1.7" LCD - 12 Channels - USB - MPN: 0100037500
Strengths: Easy to use, excellent display, lots of other great features.
Weakness: Elevation reported by GPS doesn't always seem accurate. Maps displayed on software interface are somewhat crude.
Despite the one or two weaknesses mentioned above, I love the Garmin 301. Prior to this, I'd be running with a Reebok heart rate monitor (no GPS). The Reebock unit had served me well for over 3 years, but it was starting to have problems. I decided that I could splurge a little bit for a replacement unit that also included GPS.
For me, being able to download workout reports to my computer and view my progress in the Training Center software is a great motivator. I'm an information junkie, so I love the configurable graphs, maps, tables, etc.
Though some users have reported problems keeping a strong GPS signal, I've had no problems with it (as long as you give it 10 minutes to acquire signals before you start your workout).
I have noticed that elevation data seems to be a little out of kilter. One of my runs has me turning around at the crest of a hill. On the map of the workout that the training center displays, the turnaround point should also be the peak elevation, but instead the peak elevation is shown about .2 miles before the turnaround point. I don't consider that a big deal since the elevation measures are more of a "nice-to-have" feature than an essential one.
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TopStrengths: HR Monitor, GPS, Timer well integrated
Weakness: expensive, complicated software interface
The item looks a bit intimidating when you remove it from the box but for anyone training or wanting to improve their fitness, the Forerunner 301 does a great job integrating a GPS, heart rate monitor, and stopwatch into one compact unit.
There is a software package (WinXP only) that comes with the Forerunner 301 that lets you upload data from your ForeRunner. I've tinkered around it for a bit and it's a bit primitive and the interface is difficult to use.
That said, the Forerunner 301 is a great running tool for you to track how well you improve every workout.
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TopStrengths: compact, third-party support
Weakness: can't find signal, expensive, bad non-Windows compatibility
After seeing scripts that people had written to upload data automatically from this watch to work with Google Maps and blogging software, I decided to purchase it. Big mistake. I have a lot of trouble getting it to find a signal and have decided that it's just too bulky for my small frame to wear it. Furthermore, I use a Mac, and the included software won't work with my computer. However, third party scripts supposedly do.
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TopStrengths: Pace settings, virtual partner, pre-set workout settings valuable tool for interval/speed workouts, multi-sport use ie road cycling and best most accurate heart rate monitor for training purposes.
Weakness: GPS took a while to locate at first. Under trees in old neighborhood unit would lose gps but quickly re-calibrated to get me back on pace. Not a big deal.
I run marathons and have loved using this unit to keep me on pace the last 6 miles of pain and out of la la land. The high/low pace settings and beep notifications are awesome to keep you on pace. Virtual partner is awesome as well to push me on tough running days. GPS would go out in heavy tree areas but calibrate quickly to still give you an accurate pace & distance. I love the pre-set workouts I can input into the units so I can really push my performance on hard day workouts. I have used the Polar heart rate monitors but this one is the most accurate and best I have ever used. Software program is very easy to use so you can track you workouts and performance progress. I hope to set some pr's after using this unit more in the next year of training for Boston. Works great on my road bike cross training days. I recommend buying the bike mount as well. Awesome unit is all I can say.
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TopStrengths: Kept satellites even when trail running in medium foliage. Accuracy. Multiple settings.
Weakness: Large watch.
This is a great product. I wasn't sure whether a product like this would do me much good as I do a lot of mountain biking and trail running, but it kept the satellites and was accurate. I enjoy having the ability to understand what my body is doing with regards to heart rate, speed, and distance. This is a must have training tool for truly managing your exercise.
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TopStrengths: Large watch face displays tons of great info.
Weakness: GPS loses signal EASILY
I live in a non-wooded suburban area of Chicago (ie, no tall buildings or obstructive trees) and I still have not had a single run that was measured accurately. I have tried running in a semi-wooded forest preserve and that was a joke. My 10 mile run was off by a couple miles, and the tree overhang is not even significant. But even running from my house (where I receive satellite TV due to the unobstructed view of the sky) I have not been able to retain a signal for an entire run. For no apparent reason, I lose signal even out in the open. I have not gotten it to measure a run at more than 75% of the known distace. This has made the unit completely worthless. My old original Timex GPS was not perfect, but it only lost signal in definitively wooded areas. This certainly turned out not to be the "upgrade" I thought it was.
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TopI would contact Garmin. Their warranty service is excellent. You may have a defective unit.
Strengths: looks great
Weakness: major design flaws
First of all, Garmin's software DOES NOT work with Macintosh. There is no version of their software available for Mac, regardless of what their press release of Jan. 2006 say - as of Oct. 2006 there is no software for Mac.
When I first got the Garmin Forerunner 305, I followed the instructions, got it plugged in and went out for my first run with it. When I got home and plugged it in to my computer USB bus, the computer froze and required a reset to reboot. Once the computer came up again, the USB bus didn't work. Had to replace the motherboard.
