:confused: I remember someone on the board mentioning that they had a Garmin Forerunner. I just bought the 301 and took it for the first run today. I was really looking forward to using the "pace" feature, but I found that it was all over the place...at times it said I was running an 8 min./mile pace (doubtful!) and then it would go up to a 17 min./mile when I barely changed my pace at all.

I also wanted to walk a mile today to see just how "fast" a 16 minute mile was, and even with this the pace was all over the place from 11-20 min./miles. In the end though it averaged me out over 2.5 miles at a pace of 13:21...which is probably about right.

So here's my question - can I really use this to try to keep a steady pace, or are the readings throughout the run going to be whacko with an accurate average at the end?

I'm really looking forward to using the "virtual" running partner!

The weather here has been really crazy - low 40s and then up to the 80s...but I guess I can't use weather as an excuse not to run ....the past 2 years at marathon weekend prove you need to be ready for anything!!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mara

I bought the 305 back in November and absolutely love the thing. I use it mainly to track my distance and overall pace.

I have seen the pace adjust when I slow to a walk or begin running again, but I haven't seen many really big swings when I think I'm going at a consistent pace. It generally seems to be in the neighborhood of how fast I think I'm going.

I wouldn't expect it to be perfectly accurate at all times, but I would expect it to be reasonably close. I don't remember if there's any kind of sensitivity setting on it, but it would be worth reading the manual or going through the settings on it. I don't have mine with me right now or I'd look.

I've only used the virtual partner a couple of times. It's nice to see if you're ahead or behind of your target pace.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I like mine.

I have the 305 as well and its brilliant. The pacing seems fine on mine from what I have noticed. I certainly haven't noticed anything too strange.

The virtual partner is brilliant! I have a couple of courses mapped out an absolutely love running them using the vPartner, it's the motivator I need to keep my time up.

The only time mine has a problem with pacing is when I run through a whole bunch of trees and it can't find a signal. Or at the WDW marathon when your running through where they make the costumes at MGM. It lost signal there too. By that time I was too darn tired to care!

How are you liking the Garmin, Tink13.1?

Does anyone know how to get a good deal on one of these? I missed the REI sale, so I'm wondering if there's any other way to get a good deal.

How are you liking the Garmin, Tink13.1?

Does anyone know how to get a good deal on one of these? I missed the REI sale, so I'm wondering if there's any other way to get a good deal.

I've found the cheapest prices on amazon.com. You can find used ones on ebay for cheap too.

You just have to find the one thats right for you. I have the 201. It has a recharable battery. The 101 takes AA batteries and the 301 has a heart rate monitor. The 205 is a new style thats slimmer, but about twice as high. The 305 is the new style, plus heart rate monitor. I used a friends 205 once when I had forgotten to charge my battery and really liked it. It finds the signal really fast and has a few better features, but for the price I'll stick with my 201. You can probably find a new one for around $100 on amazon.com with free shipping and no tax.

Make sure you update the firmware. Garmin has released several updates for the unit that fix some of these issues and make it more stable.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsUpdates.jsp?product=010-00375-00&cID=142&pID=270

How are you liking the Garmin, Tink13.1?

Does anyone know how to get a good deal on one of these? I missed the REI sale, so I'm wondering if there's any other way to get a good deal.

Sorry - I have been hanging my head in shame because I've been so bad about getting into a running routine!! I'm sure it will get easier once the kids get out of school (so not!)

I've only run a couple of times since I last posted, and I still find the pace to be all over the place - but I think it may be that we just don't have a good signal in our area. I will be able to judge it better once I use it at the beach...less trees there!

I also haven't really used most of the features, but I think I will once I get into a set training program. Even though I can't use the pacing feature throughout my run like I had hoped - I still get an accurate pace/distance once the run is completed, so that information is very valuable to me.

I bought mine on amazon for both price and convenience and I looked at a few of the models. I liked the 301 for me, because I wanted the rechargeable battery, and the on-line software features (haven't used it yet...but at least I know it's there!). I love being able to see the distance add up as I'm running - although I have to admit that most of my recent runs have only been about 3 miles.

HTH,
Mara

Has anyone had experience with the 301 and 305? I'm just wondering what the big differences are between the two?

The 305 seems like it would be really clunky on my wrist. Any women or smaller people with feedback? Can you wear it on your arm? I've seen a petite woman with the 301 on her upper arm.

Has anyone had experience with the 301 and 305? I'm just wondering what the big differences are between the two?

The 305 seems like it would be really clunky on my wrist. Any women or smaller people with feedback? Can you wear it on your arm? I've seen a petite woman with the 301 on her upper arm.

My mother in law has the 301 and really likes it. I don't think you'd really need the 305, unless your really wanting a heart rate monitor. I'd say shes in the smaller catagory.