AND CLEAR.
With hiking, a step counter has been useless. FINALLY, I know exactly how far I have hiked! (And the device seems to be right on target with some of the trails where the Forest Service has indicated distance.)
Now only that, but the timer is in LARGE numbers and I don't have to stop to see how long I have been hiking. It is really a light unit and I don't think it looks "dorky" at all to wear it. Those who DO notice it, think it looks "sporty" - like I am really into fitness. In fact,they wish that they had something to record their mileage!
I'm on Weight Watchers right now and this is one of the BEST tools that you can buy. (Also, it doesn't take a ROCKET SCIENTIST to figure out!) You will love this device.
Customer Review: Good training partner
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, this is really something. All the info you were sure you knew has just been "adjusted." Those 8-milers were really only 7.8, and so on. If you like the high accuracy for logging and tracking performance - get one of these. I have completed 33 marathons, and am just finally returning to training after a severe accident. So I need to monitor my progress to control the mileage increase, as well as any performance improvement (i.e., avg. pace). "Too much, too soon" is now easily measurable. This gadget does it all for you. The main screen gives "instantaneous" pace, which you may find drifts up and down more than your leg turnover. I attribute this to the satellite signal pickup and small dead zone spots - even on a clear day. A better monitor of pace is on the lap screen, which displays a cumulative "average" pace for your last lap. This number does not fluctuate nearly as much as the instantaneous number since it rolls up all the accumulated data. I have also found better "reception" from higher up the arm than the wrist. Not sure why, but maybe less interference from the body when using the upper arm, and definitely less "back and forth" and "up and down" - maybe confusing the units firmware. I think this product does everything advertised and is pleasantly interesting to use. Haven't yet tried the virtual partner, but have used everything else satisfactorily. At red traffic lights the auto pause kicks in, it can take automatic lap times every mile for me, and also displays a nice map if necessary to find the start point. The accompanying software is an easy download, intuitive to use, and data dump from the watch is trivial. Keep track, why not? So go getcha one, and take it on the road. Have fun!Customer Review: A Runner's Dream!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is without doubt the most useful piece of running equipment (other than good shoes) that I have ever purchased. Gone forever are the days of running tempo runs, intervals, and other routine workouts and finishing each run only to discover I had run too fast or too slowly. The Forerunner 201 lets me train at the precise paces I have targeted for myself and if I want it too it can alert me audibly if I fall off the pace or exceed it all within ranges I preset before workouts. It is very durable, water resistant, has no trouble tracking GPS in rainy/cloudy conditions, and the battery life is tremendous (15 hours running time on one charge, with charging taking only a few hours). The Interval Partner feature allows me to set the pace/distance/time or any combination of those and then I race against my Forerunner partner, as the device tracks my position relative to my partner (i.e. how far ahead or behind I am). The device stores over 1 year's worth of workout data, and an easy to use interface connects it to my PC for downloading the data to Forerunner Logbook software where I can analyze my workouts. I travel a lot and this device is great because I can walk out the door of my hotel and start running, no need for premeasured courses or trails, as I always no how far I've run and the pace/total time. It even prevents one from becoming lost, because you can backtrack the distance you run following the "back to start" feature. Garmin is releasing a new version of the Forerunner on 2/13/06, and it promises to be even better (which is amazing considering how useful the 201 is). I have owned the 201 for 4 years and I will be buying the new version simply because the 201 is such an easy to use runner's best friend.Customer Review: GPS Times vs Forerunner 201
Summary: 4 Stars
I have both watch systems. Here are my pros and cons. Starting with the Forerunner 201
Pros: It's very easy to use. Big viewing numbers. Many different programs to choose from for running your way (set as pace, time, distance, virtual partner, intervals by pace/distance, or time) Map (not really useful, just fun to have). Downloading running results onto your computer at no additional cost. Past records being stored. Battery is rechargable and last 13 hours.
Updated software/firmware can be downloaded to the watch. Also, customer service is Great!
Now the Cons:
No heart rate monitor
This one is important...When using the interval program, example 8 min run / 2 min walk. Your total distance and time at the end of your run DOESN'T include your walk portion. If I ran Ten 8 min intervals, my end time would read 80 mins, not 100 mins (which includes the walk time). For distance is read 7 miles instead of 8.75 miles (which includes the walk distance). Garmin is thinking about changing this through the firmware, but they need more callers to ask for it.
As for the Timex GPS Bodylink system:
Pros: Heart rate monitor, GPS is stronger than Garmin's. That's it.
Cons: Hard to use. Not user friendly (customer service is great though), no interval program. Extra money if you want to use the downloading program (you have to buy another item to do this, and you have to where it too, that means, You are wearing, the watch, heart rate monitor(which isn't a problem), GPS devise, and the computer recorder).
Timex I would rate a 3 stars. For use for those that are quick learners with electronics.