Garmin Forerunner 50 Water Resistant Running GPS With Heart Rate Monitor and Foot Pod
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $115.00 You Save: $84.99 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 50 Water Resistant Running GPS With Heart Rate Monitor and Foot Pod
Customer Review: Very good for a basic unit
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been running for the past 2-½ years with the Garmin Forerunner 305 (which I have reviewed on Amazon) and recently bought the Garmin Forerunner 405cx. Amazon had a deal where for no extra cost I received the Garmin Forerunner 50 (but without a footpod), which arrived a couple of weeks before my 405cx, so I had time to try it out.
The negative reviews are from people who did not research in advance what this unit can do, did not read the manual, or did not follow the directions. I think this unit works fine--so long as you understand what you are buying. Here are my comments (Note: I use this on a Mac with the latest update of Leopard without any problems):
1. This unit is a heart rate monitor, and works well. If you also want to track distance, then you need to have the footpod. I bought a footpod for my 405cx and discovered that it costs about the same by itself as buying a "package deal" where the Forerunner 50 and footpod come together. So if you think that you want more than just a heart rate monitor, get the package deal rather than buying a footpod later for the Forerunner 50.
2. This unit has no gps, no measurement of calories, and only a single heart rate zone. These additional features are found on the 405cx (which is much more expensive).
3. Make sure you install the Garmin software package before inserting the ANT USB stick. Also, if using a Mac with Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion or any other program running Windows, close out of the program when using the ANT USB stick or it may not be recognized on the Mac.
4. If using both a heart rate monitor and the footpod, pair them both at the same time. Make sure the footpod is on by vigorously shaking it until you see 3 red flashes.
5. Before you pair any accessories, first pair the Forerunner 50 with the computer. TX Pair must be on to do so. Once you pair, TX Pair turns off, so if you have a second computer, you need to turn TX Pair on again on the Forerunner 50 to pair it with the second computer. The same applies if you pair the heart rate monitor, and later decide to pair a footpod. That is why I suggest pairing both at the same time.
6. When pairing the heart rate monitor or working out, wet the band with water or saliva. That moisture is necessary for the HR monitor to work properly.
7. I suggest calibrating the footpod using auto calibration by running/walking a known distance. Otherwise your distances will not be reported accurately.
8. To set up the training options, press the mode button until you see Train. Press start/stop until you see Hold/Set and then the word Units. Release the start/stop button and press the View button to scroll through the training options. The manual is not clear on this.
9. I use a Mac program called Ascent that is far superior to Garmin Connect or Garmin Training Center.
This unit is the same size as a regular sports watch, which is what I use it for now that my Garmin 405cx has arrived. However, if you don't want to spend the money for a much more expensive unit with lots of extra features, and just need the basics, this unit is fine. I did not experience the problems referred to in the negative reviews. Just read the manual and learn how to operate this unit and you will be satisfied.
Customer Review: Good for basic things, confusing controls, bad website
Summary: 3 Stars
I just began doing longer distance runs and wanted to know how far I was going (without circling a track all day). I opted for the Forerunner 50 as it was much more affordable, smaller and better looking than Garmin's other offerings. I ended up getting the hr monitor as well since it was only 10 bucks more than the watch and foot pod combo. The build quality of the components seemed excellent, but the foot pod's batteries were dead on arrival and the hr monitor's did not last much longer. I put in all new batteries and they worked fine. (Note: shaking the foot pod activates it and communicates with the watch. Since you can't turn off either device, keeping them in the same gym bag and moving them around can contribute to premature battery loss!) I did a few runs w/ the hr monitor. It worked well, but I found it too constricting. It was nice to get hr data, but I was more interested in distance, not improving my speed, so I've since stopped using it. The foot pod seemed a bit bulky at first, but once I'm running, I don't notice it at all. It seems to gauge my distance a little long, but its close enough that I haven't bothered to try and figure out how to calibrate it yet. The controls on the watch fall far short of intuitive and this can be rather annoying especially while running. Also, I'm never 100 percent sure I've pressed the button to start the workout or end it as well. If not done properly, this can cause you to lose all your workout data. Be sure to keep the manual handy for when you get stuck. I'm not a "manual person" so I'm probably not taking advantage of all the things this watch can do. But the biggest disappointment by far is the website. It took a bunch of downloads to get this thing to work on my mac, then half the time the watch doesn't communicate with the usb stick and I can't upload my data. The site itself looked very "blah" and the charts are totally useless, especially since it tracks all the "workouts" that you recorded by accident and keeps tracking your runs long after you've stopped (if you happen to forget to press the "end" button). After I deleted the bogus runs from my Garmin Connect site, they reappeared after the next upload because the watch stores previous runs and I always forget to delete them before each new workout. Annoying! I've taken to just keeping a manual log of the info from the watch on a word document. At least I know that program is going to open and I can see all my important data in a clear, organized manner without having to click and scroll through a series of windows. I was considering a Nike Plus Sportband before I bought the Garmin and still may get one to replace the Forerunner. I like the simplicity and ease of use of the Nike product and I don't want to keep a book in my gym bag just so I can use my watch correctly. Although the Garmin does seem to have more accurate data like calories burned, etc. since you enter personal info like weight, age and gender. I don't think the Nike gets this specific. The Nike website looks really cool, though, and the foot pod is microscopic compared to Garmin's. I guess the Garmin is more for a techie-athlete who wants tons of features and info at the expense of simplicity and ease of use.Customer Review: Great hardware, Garmin Connect still developing
Summary: 4 Stars
I did a lot of research before purchasing and was down to the 305, 405, and 50. I really wanted a GPS watch, but the price of the Forerunner 50 with footpod and HR monitor couldn't be beat. I also liked the smaller watch and the fact that it didn't need to be charged.
