Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick Review

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(More customer reviews)I felt compelled to write a review, because I am disturbed with what some other reviewers are publishing. This is the best watch of it's kind I have owned, and as long as a purchaser understands what it does, and it's limitations, I think they will be more than satisfied. It may be that this watch will not meet their needs, but it should not be a cause to deliver a poor rating.
I have owned the Forerunner 305, the 201, the Timex GPS and a Polar, so I have years of experience. Since I do triathlons, I was most looking forward to the waterproof controls, and 20 hour battery. The charger is a bit funky design, but for me it seems to work just fine. My battery has been lasting at least 16 hours--I haven't tested it further before recharging. One issue that I had with the 305 also, though: the watch should be TURNED OFF while you are charging. If not, as soon as you disconnect the charger, since the watch is ON, it will start "discharging" (as it does normally while it is on. I have been caught several times with a depleted battery on my 305 because of this quirk--I think the watches should be programmed to automatically turn themselves off when the charger is connected).
I have used the new watch swimming, biking and running and hiking, and I am pleased with the performance for each sport. One reviewer pointed out that there should be a "swim" mode--I agree, but I think Garmin may have avoided that mode because the GPS does not work well in the water. Several reviewers complained about that, however Garmin does write on their website AND in their manual that the GPS does not work well in the water (I don't know that I would blame that on Garmin--probably the technology is just not there yet--besides, GPS signals do not penetrate water.) In fact, I did NOT get an accurate GPS distance reading for open water swimming, but it did map my COURSE correctly, albeit with a lot of zig-zags (I know I can't swim in a straight line, but I am not THAT bad).
The biking portion works great. The Garmin matches pretty closely with the distance measured on my bike computer (I don't have the Garmin bike sensor--I want that and the quick-release mount for my next birthday). Of course it also tracks speed, altitude, heart rate, etc. (I used the heart monitor strap from my 305).
Running works well also, basically same as biking although I do set up the display screens differently.
Other, useful new features I have noticed:
1. The watch locks onto satellites more quickly than my 305
2. The watch vibrates, although I wonder how this affects battery life. For instance it vibrates every lap (if I set it) so I know I have completed an autolap without having to look at the watch.
3. The software is more refined (lots of small fixes. For instance the settings function lets me know what sport mode I am in--although I think this could still be made easier and less confusing. And the time zone can be put on automatic--I always wondered why they couldn't do this before--the watch knows where it is for gosh sakes. And there are extra custom screens if you want them--statistic hounds take note.)
4. Wireless data upload. Very nice! Their new "Garmin Connect" site is also pretty useful, and the data can be uploaded directly to the Internet.
5. The 310XT is not much smaller or lighter than the 305 (according to the specs), but it FEELS MUCH smaller and lighter.
6. There is a progress bar for the battery charging. I would like to be able to see how much time is LEFT in my battery--I wish Garmin would add this.
In summary, I think this is far and away the best GPS watch Garmin has made, and is especially appropriate for triathletes (despite the swimming issue). You DO need to become accustomed to using the watch. Although I do not think it is hard to use, you SHOULD read the manual. At least you do not have to keep RE-reading the manual like I do for some other gadgets. I do think this watch is way overpriced, but I am a gadget freak, and I'm sure the price will come down over time, like it did for the 305 (which is a great deal, now, btw, if you don't need a 20 hour battery-life and a waterproof stopwatch :)

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Finally, a GPS-enabled training device that isn't afraid of the water. The rugged Forerunner 310XT is the triathlete's indispensable training tool--a GPS-enabled, swim-proof trainer that tracks bike and run data and sends it wirelessly to your computer. This multi-sport device has up to 20 hours of battery life, tracks distance, pace and heart rate (optional), and goes from wrist to bike in seconds.
Time Your Swim The swim-proof Forerunner 310XT is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, so you can wear it in the pool or the lake to time your swim. And its slim design and flexible wristband mean Forerunner is easy to wear in any conditions.
Transition Effortlessly When you're ready to jump out of the water and onto the bike, Forerunner 310XT moves easily from wrist to bike with the optional quick release and bike mounts, making the transition between sports effortless. Forerunner 310XT categorizes multisport activities in one workout and can also log transition time in the process, so you can analyze your performance from start to finish.
Collect Workout Data Forerunner 310XT tracks your position precisely with GPS satellite data and records distance, pace, heart rate (optional), power data (from ANT+-enabled third-party power meters) and more. High-sensitivity GPS and HotFix satellite prediction mean Forerunner acquires satellites quickly and tracks your movement even near tall buildings or under tree cover. And using innovative ANT+ wireless technology, Forerunner 310XT connects seamlessly to an optional heart rate monitor, foot pod and cadence sensor.
When paired with the optional wireless heart rate monitor, Forerunner 310XT continuously tracks beats per minute and uses heart rate data in advanced calorie computation. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve fitness and monitor your level of exertion.
Run, Sync, Store and Share Once you've logged the miles, innovative ANT+ wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when Forerunner is in range. No cables, no hookups. The data's just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize and share through our online community, Garmin Connect or our optional Garmin Training Center software. You can even plan workouts on your computer and then send them to your Forerunner.
What's in the Box Forerunner 310XT, USB ANT stick, AC charger, Charging clip, Owner's manual on disk, Quick start guide

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Suunto Observer SR Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass Review

