Reviews for Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable Navigator

Forerunner 201

Strengths: Features

Weakness: GPS signal.

I have had my Garmin Forerunner 201 for about six months and I hate it. I live near a valley that has great running trails and I cannot get any GPS signal at all. Also, I live near Cleveland, Ohio, and because of the weather and the trees I cannot get consistant GPS signals anywhere. So basically I have a $150 stopwatch!

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Durable, easy learning curve, customizable display, rechargable battery, more accurate than a pedometer.

Weakness: Long synch time, poor reception in urban areas, lack of mix mode option (miles/km/ft)

The Forerunner 201 is about the same size as my Samsung a670 cellphone. If you can handle wearing a cellphone on your wrist or arm, then the size should not be a problem. What IS a problem is the lack of power of its gps antennae. In urban areas where there are tall buildings and trees, the small unit simply cannot pick up a signal for synchronization. Even in open spaces, synchronization takes time, usually 3-10 minutes. I usually use that time to warm up. Once synchronized, the unit works quite well. Sprinting several times in a tight circular track (aprrox 200 meters,) the unit showed consistant accuracy. The memory function and virtual partner are great assets, though you invariably start to develop a tendency to stare more at the unit than on the road sometimes. The charger is small, but because the wrist band is fixed to the unit, makes charging more awkward than it should be. Battery times are more than acceptable, with a full charge delivering over 12 hours. The serial cable link to the pc is a nice way to keep track of your progress, but I would prefer usb as the connection, as serial is obsolete.
Overall, this is a good product, and most of the problems are minor and inconvenient rather than completely debilitating. The biggest problem, the synchronization, could be avoided, as most of us choose to run in parks rather than on sidewalks in urban areas. However, the price of the unit is more than twice that of pedometers - and with that premium, one should expect Garmin to deliver somewhat better performance.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Has incredible potential, Biking, Running, Hiking,Horseback riding etc. Water tight, very accurate speed determination, many features, all kinds of different training option! Stores history of workouts for later review. Maps out routes you take.

Weakness: Looses signal inside easilly especially in basements. Takes a long time to start up the first time and then isn't exactally quick times after that but it does seem to get faster at locating GPS signals each time.

I was totally astonished by the power and coustomability of this product. With all the things I have bought that have turned out to be half as good as I thought they would be this was the opposite; Twice as good as I expected. The navigation features are really cool. It also accurately maps the route you take on your runs or rides and then you can review that later along with your running data. Distance, avg Speed, Top Speed,Time ect. But this watch is good for biking,horse riding, walking,hiking, even measuring the distance between 2 points as the crow flys. I tested it's speed and distance against the speedometer, and odometer in my car and they came out the same, Exactally. The only things that could make this product better would be a color screen,and a faster start up time, (it takes a min to locate the GPS signal) At the price it is currently available It is a steal for all it can do.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: One-piece (as opposed to watch + receiver), free PC logbook with software updates, lightweight, large customizable display, advanced training features

Weakness: Mapping software not very useful, but Garmin output is compatibile with commercial GPS mapping software; manual could be written a little bit better

For about $120-$130, this GPS watch is a great buy. The Forerunner 201 has 3-4 large (depending on if AutoPause turned on), tri-split display screens, including one screen you customize to provide 3 pieces of data you want---19 data to choose from; easy to use features; and advanced training features such as AutoPause (stops timer automatically when you come to a stop without triggering a new lap once you start walking/running again), Virtual Partner (set pace of a virtual partner, and the Garmin compares how far ahead/behind you are), Interval Training and Pace or Time/Distance Alert. For the trailrunner or hiker who gets easily lost, you can also mark your course and the Forerunner will guide you back to your start. The unit is comfortable and lightweight. One nice feature is that you can store up to about 5000 laps of data (they claim on average up to 2 years worth of runs) which you can review by day, week, or total history.

Probably the best feature is that the Forerunner comes with a free logbook for your PC, and a serial port cable (I recommend future editions use a USB cable, but that's a minor complaint) and power adapter (battery charger) to connect the Forerunner to your PC. It is simple to download the data of all your runs to your logbook on your PC, and then view the data (by lap if you'd like) including graphs of elevation or pace. There is no easy way to print your graphs (you have to copy-paste into a Paint program, Word Document, PowerPoint, etc.) or analyze the data, but hey, did I mention the software is free? The .xml files which you can create from the Garmin data can be imported into commercial GPS mapping software if desired to superimpose your running course onto a topographical map. Garmin also puts out free updates to the Forerunner 201, which you can easily upload from your PC to the Garmin. For example, a recent update increased the readout precision for total distance> 10 miles so that the Forerunner displays total distance to the one-hundredth of a mile (e.g., 10.23 miles instead of 10.2 miles).

