Recommendations for a Running Watch??

Garmin Forerunner 110 meets your requirements for nice and simple--tells you distance and gives you your pace. Mine needs charging once a week and has a USB adapter for power and downloading info. If you're using an online running log, many will let you upload your runs straight up, eliminating the need to go through Garmin's site or manually copy stuff. There is an optional heart rate monitor if you opt to buy the band later.

The only downside I've encountered is that it isn't as accurate under tons of tree cover--it doesn't lose the signal altogether, but it doesn't seem to catch all the turns. Not a big deal when I know the distance and know where the mile markers are, but it could be an issue if you're doing a workout someplace new.

Hope this helps.

bitterboy wrote:

Garmin Forerunner 110 meets your requirements for nice and simple--tells you distance and gives you your pace. Mine needs charging once a week and has a USB adapter for power and downloading info. If you're using an online running log, many will let you upload your runs straight up, eliminating the need to go through Garmin's site or manually copy stuff. There is an optional heart rate monitor if you opt to buy the band later.

The only downside I've encountered is that it isn't as accurate under tons of tree cover--it doesn't lose the signal altogether, but it doesn't seem to catch all the turns. Not a big deal when I know the distance and know where the mile markers are, but it could be an issue if you're doing a workout someplace new.

Hope this helps.

That certainly helps alot.

I just looked it up on the Garmin Website and read a couple reviews and it sounds great! The battery life seems really nice since my runs only last between 50-90 minutes on a typical day.

On that note, I also saw that another model was released in 2012 called the Garmin FR 10.

Is there a big difference between these two? They seem to be about the same price and have many similar features, but this is my first time even looking into a GPS watch so I don't really trust myself on the matter

The only reason for most people to get a GPS watch is to map your runs. Mine hasn't left the house since I got a footpod model, the Garmin FR60. FR70 is the same, apparently. Try to find a package ("bundle") that includes the footpod. Mine also came with a HRM strap, which I don't use.

why do you need a gps watch? dont get one unless you need it for pacing in races or you need it to track distances in places you dont normally run

reed wrote:

why do you need a gps watch? dont get one unless you need it for pacing in races or you need it to track distances in places you dont normally run

It's for the latter actually.

I'll be moving to a new area in a couple weeks. It's pretty close to a forest preserve, and there are a number of trails there that I checked out a few months ago.

Unfortunately for me, when I went to try and map the trails on mapmyrun, a lot of the side trails didn't actually show up, and I'm one of those guys that does like to know the distance that I run to make sure I'm on pace (even if it's just a close estimate).

I like the Garmin 10, it is the lightest, fits well and is the simplest to use compared to all the other GPS watches. I don't know how some people run with the 310 straped to their wrist.

If you've got trails, you want a GPS just to see where you've gone (especially if you got lost!). If you want to monitor your pace, my footpod model does a better job than my GPS -- much quicker to show change in pace. My GPS drove me crazy in my last marathon where I had very clear pace goals.

I also have the Garmin Forerunner 10 and it's been working really well since I got it for Christmas. Sometimes it can take a while to find the location, but it just gives me more time to stretch out. Uploading the runs to the computer is fast and easy and I like you can see your paces throughout the entire run and it also shows you elevation changes.

There are a lot of other features on this watch that I have no clue how to use but the normal time, distance and pace function is super easy and so helpful! No more mapmyrun.com or driving my new routes to check for mileage!

The casio marathon watch.

It's the only watch I've found that has duall countdown timers to the second, and I use them quite a bit.