After owning it a week:
I really like the watch. I don't typically wear them, but it is very comfortable. It is only slightly larger than a typical watch and has a fine adjustment on the band. I'm wearing it all the time.
The hardware is impressive. The foot pod and HR monitor worked very well right out of the box, and were comfortable to wear. They "paired" right away and were ready to go when I was ready to run. The ANT installation went as advertised on windows vista, and the upload works automatically for Garmin Training Center, but not Garmin Connect.
Possible improvements:
For the watch itself, the number of "views" while in training mode can be confusing. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it with use or reading manual, but it is clearly more than I'm used to.
Installation: The process seemed to drive you toward choosing either Garmin Training Center (software on your computer) or Garmin Connect (web sofware), but not both. I didn't know the pro/con of either, so I wanted to try both. It was awkward when it wanted me to install ANT drivers again for the installation of the second one. I canceled the installation at that point - but found that Training Center was installed.
Software: It is really not clear to me if Garmin Training Center is still being developed. They seem to be improving Garmin Connect (web) regularly, but at its current state, it doesn't have any benefit over Training Center. (remember - I'm not seeing the GPS/maps, so maybe there is distinction there). So after a week, I still find myself bouncing back and forth. There are a few bugs in Garmin Connect and a few notable features that I would really like to see (that is available in other web training software).
Results:
I'm very happy with the HR monitor and cadence results. They seem spot on and reliable. I'm still working on the distance and pace. I did a test 3 mile run on a measured course and found that it recorded 3.1 miles. I messed up a calibration run by hitting the wrong button, so I'll be trying that again (a subsequent 8 mile run was recorded as a 9 mile run... argghh). I've found that the instantaneous pace is not accurate, but hope it will improve with calibration. Garmin Connect is also doing something weird with the average pace calculation... but I think that is a bug that will be fixed.
Overall I'm very happy with the purchase, but hope they continue to improve the software. Currently, that is the weakest link. If they don't, there may be other sites that accept forerunner uploaded data to fill the gap.
Customer Review: Good budget model - minimal features
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this model after serious debate over a GPS watch. The F50 overall has met my expectations, but I've had to keep in mind that it is only an entry model. It does not have the capability to handle more complex workouts including multiple alerts based on HR, pace, laps, etc. The major selling point for me was to have a watch compatible with the HR monitor, foot pod, and bike speed/cadence sensor (GSC10) which I also purchased - and keep the price under $150.
Pros:
- Can use for indoor and outdoor training via foot pod and the GSC10 which attaches to your rear bike wheel. No significant loss of distance as happens with GPS devices when in cities or under tall trees.
- Watch face is not too bulky (even for a small-wristed female), and very light weight. The design looks more like a traditional watch.
- The ANT stick and computer pairing was effortless for me. It worked perfectly and automatically transfers the data to the Training Center software.
- Foot pod seems to be very accurate, even without calibration. Clips on securely - I don't even notice I'm wearing it.
Cons:
- The watch has difficulty switching between biking and running. I have to manually pair the devices I'm using before each workout. It only takes a minute but very annoying that I have to set everything up each time. Not recommended for bike/run intervals. Here's where I miss the "change sport at the touch of a button" offered in higher-end models.
- The HR monitor strap is too large for me. I guess Garmin sells a smaller one, so either expect to purchase another or get used to tucking it into your sports bra if you are a smaller-sized female.
- There are only four buttons, which means each one has 4-6 different functions. It'll take some time to remember which button to push and in which sequence to find what you're looking for.
- Only two pieces of data are displayed on the screen during training (i.e. HR and pace, or time elapsed and lap elapsed, etc.) You have to scroll through the other screens by manually pressing the button. There is no auto scroll feature. If you want to track more than two at a glance, purchase a higher-end model.
Overall, you sacrifice some functionality going with the F50. But if it's the first sport watch you purchase and/or you're on a budget, it's a good one to pick. Garmin's website has an excellent comparison feature - check it out before you decide to purchase.
Customer Review: Too User Hostile
Summary: 1 Stars
I own a Garmin GPS and find it to be very useful and simple to operate. So I thought the Forerunner 50 would work well for determining distances walked, run, or biked with heart rate monitoring thrown in. It turns out that a separate pod is required for determining biking distances, but I would have been satisfied with capability to determine distances walked.
I read the instruction book and was able to do some of the rudimentary things like setting time and date with no problem. According to the instructions, it should be possible to link the Forerunner 50 with an online data base, or alternatively, a program on your computer. The idea is to gather distance data using the foot pod, which is attached under the laces on a shoe, and heart rate data and then transfer those data directly to the desired data base. I have both a Mac and a PC but decided to use my MAC to set up the data base. After fighting for over an hour during which time the instruction book descriptions often failed to match the screens on my MAC, it appeared that I had communication between the Forerunner 50 and my MAC. Assuming that happy circumstance, all I needed to do was press start on the Forerunner 50 (after ensuring communication between the monitors and the Forerunner 50), go do some fun activity during which time monitoring should take place, and then place the Forerunner 50 near the computer for wireless transfer of data. That is the theory anyway. Reduction to practice was something else - there was no communication between the Forerunner 50 and my computer, no matter what I tried. I am not a gadget freak, but neither am I a hack. After trying to wade my way through the instruction book and trying to establish communication between my MAC and the Forerunner 50 for too long, I gave up and returned the darn thing. Life is too short to mess with this kind of nonsense. Maybe it would have worked with my PC, but I was too disgusted to try. If you are a gadget geek and don't mind contending with a sensor on your foot and another on your chest, maybe the thing could be made to work and you would enjoy it. I didn't!