Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Trainer??
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Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is it
an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any kind of
measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering purchasing but
would appreciate any feedback from folks here. Thanks!
Kevin Fairfax, VA
It is a COMPLETE piece of crap. save your money.
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 04:21:18 -0500, "KEVIN M QUINLEY" <kquinley@cox.net> wrote:
>Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is it
>an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
>
>As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any kind
>of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering purchasing
>but would appreciate any feedback from folks here. Thanks!
>
>Kevin Fairfax, VA
I guess it is a nice toy, but it will not stop the runner without one from passing you and recieving
his or her trophy all before you cross the finish. What gadgets did the finishers in the NYC
marathon wear? That should be your answer. I trace my route with my car then run the same route,
it,s more accurate and I don't have to carry it during my run. "KEVIN M QUINLEY" <kquinley@cox.net>
wrote in message news:WoHtb.833$zx.288@lakeread03...
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is it
> an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
>
> As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any kind
> of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering purchasing
> but would appreciate
any
> feedback from folks here. Thanks!
>
> Kevin Fairfax, VA
In article <WoHtb.833$zx.288@lakeread03>, KEVIN M QUINLEY wrote:
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is it
> an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
>
> As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any kind
> of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering purchasing
> but would appreciate any feedback from folks here. Thanks!
There are already several distance measuring gizmos on the market. As far as these things go, the
Forerunner would be one of the better ones. I have a Fitsense and a handheld GPS.
These are more fancy toys than a essential training tools. If you want a cheap way to measure
courses, use a calibrated bike computer which is cheaper and probably more accurate (this is the way
USATF guidelines suggest measuring certified courses).
If you are shopping for training tools, a heart rate monitor would be a better (and cheaper) choice.
Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/
In article <S-udnQxb2KI54yqiRVn-gg@comcast.com>, Pier-14 wrote:
> answer. I trace my route with my car then run the same route, it,s more accurate
No it isn't.
Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/
> Is it an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
Well it's a whole lot cheaper than the Timex or Nike solutions... and unlike the Timex solution, you
don't need to strap something to every other apendage to make it work... it's a single unit. The
virtual training parter is a great idea (something which occured to me when using my Nike SDM during
a race... i.e. wouldn't it be great to have a watch show me my projected finish time based on a
distance I gave it)... and the auto-pause feature is also a brilliant idea that I've wanted to see
implemented for a long time (i.e. when I'm using my Nike SDM I have to stop/start the chrono at
every traffic light, etc.). My only question is if the software for the PC part of it comes in a Mac
version. If so... this thing is the ****! Great features, one piece, and relative to the other
solutions out there... very affordable.
--
David Nova Scotia, Canada
Don't know about this one, but I have the Timex GPS Watch, which seems to work wonderfully and
pretty accurately as well.
Joe
"KEVIN M QUINLEY" <kquinley@cox.net> wrote in message news:WoHtb.833$zx.288@lakeread03...
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is it
> an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
>
> As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any kind
> of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering purchasing
> but would appreciate
any
> feedback from folks here. Thanks!
>
> Kevin Fairfax, VA
You all seem very proud of your self-righteous anti-gadget posturing :) The bottom line is, if it
makes running more fun and interesting for it's owner, then it's a great tool. Period. Yes you can
measure routes with your bike, or your car (HIGHLY innaccurate BTW). No it will not make you a
faster/better/stronger/whatever runner. But so what? It's fun being able to know your pace and it's
awesome being able to run anywhere your heart desires... and streets, any parks, the boardwalk, the
forest... etc... and still know your distance. As a 'training tool', the new Nike might be better as
it combines a SDM with a HRM.
--
David Nova Scotia, Canada
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 08:36:58 -0500, "Pier-14" <fishermans.cove@comcast.net> wrote:
>I guess it is a nice toy, but it will not stop the runner without one from passing you and
>recieving his or her trophy all before you cross the finish.
