Monday, December 29, 2008

A Better Running Experience with Garmin's Forerunner

By Joseph Aaron

If you happen to be a professional athlete, you will always certainly wish to get the Garmin Forerunner GPS 201 watch. It has a wide range of functions to offer. It comes with a GPS sensor, an electronic map, exercise session variation and reversal capabilities, calorie tracker, lap info and data, performance archives, auto stopwatch with auto-lap and auto pause functions, lap timer, pace alert, distance alert, free Training Center software, a flexible wristwatch strap, and an A/C desktop charger with a serial port.

The GPS 201 is perfect for a professional as well as a more casual athlete. It mainly works to help you manage the rate and tracking aspects. This unit offers plenty of plus points, but its worst drawback is that it does not work predictably. This is the only reason it is hard to consider it perfect. Its dimensions of 3.3 ? 1.7 ? 0.7 make it appear more bulky than a normal fitness watch; actually it is lighter than it looks, weighing in at only 2.8 ounces. The watch is waterproof and therefore may be worn by swimmers or by athletes in rainy or damp weather conditions.

The GPS 201 can store a lap record history of up to 5000 laps and offers many more features that you should tinker with to match up with your own demands and personal requirements. One of the most important features the watch provides is the Training Center Software. This is the perfect feature for you to use to save your performance statistics and can also help you see ways in which they have varied along your path, particularly if you have worked out at different elevations. The Virtual Partner component helps you set goals that you want to reach. You simply have to compare your actual workout session with that of your virtual partner.

The GPS function of this 201 model is disliked by many buyers because the signal is sketchy at times. Added to that, they also dislike the inconsistencies in components like altitude and pace readings. This navigator does not come with a heart rate monitor. Today, when many of the computer interfaces are USB compatible, this unit still lags behind with a serial port facility.

The wristband of the Forerunner 201 GPS Fitness Watch is adjustable, allowing you to flaunt the watch around your wrist or your upper arm as you choose. Its LCD display screen is easy to read in well-lit conditions as well as in the shadows. The rechargeable lithium alloy battery can remain charged for 14 hours before losing power. It seems to be quite alright for runners, but may not be quite adequate for biking, etc.

On the whole, the Garmin Forerunner GPS 201 is a watch with a lot of virtues. The training Center software and the Virtual partner features warrant special mention. However, its unreliable GPS signaling is its only flaw. - 15266

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