Electronics

These are a steal right now. I have two, one for running, one for my bike. Great for downloading to Topofusion of MotionBased, which lets you get elevation profiles, climb/descent totals, etc. As well as distance and your track over the ground.

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Manufacturer: Garmin
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $149.99
Sale Price: $9,999.00
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Product Description
Amazon.com Review Combining powerful performance-tracking features with a GPS receiver, the Garmin Forerunner 201 offers runners and hikers a unique way to track their exercise regimens and goals. Unlike its main competitor, Timex's BodyLink sport monitoring system, the Forerunner 201 integrates the GPS receiver into a single body (BodyLink has separate housings for watch and GPS).


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1. Allows you to set up profiles for running, biking, and another sport.
2. Set up workouts with specific durations and targets (speed or heart rate).
Speed
Pace
Distance
Calories burned
Heart rate
Sports profiles1
Advanced workouts2
PC interface
(serial)
(USB)
Analyze workout data on PC
Size (inches, WxDxH) 3.3 x .9 x 1.7 3.3 x .7 x 1.7 3.3 x .7 x 1.7
Weight (ounces, with batteries) 2.6 2.75 2.75
Batteries 2 AAAs, 15 hours Rechargeable, 15 hours Rechargeable, 14 hours
At first, the device felt a little bulky on my wrist, both in weight and in size (it measures 3.26 by 1.71 by 0.69 inches). But it really is light enough (less than 3 ounces) that it felt comfortable and transparent. I did, however, position the band a bit higher up my arm to ensure full mobility of my wrist, as the length of the Forerunner tended to get in its way.

The large display--with equally large, easy-to-read characters--helps you avoid having to squint at the readout. Just a quick glance at your numbers and you'll maintain your training concentration. The six rubber buttons on the front of the chassis are easy to access (unless you're wearing bulky gloves). I easily got the promised 13 hours out of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. At the end of the day, I'd just recharge it for around two hours and it would be ready for me the next morning.

While this is definitely a workable GPS receiver, the Forerunner is slim on overall GPS features--which is not to its detriment (think of it as a performance monitor with a dash of GPS). That said, the Forerunner was able to pick up a GPS signal just about wherever I went outside (though it had very slight hiccups in the center of downtown). But if you're looking for a full-fledged tracking device, the Forerunner isn't for you. (You'll want to start with a basic GPS unit like Garmin's eTrex.)

The Forerunner 201 has a variety of helpful tracking, monitoring, and navigational features. The History function enables you to view your workout statistics broken down by individual days, cumulative weeks, or your entire workout history (if you track different workouts during the same day, they'll be broken out as different laps). You can even view a map of your route. And much like other GPS units, you can save waypoints (called "locations" in Forerunner parlance) to mark the coordinates of a place you want to return to later.

Most interesting is the Virtual Partner mode, which enables you to set goals for a workout which will then be completed by a digital character displayed on the Forerunner's screen. You can then see how far off the time, pace, or distance you are of your virtual training buddy's; your digital character even stops when you do (though the buddy keeps on going). I found that, unless you've got a good idea as to your pace or distance, you'll have a couple of trial-and-error training sessions to get in sync with your buddy. I cut short my first attempt after my buddy got so far ahead of me that he disappeared off the screen (which I'd like to believe was not due to my woeful pace).

I was disappointed at not having the LogBook software, which enables you to keep a journal of your exercise activities (it was not available at the time of this test). But overall, the Forerunner 201 is a very useful exercise-monitoring system that will be prized by anyone involved in serious physical training. --Agen G.N. Schmitz




Auto Menu: Timer pauses when you stop running. Auto lap logs your performance over a predetermined distance.

History: Review training history by day or week.

Map: Navigate back to the start or to a stored location.

Virtual Partner: Set time, pace, and distance goals, and train with a "virtual partner."


Pros:

  • Loaded with performance-tracking features for the serious athlete
  • GPS functionality a bonus, especially in referring back to previous routes
  • Virtual Partner feature offers a fun, competitive way to keep you concentrated on training
Cons:
  • Lack of Logbook software at time of test
  • Virtual Partner feature takes some trial-and-error adjustments

Product Details
  • Waterproof, wrist-mounted training device/GPS receiver for tracking lap times, distance, and calories burned
  • Integrated GPS receiver displays your progress on favorite routes and saves up to 100 locations
  • Virtual Partner mode sets time, pace, and distance goals and races you against digital competitor
  • History function breaks down workout statistics by day or cumulative weeks; includes serial PC interface
  • Adjustable wristband and AC desktop charger; measures 3.26 x 1.71 x 9.69 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

Video Reviews
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Customer Reviews
Excellent aid for running.
 
Review Date: January 30, 2004
Reviewer: , Miami, FL United States
After giving it a full charge, 3 hours, I took it out for a test drive. For the first 30 minutes I could not pick up a signal in Miami. I did a hard reset and it picked it up within 3 minutes. Went for a 3 mile run around a local 9-hole golf course, heavily ligned with trees, and to my amazement never lost contact with the signal. Was extremely accurate in measuring the distance and having a pace time allows you to really push yourself. Backlight can be kep on during the whole run - great feature for night running - or 2, 1, .5, .25 minutes. Much smaller than I expected. Love the display. Would recommend to anyone who runs, jogs, walks for exercise.
Excellent Product
 
