Check it out over here: http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner205/
Looks awesome. Not in stores yet apparently. Supposed to be available in February. I hope the price comes down a bit. These look pretty good.
Mike
Suggested Retail Price:
$267.84 U.S.D.
The 305 has a HRM… I have been holding out for one of these until they made them smaller.
If this works half as well as it is advertised it will be the answer to my prayers. I can’t believe Garmin got it right this time. I hope the HRM works on the 305. Someone buy one of these and post some feedback so I know which (205 or 305) to order!!!
From what I understand the SiRF architecture in these should help them acquire a signal faster (around 1 second, comapred to the 201’s 5-30 seconds), and keep that signal under dense cover. But there isn’t anything said about the accuracy being any better. Does anyone in the know have any idea if these are just plain GPS or if they are finally WAAS enabled. It would be nice to have some more accuracy.
Nice . . . it figures . . . I just got a Polar 725X
I’m also wondering, if anyone privy to technical information knows, or maybe one of the motionbased guys:
One of the little quirks with the ForeRunner 201 was that when you reset a workout, it dropped a bunch of data points and as such, you had to download your activity each time you finished before you could reset the unit. This wasn’t too bad, but there was talk that on the next model, garmin would either not compress unless neccesary, or allow the user to determine the amount of compression after reset. Does anyone know if they remedied this, or if it uses the same reset function as the 201?
It doesn’t appear like the size or weight have improved. I do not run with my 201 during races due to the weight swinging on my arm. Other than that and the hope that it is WAAS accurate, I like the improvements.
I believe the 301 (and I assume the new x05 series) retained more points than the 101 and 201. I’m sure it’s on Garmin’s site somewhere (I couldn’t find it just now, I may have originally seen that info on Motionbased.)
I do not run with my 201 during races due to the weight swinging on my arm
Use the extension and wear it on your upper arm. The strap is good for hooking an MP3 player on (or stuffing a gel packet in) as well.
I’m always surprised when the Forerunner threads come up and I don’t hear more complaints. Maybe it is just me, but at least 20% of the time I have problems. Even on clear days with no cover it will lose signal. It will usually catch up, but not if the signal is out between mile splits. If this occurs, the splits are screwed up. And many times, the first mile is long. Frustrating, because 80% of the time it is dead on. I would hate to spend money on a new model if it is not more reliable.
Ooooh, a new look. I wonder how it feels on your wrist. I need to play with one of these.
Physical Dimentions 201 Size: 3.3"W x 1.7"H x .7"D 205 size (WxHxD): 2.1 ” x .7 ” x 2.7”
Lap memory 201 - 5000 laps (with some data loss) 205 - 1000 laps (without data loss now???)
Display 201 Display:** **1.44"W x .92"H, 100 x 64 pixels 205 Display: 1.3W” x 0.8”H (33mm x 20.3mm)
From the pics it looks like the display is higher resolution and the internal mapping is better in the 205.
Battery Life 205 Battery Life: rechargeable lithium ion; 10 hours (typical use) Batteries: rechargeable lithium ion; 15 hours
Screen layout looks similar other than the maps
Waterproof (same)- Most newer Garmin® GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 60529 IPX7. IEC 60529 is a European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IPX8 designation is for continuous underwater use.
Feels pretty good on the wrist. The unit is still a bit large but it’s contoured nicely and would definitely fit under the wetsuit.
I think most folks have missed some of the most important new features, however. The new Forerunner and Edge models allow you to specify a recording interval rather than relying on the old random method. With previous models, I regularly see delays of up to 12 seconds between data points. The 205’s and 305’s seem quite happy with 1 second recording.
Additionally, I believe that Garmin has improved the accuracy of the elevation and distance measurements - especially if a wheel sensor is present (but I think the internal chipset is different too).
In my informal testing of the pre-production models I’ve had no dropouts of HR or GPS information.
By the way, both the Edge and new Forerunner models allow some great control over the screen layout and contents.
Quite honestly, I think the Edge unit is soon going to be just a required piece of equipment for every bike. It just works so well from both the entertainment and training perspective. The Forerunner 305 does all that with a smaller, more convenient form factor for those who want GPS information off the bike.
-jeff
Awesome. If you like something the size of the Yellow Pages on your wrist. :-/
I have the 301 and it is cool. But it is not “really” waterproof. The 305 looks cooler but has the exact same features. Unless they made it so I could swim in it without worrying about damage, then I would be inclined to jump. But my 301 does what I like and with the free Sportstrack software over the pay for play Motionbased, the 301 is HOT.
I’m buying one if it means I don’t have to stand with my hand over my head for a minute before each run so the stupid thing will aquire!
But maybe I’ll way for the all in one - hr, cadence, small, free would be nice too.
I guess I want the Edge 305 combo unit, but I also want to be able to run with it.
Oh, I guess one other feature - a 13hr battery would be good…I don’t think my Ironman time will be sub 10hr any time soon.
Mike
Quite honestly, I think the Edge unit is soon going to be just a required piece of equipment for every bike. It just works so well from both the entertainment and training perspective. The Forerunner 305 does all that with a smaller, more convenient form factor for those who want GPS information off the bike.
-jeff
Not until it includes a power meter.
-C
I think we’re still a ways off from seeing a really inexpensive power meter or total interoperability between device manufacturers. It’ll take both to really satisfy consumers.
I have two PM’s. Still, I really like having the Edge mounted on my stem. Sure, some of the information is redundant. But, it works well and it’s convenient. And, I can setup the screens to show me information that I want that I wouldn’t normally see on my PM’s screen. If you already have a PM on your bike, then I’m not sure what extra training value you’d see from a GPS (other than racing against a previous effort). But as many here have discovered, there is that entertainment factor.
-jeff
These guys have it for $209.99 and is supposed to ship late January 06:
http://www.megagps.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=813&strVarSel=&strCompare=
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