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(More customer reviews)Truly a 'niche' product, the Suunto Observer defies classification. It's a sport watch, make no mistake, but Casio's line (particularly the 'G-Shocks') offer more for the money and MUCH increased battery life. It's several 'instruments' rolled into one, offering barometer, altimeter, compass and thermometer, but in a watch case, and, surprisingly, blending them into an attractive package.
If you're considering this 'wrist computer' (Suunto's term and fairly appropriate) for a 'techno' toy though, save your money. Typical of Suunto's products, it has stellar thinking behind it. Typical also it is cutting edge. However, also typical of products built and produced in Finland, it has an owner's manual that has to be about a 5 to 10 on the readability scale of a 100. Like all Scandinavian products, there is a concerted effort here to use icons whenever possible and it's like you walked into a Russian made helicopter; there may be icons, but you're still going to have to have someone explain it to you! But, like Suunto's diving gauges, one you cross the divide and spend some quality time with the manual, user reviews, internet postings and about 6 to 10 hours playing with it, you WILL have a grin on your face. It's an outstanding piece of technology, but only once you finally understand it.
A few points that may help you:
--I bought the stainless model (there is also a full rubber strap model and a titanium model). Realize it IS NOT a full stainless strap; it's a rubber strap with about 10 pieces of stainless for looks only. However, unlike some reviews posted, I truly LIKE the look and don't feel Suunto was cheesing out by just using stainless 'pieces' instead of a full stainless strap. It fits like a glove, once adjusted. It took me about 30 minutes to fit it perfectly.
--Other reviews give a hit or miss coverage of the DUAL opening latch on the strap. It does have 2 openings, the second is to give additional access if you have large hands/small wrists. One review stated, incorrectly, that the second latch undermines the first latches ability to hold it together tightly. If they would have examined the second latch in more detail, they would see that the primary latch COVERS the second with a gate, preventing it from opening. IN NO WAY does the second latch make this strap less strong. Typical Suunto, well engineered, but poorly documented.
--Carefully read one reviewer's lengthy discussion about how the barometric pressure and altitude settings work. They went into GREAT detail (more than I will here) covering how these two systems are interrelated and connected. Once you finally grasp it, it makes sense. For a summary, just remember this: When in camp, use the barometric setting; it will be very accurate when you do this. When on the trail, use the altitude setting. It's as simple as that.
--Some reviewers stated that the systems (any or all) aren't terribly accurate. WRONG. They are accurate. I've compared the barometer and altimeter to dedicated systems I have and they're very, very close. The compass matches a Brunton transit within a few degrees. Take the time to learn how to use them and they're very handy and very accurate.
--One reviewer stated that the battery life on the Casio's is far superior to the Suunto (even I did at the start of this review). That IS an accurate statement. What they left out though, is that the Suunto has an EASILY replaced battery that doesn't require the back of the watch to come off (Casio's DO require the back to be removed). So it's a toss up. I find on my Casio's that with regular backlight use, they get eaten up pretty quickly too. Realize, Casio only rates their batteries at ONE use of the backlight per day, and who only uses a backlight once a day? On their top rated G-Shock (which I also own) the battery life drops 2 YEARS when you use the backlight just twice a day. I'll take Suunto's approach any day; just use a dime to remove a separate cover for the battery and you're back in business.
--The Suunto has one thing no Casio has--it's stylish. Very European/high tech looking and built like a tank too. Make no mistake, I'll still wear my Casio if I'm diving, because I don't want to scratch the Suunto (kind of crazy isn't it? I'm not concerned about my Suunto dive gauges, lol).
So I'm giving the Suunto four stars; was considering three for the STEEP learning curve, but after I finally 'got it' I was grinning like a Cheshire cat. It is really a fun instrument to play with and truly does offer features in a unique package. Highly recommended, but don't buy it if you aren't willing to spend the time learning its nuances. One last note and one that helped me the most. I was frustrated with Suunto's labels of the buttons and finally adopted Casio's system that I kludged together. This watch has 4 buttons. De-program yourself from thinking of them in Suunto's terms. Use Casio's EXCELLENT system of calling the buttons A,B,C and D. Just make a little cheat sheat that corresponds to A,B,C and D. A is top left, B is top right, C is bottom left and D is bottom right. Once you convert Suunto's system to Casio's, it is SO much easier! Hope this helps someone!

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Suunto X9i GPS Altimeter Compass Review

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(More customer reviews)I found the remarks of the one other positive reviewer quite a relief: the guy who pointed out that good performance of the GPS (i.e. the key unique feature distinguishing this watch from other Suunto models) hinges critically on whether or not you first get your satellite 'fix' properly. I have found that, if you wait the very first time you use it, to get a proper (not flashing) firm fix, then subsequent fixes have been relatively rapid (usually around 2 minutes in an urban environment. Once you have a lock-on, then subsequent performance is relatively fine.
I have a few minor gripes about the software visualisation. When it does loose satellite connection, rather than not graphing for the drop out period of time, the software includes the squiggly deviations to route when it can't locate you. This has the consequence that some journeys appear like I fly around or walk on water. This is not the case. I would prefer just blanks for drop-out periods of time. Any GPS device works much better in open spaces rather than built-up urban ramblings.
As a watch model, the comparable device is the Garmin forerunner. The Garmin probably has more 'stickability' and usability for its GPS (I have Garmin handheld for comparison). Its greater reception and stronger GPS reception is due to its bigger aerial. That means it's also bigger and probably emitting strange things into your arm. The battery life on Garmin receivers is very frustrating and I have had no problems with the x9i though its continual GPS use would be limited to 4-5 hours. Personally, I am prepared to live with the slightly more delicate reception of the x9i in order to use a much more elegant device. The watch looks like a watch and its smooth contours and rubberised grippy surface have design aesthetics and simplicity of display that Garmin doesn't. If you primarily (or only) use GPS, buy the Garmin. If you are concerned about looks and multi-function and if you are patient to setup a good connection first time, I think you will be pleasantly rewarded by this watch. I really like that it charges off my USB. Also, using Desktop Parallels and Win XP, I exchange the data into Trek Manager and X-loader uploading to Google with my Macbook ;-)

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Garmin Foretrex 301 Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

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(More customer reviews)I had the Garmin Foretrex 101 and it worked great until it got stolen. I have the 301 now and it works just as well. The only problem I had with the 101 was the strap. It was held onto the GPS unit with crappy watch pins. I'm in the military, so if you have to put a heavy ruck on and off quickly, and you get the ruck strap caught on the GPS, the unit would pop off the strap. Then, you are trying to find a tiny watch pin with NVGs on a mountain. Also, the strap that comes with it is just a bit too short, but the extension strap makes it too long. WTF?! It will barely fit on your wrist with nothing under it, but if you have a uniform on (ACU/BDU) you will have to use the extender and then it's too long and will move around.
For the 301 there is a better design to hold the strap onto the GPS. It uses screw in pins, so I think that problem is fixed and it shouldn't pop off. However, the strap length is still too short or too long. I am going to just buy a case where you can take the GPS and put it inside of a clear case and that has a Velcro strap.
I used the 101 on every mission in Afghanistan and it was really great to get quick grids of your location. Projecting points on the 101 and the 301 isn't that easy though. You can only choose distances at 100 meter intervals, so that's as accurate of grid as you will get. It's also not very easy to navigate the menu to get at the project waypoint screen. I just used it to quickly find out where I was, and for that it was fantastical.
The sensitivity of the receiver is awesome. You can pick up signals when it's sitting on the passenger seat of your car or when your in the woods walking. I ride mountain bike, and it seemed to work OK when I was under moderate cover at all speeds. When you get into really thick cover and you are going pretty fast the accuracy degrades a little, but it still tracks satellites. Your speed won't be that accurate though.
Hooking it upto a computer is easy too. It just loads as a USB mass storage device, so you don't need serial ports anymore. For military, I'm not sure if it will still be compatible with moving map on Falconview, haven't tried it.
I definitely recommend this. The only problem is the crappy strap that's not meant for human-sized wrists. On a bike mount, in a different case or attached to your body armor or whatever it's awesome.

