Garmin Training Center screenshots
Jun 08, 2006 | /Exercise/Running/ | permanent link
Q: How far and how fast? A: Garmin Forerunner 301
In preparation for my 2006 running season, I bought a Garmin Forerunner 301. I'm occasionally a fan of gadgets, but I've never had anything to use before when running. I generally don't listen to music and used to dislike wearing a watch while I ran. The Garmin is a heart rate monitor and a GPS, so it requires a chest strap for the heart rate and an oversized wristwatch for the GPS and the display. Then when I get home, it plugs into a USB port to recharge and also to transfer the data from my run over so it can be processed by the Garmin software. Their program gives me a nice map of points showing the route I took, and also gives a chart showing up to 4 of the variables calculated (heart rate, heart rate as a percent of max, speed, pace, elevation) graphed over time or distance. It keeps track of your runs for each week and gives you a good idea of how far and how fast you've been running.
I had some problems initially with the GPS not being able to find a good signal, but I spoke to Garmin's customer service and they had me reset the unit, which seemed to help the problem. Now I can get a signal within 60 seconds or so of turning the unit on. Other than that minor glitch to start, the 301 has worked flawlessly. The software does leave a little to be desired though. It'd be nice to be able to mouse to a point on the plotted course and show what your speed/heart rate was at that time. Just a minor feature or two that I'd like and I confidently assume that programmers at Garmin are hard at work on the next version of their software. Don't get me wrong; it's quite functional as it is. Also, if you're a dataphile, you are able to export the data from your run into an XML file. XML is a decent format for that type of info though, and should be a sufficiently accessible way to store your data. There are most likely other software programs out there that you can import your data into, but as of now I haven't found any.
The wrist unit is a bit bulky to wear, and is wide enough to contact the back of my hand on full extension of the wrist. Other than that, I don't really notice it while I run. The watchband is a 1 inch wide black strap with a velcro connector. Fairly comfortable and doesn't slip or absorb too much sweat.
Other than the slightly primitive software, my only other complaint is
that at times during my runs there aren't that many GPS data points.
Sometimes it'll record a point every 100 feet or so and other times it will go for 800-1000 feet before it hits another point.
I also found Motion Based which is a web-based service that will store and analyze your run data. They do have a limited free service which I may try in the future, but their full-feature pay service costs $12 per month or $96 per year.
The 301 is the previous generation Garmin Forerunner model. Recently they have also introduced the 305, which has a smaller wrist unit as well as a more complex display.
The Forerunner 301 has an MSRP of $214, but I was able to find it online for about $165 shipped.
Website: Garmin Forerunner 301
Rating so far: 7 out of 10
Pros: Excellent training tool for runners. More data that you'll know what to do with and fairly decent software to do it with.
Cons: Wrist piece is bulky to wear. Software interface could use a bit of refining.
Jun 08, 2006 | /Exercise/Running/ | permanent link