way back they used to be a bit on the useless side (having to have a separate arm pod, lost signal super easily etc.) but if 60%+ of people here has one it’s making me wonder if technology has caught up a bit in terms of user experience (that or everybody lives in flat rural non forested areas with cloudless skies all the time…)
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I had a Garmin eMap way back in '99. It was about 8 oz and accurate to about 15 meters. It could take a few minutes to get a lock and didn’t do so well in forested areas.
I have had a number of different units over the years including the eTrex, the 60Cs, Forerunners 102 and 201, and now the 305 and the Edge 705. The newer units weigh under 4 oz, have rechargeable batteries, lock on much faster, and seem to work better in forested areas. The old ones would never lock while indoors but the newer ones can if they are near a window. Accuracy now is about 3 meters (typically).
The ones for sports also include HRM. If you can’t tell, I think they are quite cool.
I’ve used Timex Bodylink since 2004, and it seems to work fine except in wooded areas. Mine doesn’t detect altitude changes, but some more recent ones do.
When I bought it I believe it was said to be accurate to within 1 meter. On the track it seems spot on.
Oh yeah, and I think if you crack it open, there’s actually a Garmin unit inside.
I have a Garmin 405 and I love it so much I just spent some of my lovely tax return on a 705 for my bike. Looks very cool.
I got myself a Forerunner 305 for Christmas and I love it. I don’t use it to its full capabilities yet, but it is nice for pacing on the run and comparing one workout to the next for showing progress.
I’m new to GPS too. I was skeptical to be honest when i got my 305, but ive been pleasantly surprised by its accuracy and function.