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Garmin Foot Pod Review

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(More customer reviews)Edit: Amazon swiched products. This review is for the Garmin 010-11092-00 Foot Pod Personal GPS Tracker. For some reason they switched this product page to the old Garmin foot pod. I reviewed the new model.
I bought the foot pod so I could use my 405CX on an indoor track and have been pleased with the results.
Calibration was easy. On the Garmin 010-00658-30 Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Blue) you can calibrate it using the GPS or a 400m track. I chose to use the GPS and it had me run .66 of a mile. Was easy and seems to be pretty accurate. The only issue is that you need to calibrate it at the pace you usually run at. For instance I usually run at a 10 minute/mile pace but since I was only running .66 miles while calibrating it I ran at a much faster pace throwing it off a bit.
Running on a .10 mile indoor track after 3.5 miles it was off by about 50' more by the end of the run. Not perfect by any means but I could probably calibrate it more (or you can adjust it manually) to key it in.
I don't use it running while outside, but if you don't like the pace setting of the GPS you can have the watch display pace according to the foot pod instead.
Installation and removal is easy. The instructions say it will fit in an insole pocket if your shoe has one, but mine does not. To attach it to the laces you slide the mounting bracket under two X's where your shoe laces cross then snap the pod over the top. To remove you have to press a tab that unhooks it. It's very secure and takes a lot of pressure to remove it. I have no fear that it will come off while running.
I am very happy with the pod, it works very well, and is easy to use. If you want to use your GPS watch on a treadmill or indoor track during the winter months, it's a must have.

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Garmin Forerunner 205 GPS Receiver and Sports Watch Review

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(More customer reviews)I've run 4 times a week with the Garmin 201 for the past 2 years so I was anxious to get the 205. After 10 runs with the 205 (some runs with both) here is my take on the new 205:
Pros:
- better form factor (although still big and same weight as the 201)
- Buttons are more intuitive (less guessing in the dark)
- More accurate - If I run the same run 3 times (e.g. a regular 6 miler) all 3 distances are within .02-.09... the 201 varied by as much as .3 miles. The 205 also appears to be more accurate according to "known distances"
- Less satellite drops compared to the 201 (although see the BIG con below!)
- The strap is rubber so it doesn't act as a sweat band (the 201 was harder to clean and smelled for weeks after a marathon)
- Better software
CONS:
- Fonts are smaller (especially on history and other screens)
- The strap is rubber and doesn't fit as well as the cloth/Velcro on the 201 (although the pro I think outweighs the con!)
- BIG CON: On one regular run along the bay in San Francisco (no hills, trees, or buildings) the 205 lost satellite in a "usual" area (common for my 201 to drop in the same place) one mile into the run, but the 205 never recovered during the whole run. So the 205 doesn't drop satellites as much, but when it does it might not recover - this is a fatal issue if it continues (note: the 201 drops often, but always recovers right away).
Overall I would still highly recommend the unit. I definitely prefer to run with the 205 instead of the 201. I will be watching the drop-recover issue carefully to see if others report a similar problem.


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Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor (Factory Refurbished) Review

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(More customer reviews)I like this thing quite a lot. I've had it for about three weeks, and have used it on 12 workouts so far. I use it primarily for running, with biking a secondary usage. The main reason I wanted it was for the instantaneous readout of distance, running pace and heart rate, the latter needed for the speed work I want to do this running season.
The core functionality (distance and heart rate monitoring) works perfectly. There's none of the signal drops I've had with other heart monitors. Once the satellites are initially acquired, I've only had one dropout when I was outside. The initial acquisition of the satellites can be quirky and can take some time. The accuracy (according to the readout) is +/- 25ft, depending on how many satellites can be found. I've compared the distance measurement on the GPS with a known, measured distance on one of the trails I run on (the Chicago lakefront path). The GPS always increments a mile when I'm within 5 or 10 feet of the mile marker sign on the path. Well, I guess that's the least I should expect from a $350 GPS unit! Of course it's bigger than a normal running stopwatch, but that hasn't bothered me at all. The heart rate strap is also very comfortable and well-designed.
The display is crisp and has one outstanding feature: The information presented on the various pages can be completely user-customized. The default screen layout is rather poor, but in just a few steps I could replace it with the information I wanted to see while I run. There are almost 40 different data fields you can choose from for display. Examples: current pace, average lap pace, average run pace, heartrate, distance.
The only disappointment is the point-in-time (instantaneous) pace measurement: It varies wildly during a run. I see swings as big as +/- 3 minutes/mile. I'm a marathoner and I know my pace is fairly consistent during a run. I just looked at my run today, and according to the data the first mile varied from 5:57/mile to 12:06 mile. I suspect the problem is either in the averaging algorithm (too short a distance?), or in the uncertainty that results from different satellites coming in and out of view. The variations seem to get worse under tree cover compared with an open area. Luckily there's a lap-average pace that can be presented, and at least that value is useful and more accurate. The bottom line is that you can't look at the watch and say "right now I'm running 9 mins/mile". There is the ability to specify a pace smoothing factor, but I have it maxed out and still see the variations. The elevation readout also seems inaccurate, but that isn't important to me.
Upload of workout data to the PC software (Training Center) is transparent. The PC software is very good for presenting time/distance/pace/heartrate/calorie data. However the maps it shows are very crude. I've worked a bit with one of the online, subscription services (MotionBased). That looks really good and provides some additional functionality beyond the included Training Center software, although I still haven't decided if it's worth the $$$ yet for long-term data storage. MotionBased allows export to Google Earth, and it's tremendously cool to see your running path superimposed on a satellite image. You can recharge the unit through the USB port on your computer, although it's slower than using the dedicated recharger.
I had hoped that owning this device would prove motivational for me, and indeed it has. I can't imagine running or biking without it. Updating my training log is trivial now: Plug this thing into my computer, and it's done. My hope is that a future software update will do something about the pace calculation (maybe a few additional levels of smoothing?). If so, the Forerunner 305 would earn 5 stars+++.Positives:
Flawless heart rate sampling
Great distance measuring and lap-average pace calculation
Seamless integration with a PC
Fully-automatic training log update
User-customizable displayNegatives;
Wildly-varying pace readout.