With regard to accuracy, I have used the Forerunner 201 several times on a bikepath which has wheel-measured half mile marks. My Forerunner consistently hits each one in 0.50 mile. I have also repeated about 10 times the same 5-mile run from my house. Each time the total distance has not varied from 5.00 miles by more than 0.02 mile. The advertised accuracy of the Forerunner is 50 feet per mile (about 1%), but my results have shown consistency to less than 0.4%.

The instantaneous pace readout on the main screen tends to fluctuate quite a bit, and when I do 1-minute on/off repeats, the instantaneous pace never seems to quite level off before I switch gears. This is probably just a limitation of GPS in general or perhaps how the instantaneous pace is calculated. A minor point most people probably don't care about. I recommend that users pay more attention to either average lap pace (second screen), or add average pace (for entire run) to the customizable screen.

The Forerunner can display a lot of data, and it certainly has a lot to offer. But it's also worth mentioning that my wife who is the anti-gadget member of the family likes using my Forerunner, too, for going on long walks. She finds it easy to use and likes the easy-to-read display.

Finally, note that Yahoo! clubs has a message board dedicated solely to the Forerunner (sports.groups.yahoo.co...), so you can exchange tips from other Forerunner users, find out about commercial mapping software, and get answers to all your questions such as "what happens when you run through a tunnel?"

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: accurate, nice looking, pretty easy to use, several useful functions beyond just mapping

Weakness: a little geeky to have strapped to your arm, antenna sensitivity could be better (doesn't work indoors), serial port connector instead of USB

I'm a novice runner, and a hopeless gadget collector. The Garmin Forerunner 201 was on sale at Buy.com, and I couldn't resist.

It is a nice looking and well functioning device, reasonably easy to set up and use (you've gotta read the instructions). In mapping mode, it will show your path back home and any way-points you've set. You can find out your average speed, and it will help you set a good, standard pace.

I think that anyone considering a small, simple GPS for outdoor use might like this device. Sure the screen is small, and it doesn't have the functions of a complete GPS. On the plus side, it is very portable (so you're more likely to bring it along), and you can download your runs to your computer to help track your progress. Garmin also makes a similar device dedicated to the more traditional GPS applications, but wearable like the Forerunner - check them out on the web at www.garmin.com .

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Acurate distance of running. large numbers

Weakness: very big for a watch

I have been very impressed with the Garmin Forerunner 201. It has very big numbers to read, you don't have to worry if you are going to fast or to slow the mile pacer works perfect for marathons and long runs. The total distance makes it easy to know how far you have run.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Many functions, able to interface with your computer, one-piece design, stores information

Weakness: Bulky, inconsistent pickup of satellite signal, inconsistent accuracy of speed and distance

This product seemed like a great idea at first. Lots of friends recommended it, and I was excited to get it, but once it arrived I was less enamored.

My first use was on the beach in Jacksonville, Florida. Beautiful clear day with wide-open horizon on all sides... and it wasn't able to pick up a clear signal.
Once I got home to the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, same thing... poor signal. (Though here, I could blame it on the hills and trees.)

Overall, maybe I got a bad sample, but I'd say try it out in your neck of the woods (literally, in my case) before you buy.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Lightweight, easy to use, and very affordable

Weakness: I havn't found any yet.

This watch is perfect for the avid runner/walker. I've owned this watch for only a few days, and I don't know how I ever got along with out one.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: easy to use, accurate

Weakness: weak gps signal in mountains/tree areas

Love it, Love it, Love it!!! This is so very easy to use - no directions are needed. I only wish I would have known about the Garmin Forerunner 201 when I was training for my last marathon! Makes distance running a breeze!

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Easy to read, stays in touch with signal.

Weakness: Inspiring better workouts. Making me run too fast!

This thing is great if you are training to run long distances. No need to drive and set courses in your car before you run. You always know how far and how fast you are running.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: easy of use, functionality, fun factor! Would not run again without it!

Weakness: none

Loose signal occasionally under heavy tree cover, but unit tracks during the spots it may have lost you. Other than that unit is fantastic! Rechargeable battery a huge plus over previous models. I have used units that attach to your shoe and this GPS unit blows all competition away.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Light, easy to wear, big display

Weakness: Ability to pick up satellite

The Forerunner 201 is a great running companion. It's lite weight design allows for a comfortable feel on your wrist while running. The large display offers easy viewing of times and distance. The units ability to accurately measure distance and calculate pace has taken the guess work out of my workouts.

