Garmin 010-00679-05 Forerunner 50 Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick by Garmin
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Our Price: $159.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin 010-00679-05 Forerunner 50 Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick
Digital camera Review: A great watch, while it lasts
Summary: 2 Stars
I got this watch about 9 months ago, and was fairly happy with it until it stopped working. It went through the first battery in about 5 months and after having it changed it never seemed the same. I tripped during a race this Fall and while I didn't hit it on the pavement, it reset from the shock. Poof, mile 4 of a half marathon and my watch reads 00:00. Since then it's repeatedly reset at the slightest bump or jostle and now the battery's dead again. Now I have no watch and am not sure I want to give Garmin any more of my money.Digital camera Review: Works but needs attention to detail
Summary: 2 Stars
I have been using the 50 for approx 4 months. The set up and operation of the unit are not very intuitive. However once set up it is acceptable. Just be careful not to accidently push 2 buttons at the same time. This is easy to do when trying to push one side button with your index finger while applying counter pressure with the thumb.
Push 2 and the watch will reset. If it does then you will lose anything in the memory. Not very nice if you haven't downloaded the workouts in memory or are in the middle of a long run.
Digital camera Review: Good for HR monitoring, kind of annoying as a watch
Summary: 3 Stars
Been using this sucker with HR strap and footpod for about 6 months now, running a LOT.
Pros:
*I had never used a HR monitor before. Fantastic training method. Can't compare it to any other HR monitors (e.g. Polar), but compared to NOT using a HR monitor for training, it gets five stars.
*Small, lightweight, waterproof.
*Got the entire set (watch, HR monitor, and foot pod) for $120.
Cons:
*Having used many other regular watches, from Casio to Timex's Ironman, as a basic watch, or even a workout watch, it's crappy. First of all, the light from the light button does NOT stay on long enough. Some of us actually exercise at night, you know? Ironman watch: much better.
*Effectively non-standard start/stop/save button functionality. That face button for lap is just plain annoying. The buttons in general I don't find that good. And, if I'm trying to time many short events (sprint times of other people) it's a total pain and slow to be able to start, stop, clear, and restart. I realize that's not what it's necessarily made for, but it's annoying.
*Battery life is marginal. My footpod battery was dead out of the box when new. That was annoying. Had the system 6 months, and changed the watch battery twice now and the footpod once (total of four batteries in six months if you count the DOA footpod). Glad I'm comfortable doing so myself, as paying someone to do it would be annoying. That said, I do like replaceable better than a rechargeable watch itself as sometimes you're just not near power. Best would be if I felt comfortable enough to try out the RCR-2032 batteries (rechargeable versions; they're out there) but am worried that the higher voltage will kill it.
Overall, if you've never used a HR monitor system, I think it's just dandy. But, I wish the watch were as functional and high quality as the Ironman series, the light stayed on longer, the buttons were better, and DEFINITELY wish that it took a velcro sports watch band.
Digital camera Review: works great, lots of set up and battery stinks
Summary: 4 Stars
My wife loves it! she has used it so much for her runs that the battery went out in 6 months! We went to a watch store to change it. It had no power unless we adjusted it, then it would lose power again...uggg. My wife loved it so much we just got a new one. I hope the battery last longer, if not, looks like she'll have another one for her birthday (easy gift). The set up is a bit of a pain, but if you call Garmin, they can help and it's only a one time deal. Other than the set up & battery, it's great. Tracks speed, distance thru-out the run (i.e. when you slow down it shows you on the computer via graph and text when and how long during the run you slowed down and what speed you going). Pretty cool. Just make sure you get the foot pod also.Digital camera Review: love it
Summary: 5 Stars
I have the watch with heart rate monitor, and also purchased the foot pod separately. LOVE these items! I am an avid runner and these have helped me to improve my training greatly. Easy to use. The only thing I found slightly annoying was for the first few times using the heart rate monitor & foot pod together, I had to pair them each time - they didn't each automatically pair as the manual said they would. Then in future uses, if I was only using one of the two devices, I had to pair it again separately for the watch to read it. After about 10 or so times of the pairing issues, the devices now pair without problems. Very satidsied - makes training more fun & functional. I have a very small frame & am 33 in. around at the chest...so the heart rate monitor is too big for me. However, since I am always weraing a sports bra/top with built in bra, I just make sure the monitor is held in place with the elastic from my bra, and it works fine.