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Garmin FR60 Women's Black Fitness Watch Bundle (Includes Foot Pod, Heart Rate Monitor, and USB ANT Stick) Review

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(More customer reviews)I Purchased the Garmin FR60 Bundle W/ Foot pod to Help me learn run pacing and for Triathlon Training. My old HRM just gave up but the chest strap works still works with most of the equipment at the gym without the watch. But there is no need since I have the FR60 but there are some "Issues" to deal with first. The Look and function is very good. However since I'm new to Garmin the menu's took a little getting used to and programing was a little bit difficult, but from what I've heard this is typical. Once you do get the menus down it's very intuitive and similar to other models they offer. The other reason I picked the Garmin unit is the Manufactures of other HRM's in this price range had non replaceable batteries. IE you had to send them back to the factory to be replaced. This is something I really wasn't fond of since I use mine daily. This unit fits nicely on the wrist and can be used as a "Sport Watch" and no-one would know you a Workoutaholic if they didn't know you.
Packaged in the box were the Owners manual and Watch, Foot-pod, HRM-Strap, USB Ant+ stick. There is no software to speak of since it's self loading on the Ant+ Stick. You also need to set up an account with Garmin to download your data and analyze it. BEWARE: Firmware Updates will erase your data and settings on the watch and they need to be set back up!!! There is no Off-line option to review your data :-(. This means you upload your data to Garmin then re-download it in Excel or TCX format then upload it into a training website like Training Peaks(Online) or Sport Tracs(Stand Alone Runs Offline). Granted it takes only a few minutes to do but is a little bit of a pain. Also when uploading you have the option to leave the data on your watch for you to review or when the download is completed the workout date is erased. It takes a little bit of faith to let your data go. When setting up your account you can set up your Heart Rate zones based on age and resting Heart Rate. You can add as many zones as you see fit. For Simplicity I just use 5, now when you look at your data though the amount of time in each zone is not displayed on the website on your HR Graph. The graph look really good but the only data given is Avg HR, Max HR. It would be nice if the time in each Zone was given as well. My old HRM(Which was $40) displayed these with times and % in zones on the watch and didn't need to upload the data. Other data that is Give is Workout Time, Avg Speed/Pace, Max Speed/Pace, Avg Cadence, Max Cadence. All good Data that is essential for training/racing purposes.
For Running the Foot Pod Sensor tracks steps, pacing and speed very accurately out of the box. Pick a spot on your shoes to mount the sensor and pair the device with your FR60, I did a test run at the track and it was spot on after a 1 mile test run. You can either adjust the stride length automatically or manual adjust. There are supposed to be shoe on the market that the Foot-pod will mound directly into the sole under the shoe insert. I believe Nike makes one. Mounting in the laces are just fine for me. The advantage the FR60 has is It can be used indoors without a GPS signal. The combination of the Foot-Pod and HRM gives you very accurate Calorie data when running of a treadmill. I have found that most treadmills are off speed wise to the FR60, for example I warm-up at 10:00 indicated pace on the treadmill and my FR60 shows anywhere from a 9:20-9:35. No a big deal since I'm logging the information for later retrieval.
Since I Cycle I use the GSC-10 Speed and Cadence Sensor for my Bicycle. Same setup as the Foot-Pod with regard to pairing. This can be used indoors as well during winter months on Stationary Fluid Trainer or Rollers to track speed and distance. The downside is NO FREAKING Odometer!!!!!!! what was Garmin Thinking. You get everything else, Distance, Current Speed, Calories, Avg/Max Speed, Avg/Max Cadence, Time, Lap/Distance/Time/AvgSpeed/MaxSpeed/LapCalories, blah blah blah... I had to add my old Speed sensor back to the front wheel to capture Overall ODO distance.
Functionality: The FR60 is pretty easy to set up once you figure out the page layout and logic. You get your data input(AGE, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, ACTIVITY Class(read the manual for this one) into the devise under SETTINGS/USER. After pairing your footpod and Speed/Cadence sensor, You can then set up your "TRAINING PAGES" This is where the FR60 really shines. You can take all the data collected from either your Run/Bike/Other and display up to 3 pieces of data on the screen and have 5 pages to display the data. You can have one screen for Time only and another for Distance and Pace then another for Heart Rate, HR Zone, Calories and so one. If only One line of info is displayed it fits almost the entire screen and gets smaller from there. the Dot Matrix LCD Screen is fairly easy to read at a glace either running or biking.
The FR60, HR Chest Sensor, Foot-pod are all waterproof to 3 Meters so they can be worn during the swim portion of Triathlons or during off road runs that cross creeks or during Steeplechase events. I've worn mine during the swim of a sprint Triathlon. For Triathlon the F60 is not Tri Friendly meaning you cannot change sports easy. I just set it up in Other and Just Press Lap during transitions in and out. Since I'm only concerned with overall time and HR. The FR60 can be set up to scan for Pods so it will pick up either sensor when you press the lap button during T1 or T2. If your set on sport specific Timing press and hold the MODE button and you can then change sports.


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This FR60 bundle (in women's black) includes a foot pod, a USB ANT stick, and a heart rate monitor.Log every mile and every minute with FR60, a sleek fitness watch plus workout tool that tracks your time, heart rate and calories burned. When bundled with the wireless foot pod (included), FR60 also tracks speed and distance, indoors or out. Use FR60's training tools to get the most out of your workout. Then, FR60 wirelessly sends your workout data to your computer for later analysis.


Train Indoors or Out In the gym or on the road, FR60 tracks all your workout data, including time, heart rate, calories burned, lap times and averages, and more. FR60 boasts advanced training tools, such as training alarms and Virtual Partner, which lets you race against a virtual training partner to improve your performance.

At the heart of its success is FR60's wireless ANT+ technology, which allows it to connect to other ANT+ compatible devices, like the included heart rate monitor and foot pod, or even ANT+ compatible fitness equipment.

Go for Distance With the ANT+ seamless wireless link, FR60 connects to the optional wireless foot pod, which tracks your distance and speed effortlessly, both indoors and out. Using advanced accelerometer technology, the foot pod collects and sends precise data about your movements, gathering distance and speed data that is 98 percent accurate, right out of the box.

Listen to Your Heart FR60 also connects wirelessly to a lightweight, flexible digital heart rate monitor, providing instant feedback about how hard you're working. FR60 continuously tracks heart beats per minute and displays your heart rate zone, so you can monitor and improve your fitness level.

