Just picked up the Garmin Forerunner 201 (GPS Unit for Running) from REI. They had a 20% off sale, so I got it for $120. Amazon is selling them for $123 with free super saver shipping.
Garmin’s website today is being really really slow so I haven’t been able to get to the location to download the free Forerunner log software yet. Anyone using it? How do you like it?
You can see a picture of it in next month’s Runner’s World issue. It is located somewhere in the first few pages or you could go to Garmin’s web site.
Been using since Jan. for the run and just the past 2 wks for biking. Works great and lasts along time. Get the software updates (version 3 I think is the last). The log software is ok, but has lots of room for improvement. I’m looking forward to a trail run or two to see how it works without leaves and then later with leaves. Considering the price of our toys, this is cheap and versitile.
Larry
Larry,
I am interested in this to use as my bike computer, but do not have a local dealer to examine it. Can it display miles per hour, like a bike computer, and if so, is that area of the screen large? I have tried using my Timex GPS on the bike, but the mph display area is difficult to see(small)Don’t suppose this the Garmin would have heart-rate?
thanks for your help-J
The Forerunner switches easily from pace to speed, miles or km. The display is quite large, it works great as a bike computer. In addition to the main screen showing time, distance and current pace, you can set up and toggle to a custom screen to show 3 data items of your choice from a long list. It can show altitude and % grade, but not cumulative climb as yet ( the accuracy of the altitude related features is considered suspect by some…but that’s over running distances, I imagine it would be better over biking distances). The only downside is battery life - if you were to use it on a multi-day tour you would need to find a place to plug it in as it needs recharging after 12-14 hours. No, no HR capability.
I’ve been disappointed with the Forerunner for running, which is why I bought it. I get “weak GPS signal” warnings all the time while running, and routes I know to be a certain length end up only 60-70% the actual distance according to the Forerunner due to all the gaps in signal reception.
That said, it’s worked great as a bike computer. I now use it exclusively as a bike computer. I just strap it over the computer mount or the narrow section of the aerobars. Maybe it does well on the bike because it keeps pointing in the same direction, while the arm motion while running throws off its stability.
I had it out on a very rainy day on Saturday and only lost the signal once or twice when not going through tunnels. There’s no remedy for those, though.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the steady signal I get even running under trees and hilly areas. I’m in S. Calif. Maybe where on the planet you are has an effect due variation in satallite coverage. The distances I get are very consistent from one run to the next and accurate where I’ve compared them to my bike computer. Too bad you’re having problems with it. It’s been a fun toy for me so far and makes it hard to cheat on runs by over estimating the distance.
As the previous responders stated - no HRT. So I have my Polar on one wrist and the Garmin on the other. The displays are quite large and I have had no problems with reading them either on the run or on the bike. It is simple to toggle between MPH and pace. Also there is a screen that you set (if you want) where the top feature is the largest. I have mine set for speed/pace there and then % grade (appears more accurate on bike than run) and total distance.
Larry
I know Polar is coming out with their new speed and distance watch this June-ish. And the watch does bike functions too…should be exciting to see how well that works, from reading their website it sounds to be quite accurate and you can trail run with it so you don’t have to worry about “weak signals”
garmin makes gps unit in timex s/d so i think decision between forerunner & timex comes down to this: forerunner doesn’t have arm receiver unit (good) but doesnt have HR (bad). Choice is either to look like a geek with two watches (assuming you want HR) or put up with arm receiver. I went with timex because I am a HR junkie. For me pace is a neat piece of info, useful to develop internal pacing and chart progress (pace increases at same HR), but i run primarily by HR not pace. the arm unit doesnt really bother me but it eats up batteries and sometimes gets weak signal (maybe caused by weak batteries). also annoying to do bricks because you have to wait for the unit to acquire a signal.
initially thought polar was crazy to go with pod technology but they aren’t stupid. they will have weighed that option and im sure pod tech is a lot better now than with the nike attempt. so i think that may be worth waiting for. gps is great when you can get a signal but i dont think the technology is there yet to deliver a truly great product.
Garmin made the gps engine in the original timex system, but the 2004 version is made by someone else.
I have both the timex and forerunner, and I find the timex gps to be far superior, FOR RUNNING. Quicker acquisition, stronger lock on satellites + less loss of signal. Quite disappointed in garmins unit actually. Have not had much chance to ride with either. I did ride wiht the timex once. kept the receiver in my back pocket and watch strapped to handlebar… no problems.
Just got the data recorder also. The pace graphs are very choppy, hard to determine average pace from the graphs. Have had some issues where the 2 hour workout was chopped into 5 segments unexplainably. Anyone have a ny data recorder experience?
Does anybody know if either the Timex or the Garmin can be used for swimming? So that if you are in the lake or ocean and want to know how much you have swam it will tell you. I know that both units are suppposed to be waterproof but I do not know if they are that waterproof. Thanks.
The Garmin is water resistant to a 1 meter/30 minutes spec for accidental immersion - inadequate for swimming but hopefully OK for kayaking or running/biking in the rain. I suppose you could put it in a waterproof pouch such as is used for cell phones and attach it to the back of your wetsuit somehow to get open water distances, but I definitely wouldn’t risk swimming with it exposed on my wrist.