Review Date: January 2, 2004
Reviewer: Rick, Hampton, Virginia
The Forerunner does exactly what it says it will do and more. Setup is easy, use is intuitive and results are very accurate. I've used it on a total of 5 runs since receiving it for Christmas and have yet to experience a signal loss. During the last week my runs have been from between 1 and 1.5 hours in length and went through suburban neighborhoods, a built-up university campus and a downtown urban area with "canyons" sided by 4 and 5 story buildings. I also went through both open flat and hilly areas. Again, not once did I lose the signal. Now I'm back home (900 miles from where I spent Christmas) and the Forerunner is still delivering. According to the owner's manual I was supposed to have set the unit outside for 15-30 minutes so it could re-initialize, but in reality it only took about 40 seconds to set up. I have experience very good accuracy as well. Here at home I have a "loop" that I run around my neighborhood. In the car it measures just under 3.4 miles. With the Forerunner my first loop measured 3.33 miles and the second loop measured 3.34 miles. That's as accurate as I'll ever need.
The Forerunner's features are exceptional. The three things I like the most are;
- The freedom to just run wherever I want without feeling like I have to stick to a specific route in order to get a specific distance in.
- The Virtual Partner: I run fairly quickly (7.5 - 8.0 min p/mile) and I haven't found a lot of folks who like to run that pace. As such I don't usually get "pushed" to keep a specific pace. Now my virtual partner does that for me.
- "Live" Pacing: This is a great feature for training for long-distance runs and marathons. I can now see and adjust my pace without having to do "advanced algebra" in my head after a specific distance on a specific course. I can do the first half of a run at one pace and the second half at another pace. I've noticed an immediate increase in my distance by being able to strictly control my pacing in real time.
Battery life has been impressive as well. The 2 set-ups, all five runs and a bunch of playing with the features have all been done on one charge that took only three hours - and there's still 4 hours of charge left.
All in all you can't go wrong with this product. I very highly recommend it.
TOOK A LITTLE WHILE, BUT NOW IT WORKS GREAT!!
 
Review Date: December 25, 2003
Reviewer: D. Wall, Boyds, MD
I had some problems with this unit at first. It could not find any satellite signal. I contacted Garmin and was told to reset the unit. While the unit is off, you hold down the mode button and press and release the power button. Once the unit was reset, it acquired a signal within a few minutes.

I went on a five-mile run and the unit was amazing. I did not lose signal once. It gave me my time, pace, distance ran, calories burned, and average pace. I am extremely impressed with this unit.

I am looking forward to the release of the software that will allow me to track all of my running statistics. The Forerunner adds a new dimension to running.

I now highly recommend it.

Greatest invention since the Running Shoe
 
Review Date: November 28, 2003
Reviewer: ,
I wonder if this simple to use, lightweight, reliable device wouldn't have been better named the "Liberator". If you, like me, have ever done marathon training you know how frustrating it can be sticking to well marked, pre-measured trails for your training runs...and then, even when marked, having to undergo those mental calculations for each split.... Buy this device and leave those cares behind! For good. Seriously.

This is not your typical pedometer or other cheesy gimicky product promising to measure your speed or distance. This is the real deal. Second by second reports on your pace, distance traveled, altitude (or grade, your choice), etc. Configurable alarms. This has it all...and no more (i.e. no other extraneous functionality that would just confuse/complicate things).

Unlike some Garmin products I have used before which have a pretty steep learning curve this product is simple to use too. Very intuitive and easy to setup.

Having never tried the Timex Bodylink system which espouses to do the same thing, I can't comment on a comparison, here, except to note the obvious: price. $124 for this thing is a steal!! Contrast this with the several hundred bones you'll have to shell out for the Timex.

Other reviewers have hit on a couple of the opportunities for improvement: serial vs. USB, heavy charger, outdoor only, etc. These are valid nits...but really trivial compared to the freedom you'll experience the moment you take your first long run with this device. I'm sure future release will address these nit (and I wouldn't be surprise if some integration with a Heart Rate Monitor isn't in the works). But trust me don't wait for these improvements get this now and your runs will never be the same.

By the way, you could really say goodbye to daily entries in your logbook as well. This thing does it for you (and stores it for several years). It then summarizes your mileage by week, month etc...as well as other key parameters (avg speed, etc.) This is all done within the watch to...no need to upload to the logging/analysis software for your desktop which will be available for free from Garmin in Jan.

Forerunner review
 
Review Date: December 9, 2003
Reviewer: Rick Schnell, Wisconsin, United States
Have been using the Forerunner for about 1 month now, and I am still impressed about it features. The User interface is very intuitive. Very comfortable to wear and manipulate the buttons. Display is easy to read, and the backlight even comes on at night when you reach distances you have programmed unit to notify you at. Love the history feature, and with the year plus memory feature, I can take my time updating my Ultra Coach logging software that I use to track my workouts.
For 95% of the runners out there, you will be quite happy with the device. For those of you that run underneath allot of heavy tree cover, you will be disappointed. GPS satellite acquisition under heavy tree/foliage cover will be spotty (This is a inherent problem with all GPS units because of the very weak nature of the satellite signals) I took the unit out on an orienteering event, under heavy tree cover (although no leaves) and lost signals quite often over the 8 mile course). Of course, this use of the instrument is at the extreme end of its intended use. Like I said, for runners, X-Country skiers, power walkers, you will be quite happy with the unit. BTW, for those of you who were disappointed that your unit had a hard time acquiring signals indoors, you will be lucky to get any satellite lock unless your near some windows (and glass will cut down on signal strength). The unit is not designed to work indoors unless you just want to use the stopwatch timer.

The logging software is still not available. Apparently you can export data in XTML, which should make it importable in mapping software. And the serial interface? Should be USB (Garmin? what were you thinking?) And for crying out loud, make a drop in docking station that charges the battery and interfaces with your PC. The snap in cradle is Mickey mouse.

So, all in all, 135.00 well spent.