Cross-Train When paired with an optional speed/cadence sensor, FR60 tracks the speed and distance of your cycling workouts. The wireless speed/cadence sensor attaches securely to your bike and measures your pedaling cadence and wheel speed as you ride. You can even use it to train indoors because the sensor attaches to your rear wheel.
Also available in Women's Lilac

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Timex Ironman Midsize Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch Review

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(More customer reviews)After much research I decided that using a heart monitor could really add a lot to your workout.
Researching the available options I basically found 3 categories / units worth pursuing. The first is Omron's heart rate monitor, which people seem to love as an inexpensive monitor but the rate transmission is not encoded so two of them can't be used in close quarters. My wife and I are doing P90 so that ruled those out. There's also a category of very nice units with GPS features and other goodies that were way beyond our needs so I wasn't keen on paying that premium. The third is any of the Timex. There are a lot of listings for Timex HRM's and the differences are mostly asthetic (with the exception of whether it has lap capability or it can show where your current rate falls in the desired range graphically).
My wife picked this watch / HRM and I picked one with a men's look. Their use is exactly the same though, and the straps are identical. Per other reviewer's advice I ordered a tube of Spectra electrode gel at the same time.
At first all was well for both of us. Just goop up the strap, it fits comfortably across the chest, hit 1 button on the watch and it started giving a rate. Setting a target range on the watch was pretty easy. You hold down the "Heart Rate" button to turn the rate alarm off and on quickly and easily which is really nice to activate it once you're warmed up so it's not beeping at you constantly while you're starting your workout. If you use the chrono feature the watch keeps track of averages, calories burned, etc on its own. It is even easy to get averages for each lap, so in my case I could hit the lap button between phases of the workout to get insight into each individually in addition to the overall info.
After a couple weeks my wife's continued to work well but my monitor started giving me weird readings and not wanting to sync up to start. I tried using more goop, less goop, played with exact placement, using water, but all to no avail. Then I figured the battery must have been half dead already so I replaced that. Still no joy. In an effort to isolate the problem my wife and I swapped chest straps for 1 workout. With her identical Timex chest strap I got readings *immediately* and it gave very accurate readings, but with my chest strap she couldn't get accurate readings. I don't know what the chances are the "new" battery could have been dead so I tried swapping out the batteries. Same thing.
Keep in mind we have two chest straps we are using at the house in identical conditions, used the same way, cleaned the same way, etc. I'd always heard that if electronics lasted 10 hours they'd last 1,000 hours but there's something else going on with these chest straps.
I do like the HRM system so I'm going to give it 3 stars but given the prevalence of other reviewers who report difficulties I don't think my experience represents a tiny rate of failure that can't be avoided but instead a design flaw that makes the Timex chest straps unreliable even when used carefully and cleaned after every use.
If you're not looking to spend $150+ on an HRM and need something nicer than the Omron I would say to order this anyway, from Amazon anyway, but save the box because it's likely you'll need it to exchange for a new one. Thankfully Amazon is all aces about returns / exchanges. If you're considering buying from a source that might be less accommodating about returns then I would say stay away because you will probably not get your money's worth.

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Timex IRONMAN Road Trainer Digital Heart Rate Monitor, an essential training companion that makes a bold statement while offering perfromance and comfort in a next-generation styles.Designed for both fitness enthusiasts and weekend warriors to help meet

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Garmin FR60 Black Fitness Watch Bundle (Includes Foot Pod, Heart Rate Monitor, and USB ANT Stick) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I Purchased the Garmin FR60 Bundle W/ Foot pod to Help me learn run pacing and for Triathlon Training. My old HRM just gave up but the chest strap works still works with most of the equipment at the gym without the watch. But there is no need since I have the FR60 but there are some "Issues" to deal with first. The Look and function is very good. However since I'm new to Garmin the menu's took a little getting used to and programing was a little bit difficult, but from what I've heard this is typical. Once you do get the menus down it's very intuitive and similar to other models they offer. The other reason I picked the Garmin unit is the Manufactures of other HRM's in this price range had non replaceable batteries. IE you had to send them back to the factory to be replaced. This is something I really wasn't fond of since I use mine daily. This unit fits nicely on the wrist and can be used as a "Sport Watch" and no-one would know you a Workoutaholic if they didn't know you.
Packaged in the box were the Owners manual and Watch, Foot-pod, HRM-Strap, USB Ant+ stick. There is no software to speak of since it's self loading on the Ant+ Stick. You also need to set up an account with Garmin to download your data and analyze it. BEWARE: Firmware Updates will erase your data and settings on the watch and they need to be set back up!!! There is no Off-line option to review your data :-(. This means you upload your data to Garmin then re-download it in Excel or TCX format then upload it into a training website like Training Peaks(Online) or Sport Tracs(Stand Alone Runs Offline). Granted it takes only a few minutes to do but is a little bit of a pain. Also when uploading you have the option to leave the data on your watch for you to review or when the download is completed the workout date is erased. It takes a little bit of faith to let your data go. When setting up your account you can set up your Heart Rate zones based on age and resting Heart Rate. You can add as many zones as you see fit. For Simplicity I just use 5, now when you look at your data though the amount of time in each zone is not displayed on the website on your HR Graph. The graph look really good but the only data given is Avg HR, Max HR. It would be nice if the time in each Zone was given as well. My old HRM(Which was $40) displayed these with times and % in zones on the watch and didn't need to upload the data. Other data that is Give is Workout Time, Avg Speed/Pace, Max Speed/Pace, Avg Cadence, Max Cadence. All good Data that is essential for training/racing purposes.
For Running the Foot Pod Sensor tracks steps, pacing and speed very accurately out of the box. Pick a spot on your shoes to mount the sensor and pair the device with your FR60, I did a test run at the track and it was spot on after a 1 mile test run. You can either adjust the stride length automatically or manual adjust. There are supposed to be shoe on the market that the Foot-pod will mound directly into the sole under the shoe insert. I believe Nike makes one. Mounting in the laces are just fine for me. The advantage the FR60 has is It can be used indoors without a GPS signal. The combination of the Foot-Pod and HRM gives you very accurate Calorie data when running of a treadmill. I have found that most treadmills are off speed wise to the FR60, for example I warm-up at 10:00 indicated pace on the treadmill and my FR60 shows anywhere from a 9:20-9:35. No a big deal since I'm logging the information for later retrieval.
Since I Cycle I use the GSC-10 Speed and Cadence Sensor for my Bicycle. Same setup as the Foot-Pod with regard to pairing. This can be used indoors as well during winter months on Stationary Fluid Trainer or Rollers to track speed and distance. The downside is NO FREAKING Odometer!!!!!!! what was Garmin Thinking. You get everything else, Distance, Current Speed, Calories, Avg/Max Speed, Avg/Max Cadence, Time, Lap/Distance/Time/AvgSpeed/MaxSpeed/LapCalories, blah blah blah... I had to add my old Speed sensor back to the front wheel to capture Overall ODO distance.
Functionality: The FR60 is pretty easy to set up once you figure out the page layout and logic. You get your data input(AGE, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, ACTIVITY Class(read the manual for this one) into the devise under SETTINGS/USER. After pairing your footpod and Speed/Cadence sensor, You can then set up your "TRAINING PAGES" This is where the FR60 really shines. You can take all the data collected from either your Run/Bike/Other and display up to 3 pieces of data on the screen and have 5 pages to display the data. You can have one screen for Time only and another for Distance and Pace then another for Heart Rate, HR Zone, Calories and so one. If only One line of info is displayed it fits almost the entire screen and gets smaller from there. the Dot Matrix LCD Screen is fairly easy to read at a glace either running or biking.
The FR60, HR Chest Sensor, Foot-pod are all waterproof to 3 Meters so they can be worn during the swim portion of Triathlons or during off road runs that cross creeks or during Steeplechase events. I've worn mine during the swim of a sprint Triathlon. For Triathlon the F60 is not Tri Friendly meaning you cannot change sports easy. I just set it up in Other and Just Press Lap during transitions in and out. Since I'm only concerned with overall time and HR. The FR60 can be set up to scan for Pods so it will pick up either sensor when you press the lap button during T1 or T2. If your set on sport specific Timing press and hold the MODE button and you can then change sports.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin FR60 Black Fitness Watch Bundle (Includes Foot Pod, Heart Rate Monitor, and USB ANT Stick)

