I've got back into running at long last after having my ankle sorted, and fancy actually see how far / fast I've been going. I've had a look through the Garmin and Polar websites but don't find them that helpful.
So - any recommendations from runners here? Preferably idiot-proof on the pc connection as I'm not good with software. Ideally I'd like to be able to record speed distance and height gain as I run on hills, but suspect that last may need a serious cash outlay.
Thanks in advance.
Garmin 110 with HRM is perfect IMHO, I can't recommend it highly enough. The screen readout gives distance and current pace over laps or total run. It also works well as an everyday watch.
However I think the 405 is on offer at amazon at the moment, more fundtionality I think.. I find Garmin connect analysis brilliant too.
See here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/136139458 can't think of anything else I need to know about a run
+1 for the Forerunner 110 as above really! records all what you want + more
Forerunner 110 is good and pretty small, although IIRC it'll only show you one number at a time and won't give you a current pace (I'll check on the Mrs' one).
You can find a 205 cheaper though (£80 on amazon right now) which is a bit bigger but not as heavy as it looks. The larger display though means you can get a few bits of info up - I like having current pace as a big number up top, with distance and time underneath. The large buttons on the front are great for laps too.
I have a 305 (which is just the same but with a HRM that I never use) and I use it a lot for running and cycling (just strap it to the bars). Unlike the 110 you can stick routes on it, and it's easy enough to take someone else's GPX file and turn it into a course on the device. You get an arrow and a black line to follow - basic but it works fine.
@ simon - it gives you current pace over your desired lap distance. I use it set at 0.5 miles so can see pace over that distance
Thanks all. djg - your link looks amazing, one question though - how does it produce the height gain as I didn't think it had an altimeter on the 110?
If your budget is a bit lower I can recommend the Nike plus pedometer thing. £33 on Wiggle
I've found it very accurate (once calibrated) distance wise and it shows your pace too if you're doing intervals, or want to run at a certain pace. The Nike website is pants compared to Garmin Connect and the sportband doesn't record heart rate and doesn't have a GPS but for £30 it's a good wee device.
GPS works in three dimensions so it can get height data from that. The ones with an altimeter just do it more accurately.
Check my threads for one I started about a bargain price for a garmin 405cx
Have you got a smart phone? I'd use that as a cheap alternative to getting a gps unit. Endomondo, imapmyrun or the like will see you right.
I have a 310XT, as I am a fancy pants.
Have you got a smart phone? I'd use that as a cheap alternative to getting a gps unit. Endomondo, imapmyrun or the like will see you right.
if you fall over, get rain/sweat ingress or are attacked by wild dogs intent on playing angry birds, it no longer becomes a cheap option. Plus the GPS is poor in comparison and it nails the battery.
No, don't have a smart phone.....
I spent a while looking at the 405 (thanks Stoner) but am tempted by the simplicity of the 110.....thanks for all the suggestions.
height gain from gps is not to be relied on
ive got a 405 and it can tell you anything you want to know and the screen is configurable to show what you want when you want it, downside is that some fabrics (my waterproof) set off the touch sensitive bezel and some (ronhill gloves) dont allow it to work!
Endomondo all the way. always being updated and pay for the pro version and you can extend the battery life for longer runs.
if you fall over, get rain/sweat ingress or are attacked by wild dogs intent on playing angry birds, it no longer becomes a cheap option. Plus the GPS is poor in comparison and it nails the battery.
There's another solution to this (well, not the falling over thing or canine addictive game fans) and its rather expensive. Oh wait, no its not, its a resealable sandwich bag!
How accurate do you need it to be? Anyway, its a moot point as the OP ain't got one!
I have a 305 (which is just the same but with a HRM that I never use) and I use it a lot for running and cycling (just strap it to the bars). Unlike the 110 you can stick routes on it, and it's easy enough to take someone else's GPX file and turn it into a course on the device. You get an arrow and a black line to follow - basic but it works fine.
Can you put a route from something like bikeroutetoaster on it then and follow it like you would with the much more expensive 800?
Iain
I found even on the iPhone 4 with it's (supposedly) much better GPS, the apps like Runkeeper were nowhere near as good as the Garmin, especially anywhere with tree cover. Tracks were all over the place so it thought I'd gone 30% further than I had.
(FR305)
Can you put a route from something like bikeroutetoaster on it then and follow it like you would with the much more expensive 800?
Yes. Quite easy to do with the Garmin Connect site these days - if you've got a GPX file or similar, just upload it as a route and as long as your device is plugged in you can do a "send to device" and it'll appear as a course.
As I say, it's just a simple black line with an arrow showing your position, but it's normally obvious enough when you need to make a turning.
There's another solution to this (well, not the falling over thing or canine addictive game fans) and its rather expensive. Oh wait, no its not, its a resealable sandwich bag!
Oh here come all the secret hidden costs! First it's free, and then you need to buy a sandwich bag!
Looking at the 110
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Forerunner-Enabled-Unisex-Sports/dp/B003EG83LK/ref=pd_cp_ce_4
and the 405cx
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Forerunner-405CX-Sports-Watch/dp/B0025UHKNS/ref=pd_cp_ce_1
Why is the much better one only a couple of quid more?
Both come with a HR monitor, so what's the catch?
I was about to buy a 110 in the sweatshop at the weekend for £100 (without HR) and the guy in the shop gave me one of their sale brochures, which showed they would be selling them for £75 between the 9th and 12th of Jan. You need to put your name down to reserve one though, it may be worth checking their website or calling a store as I think that is a good price for one.
I have a Garmin 305 ( the bike one) which i also use for running - stick it in my pocket. This has been great. But I've recently got a smartphone and this, for me, is better: it goes in an armband, it plays music and endomondo is great really easy to use and upload runs to the website (no faffing with USB cables). I don't think it is quite as accurate though but I reckon it's within 4-5% of the garmin.
I picked up mint condition Garmin Forerunner 305 on fleabay for about £80. Used with Garmin Connect and SportTracks it appears idiot proof. It also has the advantage of having separate cycling functions and will work with a power meter and cadence sensor so its useful for using on the bike as well.
Check out DC Rainmaker for lots of useful info, reviews and recommendations.
I use endomondo on my phone (HTC Wildfire S so a budget smartphone) when riding and it's unbelievably accurate when compared to the same route on bikehike, mapmyride etc. Battery has been fine for 4 - 5 hour rides too as long as it's well charged before setting off.
I use a Garmin Edge 500 on a watchstap. The 15 hour battery life comes in handy on all day epics. I think Endomondo is sufficient for shorter shinanigans.
Bought a basic (no HRM) 110 last year as it is small, light, simple and doesn't have any needless gubbins on it. Proper buttons too, no touch sensitive bezel problems to worry about either. It displays elapsed time, distance and pace on screen simultaneously, has a light for night use and doesn't look as weird as the square ones. If you set each lap for 1/4 mile it gives a regular update of pace.
It is a great training aid as you can see at a glance if you have gone off too quickly or tailed off without noticing. Uploading to Garmin Connect lets you review your route, pace etc on a map.
Only negative is that the exposed metal charging / syncing contacts on the reverse side of the case mean it isn't classed as waterproof. Needs care in the rain.
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