| Amazon.com Product Description The Garmin Forerunner 301 is the next exciting addition to the Forerunner lineup. Take your workouts to the next level with all the great GPS features found in the Forerunner 201, plus the added capability of a continuous heart rate monitor. Knowing your heart rate while exercising lets you measure your exercise intensity and performance, giving you a powerful training tool. The Forerunner 301 training profiles can be customized for running, cycling, and other sports. For those interested in losing weight, improving fitness, reaching peak athletic performance, or just improving health to reduce heart-related problems, the Forerunner 301 delivers. 
The Forerunner 301 offers a wide variety of training features that can help you train at any level you choose. | 
Included Training Center software allows you to store and analyze data using interactive graphs. View larger. | The easy-to-use, two-piece system consists of the wrist unit and a digital heart rate transmitter that you wear around your chest. The transmitter is coded that so there is no interference from other heart rate monitor users nearby. The 301 unit continuously monitors heart rate, speed, distance, pace, and calories burned. A heart rate zone chart, included with the manual, helps you target specific heart rate zones for optimal training. The unit's built-in alerts help you maintain those heart rate zones. For those who don't want to fuss with the charts, there's an AutoLearn feature that allows the unit to learn your maximum heart rate and set zones accordingly. Pace, time, distance, interval workout, and advanced custom workout alerts are also included. Meanwhile, the AutoPause feature pauses and resumes the training timer based on a specified speed. Finally, the AutoLap feature records lap data when you reach a specified distance. Don't worry about running out of room for your lap data; the unit boasts a 5,000-lap memory. Like the Forerunner 201, the 301 also doubles as a basic navigator. You can mark your starting point as a specific location, see your current position on the plotter display, and follow an electronic breadcrumb trail back to your starting point. The built-in GPS receiver provides highly accurate data, and there's no calibration required. Just turn it on and go. The unit's USB data port means that connecting the unit to your computer is easier than ever. The USB connection offers fast and reliable data transmission to any USB-equipped PC. And because analyzing workout data is an important tool in reaching one's fitness goals, the 301 comes with Garmin Training Center software, which allows you to download workout data to your PC for detailed analysis. View data for each workout, including your heart rate, time, distance, speed, path traveled, and altitude. You can also track data for multiple sports and multiple users, and you can overlay workout data onto a map. The unit is compatible with MotionBased and TrainingPeaks, which are popular third-party training software packages. With up to 14 hours of battery life, the 301's rechargeable lithium-ion battery is designed for extended use. It's also rugged and waterproof for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The unit ships with a 1-year warranty. 
Get heart rate and other vital data at a glance. | 
Customize your workouts with programmable intervals. | 
Set up exercise profiles for different types of sports. | 
A built in Virtual partner runs alongside you, graphically displaying your goal pace/speed. |
What's in the Box
The Forerunner 301 wrist unit, the digital coded heart rate monitor, the Training Center CD-ROM, an expandable wristband, an A/C charger, a PC/USB interface cable, an owner's manual, and a quick start guide. |
|
 Do you take your running seriously? |
| Review Date: March 11, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Albie McGhee, New Zealand |
I have recently purchased a Forerunner 301 after having used a Sports Instruments heart rate monitor for about a year. The heart rate monitor was excellent, and certainly usefull in the gym - rather than wait a certain length of time between sets, wait until your HR is below 120bpm. It allows you to pace yourself much more.
When it comes to running, it is difficult to measure your performance (time, heart rate, and distance) over the days and weeks. A heart rate monitor is good, but when training you need to push yourself and will always have a high heart rate.
The forerunner is a completely different animal. So different, that there really isn't any fair comparison at all.
With this puppy on your arm you can build a workout (they are quite simple but effective) on your pc, slap it on the forerunner, and off you go. Great running feedback, and excellent info when transferred to the pc. Everything is easy to do - not quite WinXP wizard easy, but simple none the less.
If you live in a large city, forrested areas, or anywhere with sky obstructions, then it may give your trouble with reception. I have had a gps for years, and with my wifi experience I knew that reliable reception was going to be an issue. However, for me I found the reception excellent. Great in fact! In my lounge I can still get a lock with 4 good strength sattelites! If I stop it reacts within 1 second, and another second it knows I have stopped (due to the 1 second display update speed). Much better gps calculations than my garmin gps12.
