Alternatives to Garmin Forerunner?

[ViviTheMage]

I do not use watches, i've always just had my phone...but I am running a lot more, and biking a lot more, and having my iPhone in my pocket with mapmyride, or nike running app all the time is kind of a pita.

Are there any good watches that track biking paths/running, that are solar, or kenetic?

Bonus, would be nice if they could show current MPH.

I just don't want another thing I have to charge every day.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I run 45+ miles per week...my Garmin gets a week and a half before needing a charge.

If you want a cheap alternative - even iPods have built in accelerometers. Refurb'ed Forerunner 205/305s are about $140 on eBay, or you can buy one by calling Garmin direct for $79.

Other alternatives - Timex Ironman (w/ GPS), Suunto, but both tend to be pricier.

 

[ViviTheMage]

My budget is up to $500, I don't want cheap, I specifically am looking for the need to not have to charge something every few days.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Forerunner, Timex, Suunto. Top 3. In that order.

Any of them solar or kinetic? No...anything that compact for constant recording of data wouldn't last very long, muchless be under $500.

 

[ViviTheMage]

okay, so I might as well get a forerunner then...which has the best battery life?

 

[RagingBITCH]

310/910xt both have a "up to" 20 hour battery life. Friends that run 50/100 mile train runs (like a buddy doing WS100 this weekend) owns the 310. Both are waterproof (can be worn while swimming for triathletes). The previously mentioned 205/305 has up to 10 hour life. Pretty much everything else (other Forerunner series, Ironman Global IIRC) will get around a ~6-8 hour life.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Thanks I will stick with the 205/305, or the 310/910xt!

Any other cool features that make one or the other stand out? I would almost use it as my every day watch too.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Well, the 205/305 are the older/legacy devices. That being said - I love mine...and can't justify the double price difference to upgrade to the 310/910 They are hard to come by now - Garmin has officially discontinued selling new stock - Costco/Sams might have them new. (205 = 305, but different color and no HRM)

If you live in a really rainy/precipitation heavy, the 310/910XT would be worth it. My under warranty 305 shorted out last week (battery) - Garmin has excellent customer service and shipped me a replacement via 2 day, but made me be a bit more conscious of drying it off after runs/quick wash. I've never had issues with it in the rain before, so think I just got unlucky. (And/or it hadn't truly dried off before I put it on the charger to charge)

310xt = the new version of the 305, water resistant to 50M. Not truly a water/swimming watch, as it only estimates distance traveled.

910xt = the true triathlete's watch - measures actual distance, stroke rate, pool lengths, etc.

In regards to an everyday watch - none of the above would be suitable for an actual watch to wear around really. IE, battery life would prohibit it from a length standpoint, not to mention constantly searching for satellite signals (if inside). I wear a watch 24/7 (in the shower, in bed , etc) - I don't find it a huge deal to swap watches in the morning. I had the same thought as you about wearing it as an everyday watch - initially when I started running, I bought a Polar RS100 HRM watch. It was great in that it was waterproof, could use as an actual watch/replacement for my G-Shock, was on all the time, and had a HRM. It sucked as a running watch though, because you honestly don't know how fast or far you are going, or can't realy truly analyze mile splits/times later on.

Honestly though - the GPS watch is the single most effective training tool you will ever purchase, and it pays for itself. (It costs what 1-2 pair of running shoes cost, or multiple pair of shorts, etc) My first Forerunner 305 lasted me 3.5 years. It was having a hard time finding a satellite at times, so sold it and got another 305 in Dec, which just shorted out. Replacement so far worked well, at least in today's 10 mile sweat drenched tempo.

NOTE: there are some running purists now that are anti-GPS watch - they think we've become too reliant on technology, knowing every stat, etc. I still go out on easy runs with a normal stopwatch and run based on time, but for actual half/full marathon training, it's invaluable. You can upload your runs/stats to MapMyRun.com, Garmin Connect, or the other lesser known sites. (RunKeeper, RunAhead) If you're a numbers/statistics geek like I am, you'll enjoy the fact that you can analyze it.

Ex, here is my NYC Marathon route from November:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/76582888

 

[ViviTheMage]

Thanks Raging, do they have MPH at all on them?

 

[RagingBITCH]

NP Yes, default is MPH. I think there's the option to use KM if you so choose.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Cool, so MPH will show up when I am biking/running...really the only thing I want is the MPH to be shown, and mapped out via GPS, are the other options any good, or even compare to forerunner's?

 

[RagingBITCH]

I can't comment on the Timex/Suunto options from a personal use standpoint. I've had friends try them and go back to their Garmins, if that says anything, but to each their own. Garmin is the incumbent in the GPS arena, but doesn't necessarily make it better.

