Do you use one or other make?
Do more expensive models get quicker reception?
Are they worn more by slower runners etc?
Do you use one or other make?
Do more expensive models get quicker reception?
Are they worn more by slower runners etc?
Most half and whole marathons runners I know wear a Garmin. They're runners of all levels. However, of the three sub 2:25 marathoners in my club, only one wears a Garmin.
What about college runners on here with Garmins. Unless you do loads of different runs its a lot of money to tell you how far you've gone.
Then pacing does it help, I think some people would run faster without sticking to preconceived idea of what time they should be running?
I have a Garmin 110 (the basic model). It's great - actually, onot my second after my first crapped out on me after three years. Looks like a normal watch, and I wear it as such.
It simply records how far you've gone, and how fast with no current pacing, only the average for your split. I'm pretty slow (21min 5k) and I find it's a handy way to tabulate my training and spot training errors before they begin - the real use for a Garmin is in Garmin Connect, where you upload and view the information. A cumulative view of your mileages etc is very useful.
Sorry, I am not a college runner, just a recreational runner. I have used a Garmin's Forerunner 301 and 610 models in the past. I currently use a Suunto Ambit. I find that the Ambit obtains a GPS signal much more quickly than the Garmins, and it has superior battery life. (As an aside, I purchased the Ambit at a very steep discount when the model was discontinued upon the release of the Ambit 2. Otherwise, I would still be happily using my Garmin 610, unaware of the advantages of the Ambit over it.)
The 610 obtained a GPS signal more quickly than the 301.
If all you do is run around an oval, then yes, it is expensive, and all you need is a stop-watch. (It's even better someone else is pressing the stop-start button on the stopwatch for you.) Having said that, anyone can purchase a Garmin GPS watch for less than the cost of a new iPhone. I imagine most college students don't believe iPhones are too expensive.
I frequently travel for work, and I find the GPS watches (even the Garmins) very helpful in letting me know when I need to turn around and run back to the hotel. It is also a very convenient way to maintain a training log.
54:12 10mile age 17
I bought a Garmin 310 on eBay for $200 three years ago. I had recently moved and wanted an easy way to get good analytics. There were loads of trails to run on, some with mountains. The GPS watch allowed for better understanding of my workouts. It does sometimes take too much time loading.
I paid $80 on eBay for a new Garmin FR60 with HRM and foot pod. The response is almost instantaneous. Pace is reasonably accurate, especially if you check it 2-3 times over, say, 10 seconds. Distance is as accurate as the GPS models. The battery lasts about a year and you can replace it (carefully) yourself. It's no bigger than a regular watch. And it has a HRM.
The downside. You have to place it on the shoelace in the same spot each time. It can't flop around or else the reading is false. It underestimates the distance on steep uphills. It's not accurate while walking unless you calibrate it for walking instead of running. Ideally, it should be calibrated on a track or measured distance for your running pace and style. Once that's done, it's accurate to about 3-4m per mile.
I had the F210 until the battery crapped out and the band broke in multiple places. I was happy with that watch. Next up was the Soleus 1.5 which is bare bones. As soon as I can I am getting the F620. That thing looks bad arse.
The Soleus is annoying because you can't upload data to a server, the backup function in the desktop app doesn't work, the GPS connects S-L-O-W-L-Y, and the buttons depress too easily. That means the GPS gets enabled when you bump any of the buttons on pretty much anything. Take off your back pack? GPS gets turned on. Take off your jacket? GPS gets turned on. Bump the edge of your desk? GPS gets turned on...No es bueno, senor y senorita.
I have the Garmin swim. Amazing tech for $150. Swam 3k today, thinking about shaving my balls tonight.
I replaced my more expensive Garmin with the Garmin 10. It is the least expensive Garmin with GPS but it does all I need - distance, pace, and time. It picks up satellites quickly, at least as long as you are starting from the same place you have started before. New locations take a bit longer.
Pace is rounded off to the nearest 5 seconds (i.e., it jumps from 7:00 mpm to 7:05 mpm) but given the inaccuracy of GPS I don't think this is a big deal.
Anyway, I think the Garmin 10 is a great deal for most runners.
soleous makes a good gps watch cheaper too
'I replaced my more expensive Garmin with the Garmin 10'
I noticed that its actually one of the few Garmin's that's actually properly waterproof and its the cheapest!
Was thinking about getting one after very briefly washing my casio stopwatch in the shower. It stopped and then, for some reason my wife found this bit highly amusing, the strap fell apart. I've had a casio calculator which has survived tea, dropping and being used every day at work for 26 yrs, they don't make things like they used to!
Is the stop watch on it ok. Only really would use it to check run lengths and as a stop watch.
I wonder though if when I was younger and had found out my 10 miler in training was actually 9.5 I would have run as fast in races.
Someone at my club has just got the new top of the range garmin. Lives right near the hill where we do reps but never seems to make it to training.