Recommendations for running GPS watch, please

[walkdmc]

I am training for the W&D 1/2 in November and recently discovered my Map My Run app's GPS info is inaccurate. I am looking into getting a GPS watch and have researched Garmins.

I'm looking for basic info., pace, distance, elevation, and calories burned. I don't need a heart rate monitor.

If you have a favorite GPS watch, please share.

Thanks!

 

[Merandab4]

I absolutely Love my Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS watch. It does so much more than I even knew how to use. I recently was told that you can swim with it as well ( as many triathletes do)

You can read my review of this watch here http://fairytalesandfitness.blogspot.com/2013_06_01_archive.html

Hope this helps!

 

[Ariel484]

I was looking to replace my Garmin 305 with something smaller and was looking at the 210 vs. the 10. The 110 got poor reviews so I didn't consider it, and the 610 was out of my price range. Here's what I found when looking:

10...
-5 hours of battery life on GPS
-Can only display one type of pace (I forget which it is, current, lap or average?)
-Displays 2 fields at a time on the screen, you scroll through to see each pair
-has an interval function
-Cheapest Garmin available ($129 I think?)

210...
-8 hours of battery life on GPS
-Can display current, average OR lap pace
-Displays time, pace and distance on the screen
-Pretty sure it has an interval function
-Costs about $200 (I got mine for $150 thanks to a rebate offer)

I went with the 210 for the longer battery life and more pace options. These two features alone were worth the extra money for me...the battery life issue really made the decision. I was training for the WDW marathon at the time and knew it would take me more than 5 hours since I stop for tons of pictures. I LOVE the 210, except for the charger...it can be finicky at times.

Check out www.dcrainmaker.com ...really detailed reviews of all the Garmins here. Good luck!

 

[walkdmc]

Thanks a lot, both of you!

I will check out the recommended sites and watches.

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks a lot, both of you!

I will check out the recommended sites and watches.

Good luck! And try not to over think it...I read reviews over and over so much that it made my head spin. Just figure out what you need and go from there.

 

[walkdmc]

Ariel, you must know me. I've been reading reviews and blogs about GPS units for weeks. Every time someone recommends one, I read the reviews and find negative battery/strap quality/satellite pick-up/etc and I'm back to square one.

My only issue with DCRainmaker is he seems to like everything he tries. I get the impression he is paid for his reviews.

Anyway, I'm worried about the FR!0's battery life. The FR610's strap gets a lot of bad reviews (it breaks easily, apparently). I can't remember the negatives of the FR210 but there were some. Ugh.

 

[wiigirl]

I have had a couple Garmin Forerunners....loved them.

 

[dburg30]

Love my 310..long battery life, big screen (for some that's a deal breaker) very customizable, no clue on strap, I've heard that but I don't put mine on super tight.. Also like the foot pod for indoor and cadence, and the heart rate monitor also.

 

[FireDancer]

If you are deciding between the 10 and 210 I highly recommend the 210. Real time pace is extremely valuable and I wouldn't consider a GP watch that doesn't offer it.

If I were in the market for a running watch right now there are only 3 I'd consider, Garmin 210, 310XT, and the 910XT. The 910XT is the best but it is also the most expensive. The barometric altimeter gives you much more accurate elevation information but I'm not sure it is worth $200+.

Eliminating that and looking just at the 210 and 310XT you get two advantages with the latter. First is customizable screens. It is nice to have the information you want as opposed to only the default info. The second is the multi-sport option. You never know if you are going to want to venture out into biathlons, duathlons, or triathlons at some point or even if you want to do a brick workout.

Right now the 310XT is also cheaper than the 210 on Amazon so you get that added functionality for no price premium. The only drawback is the size but it isn't really as big as it looks. My girlfriend is small with a small wrist and has a 310. I am small and have a similar sized Gramin, the 305. It took both of us about 3 runs before we got used to having the watch on during runs.

 

[walkdmc]

Thanks a lot, everyone! I just ordered the 310xt after reading DCRainmaker's blog and other reviews. Thanks for the rec, FireDancer! Plus, the price on Amazon is great. If I wanted to use it as a watch, I would've gone with something smaller but now, I just want it for running.

 

[FireDancer]

Glad I could help, hope you enjoy it.

 

[crewmatt]

I've got the 610 and 405 (the battery on my 405 is going after all these years so I use that when I travel for work). I like them both quite a bit. The touch screen on the 610 is very easy to use, even when a little wet. Also I like the ability to program in interval workouts