Strenths and Weaknesses
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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- Good accuracy on open roads
- Easy to use interface
- Clear graphics and easy to read numbers
- Lots of features for runners
- Massive amount of memory/good history recall
- Long lasting rechargable batteries
- Great price
|
- Accuracy can be off by 5% on wooded trails and roads
- Logbook software runs only on a Windows PC and is very basic
- Altitude readings are not accurate
- No heart rate monitor option
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Summary
The Forerunner 201 is a great tool. It
helps you monitor your pace and allows you to run intervals and
repeats even if you don't have access to a track. It suffers from
accuracy problems when running on wooded trails or roads, but even so
accuracy appears to be with 5%. As mentioned earlier, if you do run on
wooded trails or roads and you want more accuracy, then you may want
to consider the Nike® Triax V10
Speed & Distance Monitor or the Polar® Speed, Distance, and HR Training Monitor.
You can Find Your Perfect Fit, Guaranteed (or check for other discounts)
on both these items at
Road Runner Sports.
The Forerunner's software is quite
good and easy to use even without reading the manual, but the Logbook
software could use some work to increase its flexibility. The
altitude features of the Forerunner suffer from serious accuracy
problems.
One final word of caution. Run some of
your runs each week without your Forerunner: especially your recovery
runs. Or if you must wear it, put it up on your forearm and don't
look at it during your recovery runs. Your speed is not at all
important during these runs so don't watch your pace. Unless you are
very disciplined, watching your pace will tempt you into running
faster than you might if you weren't watching your pace. These
recovery runs are good times to watch your HRM so that you make sure
you keep your heart rate at recovery levels.
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The Garmin Forerunner 201 is available at:
