Garmin Forerunner 201 Wrist-Mounted GPS Fitness Computer

101 201 301 1. Allows you to set up profiles for running, biking, and another sport. 2. Set up workouts with specific durations and targets (speed or heart rate). Speed Pace Distance Calories burned Heart rate Sports profiles1 Advanced workouts2 PC interface (serial) (USB) Analyze workout data on PC Size (inches, WxDxH) 3.3 x .9 x 1.7 3.3 x .7 x 1.7 3.3 x .7 x 1.7 Weight (ounces, with batteries) 2.6 2.75 2.75 Batteries 2 AAAs, 15 hours Rechargeable, 15 hours Rechargeable, 14 hours

The large display--with equally large, easy-to-read characters--helps you avoid having to squint at the readout. Just a quick glance at your numbers and you'll maintain your training concentration. The six rubber buttons on the front of the chassis are easy to access (unless you're wearing bulky gloves). I easily got the promised 13 hours out of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. At the end of the day, I'd just recharge it for around two hours and it would be ready for me the next morning.

While this is definitely a workable GPS receiver, the Forerunner is slim on overall GPS features--which is not to its detriment (think of it as a performance monitor with a dash of GPS). That said, the Forerunner was able to pick up a GPS signal just about wherever I went outside (though it had very slight hiccups in the center of downtown). But if you're looking for a full-fledged tracking device, the Forerunner isn't for you. (You'll want to start with a basic GPS unit like Garmin's eTrex.)

The Forerunner 201 has a variety of helpful tracking, monitoring, and navigational features. The History function enables you to view your workout statistics broken down by individual days, cumulative weeks, or your entire workout history (if you track different workouts during the same day, they'll be broken out as different laps). You can even view a map of your route. And much like other GPS units, you can save waypoints (called "locations" in Forerunner parlance) to mark the coordinates of a place you want to return to later.

Most interesting is the Virtual Partner mode, which enables you to set goals for a workout which will then be completed by a digital character displayed on the Forerunner's screen. You can then see how far off the time, pace, or distance you are of your virtual training buddy's; your digital character even stops when you do (though the buddy keeps on going). I found that, unless you've got a good idea as to your pace or distance, you'll have a couple of trial-and-error training sessions to get in sync with your buddy. I cut short my first attempt after my buddy got so far ahead of me that he disappeared off the screen (which I'd like to believe was not due to my woeful pace).

I was disappointed at not having the LogBook software, which enables you to keep a journal of your exercise activities (it was not available at the time of this test). But overall, the Forerunner 201 is a very useful exercise-monitoring system that will be prized by anyone involved in serious physical training. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Auto Menu: Timer pauses when you stop running. Auto lap logs your performance over a predetermined distance.

History: Review training history by day or week.

Map: Navigate back to the start or to a stored location.

Virtual Partner: Set time, pace, and distance goals, and train with a "virtual partner."

Pros:

• Loaded with performance-tracking features for the serious athlete
• GPS functionality a bonus, especially in referring back to previous routes
• Virtual Partner feature offers a fun, competitive way to keep you concentrated on training

• Lack of Logbook software at time of test
• Virtual Partner feature takes some trial-and-error adjustments

To please folks who are passionate about their exercise and training, Garmin has added something special to the Forerunner 201 called the Virtual Partner. The feature allows you to set your training goal by configuring your Virtual Partner's pace and workout distance. You'll get a graphic perspective of your performance by viewing your pace in relation to your Virtual Partner's pace, so you can always see at a glance if you're keeping up or falling behind.

Almost as important as the training device itself are the accessories to integrate it with your active lifestyle. If you're into cycling, the best way to keep an eye on your GPS while you ride is with a bike mount bracket that straps to the handlebars of your bike, motorcycle, or whatever you're traveling with for easy viewing.

Other Forerunner 201 features:

• Mark specific locations, and then look-up and navigate to these points using an electronic map.
• Retrace your steps to a starting point or reverse your normal route for routine variation.
• Amount of calories burned can be tracked and calculated over the course of a workout.
• Lap history--such as lap time, lap distance, and average pace--can be stored for up to two years.
• Performance data can be automatically archived and calculated to provide an accurate record.
• Automated stopwatch provides auto-lap and auto-pause features.
• Lap timer indicates when a certain speed is reached or when you've fallen below a pre-set level.
• Pace whistle sounds alert when you begin traveling slower or faster than your desired pace.
• Distance whistle sounds when you reach a specified duration or distance in your workout.
• Download free Garmin software to transfer data from your Forerunner 201 to your PC for storage and analysis.

What's in the box:

• Forerunner 201 unit
• Wrist strap
• A/C desktop charger with serial interface

When compared to the Timex system here are the pro's:

1) Lith-Ion battery. No more carrying around AA batteries with a less than 10 hour life (usually got 5-7 hours). The Garmin system hold a charge for 10+ hours.

2) Single unit as opposed to the 2 unit Timex system. Also much less weight in total.

3) Large and easy to read numbers on the unit. Screens are customizable (calories, miles, pace, time, elevation - some 20 different units can be shown)

4) GREAT downloadable software from the Garmin web site logs each run, maps the course, elevation changes and all sorts of info.

5) Haven't gotten the chance to try the virtual partner yet, but I'm sure going to love that feature.

The Cons:

1) You really cannot use the device indoors. The Timex system can operate as a standalone watch, but the Garmin system is a bit large for indoor use. And you sure cannot use it while walking down the street (geek alert).

2) Like the Timex system you need a clear line of sight. However, with the Timex system I could swivel the unit on my arm to make sure I had a clear LOS. With the Garmin system not as much freedom to move it. I had to modify my route to ensure that I always has a clear LOS.

All in all great system and I would recommend. If you live in a city make sure you can return the unit if you cannot keep the GPS signal.


Great product with tip for improving accuracy   January 10, 2005
CPSail (Pittsburgh, PA USA)
32 out of 32 found this review helpful

The Forerunner 201 is proving to be very helpful in adjusting my runs without a training partner. While I prefer running with another person, it's hard to find someone at the right time who wants to run the same pace that day. Features on this unit like the virtual training partner help me overcome that issue.

NOTE FOR IMPROVED SIGNAL/ACCURACY: On my first several runs, the unit lost signal about ten times over four miles. The solution was to have the Forerunner "Autolocate" the satellites again.

To run Autolocate again, turn the unit on indoors and cover it with your hand to prevent it from finding any satellites. After a minute, the unit will ask if you are indoors. Answer "No." Then it will ask if you've moved the unit more than 100 miles since the last use. Answer "Yes." This causes the unit to reacquire all available satellites.

Take the unit outside and position it in an open area. This time I made sure that it was clear of any obstructions (30 feet from the house) and put it on a tree branch about eye height. After about 15 mintues it had acquired more satellites than the first time.

When I power it up now, it acquires the signal in about a minute and I have yet to lose signal on a run.


Excellent Product   January 2, 2004
Rick (Hampton, Virginia)
31 out of 31 found this review helpful

The Forerunner does exactly what it says it will do and more. Setup is easy, use is intuitive and results are very accurate. I've used it on a total of 5 runs since receiving it for Christmas and have yet to experience a signal loss. During the last week my runs have been from between 1 and 1.5 hours in length and went through suburban neighborhoods, a built-up university campus and a downtown urban area with "canyons" sided by 4 and 5 story buildings. I also went through both open flat and hilly areas. Again, not once did I lose the signal. Now I'm back home (900 miles from where I spent Christmas) and the Forerunner is still delivering. According to the owner's manual I was supposed to have set the unit outside for 15-30 minutes so it could re-initialize, but in reality it only took about 40 seconds to set up. I have experience very good accuracy as well. Here at home I have a "loop" that I run around my neighborhood. In the car it measures just under 3.4 miles. With the Forerunner my first loop measured 3.33 miles and the second loop measured 3.34 miles. That's as accurate as I'll ever need.
The Forerunner's features are exceptional. The three things I like the most are;
- The freedom to just run wherever I want without feeling like I have to stick to a specific route in order to get a specific distance in.
- The Virtual Partner: I run fairly quickly (7.5 - 8.0 min p/mile) and I haven't found a lot of folks who like to run that pace. As such I don't usually get "pushed" to keep a specific pace. Now my virtual partner does that for me.
- "Live" Pacing: This is a great feature for training for long-distance runs and marathons. I can now see and adjust my pace without having to do "advanced algebra" in my head after a specific distance on a specific course. I can do the first half of a run at one pace and the second half at another pace. I've noticed an immediate increase in my distance by being able to strictly control my pacing in real time.
Battery life has been impressive as well. The 2 set-ups, all five runs and a bunch of playing with the features have all been done on one charge that took only three hours - and there's still 4 hours of charge left.
All in all you can't go wrong with this product. I very highly recommend it.