GPS device euphoria

I'm sharing the love, have a Forerunner 301 and it's the best training tool ever. Just learning how to use some of the advanced features, like uploading interval workouts from the PC to the unit.

I'm sad though, because I had to send my baby to the shop yesterday. The socket that the USB/charger cord plugs into had worked itself loose. So far, the customer service has been good, called and got an authorization number for warranty service, the guy assured me that it was covered and would take only 7-10 days. We'll see!

MotionBased has a limited service available for free. Look on the site for details.

As far as the wife, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

I'm seconds away from pushing the button as well.

Anyone have any insights into WHO has it the cheapest?

I'm researching the web as we speak.  Amazon: $296 for the Forerunner 305.  I don't think I'm interested in the Edge model.

Does anyone know if the Forerunner 305 has the same "uploadable" capabilities to Motionbased.com?  Yes it does.

The 301 can be had for ~$150

I have the 201.  Its bulky and loses its signal under trees, etc and doesn't track all that cool info. 

Yes.  My wife is the runner in the family.  I was going to pass this off as an early anniversary gift for her....(but really for me). 

John:

I'm with you on the love/hate relationship. I love the capabilities of my Forerunner 301 (I also use the custom interval workout function) and the instant feedback it gives me re: HR, pace, distance traveled/to go, etc. 

I hate that after 8 months of excellent service that it crapped out on me at the Gulf Coast HIM (would not pick-up a HR signal despite changing batteries, resetting and so forth).

Sent it into Garmin and they replaced the entire unit with a new one.  Got it back before the Peachtree Road Race ... and the new unit worked perfectly -- until it lost the HR strap signal again.

Called Garmin again.  They pulled up my records, listened to my troubles and then agreed to ship a new HR strap that should arrive any day now.

In the end, I will have received a brand new Forerunner 301 with very little fuss or problems.  What the unit lacked in consistency over the past 45 days, Garmin made up in customer service.

Hopefully your experience will be the same.

I am totally loving my Garmin 305 "Edge"... and for anyone out there that is having a tough time choosing between the edge and forerunner, go with the EDGE!!!  You get so much more data and it's really not all that difficult to hold in your hand while running.  But if holding it isn't your idea of a functional device, I have heard of some people buying the iPod running arm straps that the Edge supposedly fits in just perfectly.  In all honesty though, it's not much harder holding it in your hand then say a gel packet.  In my last race I was able to grab a gel and open it w/o the garmin getting in the way.

But overall I agree, this device gives so much data feedback that I'm in heaven...the only thing better would be a new 2k hub that give wattage.

You can use the Garmin indoors, but it will only track the HR by time.  I used it on a trainer ride last night.  It does give good feedback, and the new training center software is a HUGE improvement over the previous version.

Just watch out using the 301 in water.  THe 305 might be safe, but I would be pretty careful with it.  Swimming uses a lot more force than the 1 meter for 30 minutes they "allow."