This FR60 bundle (in men's black) includes a foot pod, a USB ANT stick, and a heart rate monitor.Log every mile and every minute with FR60, a sleek fitness watch plus workout tool that tracks your time, heart rate and calories burned. When bundled with the wireless foot pod (included), FR60 also tracks speed and distance, indoors or out. Use FR60's training tools to get the most out of your workout. Then, FR60 wirelessly sends your workout data to your computer for later analysis.


Train Indoors or Out In the gym or on the road, FR60 tracks all your workout data, including time, heart rate, calories burned, lap times and averages, and more. FR60 boasts advanced training tools, such as training alarms and Virtual Partner, which lets you race against a virtual training partner to improve your performance.

At the heart of its success is FR60's wireless ANT+ technology, which allows it to connect to other ANT+ compatible devices, like the included heart rate monitorn and foot pod, or even ANT+ compatible fitness equipment.

Go for Distance With the ANT+ seamless wireless link, FR60 connects to the optional wireless foot pod, which tracks your distance and speed effortlessly, both indoors and out. Using advanced accelerometer technology, the foot pod collects and sends precise data about your movements, gathering distance and speed data that is 98 percent accurate, right out of the box.

Listen to Your Heart FR60 also connects wirelessly to a lightweight, flexible digital heart rate monitor, providing instant feedback about how hard you're working. FR60 continuously tracks heart beats per minute and displays your heart rate zone, so you can monitor and improve your fitness level.
Cross-Train When paired with an optional speed/cadence sensor, FR60 tracks the speed and distance of your cycling workouts. The wireless speed/cadence sensor attaches securely to your bike and measures your pedaling cadence and wheel speed as you ride. You can even use it to train indoors because the sensor attaches to your rear wheel.


Sync and Share Once you've logged the miles, FR60 automatically transfers data to your PC or Mac, wirelessly when in range. No cables, no hookups. The data is just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize and share through our online community, Garmin Connect.

Pick Your Form Factor Males and females may train alike, but they have different preferences when it comes to watch styling. So, Garmin offers a men's and women's version of FR60 that differs only in size and color options. The men's model, which weighs 1.6 ounces, comes in black (shown here, 010-00743-10) or red on black. The women's model, at 1.4 ounces, comes in black or lilac.



What's in the Box FR60, heart rate monitor , USB ANT Stick, Foot Pod (accelerometer), quick start manual, and owners manual on disk

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Garmin Forerunner Bicycle Mount Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There are a few reviews on here that mention using this product with the Forerunner 305, but I wanted to make sure I posted a review to state specifically that yes - the Forerunner 305 fits on this perfectly (even though the description says Forerunner 405 and Forerunner 50).
I initially looked at the Forerunner 305 Quick-Release kit, but the horror stories of the device popping out of the wristband or bike mount quickly scared me away. With this mount, you can keep your 305 on its original wrist-strap, and feel more secure on your bike as the strap is wrapped around the mount. Garmin should abandon that Quick-Release kit and just use this as their mount for all their Forerunners.
One note - you do have to rotate the mount downward to see the 305 screen in an optimal position, but this hasn't affected the GPS reception at all.

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Garmin Foot Pod Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the foot pod so I could use my 405CX on an indoor track and have been pleased with the results.
Calibration was easy. On the Garmin 010-00658-30 Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Blue) you can calibrate it using the GPS or a 400m track. I chose to use the GPS and it had me run .66 of a mile. Was easy and seems to be pretty accurate. The only issue is that you need to calibrate it at the pace you usually run at. For instance I usually run at a 10 minute/mile pace but since I was only running .66 miles while calibrating it I ran at a much faster pace throwing it off a bit.
Running on a .10 mile indoor track after 3.5 miles it was off by about 50' more by the end of the run. Not perfect by any means but I could probably calibrate it more (or you can adjust it manually) to key it in.
I don't use it running while outside, but if you don't like the pace setting of the GPS you can have the watch display pace according to the foot pod instead.
Installation and removal is easy. The instructions say it will fit in an insole pocket if your shoe has one, but mine does not. To attach it to the laces you slide the mounting bracket under two X's where your shoe laces cross then snap the pod over the top. To remove you have to press a tab that unhooks it. It's very secure and takes a lot of pressure to remove it. I have no fear that it will come off while running.
I am very happy with the pod, it works very well, and is easy to use. If you want to use your GPS watch on a treadmill or indoor track during the winter months, it's a must have.

