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Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training Device by Garmin
Digital Photo Product DetailsManufacturer: Garmin Model: 010-00375-00 Product features: - Continuously Monitors Heart Rate, Speed, Distance,
- Pace & Calories Burned
- Combines Proven
- Heart Rate Monitor & Training System
- Software To Create A Highly-Integrated
Accessories:
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training DeviceCustomer Review: Best in class. Worth every penny. Ignore the skeptics. Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned and/or used nearly every pedometer, HRM and speed monitor made, including those by Suunto, Polar, Fitsense, Sports Instruments, Reebok, Timex, Nike and others. I have spent thousands over the years. Hear me when I tell you that the Garmin Forerunner 301 bests ALL of them by a longshot! It is one of the cheapest, yet most reliable devices I have owned. It is well designed, scientifically sound, easy to use and more accurate than all the others combined.
I bought the Garmin Forerunner 301 shortly after smashing (yes, literally) my Fitsense FS1 into pieces at the local track. I finally had enough of the problems and unreliability. Most of all, I was SICK of having my sports instrument, the very thing that is supposed to motivate me, get in the way of training. The others are no better and some are much worse.
Here is what I want to share with you about the Forerunner 301:
Having had a Garmin GPS12 for 5 years now, I can see that Garmin has used every ounce of experience from their GPS products on this very fine product. The software for the unit is well written and convenient to use though some who are technically challenged may find it tedious. I personally like the software and find that the unit consistently does exactly what I want it to do.
The large rectangular screen is very easy to read and is highly configurable. That means you can display all the information you want on a single page. Virtually every parameter of the device can be customized or adjusted to your preference. I love that the backlight illuminates automatically when I reach transitions in my workouts- no more fumbling with buttons just to see what is happening! The green backlight is easy on the eyes as well.
Battery life is stellar! And, as if a computer controlled Lithium Ion battery isn't great enough, the geniuses at Garmin let us charge the unit from an AC adapter (included) or the USB cable (included). That means you can charge from ANY COMPUTER WITH A USB PORT. There is no need to drag another adapter along with your laptop- just plug the 301 in and you are charging. Plus, a full charge lasts me at least 8 hours. And, it charges quickly (1 hour).
I really do not see what the fuss is about the heart rate monitor. Although it does seem to be sensitive to EMI/RFI (interference) from various sources, including my computer CRT, I have had no trouble whatsoever when I am running. I suspect that some users are not using the strap properly. I keep the unit clean, install fresh batteries regularly, wet the electrodes thoroughly and fit the unit snugly in the center of my chest just above my sternum. I have yet to experience a single problem. I do recall suspecting a malfunction with the HRM when I first tried the 301, but it was my own fault. There are a lot of numbers that can appear on the display and I was misreading the values. My 301 is set to display how many BPM or %Max I am away from my next goal, so instead of seeing a 141bpm, I see 13bpm and an arrow indicating if I am beneath or above the target. I was confused by this functionality until I read the manual and got acquainted with the unit.
If you are experiencing something more than what can be corrected with reading the instructions, knowing how to use the features and proper use of the chest strap then just send it in for warranty repair `cause something is wrong. Not to worry, there is a full one year warranty on it also!
The GPS portion of the device is solid as a rock. Yes, GPS signals come from satellites and require that much of the sky be visible in order to work, but temporary interruptions don't mean squat. If there is a period in your activity where the GPS signal is weak or absent, the software in the device simply compensates for it by measuring between the last known points. If you are running through tunnels, deep urban streets or coal mines then expect a problem, but otherwise, the thing does its job as well or better than anything else I have used.
The PC software installed and worked without any problems. My data transferred seamlessly and I was able to view graphs and manipulate data without any difficulties whatsoever. It is true that the graphics on the software aren't going to compete with a video game, but who cares? I want reliable data, flawless operation and speedy transfers, not fluffy graphics.
Serious athletes should consider the Garmin Forerunner 301. It is easily the best solution that there is! Good luck and enjoy your fitness!
Description of Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Personal Training DeviceGet results in a heartbeat with the Forerunner 301. This training partner continuously monitors your heart rate, speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter, more effectively. The Forerunner 301 combines the popular features of the Forerunner 201 with a proven heart rate monitor and Garmin Training Center software to create a highly integrated personal training system. Amazon.com Product Description The Garmin Forerunner 301 is the next exciting addition to the Forerunner lineup. Take your workouts to the next level with all the great GPS features found in the Forerunner 201, plus the added capability of a continuous heart rate monitor. Knowing your heart rate while exercising lets you measure your exercise intensity and performance, giving you a powerful training tool. The Forerunner 301 training profiles can be customized for running, cycling, and other sports. For those interested in losing weight, improving fitness, reaching peak athletic performance, or just improving health to reduce heart-related problems, the Forerunner 301 delivers. 
The Forerunner 301 offers a wide variety of training features that can help you train at any level you choose. |
Included Training Center software allows you to store and analyze data using interactive graphs. View larger. | The easy-to-use, two-piece system consists of the wrist unit and a digital heart rate transmitter that you wear around your chest. The transmitter is coded that so there is no interference from other heart rate monitor users nearby. The 301 unit continuously monitors heart rate, speed, distance, pace, and calories burned. A heart rate zone chart, included with the manual, helps you target specific heart rate zones for optimal training. The unit's built-in alerts help you maintain those heart rate zones. For those who don't want to fuss with the charts, there's an AutoLearn feature that allows the unit to learn your maximum heart rate and set zones accordingly. Pace, time, distance, interval workout, and advanced custom workout alerts are also included. Meanwhile, the AutoPause feature pauses and resumes the training timer based on a specified speed. Finally, the AutoLap feature records lap data when you reach a specified distance. Don't worry about running out of room for your lap data; the unit boasts a 5,000-lap memory. Like the Forerunner 201, the 301 also doubles as a basic navigator. You can mark your starting point as a specific location, see your current position on the plotter display, and follow an electronic breadcrumb trail back to your starting point. The built-in GPS receiver provides highly accurate data, and there's no calibration required. Just turn it on and go. The unit's USB data port means that connecting the unit to your computer is easier than ever. The USB connection offers fast and reliable data transmission to any USB-equipped PC. And because analyzing workout data is an important tool in reaching one's fitness goals, the 301 comes with Garmin Training Center software, which allows you to download workout data to your PC for detailed analysis. View data for each workout, including your heart rate, time, distance, speed, path traveled, and altitude. You can also track data for multiple sports and multiple users, and you can overlay workout data onto a map. The unit is compatible with MotionBased and TrainingPeaks, which are popular third-party training software packages. With up to 14 hours of battery life, the 301's rechargeable lithium-ion battery is designed for extended use. It's also rugged and waterproof for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The unit ships with a 1-year warranty.
Get heart rate and other vital data at a glance. |
Customize your workouts with programmable intervals. |
Set up exercise profiles for different types of sports. | 
A built in Virtual partner runs alongside you, graphically displaying your goal pace/speed. | What's in the Box The Forerunner 301 wrist unit, the digital coded heart rate monitor, the Training Center CD-ROM, an expandable wristband, an A/C charger, a PC/USB interface cable, an owner's manual, and a quick start guide.
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