Maybe not, but my foot will as it trips him/her as they pass me...
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 14:13:34 +0000 (UTC), Donovan Rebbechi <abuse@aol.com> wrote:
>
>There are already several distance measuring gizmos on the market. As far as these things go, the
>Forerunner would be one of the better ones. I have a Fitsense and a handheld GPS.
>
Be careful with that handheld GPS, if you fire that up at the same time as your "pocket pussy"
you'll go back in time.
Could you please explain what your reasons are for your opinion? I am also interested in the
Forerunner. The product is not in the market yet (it is supposed to be shipped later this month, but
one retailer already sent out an email warning that it may be delayed), so I am wondering how you
got your information. Timex is out there already for some time with their GPS based product (I
believe that the GPS part comes from Garmin as well). I know several people who own one and are more
or less satisfied. The new Garmin product looks like an interesting (and lower cost) alternative to
the Timex GPS system.
My Nike Triax100 SDM just died again, and I am in the market for an alternative.
Manfred
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bagpop" <Bagpop@aol.scum> Newsgroups: rec.running Sent: Sunday,
November 16, 2003 5:46 AM Subject: Re: Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Trainer??
> It is a COMPLETE piece of crap. save your money.
>
> On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 04:21:18 -0500, "KEVIN M QUINLEY" <kquinley@cox.net> wrote:
>
> >Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is
> >it an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
> >
> >As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any kind
> >of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering purchasing
> >but would appreciate
any
> >feedback from folks here. Thanks!
> >
> >Kevin Fairfax, VA
> >
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 14:14:46 +0000 (UTC), Donovan Rebbechi <abuse@aol.com> wrote:
>In article <S-udnQxb2KI54yqiRVn-gg@comcast.com>, Pier-14 wrote:
>> answer. I trace my route with my car then run the same route, it,s more accurate
>
>No it isn't.
>
The ***** is right, car odometers are notoriously inaccurate. Something as simple as the wrong size
tire can mess it up.
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 11:27:30 -0400, David <user@host.com> wrote:
>You all seem very proud of your self-righteous anti-gadget posturing :) The bottom line is, if it
>makes running more fun and interesting for it's owner, then it's a great tool. Period. Yes you can
>measure routes with your bike, or your car (HIGHLY innaccurate BTW). No it will not make you a
>faster/better/stronger/whatever runner. But so what? It's fun being able to know your pace and it's
>awesome being able to run anywhere your heart desires... and streets, any parks, the boardwalk, the
>forest... etc... and still know your distance. As a 'training tool', the new Nike might be better
>as it combines a SDM with a HRM.
I have a unique instrument for measuring my distance, it's called "a watch", very interesting piece
of equipment, try it sometime.
In article <UjQtb.215864$Tr4.626090@attbi_s03>, Dr. Manfred Schmidt wrote:
> Could you please explain what your reasons are for your opinion? I am also
You're wasting your time. He has no rational basis for any of the views he expresses in this forum.
Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/
Donovan Rebbechi wrote:
> In article <UjQtb.215864$Tr4.626090@attbi_s03>, Dr. Manfred Schmidt wrote:
>
>>Could you please explain what your reasons are for your opinion? I am also
>
>
> You're wasting your time. He has no rational basis for any of the views he expresses in
> this forum.
Donovan, You're much to polite he is our resident dolt although he claims to be a troll and piss
poor at trolling. Sad to say he changes his id with nearly every post so it's not possible to
killfile him. Besides, anyone being that negative without rationale is valueless.
--
Doug Freese "Caveat Lector" dfreeseS@NOBShvc.rr.com
They are crap.