If you are gagety inclined, and ARE taking (not just wanting or planning to) your running or biking seriously then without a doubt, this is the machine for you.
It isn't too big, but big enough to read. Locks on in less than 1 minute in my small back yard, and has stellar reaction time. Perhaps even just keeping track of your exercise history is worth it for you? Or the in running feedback? Or the calorie (much more realistic than anythng else I have seen) info?
I am very happy with my buy. I paid $230 for it. Worth every last buck. From my experience I have no trouble recommending the Forerunner 301 to any one who is taking their running seriously!!
|
Works Well
|
| Review Date: June 2, 2005 |
| Reviewer: South Texas, San Antonio, Texas |
I have the Forerunner 201 and liked it very much. Combined it with my Polar S810 and Sportsim software and was able to coordinate the heartrate info plus minus Ok.
The 301 solves that. Garmin's Training Center software (2.3.3 beta) is a vast improvement over the previous "Logbook" software. In particular the graphing function is quite useful. No, the software is not perfect and I have several things that I think should be changed but it works well for me when it comes down to analyzing the run. I also use Topofusion 2.51 (also beta-earlier versions can't read 301 data accurately) and am able to view runs on USGS satelite maps including landsat images. It also has some nice analysis features and allows Digital Elevation Map data to correct elevation data.
The device is nearly identical in appearance - buttons are a little easier to use, has USB instead of serial interface. Does not have WAAS and still is plus minus 30 feet accurate although I think it has improved algorithms. Device software has been improved mostly with addition of multisport options and workouts.
Multisport isn't well supported (IMHO) particulary within Garmin's Training Center, but I think it is still considered beta software.
Workouts are very nicely done and I have used the Training Center software to setup workouts that are uploaded to the device and then executed when you run. These are intuitive and straightforward to use and I have found them to be quite useful, especially with the HR monitor.
No real problems. Some have complained that the instantaneous accuracy of the device is variable and this is probably true but overall the real time data is accurate in my experience (over a year with the 201 and 3 months with the 301). Compared to measuring distances with my car's odometer and then guessing pace based on a stopwatch - what do we want? Once uploaded to the computer data looks pretty accurate. Occasional track points are obviously erroneous - if you use Topofusion you can edit the track to correct these. I have a 4 mile route that I run frequently - 2 miles out and back. Distance variance is about 1/10th mile and the tracks line up well - errors do occur but over about 10 seperate runs they are pretty consistent - not perfect, consistent.
I have had no problems linking to satelites or losing signal using the device in south Texas, Salt Lake, Park City, Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and in airplanes between. This applies to both the 201 and 301.
Heart rate data analysis has been exciting. Never could accurately line up the data points using my Polar monitor and the 201. I have actually discovered helpful correlations using the HR and speed/elevation data graphs from this device that weren't possible before.
Overall, quite pleased with the device. Training Center software is acceptable and for me actually useful. If you are willing to utilize other software (Topofusion, Sportsim) you can get quite a bit out of this device. |
Great device for the price
|
| Review Date: September 7, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Michael A. Silver, Rome, GA |
Let me start by saying I use the forerunner mostly on my bicycle. I don't have the mount as I just wrap it over my old bike computer.
I have had it about 3 months and I can't leave the house without it. I ride my bike to work, which is about 3.5 miles away. I also ride three times a week at a nearby college since they have a nice mountain in the middle of campus.
On the road it is very accurate. In about 50 sessions I have had it lose a satelite once. I also don't get a lot of cut off corners, but I think streets lend themselves well to GPS. For each ride home I use the Training Assistant and essentially race against my best time. It's not perfect since it only shows you how you are doing against an average speed, instead of how you were doing during a sepecific leg. This has really made beating personal records a lot of fun.
Next often, I use the device in the woods. Here it is still invaluable, but it's recption does suffer a little. I usually will lose the satelite several times during an hour ride, but often times I don't notice it. It polls often enough that a few missed point has a minimal effect.
For climbs, it is excellent. It polls the satelite enough to provide an accurate detailed map. For downhills it polls the same amount, but my speed increases 10 fold and critical corners are missed during the polling. Downhills aren't near as detailed as they should be.
I have used the device for running a few times, and really liked it. I am a stats freak and record every run and bike ride. This really eases the burden.
