Garmin Forerunner 101

Hello All,

I am quite new to all this running lark. I've done a few 5ks, and last year I did a 10k. I decided to enter the Reading Half and I've started taking running a bit more seriously - got a proper pair of shoes, reading up about training plans and so on.

I would like to be able to monitor the distances I've run, especially as I don't know my local area that well (just moved) and don't always want to limit the running to routes I can do in the car.

I've spent ages researching these forums and I think a Garmin is the way to go for me. What I can't decide is whether to go for the 101 or the 201. As far as I can work out, they both have the "virtual partner" - an idea I really like - and the only differences are the PC connectivity and the batteries.

So what I'd like to know is - is it worth the extra money for those two features? To those that have the 201, do you use the PC bit much? I am not sure if I would or not. What does it actually do?

Thanks

B

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 13:19

B
I use the 201 and only ever look at the data on my pc. If you download an application called Sporttracks and Google Earth, you can get satellite images of your runs. Sporttracks also enable you to record further info about the run - weather, shoes used (to track mileage), your thoughts on the route, how you felt etc.
In short, I use the 201 on every run and as soon as I'm home, I connect it to the PC. I now have a running log with GPS data and route maps etc.
If I didn't do this, I'd ended up inputting the mileage data from a 101 into a spreadsheet or something anyway.
Hope that helps.

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 13:35

Like S365 I use my 201 on every run (5 per week) but I only download once per month.(the last day).You can view all of your runs, times, calories, etc and look at a n overhead map, an altitude map and a speed/pace graph for each run. You can add comments to each run if you like. Surely recharging a battery must be better than having to keep buying them and I presume the 201 is lighter because of this. You mentioned the virtual partner which is great. Prior to having the 201 I regulary ran a route that took me 55 mins at best and I thought was 7 miles. It turned out to be only 6.4 but with the 201 I have 7 miles and with the aid of the vp I have reduced my time to 49 mins. It took some doing and 6 months but I am sure without it I wouldn't have done it. I know it sounds sad but you actually feel as though you are racing someone and you become determined the little B&!*@~+ isn't going to beat you. I would certainly recommend the 201, having said that of course there is a 301, and I believe a 305 due out next year.

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 13:57

Thanks for the replies. The battery thing was a concern, but you can get rechargable AAAs can't you? I've never used those before and don't know how good they are.

I really can't decide - not sure how much I would look at the stuff on the PC and can't work out whether it's an extra I "want" or "need"....!

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 14:21

You don't "need" it Becks but then again you don't "need" the garmin!....Anyway it's Christmas... time to have something you "want".

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 15:48

"I would like to be able to monitor the distances I've run, especially as I don't know my local area that well (just moved) and don't always want to limit the running to routes I can do in the car."

map24.co.uk covers all of those points free. Or www.trailgauge.com with www.ordnancesurver.com maps.

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 16:12

I have a 201 ... never used the PC side of things. Could have gone for a 101 but the battery life is said to be shorter. That said, you can bulk buy batteries cheapie cheapie at Toys R Us.

One point - the 101 will be good for long hikes or weekends away, because it won't need a power point for recharging, just take some extra batteries.

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 16:14

Virtal partner is a waste of time to be honest as are most of the "exclusive features" on the 201.
The only thing I use mine for and for that's its damn handy is pace per mile and milage log.

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 17:03

I have the 201 and same as GGHT only use it for pace and mileage readings. Also for calories burned.

Although, I did use it once to find my way back to the start of a run when I got lost.

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 21:07

Wash your mouth out GGHT! The virtual partner is the GF's killer feature. Beat him and you get a little moondance across the screen - if that doesn't motivate you, nothing will :-)

Posted: 30/11/2005 at 22:18

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go for the 101 - I did try working out routes with OS maps but I'm a bit geographically-challenged and do also quite like the idea of taking off down a road at random and turning back when I've covered X miles or whatever...my boyfriend and I do a lot of walking too so it would be fun to use just out of curiosity whilst we are out and about.

There was a second-hand one on Amazon, but it's been snapped up! Nevermind - got it for £74.99, which I think is quite good anyway.

Posted: 01/12/2005 at 08:45

beckstrous
£74.99 isn't at all bad - where was that from?

Posted: 01/12/2005 at 16:22

ignore that - thought you meant 74.99 for a 201
oops

Posted: 01/12/2005 at 16:25

I had the same internal debate a few months back and ended up going for the 101.

Its quite a bit bulkier than the 201, something I did'nt realise at the time (and regret not having known now !!)

Posted: 01/12/2005 at 19:41

Also I was told 101 is heavier than 201, due to batteries, so if you hate carrying excess weight on a run like me this niggling little fact is relevant!

EDIT oft just saw your post, but i'll go ahead anyway!

Posted: 03/12/2005 at 12:43

but what about the 301?? anyone gone for that??

Posted: 04/12/2005 at 14:54

I have a 301 and use it for every training session. I am 54 years old and use the Heart Rate Monitor as a way of maximising but not exceeding my max Heart rate. It is also useful to be able to set the max and min speeds for long runs so that i get into the groove.
Proof of pudding... 3hours 54 for this years Firenze marathon compared with 4 hours 10 last year.
happy to talk to any one who wants any more comments on the 301

Posted: 04/12/2005 at 15:11

The computer bit is key.
Get the 201 and buy it from the states on ebay for about 70/80 and get an adaptor for the plug.
Echo stephen365 - sport tracks software is the DB's. The best part of it is the ability to manipulate your route after the fact.
Lets say you lose the signal for a section of your run (tall buildings and overhead trees) your final readings will be short on distance and thus slower in pace. When you get home you can amend the route to rectify this.
I live in London and have some issues with the satellite signal and before i discovered sport tracks on this site it was hugely frustrating. Garmin software can't amend.

Posted: 06/12/2005 at 19:11

can you get a grid reference on the 101? I am getting one from my hubby for xmas but already have a garmin legend which I take out walking. The main facility I use on the legend is the grid ref and distance so if the forerunner has a grid ref on it then I might as well put the legned on ebay

Posted: 09/12/2005 at 18:59

I have it on good authority that there will be a 101 under the tree for me at Christmas. I looked into the differences but really wouldn't use the pc link up so don't think the 201 would have been worth it for me

Posted: 13/12/2005 at 12:57

hellen: forerunners only have lat/long.

Posted: 13/12/2005 at 13:54

I know you've got the 101 instead of the 201 but for anyone else, the 201 or the 301 is the way to go (I've got the 301). The connectivity to the PC is great, and using sportstracks (as mentioned above) allows you to see your routes in Googleearth which is really cool.

In terms of Grid Ref, only the bigger GPS show the UK grid, the forerunners only show Lat & Long and even then you have to dig for it through several menus - they're not really designed for "navigating" as such, but recording where you've been - and it's the best running gadget ever (and believe me I've got loads of them...)

Simon

PS: You may be interested in http://www.trailexchange.co.uk - it's a site I've set up for runners to swap GPS routes with each other.

Posted: 13/12/2005 at 14:10

I have the 101 but will be upgrading to the 201 once I have more pennies (new hockey season demands new boots and stick et al   I just think the PC capability will be better than having to manually track my training on paper but then I am just a tad lazy!

Posted: 22/08/2007 at 13:43