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:35:16 GMT, "Dr. Manfred Schmidt" <manfred02@insightbb.com> wrote:
>Could you please explain what your reasons are for your opinion? I am also interested in the
>Forerunner. The product is not in the market yet (it is supposed to be shipped later this month,
>but one retailer already sent out an email warning that it may be delayed), so I am wondering how
>you got your information. Timex is out there already for some time with their GPS based product (I
>believe that the GPS part comes from Garmin as well). I know several people who own one and are
>more or less satisfied. The new Garmin product looks like an interesting (and lower cost)
>alternative to the Timex GPS system.
>
>My Nike Triax100 SDM just died again, and I am in the market for an alternative.
>
>Manfred
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Bagpop" <Bagpop@aol.scum> Newsgroups: rec.running Sent: Sunday,
>November 16, 2003 5:46 AM Subject: Re: Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Trainer??
>
>
>> It is a COMPLETE piece of crap. save your money.
>>
>> On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 04:21:18 -0500, "KEVIN M QUINLEY" <kquinley@cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> >Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is
>> >it an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
>> >
>> >As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any
>> >kind of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering
>> >purchasing but would appreciate
>any
>> >feedback from folks here. Thanks!
>> >
>> >Kevin Fairfax, VA
>> >
>> >
>
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 20:23:21 +0000 (UTC), Donovan Rebbechi <abuse@aol.com> wrote:
>In article <UjQtb.215864$Tr4.626090@attbi_s03>, Dr. Manfred Schmidt wrote:
>> Could you please explain what your reasons are for your opinion? I am also
>
>You're wasting your time. He has no rational basis for any of the views he expresses in this forum.
He's full of crap.
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 21:27:00 GMT, Doug Freese <dfreese@NOBShvc.rr.com> wrote:
>Donovan, You're much to polite he is our resident dolt although he claims to be a troll and piss
>poor at trolling. Sad to say he changes his id with nearly every post so it's not possible to
>killfile him. Besides, anyone being that negative without rationale is valueless.
The comment about you "overmasturbating" really got to, eh Doogie?
KEVIN M QUINLEY wrote:
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is it
> an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
>
> As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any kind
> of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering purchasing
> but would appreciate any feedback from folks here. Thanks!
>
> Kevin Fairfax, VA
I haven't seen one and have only seen their sneek-peak documentation, which wasn't clear on some
points, but since you asked for thoughts... (Also see caveat at end.)
I would say it would depend on what you want to use it for? Is it another toy to add to your
collection, a first training tool, or are you looking for some specific capabilities.
If it's a first training tool or you run trails or snowy roads, I would get a hrm before
something like this since perceived effort is a more meaningful way to train. (perceived effort
could be logged qualitatively without hrm) (see discussion under treadmill vs road or earlier
threads this fall)
When I first looked at the forerunner documentation, it mentioned auto-laps for pre-selected
distance so I had the impression you couldn't do manual laps. I have since seen the "lap" button on
the image suggesting that I person could use landmarks (trail intersections, top/bottom of hill,
etc) or whatever to record laps. But I don't know for certain. It's placement looks really hard to
get to that exact button (others nearby) - esp. if under long sleeves in winter (contrast with polar
hrm's where there's a big fat button and nothing else around). Without manual lap capability, it
would have limited utility for trail runners, and I would think they would be a big market for such
a device (accelerometer devices may not work that well on rough trails).
It's not clear if you can download the routes you just ran. You can download "history" but not sure
what that is. You can display the route, but not sure if it is downloadable. A major use I've made
of my GPS is mapping our local trails where we don't have maps.
Battery life is only 15 hrs using rechargeable lithium battery, but I don't see any mention of being
able to get spare batteries and keep a supply of charged ones. That is, if you were to go on a
camping vacation (no electricity) and running several hours a day, you might exhaust the batteries
in little time. Also, not sure how long they last in cold. Would they even last for a 12-hr Alaska
winter race. (I'm in Alaska, but my mileage isn't anywhere near there yet, but it might be a concern
for some people.) Also, if you saw my living room floor and the assortment of battery chargers for
various electronic devices (mostly not running related), you'd understand my concern about anything
except AA lithium batteries. As I mentioned, my intended use flavors my thinking substantially. 15
hrs may be fine for your applications.
