| Looking for a Garmin Forerunner? This article | | | | Heart Rate Monitor: Only the Forerunner 301 and |
| outlines each of the 5 choices and some of their | | | | 305 have a heart rate monitor option. This allows |
| benefits and weaknesses. These are the main | | | | you to display and track your heart rate and |
| features of the models, but by no means is | | | | configure audible alarms if your heart rate goes |
| every feature covered!! | | | | above or below certain thresholds. |
| Rechargeable? The Garmin Forerunner 101 is the | | | | Cool things: All 5 devices have AutoLap, |
| only one that is not rechargeable, it uses 2 AAA | | | | AutoPause, Virtual Partner, Pace Alerts, Time or |
| batteries. All others have a rechargeable lithium ion | | | | Distance Alerts, and Interval training options. |
| battery that lasts between 10-15 hours depending | | | | AutoLap creates a lap for you at an interval you |
| on usage. | | | | define (1 mile, 1 minute, 30 minutes, etc…). |
| Waterproof? All the Forerunner units have an IEC | | | | Auto pause will pause the timer if your pace falls |
| 60529 IPX7 rating, which means the GPS case | | | | below a threshold you specify. This is a nice |
| can withstand accidental immersion in one meter | | | | feature if you have to cross a lot of streets and |
| of water for up to 30 minutes. Notice it says | | | | are waiting a lot. The Virtual Partner feature is for |
| ACCIDENTAL….do not use these devices | | | | those of us competitive types who have to have |
| for the swimming leg in triathlons, they will not | | | | the sense you are beating something!! You set up |
| hold up for long!! Running or biking in the rain will | | | | a predefined time/pace and it shows this 2 little |
| not cause issues. | | | | people on the screen, one is you, one is the |
| Computer downloadable logs? Again, the 101 is | | | | computer. It then tells you who is ahead of who |
| the only device which does not have a computer | | | | and by how much! Talk about |
| interface, so the information that is kept must be | | | | motivation….can't let a stinking computer |
| deleted at some point. All the devices are capable | | | | beat you!!! |
| of holding approximately 5000 laps, which equates | | | | Specific features for the Forerunner 301 and 305: |
| to around 2 years of data. | | | | As already mentioned, the 301 and 305 have a |
| Size & Weight? The 101, 201, & 301 are | | | | heart rate monitor capabilities. They also have the |
| virtually identical in size and weight. The 101 is | | | | ability to have multi-sport profiles (biking, running, |
| slightly larger at 3.3"W x 1.7"H x .9"D compared to | | | | one other sport) and advanced workout features. |
| the 201 & 301 at 3.3"W x 1.7"H x .7"D. | | | | The advanced workout features allow you to set |
| Believe it or not these are extremely lightweight. | | | | up workouts with specific durations and targets |
| The 101 weighs in at 2.6 ounces with batteries, | | | | (speed or heart rate) so you can follow them. |
| the 201 and 301 both weigh in at 2.75 ounces. | | | | Things like 4 1 mile intervals at a 8:30 pace with a |
| The 205 and 305 have a different design which | | | | 1 minute rest period between intervals. It then |
| looks more like a watch. They both have the | | | | beeps to alert you on your intervals. |
| same measurements at: 2.1"W x 2.7"H x .7"D and | | | | Do they tell time? Believe it or not, this is one of |
| 2.7 ounces in weight. Both designs are very | | | | the most asked questions and yes, you can |
| comfortable and lightweight. My | | | | configure one of the screens with many different |
| opinion….there is not enough difference in | | | | pieces of data. Time of Day is one of them. |
| weight or designs to make a decision from. | | | | Foreign Language and Units of measure? All units |
| GPS Signal Strength The Forerunner 101, 201, and | | | | allow to change the language on the console and |
| 301 all have the same antenna and the 205 and | | | | the unit of measure to meters if so desired. The |
| 305 share a antenna design. Between the 2 | | | | manuals only come in English however. |
| groups, the 205 and 305 have the stronger signal | | | | The Forerunner 305 also has an optional GSC 10 |
| strength with an improved antenna design which | | | | speed cadence sensor you can purchase for |
| points at the sky while running. The 101, 201, and | | | | bicycling. |
| 301 all will occasionally lose signal while running | | | | All 5 of the Forerunners are extremely valuable in |
| under dense tree cover or around large buildings. | | | | your training and you can't go wrong, no matter |
| The 205 and 305 don't seem to have this | | | | which one you choose. |
| behavior. | | | | |