As I mentioned, I have had few problem with picking up the satelite. Even under trees, it's reception is acceptable.
Battery life is excellent and when the battery dies you don't lose all your data. It shuts down with enough power left to store the data.
Garmin is also pretty aggressive with their updates. The last update I installed actually improved my battery life and added new features.
Another feature that would be nice is to save routes with the personal trainer allowing you to save and use different times for different routes.
The Garmin PC software is very basic and the overlay maps stink. I do use it, but in conjuction with some freeware called SportTracks. It downloads maps from the USGS and they are much better than what garmin provides. You can also save images and upload your route to Google Earth. It will also figure out what the temperature was at the time you rode/ran.
The Forerunner has a very large memory. After at least 50 rides, I still have not had to clear the memory. I think I read that it can store up to two years of data.
The heartrate monitor has been a little flaky recently, but i suspect I just need a new battery. Once I break a sweat it works great. It could also be my chest hair causing poor conduction.
Support is not that great, at least via email. I asked a real simple question, but never got a reply. It wasn't important enough to call, so I didn't.
The forerunner is well made and waterproof, although make sure the USB slot is covered before you dip it in water! It is very feature rich and can be adapted to different styles of use.
Garmin is coming out with a new GPS just for bikes that fixes most of the flaws I pointed out.
If you keep track of every run, I think you can't go wrong. if want to use it on a bike, wait for the bike specific one to come out later this year. |
Working great for my exercise
|
| Review Date: April 20, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Terry Fritts, Moore, OK USA |
I was concerned about this product because of the negative reviews and particularly about the heart monitor. But I received it the next day after ordering from Amazon - whose service continues to get better for me - and I immediately charged the battery and then set up my profile.
The next morning I used it for the first time and the heart rate monitor worked flawlessly for me. The GPS was exceptional as well. The heart rate monitor worked as well or better than my trusty Polar and they agreed with each other, too.
The only negatives I experienced were: 1) that the unit seemed a little bulky to me at first but I gradually became accustomed to it; 2) the lap button is near the start/stop button and I run in the dark so I had a bit of trouble with laps. I think I'll get the hang of the buttons soon.
Also the Training Center software did not work and I had to download the latest version from the web site. But I like the training center software just fine for my needs.
I would recommend it. |
Complex but Excellent
|
| Review Date: June 27, 2005 |
| Reviewer: The Manichaean, Mount Prospect, IL United States |
The Garmin Forerunner 301 is an incredible tool, but make no mistake--you will need to learn how to use it.
Basic functionality of gathering distance, pace, and time is easy--turn the Garmin on and press the start button. But if you want more, like a virtual partner, auto-lap markers or directions home, you need to spend some time playing with it and reading the manual.
I can guarantee that every minute you spend learning will be worth it, though. My favorite feature is the ability to set pace alerts. When running, the unit will signal me with one beep if I'm running 2:00/mile too fast and another beep if I'm running 2:00/mile too slow. It also auto-pauses when I stop and begins to record this as "rest time". Oh yeah, and it will help you find your car in a parking lot.
There are many more features that can be used with this item, so I suggest you download the manual for more detailed info.
As for the accuracy of the GPS unit, it is excellent within standard GPS parameters. What the heck does that mean? No GPS can track you in a tunnel, and no GPS can track a moving target in a forest. (I'm sure the military has something for these applications, but we're talking about a wristwatch priced in the low hundreds here) So when you run in an open field on a clear day, the Garmin will be nearly flawless. But when you run in the city or in a park, be prepared for some inaccuracy. If you hit open sky every once in a while, you should be fine, but just be aware that it will not be perfect.
Some tips:
1. Each time you're out for a run, wait for the Garmin to acquire its signal before starting. A little bit of patience pays off when your start location is accurate.
2. All data produced by the GPS is a "best estimate". Don't get worried if your pace alert says that you're running at 2:15 minutes per mile. Wait a second and it will clear up (unless you really are that fast!)
3. The Garmin probably uses the same Mini-USB connector as your digital camera, so try it out before swapping cables!
In short, if you are willing to take the time to understand the Forerunner 301, you will LOVE it. If reading the manual and minor tinkering is not for you, then you might want to think twice. Have fun! |
|
No video reviews found for this product.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.