Their support person informed me:
1. Check for chipset names that are INTEL, NEC, etc. These are compatible chipsets with our devices.
2. If you have a chipset name that contains SiS, Via, OpenHCD, Ali, or Alr,
these chipsets are not compatible with our devices and may not allow the USB Card Programmer to function.
"Unfortunately, it appears as if we are unable to determine why the failure occurred given the information you provided. Thus we question whether the Forerunner 305 had anything to do with the failure on your PC. The device you provided does meet all specification standards. I will no longer respond to questions regarding the previous unit.".
UPDATE: 2 October 2006 - After I filed the complaint with the Better Business Bureau, I was emailed by Garmin's senior staff attorney telling me he wanted me to contact him regarding this issue. I sent him the "final response" from Garmin's technical support that basically told me to shove off, to which he responded that they wanted to offer me another 305 as payment for my troubles. I requested they pay me for my motherboard and my time since I was now VERY DISAPPOINTED about how I had been dealt with, and basically the attorney told me in about 3 paragraphs that I needed to read their warranty which clearly states ... "blah blah blah" we aren't responsible for your problems.
UPDATE: 6 October 2006 - The replacement unit is now causing blue screens (through the USB hub). What a disappointing experience. $350.00 of junk.
Be ForeWARNED!
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TopStrengths: Excellent quality GPS Good Heart Rate Monitor USB Connectivity
Weakness: sometimes gets hung up due to overhead trees, tall buildings
If you want speed, distance and heart rate information, this is the device for you. Although the size is a bit large vs. a standard running watch. Everything is clearly visable with big numbers, and the ability to change screens take full advantage of the real-estate. Furthermore the way it sits on your wrist, make the size less noticable
The GPS works very well, but keep in mind that trees and tall buildings can block the signal, this is inherent in all GPS devices and the small size may make it more noticable that in a care with an anteanna that is much larger.
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TopStrengths: Heart rate, stop watch and GPS are well integrated and have a good user interface. The included training software is very good. Overall, very happy with the purchase.
Weakness: Size - smaller would be better. The speed/pace fluctuates as you are running. Distance accurracy seems to fluctuate (same run often has slightly different distances).
It should be noted that the weaknesses reported above are observations on this unit only and I suspect that all products in this class would exhibit the same weaknesses.
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TopStrengths: size: easy to read but ... see weaknesses. GPS: perfect. HR monitor: awesome. Training plan:
Weakness: size: big but ... see strengths.
If you're a serious runner or thinking about to become one this is the device for you. It's a little big but it help to glance down and see all the info without looking too long and strip/run over obstacles. Besides, i only wear it when running not to go out with it as a watch, so the size is a non-issue for me. 1) The HR monitor with strap-on gives more accurate monitoring and it can be customized to whatever you want to monitor (it saved me with beeping to tell me to slow down when my HR shot up to 205 bpm). 2) The GPS is very good for me. After a run, you can upload to the provided software, or a free web site (motionbased.com) which will keep the last 10 runs data. You can see your route from start to finish with data anywhere in between (distance/time/HR/elevation, etc.), and on the street map. 3) You can setup a training plan and download to the device so that it can monitor and keep you on the plan (tempo/long-run, warm-up/cool down by time/distance etc.) with all the beepings to tell you when to speedup/slowdown while constantly monitor your HR. Overall, I love it and it's worth every penny from $160.
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Garmin Forerunner 301 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 2.12 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #39 recreation GPS of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a product's...
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Testseek.com has collected 3 expert reviews for Garmin Forerunner 301 and the average expert rating is 85 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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Garmin Forerunner 301 Portable Navigator
Strengths: Far and away the best GPS/heart rate personal trainer out there. Easy to read at a glance while running. Very user friendly. It comes with great software that shows you everything on the computer.
Weakness: The USB port is under a rubber cover on the _back_ of the unit (the side that touches your skin) and the salt from sweat seems to corrode the port over time. I wish it was on the side/top of the unit.
I'm part of a running club where people are using a variety of devices, and the Garmin Forerunners seem to be everyone's favorite. I used the 201 before this, and the software that comes with the 301 is much more comprehensive. You can chart your heart rate, pace, elevation, etc. and see your entire route on the software's maps. My only issue with GPS is a problem that spans all of the devices -- they'll do what I call "rubber banding" where the unit will lose sync with one of the satellites (usually when you're running under an overpass or under trees, but it can happen anywhere) and it causes the realtime pace to read slow/fast/slow/etc. until it comes back to the real pace. This isn't such a problem once you know how to read it, though (a pace bouncing between 8:00 and 8:30 is probably an 8:15, etc.), and it's still accurate overall for the run. In short, this is a great device and I'd happily recommend it to anyone. Be sure to wet the HR monitor before you strap it on - it finds your pulse much better that way.
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