Garmin Forerunner 201 Wrist-Mounted GPS Fitness Computer

This is not your typical pedometer or other cheesy gimicky product promising to measure your speed or distance. This is the real deal. Second by second reports on your pace, distance traveled, altitude (or grade, your choice), etc. Configurable alarms. This has it all...and no more (i.e. no other extraneous functionality that would just confuse/complicate things).

Unlike some Garmin products I have used before which have a pretty steep learning curve this product is simple to use too. Very intuitive and easy to setup.

Having never tried the Timex Bodylink system which espouses to do the same thing, I can't comment on a comparison, here, except to note the obvious: price. $124 for this thing is a steal!! Contrast this with the several hundred bones you'll have to shell out for the Timex.

Other reviewers have hit on a couple of the opportunities for improvement: serial vs. USB, heavy charger, outdoor only, etc. These are valid nits...but really trivial compared to the freedom you'll experience the moment you take your first long run with this device. I'm sure future release will address these nit (and I wouldn't be surprise if some integration with a Heart Rate Monitor isn't in the works). But trust me don't wait for these improvements get this now and your runs will never be the same.

By the way, you could really say goodbye to daily entries in your logbook as well. This thing does it for you (and stores it for several years). It then summarizes your mileage by week, month etc...as well as other key parameters (avg speed, etc.) This is all done within the watch to...no need to upload to the logging/analysis software for your desktop which will be available for free from Garmin in Jan.


Perfectly designed for the Runner   November 23, 2003
Now and then you get a product that does exactly the job you need it to, and gives more than you expect. The Forerunner 201 is one such product. It is so light (<3oz), small, and simple and intuitive to use; one button to press when I start at that's it! It allows me to train for my marathon anywhere I want to and keep track of every aspect of my performance much more easily that if I were at the track.
Some small negatives: PC software not yet available, serial adapter rather than USB, not suitable for swimming, and no car charger either in the package or as an accessory.
But the design is perfection - Garmin have resisted add features that would have no value for runners. One example of being delighted was being warned on the way back that I had a sharp turn coming up - how do they do that!!!
It is the perfect gift for outdoor runners & cyclists.


1st impression on Garmin Forerunner 201   November 20, 2003
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Pros:

1. It weighs only 75g.
2. The interface is intutive and the LCD screen (with backlight) is large to read .
3. The user can setup the custom page to display the desired info at his choice (calories, speed, elevation, ...).
4. It has the map mode to help you navigate.
5. Able to upload the history data back to PC for analysis.

Cons:

1. The AC adapter is bulky.
2. The wirst strap is hard to remove from the device.
3. The software for logging is not ready yet.
4. Only for outdoors. :)

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10. Another product with quality from Garmin.


Finally something for us runners   November 17, 2003
 4 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is a great product. I've already taken it on many runs and it works like a charm. At times it has a little trouble picking up a gps signal indoors, but once I get outdoors it work wonderfull. It is easy to read, light, and makes the long runs more interesting, because I can see how I'm doing right away. Lot's of fun and I would recommend to anyone who runs distance or is training for a marathon.