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Garmin FR60 Men's Red Fitness Watch (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was drawn to the Garmin FR60 as it represents one of the least expensive full-featured heart rate monitors which can download training data to a computer. Since I do a good chunk of my training indoors on a treadmill, particularly in the winter, a GPS based system was not required.
My experience with the Garmin FR60 has been mostly positive. First, it's important to point out this watch is sold in at least 3 different bundles. There's the basic heart rate monitor only (all black watch), this version (red) which includes an ANT+ Stick used to download training data to a computer, and a more expensive version which includes a foot pod for measuring distance. When shopping for this watch, be sure you know which bundle you're ordering, I had to return the black version after ordering it without realizing it didn't include the ANT+ Stick.
The watch itself is a nice form factor, smaller than the large Polar S120 I'm replacing. Initial setup is easy, the included quickstart guide walks you through the procedure in straightforward fashion. The screen is easy to read, and navigation between menus and setting adjustments is easy. My only gripe with the watch is the placement of the Lap/Split and Start/Stop buttons. Quite simply, these should be reversed. The Start/Stop button is a large white button centered just below the display area, it's quite easy to press. The Lap/Split button is a small button on the side of the watch and takes a firm touch to trigger. When I'm running hard, it's takes a bit of concentration to record a lap, certainly more than I'd like. I expect I'll get more comfortable with this as I use the watch more.
The heart rate strap fits comfortably and is in most ways quite similar to my familiar Polar T31 chest strap with one important exception, it has a door through which I can replace the battery. The Polar strap has to be sent back for a new battery, and a replacement strap is $30-40. The replacable battery on the Garmin is a nice upgrade. As for function, the heart rate is recorded accurately and I've yet to see it interrupted by interference. Of note, the Garmin HR strap does not appear to be compatible with any treadmill I've seen, the watch still records HR accurately, but the treadmill will not display HR on screen. Polar seems to have cornered the market here.
Once a workout is complete, recorded heart rate data can be downloaded to a computer via the ANT+ Stick, a simple USB stick. Once setup, the download process is quite easy. Garmin offers two options for logging your data, the desktop-only Garmin TrainingCenter (which must be downloaded) or the web-based Garmin Connect. I've tried them both, and find the TrainingCenter software easier to use, particularly when viewing heart rate data graphs. If you spring for the footpod, the software will correlate HR, time, and distance. Workout notes can be entered, making this a nice all-around training log. It seems like development is on-going for the web-based Garmin Connect, so it's possible it will get improved features in the future. Note that the data can be exported from either program as XML-based TCX files which can be processed into Excel sheets (with third party software) or uploaded to other third-party training log software. If you're comfortable with the format, the TCX files can be edited directly to include data not recorded by the watch (distance if not measured by the foot pod, calories burned, etc).
Overall this setup has allowed me to do exactly what I had hoped; accurately record my heart rate over training runs and download it to a computer for review and analysis and comparison with previous workouts. I'm excited enough about the system that I'll be adding the SDM4 Footpod to record distance as well. If the Lap and Start/Stop buttons we're swapped, it would be the perfect non-GPS based running tool, and an excellent value as one of the least expensive heart rate monitors which can download to a computer.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin FR60 Men's Red Fitness Watch (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick)

Log every mile and every minute with FR60, a sleek fitness watch plus workout tool that tracks your time, heart rate and calories burned. When bundled with the wireless foot pod (not included), FR60 also tracks speed and distance, indoors or out. Use FR60's training tools to get the most out of your workout. Then, FR60 wirelessly sends your workout data to your computer for later analysis.


Train Indoors or Out In the gym or on the road, FR60 tracks all your workout data, including time, heart rate, calories burned, lap times and averages, and more. FR60 boasts advanced training tools, such as training alarms and Virtual Partner, which lets you race against a virtual training partner to improve your performance.

At the heart of its success is FR60's wireless ANT+ technology, which allows it to connect to other ANT+ compatible devices, like the included heart rate monitor, optional foot pod (not included), or even ANT+ compatible fitness equipment.

Go for Distance With the ANT+ seamless wireless link, FR60 connects to the optional wireless foot pod (not included), which tracks your distance and speed effortlessly, both indoors and out. Using advanced accelerometer technology, the foot pod (not included) collects and sends precise data about your movements, gathering distance and speed data that is 98 percent accurate, right out of the box.

Listen to Your Heart FR60 also connects wirelessly to a lightweight, flexible digital heart rate monitor, providing instant feedback about how hard you're working. FR60 continuously tracks heart beats per minute and displays your heart rate zone, so you can monitor and improve your fitness level.

Also available in Men's Black

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Garmin 010-00863-30 Forerunner 210 GPS-Enabled Sports Watch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought this watch as a gift for my wife. I've had the Garmin Forerunner 205 for 2.5 years and my wife had been interested in getting her own for some time. The thing that was holding her back was the size of the 205. It just didn't fit comfortably on her wrist. The 210 solves that problem with it's compact size and actually offers more features than the 205 (heart rate monitor and interval support). The 210 is so small I would actually consider is reasonable to wear around as a regular men's sport watch (unlike the 205 it is easy to display time as the primary screen rather than buried in a sub menu).
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is the USB connector / recharging cable. The watch has 5 points on the back used for downloading data and charging and to connect it to the computer or power plug you have to use an odd proprietary clip that clamps down on the front and back of the watch. You have to be very careful to line up all 5 of the contact points otherwise charing won't work. I'm guessing they didn't use a standard mini-USB for reasons of water resistance, but the clip is not easy to connect to the device and it can slip off of the watch easily. My 205 has a cradle that the watch sits in, I'm not sure why Garmin went away from this approach, but the cradle is clearly preferable to the clip.
If you can get over the clip for charging I highly recommend this watch.
As a side note we also considered the Garmin 110, but did not purchase that because it doesn't offer real-time pace information. That was a deal breaker for me. If you are considering the 110 spend the few extra dollars for the 210. You won't be sorry.

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Garmin 010-00947-10 Forerunner 610 Touchscreen GPS Watch With Heart Rate Monitor Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I made this purchase as soon as I heard about the product. I was lucky that the Nike+GPS was out of stock at the time or I would have ended up with one of those... funny how that works. I made the switch from the 405 (first generation) to the 610. I did enjoy the 405 and logged a couple thousand miles with it. My biggest beef was the useless bezel (you probably already know this). The 610 has blown the competition out of the water with the 610. Granted I have only done a few runs and about 25 miles with it, but my initial reaction is WOW. The touch screen works PERFECTLY on runs. Very easy to read and tap through screens. I love the vibrating alert feature (great for us audiophiles), which also can be set to back light. I run often in the darkness of the early morning so the that alert (set at 1 mile auto lap) reminds me to look down and check my split. I did have a few issues upload data to garmin connect, HOWEVER that was probably user error on my part. I decided to download the desktop software and try that out instead of the website. I attempted to send a workout to the watch, which cause the ant agent to "hold" the data and I never did get the watch to take it. I had to uninstall the gconnect and the ant agent. I am back to the garmin connect, which is just fine with me.
The training screens are very customizable, I use two screens of two data fields... pace and distance on field one and ave pace and timer on page two. You can use four fields on a page and you can have a total of three pages... that is A LOT of data. I do not use a heart rate monitor so I cannot comment on that. The watch has WAY more data than I am concerned with, but maybe in the future I could use it. I do have a foot pod, but don't have in connected yet. Honestly, just too lazy to take it off my other shoes and also I don't feel it is necessary. The history setting on the watch is also FANTASTIC. It allows you to review your workouts on the watch, including splits. This great for times I am traveling and work out several times before getting back to my home computer.
I saw a few reviews and a post or two on the garmin site pointing out some gps errors. I am not concerned with those. I don't really KNOW what the most accurate GPS data even is. I have measured routes with google maps, google pedometer, my car, bing maps, garmin, nike+, etc and they are NOT identical so I expect some error. Some days with my 405 I ended up with slightly different distances running the exact same route. I compared data from my 405 to the 610 on the same route and the 610 measure a .02 difference. That could be a starting at a difference place in my driveway, crossing for a car, etc. I am not concerned at all with the GPS accuracy.
Bottom line, I love the watch and would recommend it to others.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin 010-00947-10 Forerunner 610 Touchscreen GPS Watch With Heart Rate Monitor


The first to put GPS on runners' wrists just tipped off a whole new race. With a touch, tap or swipe, Forerunner 610 lets you get on with your run while it tracks all the details.
With a touch, tap or swipe, Forerunner 610 lets you get on with your run while it tracks all the details.

