Anyone have a Gamin GPS watch?

[Mickey Fliers]

I asked on the Community board, but thought I would put it here as well.

I was thinking about getting one for DH. Any style you like better than others. Has it helped your workouts? I bought him a heart rate monitor a few years ago and he just didn't use it...so I am hesitant to buy him this.

TIA!

 

[FireDancer]

I have a Garmin Forerunner 305. It came with a heart rate monitor but I don't use it. The price was only something like $15 more than the 205 without the monitor so I figured I'd get it in case I want to use it in the future.

Other than shoes it is the single best investment I made in my running. I had fought getting one for years but a mile into my first run with it I knew it was a good purchase. Not only do you get real time pace which helps a great deal with training but you don't have to remember your route and go back and map it after the fact.

 

[rubato]

Same here. I love, love, love my Garmin 305. I don't use the heart rate monitor either. I can no longer even think of running without it. I got mine for around $115 on Amazon and it's the best investment I have made.

If your hubby runs or walks, and he is even remotely interested in electronic gadgets, this is the gift for him!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Okay. I just bought it! I also bought the foot pod for indoor training. I think we will be training for a full next year so I hope this is useful.

 

[QTnursestudent]

I bought myself a Garmin 305 as an early Christmas present in November. I use the heartrate monitor with it also but that's probably because I'm new to running (again) and I work on a cardiac unit as an RN, so I want to keep an eye on how my heart is handling it's new workouts.

I absolutely LOVE my 305. I kept putting off getting one thinking I have so many free resources available to me already so why spend money on another one? Well, I wish I hadn't waited. It's so cool to see exactly what's going on in real time.

 

[verticalchaos]

I've got the FR60W (the W just means women's...they have a regular FR60 as well). I love it! It's got the foot pod (no GPS, which is ok with me) and the HRM strap!

 

[deleckidesign]

I've got the FR60W (the W just means women's...they have a regular FR60 as well). I love it! It's got the foot pod (no GPS, which is ok with me) and the HRM strap!

I asked for this for Christmas!

 

[MissFitt]

I asked for this for Christmas!

Me too but I guess Santa had other ideas (A Snuggie? C'mon Santa what are you thinking!) Oh well, good thing I have a birthday in January!

 

[deleckidesign]

Me too but I guess Santa had other ideas (A Snuggie? C'mon Santa what are you thinking!) Oh well, good thing I have a birthday in January!

I got it!! Had to order the foot pod though because it was the bundle with just the watch and the HRM!

 

[bounceliketigger]

LOVE my Garmin 405 but to do over I'd get the 305--the screen's bigger & easier to see while running

 

[DisneyGerry]

I also have the 305 and use the heart monitor but not sure how to interpret the data?

 

[stego]

I purchased this through the running warehouse site. For a 15% discount, go to the team discount page and do CP15. Free 2 day shipping.

I know that is a lot of money. The watch IS very simple, but it works. Even though it is has the new hotfix, it takes a few minutes to get the satellite fix. So I walk around until it is ready.

What is key is my mile pacing, and my HR during my workout (wo). For many folks here on the WW/Dis board, this might NOT be what they are looking for.

I bought it specifically to download the data to send my coach. I have a garmin 500 for my bikes to download to her, as well.

As an athlete, about 2 years ago I reached the level where it made sense to get a coach. She has 10-12 clients and that is her job...she sets up my workouts specific to me. Once a week I give her a brief summary, and I download the files (because in order for her to do her job, as much scientific info I get to her helps her to help me). Right now a power meter is out of range.

As part of her coaching fee, she downloads my wo's to training peaks. You don't have to have a coach to use it, but I'm not sure there is a fee to use it. For me, I want to focus on my training and not worry about what I have to do and when.

If you REALLy want a thorough review on the Garmin 110, check out dcrainmaker. Just do a search.

 

[johde]

I have the 305. I really like it. As far as using the heart rate monitor, I run with it, but I don't base my workouts on it. I use it as another data point to gauge my progress. To try training in specific zones, you need to have a real good handle on your max heart rate. Most of the formulas have enough error in them to be pretty worthless.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I have the Garmin 305. I literally can't run without it now.

My fiance thought I was silly when I ordered it. Said that maybe I'd get use of out it because I was a new runner. Said that since he knew his pace pretty well, that he didn't need one. Then out of curiosity he asked if he could try it once. HA! He kept begging me to use mine so much I bought him one of his own

 

[leeshiebean]

I have the FR60. I actually won it on Facebook from a race I was doing! I used to use the Nike+ ipod and found that it wasn't very accurate. It was more like a beginners tool for those running short distances. The longer I ran, the the more off it was.
The Garmin however, is pretty accurate. It also uses a footpod (so can be used indoors on a treadmill as well as outside) and comes with a clip for your shoelaces. I recently started working in a running store, and I was told that the general accuracy rate for a Nike+ is 90%, the Garmin footpod is 97%, and the Garmin GPS 99%.

 

[HockeyKat]

I have the FR60. I actually won it on Facebook from a race I was doing! I used to use the Nike+ ipod and found that it wasn't very accurate. It was more like a beginners tool for those running short distances. The longer I ran, the the more off it was.
The Garmin however, is pretty accurate. It also uses a footpod (so can be used indoors on a treadmill as well as outside) and comes with a clip for your shoelaces. I recently started working in a running store, and I was told that the general accuracy rate for a Nike+ is 90%, the Garmin footpod is 97%, and the Garmin GPS 99%.

I have the FR60W as well, and like it. It came with the footpod and I did have to adjust for accuracy, but it was within .03 of my RunKeeper phone app on a 5 mile run/walk last weekend. I do intervals, so I am pretty impressed it keeps up with my pace.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Looking for a bit more feedback on the Garmin 305!

What's it like in RDF?
(that's Rain Drizzle Fog......what seems to be the most common weather conditions here)

What's it like in the dark? Can you set the backlight to be on constantly or is it one of these that only are lit whilst button is pressed?
(because 1/2 the year my runs will be in the evening darkness)

Kinda wish they offered a daintier ladies' version!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I have a Garmin Forerunner 305 and I can't live (well, ok, run) without it. I've become so spoiled in knowing the exact pace I'm going and the exact distance I have gone. It came with the heart rate monitor but I honestly haven't even tried it since I purchased it a year ago. The Garmin Forerunner is my must have running accessory .

I have run in the pouring down rain and had no issues with the Garmin (it's water resistant). I don't know if there's a way for the light to stay on or not, I usually just check mine every once in awhile when I run in the dark. There's a lot of features I haven't really had the chance to explore, but I love it even for its most basic functions.

 

[John VN]

Looking for a bit more feedback on the Garmin 305!

What's it like in RDF?
(that's Rain Drizzle Fog......what seems to be the most common weather conditions here)

What's it like in the dark? Can you set the backlight to be on constantly or is it one of these that only are lit whilst button is pressed?
(because 1/2 the year my runs will be in the evening darkness)

Kinda wish they offered a daintier ladies' version!

No problems in the rain with mine.

Press a button and the back-light stays on for 15 seconds. Plenty of time to read displays.

I use the heart rate monitor. Find it vital for proper training.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Thanks all! I just bought my Garmin 305. A bit tricky figuring out, but I can see that I'll really enjoy it not only for running, but also for any long walks & hikes!
I'm a geek of a runner!