17 responses so far ↓

• 1 Derry

  GPS system works great. I was originally skeptical of it being comfortable due to its size, but it hasn’t been a problem. The only complaint I have is that it goes through batteries very quickly. I probably put a new set in every week. Need to get some rechargeables.

  Otherwise, I’m very happy with my Garmin.

• 2 Dickson

  This is the first & only gps watch I have owned. I live in a rural area with no tall buildings. I have been very satisfied with the Forerunner 101 as compared to the cost. I typically turn it on and set it on my front porch a few minutes before I run. 98% of the time I have no problems, when I have a problem it’s with signal strength. I love having time/pace/total distance all displayed at once. The distance seems to be very accurate & consistant. I was afraid the bulk of the watch would bother me but it hasn’t. Two AAA batteries are lasting me over 50 miles which is not bad if you only run 10-15 miles a week like me. I recently ran my first half-marathon and enjoyed being able to go back on the watch and see my pace for each mile of the race.

• 3 James

  My loving wife gave this to me after I commented how much my brother liked his. And for about 2 weeks it was pretty cool to watch my speed and distance while and ran or rode my bike, and to get data from the runs. Then it started acting up, and I switched batteries a couple times and re-read the manual but by the end of 3 weeks of semi-daily usage it quit altogether. I didn’t use this product in the rain or combat or anything, just for running and bike riding, honest. I am about to send it back and I hope to heck I just get our money back. The product I got was truly garbage and I advise anyone against buying it. Who needs to spend good money on something that only works 2 weeks? This reinforces my philosophy that sports and fitness should be kept simple, that going high tech is a waste of time and money.

• 4 Izell

  While I was looking forward to using this gps I was disappointed in the accuracy it showed both in pace per mile and distance run. It was very inaccurate and inconsistent. I’ve used it for several months and have given up on it’s accuracy. According to Garmin the models above this one have a better GPS system. This one is a waste of money it doesn’t do anything you want it to.

• 5 Hobbs

  If your looking for a GPS watch under $100 to just measure distance walked, run, or biked, then this watch will fit the bill. But if your a runner or biker looking for more advanced features like pacing you will probably be better served getting the Forerunner 205 for $50 more.

  Here is my experience with the Forerunner 101:

  I run a 5 mile loop along a pedestrian only parkway next to a lake. The distance markers have been measured and verified by a local track club so I know they are accurate. The Forerunner 101 usually hits the markers right on or is within +/- .05 of the marker, and the total distance is also within this variance. The pacing is a different matter. I usually run this 5 mile loop in around 40 mins. for a mile pace of about 8 mins./mile. The watch pacing swings wildly up or down per mile so one minute it says I’m running 10 mins./mile and then a few seconds later 7 mins./mile. During the course of the run it will level off for awhile to what seems a fairly accurate pace reading of about 8 mins./mile, but at some point will fluctuate wildly again. I have also used this watch in a 5K race with the same pacing fluctuations.

  The GPS acquisition when you first turn on the watch does take awhile, normally 2 – 5 minutes. So you definitely don’t want to turn the watch on a few seconds before they fire the gun to start a race. I like the history log that records and stores the times for each run by weeks, this makes it easy to track each run without having to enter the information in a database.

  The bottom line here is to keep in mind this watch has been around since 2002, so the technology is dated. If your on a tight budget and just want to know your distance traveled this watch should work for you, otherwise put the money towards a newer model.

• 6 Jong

  I used the Nike Plus system for a while, which was frustrating because it was so inaccurate. I got this Garmin, because I am serious about my health and want the FACTS. Not a novelty item, like that Nike Plus band. This works great, very accurate. The only complaint so far is, sometimes it takes a few tries to upload data to the software loaded on my PC. but I LOVE all the detail information!

• 7 Sailor

  This Garmin may look a little bulky in the photos, but its durability and features outweigh any extra ounces. The information that the Garmin gives me is priceless in my first-time marathon training. I don’t run too far, wearing myself down unnecessarily and not following my training plan, because of this gadget (I run straight out the front door of my apartment, through my neighborhood.) It is also a great tool for measuring my progress, heart-rate wise. I haven’t gotten into the “Pace buddy” feature yet. I think the only downside is the inability for the Garmin to give alerts for short times and distances for, say, running 400 meters, resting a pre-determined time, then running another 400 meters,etc. (I know this type of training has a name, but I can’t think of it off the top of my head.) I am so pleased with this product. I have been running for eight years and I feel like this Garmin will enable me to take my running to a new committment level. (And it makes my runs exceptionally fun!)

