I took Pam’s new Garmin forerunner out for its first test run today. It was a tough run–5.1 miles on hilly terrain around my house–and I was longing for the Lazy River course about 10 minutes into it! When I came home, I told Pam that I thought I was destined to be a “treadmill runner.” But I’ve since rethought that. I need to do at least 1 run/week outside. JD’s going to be posting a review of the unit soon, but I know he loves it, and I know WHY he loves it. It’s a stat generating, number crunching, data whore! It collects stats on time, distance, pace, elevation, heart rate, % of maximum heart rate, and more I’m sure. Then you can graph 1 or 2 of those things versus distance or time. I’m sure JD’s in heaven every time he uses the thing. Here’s an example of one graph that I made after my run on Sunday.
All in all, the unit worked well. However, the maps in the software are terrible, and the unit feels like a dumbbell strapped to my wrist as I run with it. But I didn’t notice it after the initial 10 minute period. I’m not sure how Pam will feel about it though. I really like how customizable the display is, and all of the different workout options you can use. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the feature set it comes with. So I’m looking forward to playing with it some more–and working out with it too!
Please come back and read JD’s (much more detailed I’m sure) review of the Garmin Forerunner 305.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s what puts me off getting something like this – your ‘dumbbell’ comment. I mean, five miles is one thing, but what about when you get up to ten? Or fifteen? I imagine it would feel like a lead weight on your arm. One assumes the 305 doesn’t work all that well if you wrapped it around a run belt, say, as I believe the antenna is made in a unique way so that it points constantly at the sky whilst on your wrist.
The stats and data is of massive appeal, though. I just wish there was a middle ground. Is there a Garmin with maybe less bells and whistles that is half the size?
I’ve tried Nokia’s Sportstracker but it doesn’t seem to get a consistent signal at all on my N95.
Does anyone use Nike+ at all? Even their bracelet option seems to be a lot less imposing.
So many options, but all seem to have quite off-putting flaws. Anyone have any idea what Dean Karnazes uses? I mean, anything that holds up and isn’t a nightmare for 100+ miles should be good enough for the likes of us!
Doing a quick bit of research, the Garmin Forerunner 50 seems like a great compromise, and it’s very cheap, too.
See, I don’t mind the Forerunner on my wrist. It’s just like any other watch to me. But I do agree with Mac on one thing: the maps are terrible. I believe the unit has two flaws: bad maps and “fallouts” when it loses the satellite signal. Neither of those are deal-breakers, though, as you’ll see when I get the time to review this…
Personally, I have the Garmin 205 and i LOVE it. You get used to the size/weight of it really quickly and now I can’t run without it. If you’re looking for something smaller/lighter with the same feature set the new 405 will work but it’s pricey. I didn’t see the need for the heart rate monitor (and still I’m fine without it, in fact most people I have heard of with the 305 stop using the HRM and just end up using the watch itself.
Another note: my experience with the 205 was MUCH improved after I switched from the garmin software to SportTracks. It’s just so much better, a lot more features, and will import workouts and routes straight from the Garmin. I also love that it keeps track of my equipment and how much mileage I have on my shoes.
Follow up: SportTracks is the free software you can get from:
http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/
Yeah, I like the number crunching data whore comment
I have a Gramin Edge 205 that I use for bicycling and horse riding, and I love it!
Garmin Training Center is a terrible software though… have a look at SportTracks by ZoneFive software, it is free and has more ways to analyze the data than even I could ever use! Also you can select more maps, and export to Google earth!
claude and brian! Thanks for the software tip…I’m excited to check it out!
just checked it out…PC only
sorry, I didn’t know about that…
Bones in motion (http://bonesinmotion.com/corp/index.html) is another site that does decent maps.
I did a “test run” with *MY* Garmin yesterday, a day after Mac took my gift and used it first!
I am surprised about his “dumbell” comment, because the weight didn’t seem that bad to me. The size, however, was an issue. It was kind of like having the Linsey Lohan ankle cuff on my wrist! I think this, too, would be ok if you have average sized wrists (ie. you are a man), but for a petite woman (who normally wears a woman’s watch on the tightest setting), this was a problem. Because of the rigid bent face, the watch didn’t fit the contours of my arm, and so it was bouncy and uncomfortable and I fidgeted with it for the whole time. It was fun to see the data at the end and I loved knowing exactly how far I ran (14.2 miles!). I think I’ll use it when I go for new runs, but on my standard loops for which I already know the distance and elevation changes, I’d probably leave it at home.
In summary, I think this would be pretty great if you are a man (or big-wristed woman), but I’d think twice if you have tiny wrists.
Or, one would imagine, if you’re not typically a watch-wearer, either. I only put on a watch when I’m running, and that’s it! I don’t like the way it feels the rest of the day and since the mobile phone became commonplace I’m not sure why watches are even necessary anymore, but I realise that’s my personal bias.
I think I’m going to try that Garmin Forerunner 50 – it’s only £68 (on Amazon.co.uk) with the foot pod and the reviews I’ve read say it’s extremely accurate, and can even be collaborated if you have any concerns. Sounds good to me plus, more importantly, it’s the size of a normal watch!
I’m not trail running or anything like that at the moment, with my route pretty much limited to zipping alongside the beach, so mapping and elevation/altitude etc isn’t really of any concern right now. I would like to keep track of my overall speed and my speed for each mile I log, so the 50 should do the job nicely!
yeah, this device is pretty sweet. I’m looking into those products, Thanks to all for the feedback and links to amazon.
I got the 305 a few weeks ago and my wrists are small too. Its much more comfortable if you wear it on top of a sweatband on your wrist.