Hello all!I have made the decision I cant run with the goofy iphone any longer to track runs. I have such a prob with pacing and feel its time to invest in a gps watch.I have been looking at the Garmin FR10 or the FR405. I am on a budget but also trying to get what is one easy to use, two features I will use and three durability.i can get the FR10 for 109 new or a refurb 405 w/ HR monitor for 100. I will prob not use the HR monitor that I can see but who knows. I do keep reading that the 405 touchbezel has some people really irked by it? Any opinions on these?My profile:I am an average runner, I have completed several half marathons, many 5k, 10k and those crazy obstacle endurance runs like warrior dash. I average 25-30 miles per week. I enjoy trail running. run when its nice out but dont sweat it if caught out in rain. I am training for a full marathon, Detroit Free Press marathon in October of this year.I'd like to solicit any opinions and experience from other runners gps users here.Thanks in advance!
GPS Running Watch Questions
- Thread starter Almightys
- Start date
I have been running for longer than I care to admit and have completed over 20 marathons. Mostly I have traced out my routes on some thing like MapMyRun and just timed the run. That said, I have been using one of these recently
http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-431910/pgid-431911
with success. You could probably find one for near 100 USD with a little effort. I have also heard good things about the Polar products with the foot pods. I agree about ditching the iphone. It reminds me of the 'old' days of GPS units where you had a brick strapped to your arm. Best wishes on your first Marathon.
http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-431910/pgid-431911
with success. You could probably find one for near 100 USD with a little effort. I have also heard good things about the Polar products with the foot pods. I agree about ditching the iphone. It reminds me of the 'old' days of GPS units where you had a brick strapped to your arm. Best wishes on your first Marathon.
- Thread starter
- #3
ye, i want to pair down to the watch and maybe an ipod shuffle , but I really want to get away from the music on the trail runs
I'm sure that there are lots of opinions on this, but I never run with music. I like to hear what's going on around me, and I don't want to get smacked by a car or a baby stroller when I'm running along the street, or get hit by a mountain bike or an angry buck if I'm on a trail run. There's plenty of stuff going on in my head to keep me amused, and I like it when I slip into the rhythm of the run. Music takes me out of that. Just leave the iPod at home or in your car. A couple of runs and you won't want it any more.
Up until now, I haven't tried any kind of GPS device either. I usually just plan something out on a map, then figure out the distance based on my pace. That having been said, that Nike watch looks pretty cool and I could imagine that it's fun to use. Do you have to run in Nikes to have a place to put the sensor?
+1 on running without music. I also like to hear what is around me be it cars, dogs, etc. Any of the devices that use a pod can be used with any shoe as the pod can be attached to your laces. If Nike required you to use their shoes I would pass as I have never liked what they offer for running. I usually stick with Brooks and/or Saucony.
I also don't run with music any more but for a while I tried the Nike+ and iPod. I found it kept crashing my iPod and lose my data.
I highly endorse the Garmin series of watches. I've used my Garmin 405cx for years and love it. Don't worry about the touch bezel. When I start off I press both buttons and it locks the bezel.
I highly endorse the Garmin series of watches. I've used my Garmin 405cx for years and love it. Don't worry about the touch bezel. When I start off I press both buttons and it locks the bezel.
Get a Forerunner 305 if you can.
I have had a 405 for years. The bezel takes a little getting used to, but I don't mind it at all. It has done several half marathons as well as shorter distance races and training runs.
- Thread starter
- #9
Do you fellows with the Garmin 405's use the heart rate monitor? Trying to understand value of that as I am still a running noob. lol
what i do is drive my car around the area i want to run and use the mile marker from the dash.
been doing this for a while now. i don't like carrying anything when i run. I used to run at a track, but after i had trained to run a half marathon a few years back, i can't do it anymore. Too repetitive. treadmills are out of the question.
been doing this for a while now. i don't like carrying anything when i run. I used to run at a track, but after i had trained to run a half marathon a few years back, i can't do it anymore. Too repetitive. treadmills are out of the question.
- Thread starter
- #11
I have to use headphones with music and something ridiculous on TV that can be watch adn understood w/o sound like Honey Boo Boo or Fast n Loud. Tosh.0 does well too. I hate running on main roads, so meandoring through the subdivisions does not help to calculate mileage easy, Also my problem is PACE, keeping one and being aware of what it is currently. Running on the trail systems her are easy when its 5 miles but confusing (at least to me) when you are running over 10 miles which I will be doing quite a bit in the marathon trianing. The GPS function can also help you get back.
I'm in the same boat, my old Garmin Forerunner 305 battery is only lasting about 1.5 - 2 hours so I'll be looking for a new model soon. The 305's had the best deals in the past but not sure now, I use the heartbeat monitor most runs and overall the Garmins are reliable....the 305 is large and a smaller model with longer battery life would be better I think. Its easy to track your road mileage thru a map program but for trail running a GPS watch works best. No music for me either.
I just got the Garmin Forerunner 10 in orange. I was looking for a simple running watch with GPS and this fit the bill perfectly. I've only used it once, mind you, but it worked great. Hit the start button, run, hit stop...done. You can plug it into your computer and upload your run for analysis. It tracks your distance, pace, time, etc. It's a good basic unit for the money (approx $130)...
I've been using this one (black/red) for a few months too...sometimes it takes a while to get a GPS signal, but overall I am pleased with how easily it works.
I have used the Garmin 405 for a few years now. I have found it to be an excellent watch with plenty of features to add another dimesion to your run. The bezel has only been an issue for me in the wet but if you know it is going to be wet, you can lock the bezel.
I also use the heart rate monitor, although I don't think it adds an awful lot for me. I like stats and it's interesting to see how hard I have pushed myself during a run. If you are trying to incorporate recovery runs into your training it can be a good way of making sure you aren't pushing too hard.
I even tried the foot pod a few times to measure my stride rate.
I also use the heart rate monitor, although I don't think it adds an awful lot for me. I like stats and it's interesting to see how hard I have pushed myself during a run. If you are trying to incorporate recovery runs into your training it can be a good way of making sure you aren't pushing too hard.
I even tried the foot pod a few times to measure my stride rate.
The Garmin bezel was problematic for me. Hard to use and flaky when sweaty. I sold mine after trying to make it work for a couple months.
That's why you press both buttons down to lock the bezel while running.
Almightys, I have used it with the HR monitor and it seems to work well, however I don't traditionally do HR based training, even though I probably should. So, yes I have used it, however not often.
- Thread starter
- #19
So i bought the Garmin 405 w/ HR monitor. It was $99 shipped from Buydig and could not pass it up. It shows up tomorrow so anxious to start using it.I completed a trail half marathon race Saturday and woudl have loved to had it then. I was fumbling with that stupid iphone trying to get some pace/time updates UGH. I did finish in 2:12 which was better than my 2:23 time last year but far from my 2hr hopeful mark. Marathon training starts offically in July for my October marathon. Im loking forward to flying that 26.2 sticker proudly. Ill have sometime to get used to this watch as I am going to keep up my mileage that I built up for the half.Thanks all for the info!
I think you'll like it. Especially for the price. I always lock the bezel when I run so that sweat doesn't interfere. That way you just have a start/stop function. Enjoy!