Garmin Forerunner 101 Waterproof Running GPS by Garmin
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Our Price: $274.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $165.00 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin Forerunner 101 Waterproof Running GPS
Digital camera Review: Happy with the Price
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought this for my wife, she is currently training for a 1/2 marathon. Has not had any problems with it so far, it was bigger than i expected but she has no complaints. I bought her the Apple+Nike Sports Kit a year ago and the Garmin has been more accurate. She liked the interface of the Nike website, so if you prefer a web interface to track your runs, I would suggest the upgraded Forerunner. It does have a map view which allows you to zoom in and out of your run, and the battery life seems great. I did buy a rechargeable AA batteries that way we don't have to worry about replacing an internal lithium battery. I figure when she wants to upgrade later I will gladly take the unit and get the mount for my mountain bike. One more thing, it has a cool little feature to mark your spot (like campsite or parking lot) and you can go for your hike when your done it will lead you back. I know this is pretty common with GPS units but did not know they put it on something for exercise.Digital camera Review: I'll never run without a Garmin again
Summary: 5 Stars
The Garmin is a great product. It is easy to learn (very "intuitive") and makes it so much easier to run new routes while keeping up with distance and pace.
I ran a great time in my first 10k race thanks to my Garmin. I'm relatively new to running and therefore can't pace myself naturally. The Garmin allowed me to tell myself to slow down at times and to speed up at others.
Digital camera Review: I'm taking mine back to the store today
Summary: 2 Stars
This is probably a good product for walkers or hikers, or for non-urban runners. However, I wore it on a run around a 5/8 mile track that passes about 20 feet from a parking garage and a hospital. On the first lap, the Forerunner measured .51 miles. On the second, it registered 18.6 miles! And so it went. My 5/8 mile lap shows up as anywhere from .3 to 20 miles. I e-mailed Garmin tech support and got a prompt response telling me that it's called multipath error and directing me to another company's website for an explanation. I get the impression that Garmin isn't particularly proud of this product.
I also find that it's very slow to capture the signal. I don't want to stand around for 5 minutes waiting for the sattelite signal before I can get moving.
My last comment is about the size and weight. I'm a small woman, and I find it pretty uncomfortable because the width of the unit is just a little greater than the space between the bones of my wrist. Even though the band fits loosely, the weight and pressure compromise circulation to my hand.
I do believe it would be good for hikers in open country who just need a rough estimate of how far they've gone (I haven't tried the mapping feature, since I run in a circle and it's pretty hard to get lost that way.) For training purposes, though, it doesn't give me accurate enough information to be of any use.
Digital camera Review: If your not serious about running...
Summary: 2 Stars
I run varsity cross country for high school and bought this watch thinking what most of you are thinking. However, as great as the concept might seem, the watch is better in theory than practice. The GPS antenna is very flaky. Good if you live in the great plains or something, but if there's a tree near by then you might be in trouble. The watch tries to compensate for the week signal but is very inaccurate with its compensation. This version is from 2001 so it might be time to go for a newer, smaller, slightly more expensive watch. The only real reason I wanted this is to know my mile pace when I'm running, but when the distance is off, so is the pace. I was running with the fastest runner in Suffolk County (one of the larger ones in NY) and it read 10 mins/mile. Then shortly after a drastically opposite result. Great programming, bad GPS.
On a final note, the thing isn't big enough to bother you too much, a little uncomfortable, but you will stick out like a sore thumb.
My advise is perhaps looking into the Nike+ for your ipod. Or if you hate running with an ipod as I do, then the Nike+ Sportband. Also the newer Garmin Forerunner.
Digital camera Review: It actually DOES work!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this product with the expectations that it would most certainly NOT work. I was sure that it would not be able to locate, or hold, the satellite signal or would not be truly accurate. I'm happy to report that I was wrong about both. I turn on my unit, set it outside, put on my walking shoes, and by the time I leash up the dogs, my Garmin has found the satellite and I'm off and walking. I should also say that it appears to be very accurate. To check it, I walked 2 miles one way, and then took the same route back to see if it would give me the same mileage. Going out, I walked 2.00 miles, and coming back, it said I walked 2.05 miles. That is plenty accurate enough for me. I've used this product everyday and it has yet to lose the satelite signal once securing it.
The only negative thing I can come up with is that the battery life does not last the 14 hours, or so, that is advertised. It's more like 8 to 10 hours, at the most, before I have to change batteries.
I would highly recommend this product. Hope this review helps you!