• 8 VanDen

  I bought this because I was training for a marathon and it was a great aid. I always use it when I run even when I go biking because it really lets me know valuable information about my workout and I can track my progress. The features are fabulous and I only lose the signal when I’m inside a structure.

• 9 Liberto

  wonderful product. very accurate mileage. more features than i will ever be able to use. it would be nice if battery life was a little longer but it is understandable that it isn’t.

• 10 Kuyper

  Generally the Garmin Forerunner 305 has met my expectations, however, with respect to durability it has been a bit of a letdown. I have had to replace it twice in the last 2 years when it would not startup despite efforts to soft or hard reset it. I use it daily for runs or cycling and enjoy reviewing my exercise data, especially with Garmin’s new Garmin.Connect site.

• 11 Rawls

  The item was delivered promptly and preforms as described. The only downside I have for it is it would be nice if there was a quick way to get the pod off of my shoe when I don’t need it. I switch back and forth between running indoors and out so I don’t need it constantly on my shoe. But other than that it is sturdy and works right out of the box. I would by another when the time comes.

• 12 Irvine

  The Garmin Indoor Foot Pod Accessory for Forerunner 305 is one of the best things I’ve gotten in a long time. Now when I’m on the treadmill, it gives me the ability to get the correct MPH and distance and also, it allows me to keep track and chart it on my computer!!! A lot of treadmills speed up and slow down at random, this Foot Pod allows me to be percise. This pod is WONDERFUL both on the treadmill and exercising outside!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!! FIVE STAR *****

• 13 Dodson

  I have used this product for over a year with my Garmin Forerunner 305 so that I can track my running indoors on the treadmill at the gym.

  This is easy to calibrate, and works flawlessly in conjunction with my 305. You do need to remember to replace the single AA battery periodically (there is no low battery warning light) to avoid finding yourself on the treadmill at the gym and having the unit just stop working due to a dead battery.

  I gave this only four stars instead of five since you need to lace it to your sneakers, and it cannot be easily or quickly taken on and off. However, I don’t even feel it when I run outside, or care what it looks like, so for me this is not a consideration. But for some people it might be.

  You should be aware that Garmin now has a newer version of the footpod that will work with the 305, but was introduced for the newer 405 and 405cx. I just bought one for the 405cx that I ordered, but have not yet had a chance to test it. However, it is smaller and lighter than the older model (it uses a “button” battery rather than an AA battery), and also has a lace clip for easy and quick removal from your sneakers.

  Bottom Line: if I were buying a footpod for the first time, I would buy the newer unit (which has received mostly positive reviews).

• 14 Dirling

  The product is very easy to integrate with the Garmin GPS watch. It’s ready to go out of the box and can be calibrated to be very accurate. A definite step up from Nike + technology. The only downside to the system is the software used to log your miles. It is not nearly as user-friendly as the hardware in your wrist and foot are.

• 15 Quader

  Love this pod, I couldn’t have made it through this winter without this pod to track my indoor running.

• 16 Miley

  I had to spend another $35 at Radio Shack to get a Serial to USB converter cable to plug this into my laptop. Nobody uses serial anymore… Garmin ought to sell an updated cable (USB) for the ForeTrex units…

• 17 Urbauer

  Thank you other reviewers!!! I said to myself, I said, I can’t get this thing to work. I’m going out on Amz to find out what the other reviewers recommended, because I bet they’ve ironed out the bugs. You sure did. All I had to do was give the little jack and extra push in really tight, and the download to Street Atlas went like a charm.

  BTW, I bought the Iogear USB to Serial interface cable on Amz. I have Windows Vista, so I got the .zip file Iogear provides. It has all Windows drivers. The Vista drivers worked great. Nice of Iogear to support all the Windows versions in one handy download. Wish I could say the same for Kingston flash drives, but I digress.

  Anyway, I am beginning to find that these reviews of technical products on Amazon are more helpful than the manufacturers’ websites. This is especially true of Garmin.

  Thanks again, everybody. Sure is fun when something works. I’m enjoying this Foretrex 101.

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