Forerunner 201 GPS Personal Training Device

by Garmin

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• ASIN: B001B6EBJI
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

Product Description

GPS and a personal training device!
The Forerunner 201 is a personal training device designed for the high-performance athlete as well as the recreational walker or runner. It offers an easy-to-read display, adjustable wristband and an integrated GPS sensor. It is compact, lightweight and waterproof. The Forerunner 201 is the ultimate personal trainer. It uses GPS satellites to calculate speed, distance and pace information so you can focus on your run. You don't even have to think about starting and stopping the timer or punching the lap button to record stats; Forerunner will do it automatically. When you need motivation, Forerunner's Virtual Partner

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Garmin Forerunner-Nice concept, Flawed Technology, June 4, 2004

By A Customer

At this years Boston Marathon I spent an hour out to Hopkinton with a friend who was raving about the Garmin Forerunner 201. In theory, it was going to be a device that would provide me with information I've always desired; specifically how far I had run on any given day and the pace I was running throughout the workout. Measuring my courses on a bike is not an easy task, and for the most part I've just used the 'close enough' method.

So I bought the Garmin Forerunner with great excitement. The day I got it home I immediately read the instruction booklet and proceded to get ready to use it for the first time. After waiting the requisite 30 minutes to gather the satellite signals, I went out for my first run. I have a loop that I have reasonably measured around 1.8 miles and am pretty confident of its accuracy. The Garmin measured in at 1.93 miles. This lack of precision notwithstanding, the Garmin routinely reported a 'weak GPS signal' and my pace (which may vary 5-10 seconds per mile in a run this short) bounced from 6:16 to 9:30 in intervals as short as 30 seconds.

I was very disappointed, but still used the Garmin 3 other times in the Tampa area, all with the same maddeningly inaccurate results. At that point I called Garmin to speak with their technical consultants. While the manual warns of potential signal problems around tall buildings and bridges, it doesn't say a thing about running in neighborhoods which have a fair amount of shade trees. Suffice to say, the tech allowed that the device does have difficulty getting a signal around treed areas.

I also noticed that the distance feature runs into difficulties when you are making a series of quick turns from one street to another. I have a course that I was able to keep a signal on, many of the miles which are part of a certified marathon course and are well marked. All of those (4) miles came in at 1.03 to 1.05, which might be accurate for some, but is nowhere near close enough for my needs.

Unfortunately, as much as I wanted this to work, I speculate that this watch would only work as advertised in clear wide open areas, where you are running in a straight line. If you have that situation, then you should consider this product. For the rest of us, its back on the bike to try and get a better more accurate measurement.

In reality, I should have known better. My satellite TV provider requires a clear view of the sky, unobstructed by trees. I shouldn't have expected the Garmin to be any different. Good concept, but like many products, it just doesn't work in enough places to warrant buying it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great in Ohio!, October 3, 2004

By 

James Dilport "5K Runner" (Brecksville, Oh. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I've had my unit for several months, and I love it. I live outside of Cleveland, Oh. I use it every time I run in the Metroparks, or during my weekend 5K races, and I have found it to be extremely accurate. I have updated the internal software from Garmin's web site, and I use their software application on my laptop to log each of my runs. I especially like the virtual trainer option, and the ability to keep track of my running history. It has increased my running performance. If you are using it away from sky scrappers, you will love it! I highly recommend the unit, it is very easy to use!!!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do NOT Buy if you live in a large city, June 3, 2004

By 

"davidakolodziejski" (New York City, NY USA) - See all my reviews

I live in New York City, and the Forerunner can't find a signal anywhere in the city. Even in Central Park you get spotty results (around the reservoir it only found a singnal half the time).

The device needs a view to the sky in order to operate properly, and with the high buildings in New York, it can't find the statellites.