Advantages: Excellent training aid for heartrate, pace, speed monitoring and recording
Disadvantages: Altimeter not 100% correct

...An excellent training aid. This item gives you heartrate, speed, time taken, lap times, for running, biking, and other sports. This can be downloaded to the included software as your training log and then uploaded to websites such as Google earth where you can view your training mapped against satellite images. I aren't too sure of the accuracy of the altimeter part of the satellite navigation product, but that does not bother my training too much. Another good feature is that on the website mapmyrun.com you can save your run course that you created and upload it to your Garmin and then train against the training pace buddy, with the Garmin telling you if you are behind or in front of the pace that you set. Also if you wander off the course the Garmin will warn you that you have strayed away from the intended path. Overall a must... Read review

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Advantages: Helps you to measure your runs, Can help you pace yourself
Disadvantages: Quite expensive, Size of unit is a bit big

...The problem I had when I started training seriously for my first half marathon was that although I knew how long I was running for, I just could not be sure of the distances I had been running. I only had a rough idea of my distance from driving the route but this was not ideal, especially as parts of my runs were over areas that you just cannot reach in the car. I did not think anyone would be very pleased if I drove my car over fields, just to measure distances. I searched the chat forums on the 'Runners World' website for a solution and this was where I came accross the Garmin Forerunner 201. *****THE COMPANY***** Garmin Ltd. is a group of companies who design, manufacture and sell navigation and communications equipment. They have a wide range of products which are used in aviation, marine, automotive and general recreation... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Easy to use
Disadvantages: loss of signal

...I can't imagine life without my Garmin. Those days before it seem dark compared to now when I charge off down the road knowing that all the information I need is strapped to my wrist. For starters I was suprised to find I had been further than I thought, which is a bonus. I was more of a runner than I thought I was. It's an expensive bit of kit, but worth every penny. It is motivational because I can't wait to upload the data onto the computer and study it. Was this run better than the last one? How much have I improved since last month? Oh yes, that's when I was chased by that dog! I could tell because my speed had suddenly shot up along with my heart rate. Heart rate, mmm that can be a little hit and miss. The garmin sometimes loses its signal shooting my HR up and giving me a false reading. I used to struggle to see the figures... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of feedback about your training!
Disadvantages: Side buttons are a bit small. Strap can be uncomfortable.

...The Garmin Forerunner 305 is a personal GPS trainer with Heart Rate Monitor. I've been using mine now for over 6 months, so I hope this review will cover all aspects of the Forerunner! I should start by saying that I really like this unit; I have used it for walks, jogging, and cycling and it has worked pretty much as I required. In the box The Forerunner 305 is packed with features, but out of the box, this is what you get: The forerunner itself Docking pod USB lead charger instruction manual and software The docking pod is what lets you transfer the training information over to the computer - you take the forerunner off your wrist, drop it into the dock and (if you have installed the software) the Garmin programme starts up and starts transferring. It will also charge the unit, rather than using the charger (which uses a USB... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great for tracking your performance and working to improve it
Disadvantages: Doesn't feel good losing a race with your virtual partner :-(

...I purchased the 205 shortly after it was released in the UK and so have had one for some time now, other than a problem with a faulty button (the guys at Garmin promptly replaced the unit under warranty) I've not had any problems with it. + The Product: Essentially its a small wrist mounted GPS, at its very basic it will record information on your run (or walk or cycle ride). Information can be viewed on this history section of the GPS so you can see / compare things like distance run, average speed, fastest speed etc.. You can then download this information for a permanent record, or to carry out more analysis, or even to save the route so you can send this to friends. + Training Options: Another key feature is the training options built into the GPS, training sessions can be set to enable you do carry out specific training programs... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use, accurate, light
Disadvantages: looses signal easily

...I started running about 18 months ago training for a half marathon - and as I live in a rural location I was finding it dificult to track the distances I was running as there is only so far a car can go! So I started using website such as mapmyrun.com to plot routes and this appeared pretty successful at the time - however come the big race and there was no way I had run the distances I thought I had and had to have a major rethink of how I was going to train for the full marathon I had signed up for. So I was on a weightwatchers forum and someone mentioned they had a GPS system for runners and I instantly googled it and found my godsend - the Garmin Forerunner 201. Now it isn't the top of the range of the Forerunners - you can get ones with built in heart rate monitors and the like but the description given appeared to be just what I... Read review

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Advantages: Simple to use, convenient, compact
Disadvantages: Takes time to lock on signals

...What an item. After buying my Garmin StreetPilot I3 I was up and running withing minutes. It is an amazing piece of kit. The support from Garmin has been exceptional and software updates are sent to me when they are available. The only downside that I can mention is that when not using back-up batteries it does take a little longer to 'lock on' to the satellite signals. However having said that, if that is all that there is to complain about then thats a small disadvantage. I use my street pilot 7-8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It is unobtrusive, simple to use and easy to update. I also use it more for keeping an eye on my speed. When not actually navigating the display shows what speed you are doing, this can be in MPH or KPH. All in all, well done garmin... Read review

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Advantages: Small and very strong
Disadvantages: A bit bulky and expensive from UK suppliers

...in a short time, the majority of handheld ones come with lovely overlaid maps at the least, and some are now colour, and can be used in the car. Comparing them to the Foretrex 201 is therefore very unfair as the wrist mounted GPS has a very basic list of capabilities, and relies more on its long battery life and features which are aimed out your outdoor rugged types, you know the sort all jutting square chins and Berghaus, the same square jawed guy will also be wearing the newer versions called the forerunner 205 or 305. The fortrex is also available as a basic version with batteries (called the fortrex 101) and also versions called Forerunner 101 and 201 which have some very nifty training software (PC only mind so I avoided that as I am a confirmed Mac guy) The operation and style is the same on all these models. So down the overview... Read review

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Advantages: rugged, waterproof, reliable, accurate
Disadvantages: none

...My wife and i have a hobby called Geocaching and our Garmin Geko 201 is invaluable to us. Our hobby involves downloading co-ordinates to the PC, which we can then transfer to the Garmin via a serial cable. You can of course input them manually. My advice is to read the manual carefully as it may not be the most obvious piece of kit to use. (isn't that what manuals are for? ) Once you get used to it it is a very simple unit to use. It is rugged, waterproof and has a good battery life. I believe it is even possible to link to some mobile phones such as Smartphones but i have not tried? It has a breadcrumb feature so that you can retrace your step, current speed, average speed, distance covered and many more useful features that you will find handy, but; The most important thing is that it is accurate. We have to find objects the size... Read review

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Advantages: Small, easy to use, works with 12v and 24v vehicles
Disadvantages: Slow to lock onto satellites sometimes, reflection from screen

...I have owned my Garmin i3 for a few years now, and I have had no problems with it. Garmin give you a free mapping upgrade for the first time, so after one year, or when the mapping goes from v7 - v8 you get a new card if you give them a call. I recently purchased the Europe mapping on Ebay (was a counterfeit, but works perfectly), holiday in Italy, hire car (centre of Florence!), took us through all the mad driving safely, whilst my wife was reading a map which the guy in the hire place gave us with a marked route out) Garmin chose the same route, and didnt get left from right mixed up either!! We used it all over the Florence area, brilliant, worth every penny!... Read review

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