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Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS-Enabled Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Red) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)pros-quick satellite fix, very clear display, waterproof, shows the info you need not what you don't, uses buttons instead of bezel controls, uses USB instead of wireless connection.
cons-fairly expensive, GPS loses some accuracy under heavy tree cover.
This watch is especially good for two kinds of runners: those who run on trails, and can't easily lock in distances (and thus pace); and those who travel, but still want to run outside, rather than on hotel treadmills. In both instances, this watch will give you accurate distance information, as well as pace and heart rate. The other big improvements that I haven't seen mentioned in other reviews are that unlike the 405, it has reverted to button controls, and also to a direct USB cable connection to your computer for uploading run information. Garmin is not advertising these changes, since they are ostensibly steps backward from the 405's bezel controls and wireless connection, but these were the sources of most of the complaints about the 405--especially problems with the bezel once it got wet with sweat or rain. This is no longer an issue.
You have to wonder whether some of the people writing these (one star) reviews actually run--or whether they work for Polar or Timex? The watch gives you distance, time and pace, as well as heart rate information, as you go. For most easy or long runs on trails or the road, this is all you need. On the track, you know the distance, so if you're doing intervals, just use the stopwatch. The only scenario where the lack of 'current pace' could be a problem as far as I can see is in doing tempo runs, if you do do them by time (say 20 minutes easy, 40 minutes tempo, 10 minutes warm down) instead of by distance, as I do them. By time, you could get a situation where your first and last miles of tempo running get mixed in with running at an easy pace, and the pace data would be useless. Still, if you set the autolap function at .25 miles, very little of your run is going to be logged inaccurately (at most the first and last quarter mile in that tempo workout). Similarly, if you happen to be changing pace lot during a run and want immediate feedback, the watch does give you that. So-called current speed on a GPS watch is always somewhat of an estimate anyway, since it is plotting your location between two points, measuring the time it took you, and then doing the math. There's really no such thing as an instantaneous current pace calculation, and if you have your watch set on .25 mile autolap, that's not much more than the distance that would actually be used for a current pace calculation otherwise.
One criticism: although the satellites initially lock onto my watch after an average of 30 seconds and seem to give very accurate distance ad elevation information (the latter on the Garmin Connect website), there is one part of my usual run under heavy tree cover where it seems like the satellites lose me for a tenth of a mile or less, which makes the data for that mile always come out slower than I'm actually running. It makes up the difference on the next mile, which makes that one come out too fast. Both are off by around 15 seconds/mile, and this is a bit annoying. Although I can do the calculation to average the two and see that each time they basically come out even, it seems that Garmin should have come up with an algorithm for the watch's software that would compensate for such discrepancies within the mile where they happen, rather than giving inaccurate information for two consecutive miles.
Bottom line: this watch gives you a lot of useful information, and even more when you download it to the Garmin Connect site. Unlike other Garmin watches, it doesn't give some extra cycling information and the heart rate monitor doesn't work in the pool, so it's really a watch for runners, not triathletes. But for semi-serious to very serious runners, it gives you everything you need, without the bells and whistles--and the headaches--of the 405.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS-Enabled Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Red)


Garmin's Forerunner 110 is the easiest way to track your training. It's GPS-enabled so it knows how far and how fast--with no extra bells and whistles. There's virtually no setup required, so you can just press start and run or walk with it.

Train Smarter, Not Harder Whether you're training to complete your first 5k or you want to get faster and fitter, having accurate workout data is the key. Forerunner 110 uses GPS to accurately record your distance, time and pace. Data from each run is stored in the unit, so you can go back and review how you did last week or last month. Or, upload to our Garmin Connect website for more detailed analysis.

Easy to Use Now there's nothing standing in the way of you and your run. Forerunner 110 is our simplest training device yet. Out of the box, you'll charge it, take it outside to find GPS satellites and answer a few setup questions. Then just press start and take off. Once you're done, press stop. It really is that easy.

Follow Your Heart Some versions of the Forerunner 110 (men's black/red and women's gray/pink) come with a heart rate monitor to display your heart rate in beats per minute. It also provides heart rate-based calorie computations so you can accurately track your calories burned. If you purchase the black/gray Forerunner 110 without heart rate, you can buy a Garmin heart rate monitor separately or use with an ANT+ heart rate monitor you already own.

Store, Analyze and Share Beginning and advanced runners know that reviewing data from your run can be motivating and provide meaningful feedback for improvement. Tracking your data is simple with Garmin Connect, our website for free data analysis and sharing. Just upload to Garmin Connect from your PC or Mac, then see the route you traveled on a map, view a summary of your workout data, create goals and more.

Fast and Accurate Forerunner 110 features HotFix satellite prediction, which means it locks onto satellites quickly so you can be out the door and on with your run in no time. It also has a high-sensitivity GPS receiver to stay locked onto satellites, even near tall buildings or under tree cover.

What's in the Box Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS-Enabled Unisex Sport Watch (Black), AC Charger, Owner's Manual

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Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am currently deployed in Afghanistan and have used this GPS during my combat patrols for about two weeks now. I have found that it performs perfectly. It is easily configured for MGRS, the metric system, and the compass can be set for Mils which makes calling for polar fire missions very easy. I love the fact that I have a 10-digit grid on my wrist. It cuts down on weight, not having to lug a DAGR around, and as I am taking notes during Community Engagements I can grab the grid right off my wrist as I write. So far it has stood up to the insane temperature differences from day to night. It has stood up to the dust (which gets into EVERYTHING - and has ruined two of my digital cameras [including a so-called dust-proof one]) with flying colors. The batteries last about 8 hours and it takes AAAs which are easy to carry. You can easily beam waypoints from one GPS to another. Several guys in my platoon carry the same one which makes it very easy. I am looking forward to using this when I get home to track my runs. So far I have found nothing wrong with this to speak of. I would definitely recommend it for whatever purpose you would use it for. I haven't tested its water-proofness yet; however, it stands up to my sweat very well.

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