 

[Drekce]

I've had a Forerunner 201 since about 2006. It is bulky, but still works great to this day. Still holds about 10 hours worth of charge too. I've wanted to upgrade a few times but can't justify it.

It does both pace (min/mile) and speed (mph).

 

[Bateluer]

Sounds like the Garmin 910XT might be what the OP's looking for. That said, I really like my MotoACTV. One of the few things Moto's gotten half way right since the Droid 1.

Is it really such a hassle to charge every other day though? Not like you really have to do anything, just drop the device in the dock when you take it off after a workout. Keep the charger where you normally store the watch before/after workouts.

 

[ViviTheMage]

yeah, but charging, so many devices...

 

[ViviTheMage]

slight change up, GF wants one too, and I still want to keep it below $500 for both.

I was looking at the models, and the cheapest one seems to be similiar to the mid range ones even. The mid ranges just have

I do like the calery counter via heart rate, are any of them any good at that?

Then I just want it to track our bike/runs, and that's about it...anymore is just a benefit I guess.

Oh, and if it could show current MPH for biking is big too!

 

[RagingBITCH]

Sounds like the Garmin 910XT might be what the OP's looking for. That said, I really like my MotoACTV. One of the few things Moto's gotten half way right since the Droid 1.

Is it really such a hassle to charge every other day though? Not like you really have to do anything, just drop the device in the dock when you take it off after a workout. Keep the charger where you normally store the watch before/after workouts.

Dood...I respect your running ability but really? You like that POS MotoACTV? I got one to try and review for free (had to use it this week while waiting for my replacement Forerunner) - that thing is such a POS. Without re-repeating my hatred towards it, see the link in my sig - did a full review on it. It's such a frustrating piece of shit...err equipment.

 

[RagingBITCH]

slight change up, GF wants one too, and I still want to keep it below $500 for both.

I was looking at the models, and the cheapest one seems to be similiar to the mid range ones even. The mid ranges just have

I do like the calery counter via heart rate, are any of them any good at that?

Then I just want it to track our bike/runs, and that's about it...anymore is just a benefit I guess.

Oh, and if it could show current MPH for biking is big too!

All of the calorie counters are still formula based...a "better" gauge than just based on age/distance, but still just an estimate. Yes, it will show you current MPH/pace. Your best bet is to go into a WorstBuy, REI, etc and try out the different models with your GF. The round Garmin models (405, etc) are touchscreen and rotating bezel - personally, I hated that, hence my reliance on the bigger screen and physical buttons. Again, to each their own - at this point you seem informed enough - go touch and play with one in person and see what you prefer

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yup, we're going to REI tonight to try them on, just wanted to see what else I was missing if we went with a cheaper model.

Do the heart rate ones work pretty well? Or is just time/length/age the best forumla for calculating that?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Yup, we're going to REI tonight to try them on, just wanted to see what else I was missing if we went with a cheaper model.

Do the heart rate ones work pretty well? Or is just time/length/age the best forumla for calculating that?

Not sure I follow the question...if you're exercising enough that you are needing to track mileage ran/biked, I hardly think you need to be counting calories. If you are interested in keeping track of HR, then the HRM strap provides real-time data to the watch (err rather, it passes the appropriate info to the watch which displays your HR).

If you're talking in particular with counting calories based on HR in addition to duration/age/etc - neither is really an accurate science. I'd always give yourself a +/- 15% cushion on the calories. In addition - no formula takes into account the afterburn effect, IE, interval work providing a higher sustained calorie burn longer through the day than a slow steady jog.

If you truly are calculating and crunching calorie numbers - just take the number given and subtract 10-15% out, roughly. Smart food choices are going to do more for you from a weight loss perspective than debating whether to add that extra 20 calories onto your total calories burned column.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Don't some of the watches track HR from the watch and not a HR Monitor? Those look odd, and I wouldn't want to wear one.

The GF was curious about the calorie counter dealio.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I had a Garmin 310 and loved it til the battery died. So, now I have the 410. You can't have it display 4 things at once(only 3) like the 310 but it can upload data wirelessly which is nice. And the HRM strap on the 410 is much nicer also.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerun.../dp/B0046BWRUK

You can find the 410 at Costco or BJs Warehouse for under $200.

For biking, you can get a mount and cadence kit:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerun.../dp/B000VK5BMQ
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Speed-C.../dp/B000BFNOT8

 

[RagingBITCH]

Don't some of the watches track HR from the watch and not a HR Monitor? Those look odd, and I wouldn't want to wear one.

The GF was curious about the calorie counter dealio.

No