Not sure if their "whistle" signals are more audible than Polar's.
Virtual Training partner seems gimmicky and only useful where you can keep a constant pace - and are
willing to take eyes off horizon/ trail to look. I seldom look at anything except trail when
running, esp. now that it's dark.
Calories may be ouija board, perhaps an amount based on distance, which I would think would
differ based on elevation gain, running vs biking, etc. At least Polar calories seem to take
effort into account.
Not sure if altimeter is barometric or based on GPS (need 4 good satellites to get elev, whereas
only need 3 good ones for location, I believe - so barometric altimeters have been better in the
past, as long as a fast moving storm doesn't come in).
This as well as the other gps gizmos out all seem to use a patch antenna, which I believe needs to
be positioned correctly. The quad-helix antenna in Garmin 76s (I think) generally has had better
reception in the past. *However*, someone on another group commented that his gps gizmo (Timex?)
locks on and works better than his regular gps. Soooo it may be that they are doing things now to
improve the reception. And it may also depend on where you are and the general satellite alignment
as discussed in earlier threads.
My gut feeling - absolutely no information involved - is that they are trying to get Forerunner to
market for this Christmas season. It wouldn't surprise me if by next Christmas season (maybe another
year beyond, maybe earlier), someone has something resembling a real gps combined with hrm, perhaps
with better reception. Since I have toys that work reasonably well, but not perfect, I'm waiting for
the next iteration at least. I would love to have one does-it-all toy with one thing to download.
But my gut feeling is that this may be a substantial improvement over previous gps gizmos since it's
within one company. It's reasonably priced, I think (depending upon some of the questions above),
and it only weighs 3 oz.
I look forward to people's reports :) People on other groups have already ordered theirs.
Caveat: I run mostly trails where we seldom know the distances. Most of my training is based on
perceived effort since it fits better with various workouts I've seen in an assortment of places. I
currently use a standard GPS to map trails, then overlay that on a topo map to get distance and
sometimes elev gain. It does provide some of this information real time but seldom take it with me.
However, if somebody came out with a combo of hrm, distance, elevation gain, time, and was
downloadable in a standard format so I could analyze the data any way I wanted, I could get excited
enough to upgrade. This flavors my comments.
Dot
--
"Success is different things to different people" -Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope
"Pier-14" <fishermans.cove@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:<S-udnQxb2KI54yqiRVn-gg@comcast.com>...
> I guess it is a nice toy, but it will not stop the runner without one from passing you and
> recieving his or her trophy all before you cross the finish. What gadgets did the finishers in the
> NYC marathon wear? That should be your answer. I trace my route with my car then run the same
> route, it,s more
That is the stupidest thing I read today. So you don't need an odometer in your car too, because it
won't make the car go faster either. You want to have a way to measure distance to HELP YOU PLAN.
DUH! Also, how do you know the top runners don't use GPS to plan? Your example of the NYC marathon
is stupid, the course is clearly marked, so a GPS is not necessary nor useful.
> accurate and I don't have to carry it during my run.
So you are the one who has been leaving tire marks on the lawn of our park. Seriously, do you even
run? I find it hard to believe anyone only running in places where he can drive his car through.
> "KEVIN M QUINLEY" <kquinley@cox.net> wrote in message news:WoHtb.833$zx.288@lakeread03...
> > Does anyone have any thoughts on this product (see it at www.garmin.com) Has anyone used it? Is
> > it an expensive (@ $160) gimmick or a useful training/motivational tool?
> >
> > As I understand, it has a built in GPS to tell you time, pace and exact distance without any
> > kind of measuring or calibrating your stride length. Other features as well. Am considering
> > purchasing but would appreciate
> any
> > feedback from folks here. Thanks!
> >
> > Kevin Fairfax, VA
> >
> >
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