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I'm in between a Garmin Forerunner 50 with footpod and heart rate monitor for $200 or Forerunner 205 for $200. I'm not sure which one to get. Help?
Answer
Footpods are becoming a lot more accurate with modern technologies; but then so are the GPS watches. The footpods have never been quite as accurate, for most people it won't make much differece. If you run a variety of different terrains, then the footpod will lose accuracy, as long as your GPS reciever has a view of the sky then it won't. Also if you do any other sports, or may in the future, cycling, horse riding etc; then the GPS unit can work with that, the footpod cannot. For pure SD work, then pick the GPS unit.
However you should look into HR training also, in a lot of training circumstances, it is more useful to have HR information than it is to have SD, and allows more complete training and faster improvements. Idealy you would have both of these features. The forerunner 50 does provide both these features, the 205 does not; if you were going to get the 205 with aim of long term training, I think you would soon regret not having the HR information available.
The best bit of kit available from garmin for this area is the 305, a bit more money, but its the better bit of kit; If your spending so much money you would be unwise imo to stop just short of the best. If you can't stretch to the 305, and running is likely to be your sole sport, stick to the 50 but expect accuracy may not be right up there.
Footpods are becoming a lot more accurate with modern technologies; but then so are the GPS watches. The footpods have never been quite as accurate, for most people it won't make much differece. If you run a variety of different terrains, then the footpod will lose accuracy, as long as your GPS reciever has a view of the sky then it won't. Also if you do any other sports, or may in the future, cycling, horse riding etc; then the GPS unit can work with that, the footpod cannot. For pure SD work, then pick the GPS unit.
However you should look into HR training also, in a lot of training circumstances, it is more useful to have HR information than it is to have SD, and allows more complete training and faster improvements. Idealy you would have both of these features. The forerunner 50 does provide both these features, the 205 does not; if you were going to get the 205 with aim of long term training, I think you would soon regret not having the HR information available.
The best bit of kit available from garmin for this area is the 305, a bit more money, but its the better bit of kit; If your spending so much money you would be unwise imo to stop just short of the best. If you can't stretch to the 305, and running is likely to be your sole sport, stick to the 50 but expect accuracy may not be right up there.
I'm looking for a good watch to run with that will keep track of my pace, heart, calories...all the fun stuff?
CJC
Although I'm a little confused by all the offerings as well as the mixed reviews from users. Some say that the GPS on the garmin watches don't work - well that would be a shame not to get it. Some others say the Garmin 50 is too basic. Timex looks good, but doesn't have pace calculation (at least I dont think it does). So let loose people and tell me your thoughts!
Answer
You have 2 choices here, go for GPS or Footpod system. I prefer the GPS watches.
With the GPS you loose the signal a bit when you are in between tall buildings, under bridges and things like that so if you are running in a city footpod (like the Nike+ system) Might be better for you.
On the plus side, you can use them for multiple sports like cycling etc., the garmin ones let you download the data to google earth which is a nice facility and things like that. All will give you a pace display on the screen as you run. The better the watch and newer model and the gps gets more reliable. I've never had a problem with my Garmins GPS.
I'd say decide a budget for the watch and go to a running shop and check which ones do what, though I think the basic difference is that the gamin is all in one unit and the timex has a gps receiver separate from the watch (but the watch is smaller)
You have 2 choices here, go for GPS or Footpod system. I prefer the GPS watches.
With the GPS you loose the signal a bit when you are in between tall buildings, under bridges and things like that so if you are running in a city footpod (like the Nike+ system) Might be better for you.
On the plus side, you can use them for multiple sports like cycling etc., the garmin ones let you download the data to google earth which is a nice facility and things like that. All will give you a pace display on the screen as you run. The better the watch and newer model and the gps gets more reliable. I've never had a problem with my Garmins GPS.
I'd say decide a budget for the watch and go to a running shop and check which ones do what, though I think the basic difference is that the gamin is all in one unit and the timex has a gps receiver separate from the watch (but the watch is smaller)
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