Garmin Forerunner / Timex Body Link

[flyingwil]

I was just wondering if anyone else has a Garmin Forerunner?

I currently have a Garmin Forerunner 301, and was thinking on my run this morning how I should start bringing it to camp and using it when hiking instead of running only.

Why not have GPS on your wrist?

I ended up with Garmin Forerunner over the Timex Body link because of its mapping capabilities, while both have the heart rate, the map was more important to me in marathon training as the distances grow closer to the 26.2 mile mark! You have to know how to return while staying off the main (Busy 45+ MPH) roads. So why not integrate this into camp situations? With the USB charging point, and my USB port on my truck, I could always charge it up when needed too.

Anyone else have experience with this or similar?

 

[datrupr]

No experience Wil, but my thoughts are that that is a very cool little unit indeed.

 

[UncleChris]

I picked up the bodylink and did not find it very useful. I used it while biking and rollerblading. Since then I have looked into the Garmin units(since all of my other GPSs are Garmin) and thought that it is a much better way to do everything that the bodylink does and more.

Let me know how it turns out!

 

[flyingwil]

I have had the Garmin Forerunner 301 since they came out. The moving map and breadcrumbs work outstandingly well to get back to you location while at the same time allowing input of pace, heart rate, time, and all that jazz.

I just haven't used it for anything other than my long runs, and was thinking it could be useful out on the trail since it is almost the size of a watch, but also a full functioning GPS. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with these units out on the trails, or do I have to be the Guinea pig?

 

[+ d]

so these units are able to determine precisely where you were when you had your myocardial infarction?





cool!

 

[UncleChris]

I just haven't used it for anything other than my long runs, and was thinking it could be useful out on the trail since it is almost the size of a watch, but also a full functioning GPS. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with these units out on the trails, or do I have to be the Guinea pig?

When you say trail, do you mean on a Vehicular trip?

Does it have a connector for an external antenna? If not, then I do not think it would do a very good job while driving(diminished contact with Satellites).

I have a 276c in the truck, and an eTrex vista for hiking/biking/etc. The display on the eTrex is a little limited, as I would expect the 301 to be. I don't think the 301 would be very good for Expedition use in the vehicle, but I would take it along if you are going to hike or jog or even as a backup. I carry my radio box with me, that has my eTrex in it as a backup.

 

[flyingwil]

so these units are able to determine precisely where you were when you had your myocardial infarction?
cool!

They are pretty slick little units. Giving you more information than you could ever want. You can also uplink your workouts to you computer and track everything from shoe milage to heart rates during each segment. I used it exclusively for my marathon training, but am thinking of expanding it to camp use. Some review complain of a loss of GPS signal, but I have to see it in my training and have logged over 300 miles on the unit.

Here are some photo's stolen from Amazon:

 

[flyingwil]

When you say trail, do you mean on a Vehicular trip?

No I am more referring to a hiking trail or out on your own while exploring around camp by foot, bike, ski's, or what ever, with out dragging along a bigger heavier unit that may interfere with the physical activity. It is also waterproof and can be used in triathlons.

 

[UncleChris]

No I am more referring to a hiking trail or out on your own while exploring around camp by foot, bike, ski's, or what ever, with out dragging along a bigger heavier unit that may interfere with the physical activity. It is also waterproof and can be used in triathlons.

Gotcha,

For that it would be perfect.

 

[Cackalak Han]

This is an oooooold thread, but just curious to see if anyone else still uses a Forerunner? I bought mine 3 years ago for marathon training, but never thought of using it on hikes and such. I think it would be a good little gadget to have, especially on longer hikes.

Also, anyone using a Mac? I don't think Garmin Forerunner has a software for Mac's? I have an Intel iMac, BTW.

 

[Bergger]

I've had a Garmin Forerunner 305 for the past year and really love it. You can get them cheap now too. I've used it mostly for marathon training but have also used it hiking and climbing 14'ners. On the mountains I like to monitor my heart rate as well as all the other info.