I have had some issues with picking up the satellites. I have to wait up to 3 minutes to connect to the satellites everytime I turn it on. Once I do connect, the FR 201 keeps well connected. When it does lose connection, it usually picks it back up within seconds. If you do use the 201 on a tree covered trail or mountain with limited sight view to the sky, you will lose connection.

Overall, the Forerunner is an exceptional product and is the best training tool that I have ever used. A must have!

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: One-piece; quick to establish location; versatile: does what a runner wants done: pace, time, intervals, laps; large numerals and buttons -- easy to read and set; lightweight; easy log software.

Weakness: Pace readings seem approximate, based on the intervals at which the system re-locates you -- and so it's a littly jumpy.

This past year I trained for my second marathon -- the goal being to improve my time -- using a Timex GPS gizmo and an online journal. The Timex was clumsy: two pieces, took a long time to get situated, pace reading quirky, buttons non-intuitive, readout hard to read. In the race itself, by the fifth mile I had accidentally reset the watch while trying to hit the lap button and by the fifteenth mile I couldn't read the numerals anymore.

When I got a notice on a price reduction on the Garmin, I checked it out; it promised to remedy all the problems I'd had with the previous gizmo -- plus it has settings for running intervals that will make trackwork a lot simpler. So far, it's done everything I want it to do -- though the computer connection on mine is a serial cable rather than a USB, which is awkward. Haven't used the "Training Buddy" feature -- and I might very well not.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: The motivator. Most stats that I've ever had. I used to have to hit lap every time than record into excel, not any more, this system takes care of all your needs. This is a truly no able to DO WITHOUT

Weakness: Color Screen, USB instead of Serial.

If you are looking for a good training watch, you found it. I have ran 6 Marathons to this point. No more pace groups I got my virtual BUDDY who I call BOSTON BOUND!!! Now I truly have the MOTIVATOR that I need. We all know just how hard it is to get those long runs in. Now I can analize my preformance and just were I start to weaken at. MUST HAVE!!

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: accuracy

Weakness: weak gps system; could provide more in-depth instructions: do's & dont's

Great product! Perfect training companion. The only thing missing is an integrated heart rate monitor. I highly recommend this to anyone serious about training and fitness.

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Huge display, good battery life, single unit (no attachments to shoe, waist, etc)

Weakness: Inconsistency in connecting to GPS satelites, bulky watch takes some getting used to

Overall, this is a great device. I love being able to see so much on one screen in the middle of a run - time, pace & distance! Worth the extra bulk when compared to the Timex. The only thing holding me back from giving it 5 stars is the occasional problem getting the GPS signal when first stepping outside. Most of the time, it connects in under a minute. However, several times in the four months I've owned it, I've had to sit there stretching for almost 5 minutes waiting for a connection. Battery has always been well charged and sky has always been clear. Once connected, usually no problems maintaining the connection - once or twice I've lost the signal running on a heavily wooded trail, but otherwise, it's been perfect. Definitly highly recommended!

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Garmin Forerunner 201 Personal Training Portable...

Strengths: Accurate and easy to use.

Weakness: Loses singal in city and trees.

My daughter bought it for me for Mother's Day last year. It was on my wish list. I trust Garmin to make a good GPS. I love it. What a great motivator. I love the "buddy" that doesn't complain when I go to fast or too slow. I set it up, then read the instructions. I like bells and whistles so this is certainly in my league. I have highly recommended it to some walking friends. One did buy one and she loves it, too. I don't have the high end word processor so I haven't figured out how to put it into my own chart. I am working on that as times allows. I am sure Garmin will make other upgrades available to those of us who already own this cool little gadget. One thing I have done, is use the extra strap to attach it to my upper arm. I have small wrists so it is uncomfortable to wear on my wrist.

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ReviewGist for Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS Receiver

Navigation is Below Average according to 1 GPS Device experts. -- "We realize that GPS connections are ephemeral"-review.zdnet.com Read more to find expert opinions on more features like Display, Maps, Usability, etc.

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garmin forerunner 201

Garmin Forerunner 201 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 1.88 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #54 recreation GPS of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a product's...

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Garmin Forerunner 201

Testseek.com has collected 3 expert reviews for Garmin Forerunner 201 and the average expert rating is 90 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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