GPS Sports Device Reviews

Garmin Forerunner 101 GPS Personal Training Device

Garmin's Forerunner 101 is described on the company's website:

...offers athletes and recreational walkers and runners an entry-level personal training device with GPS. It measures speed, distance, pace and calories burned, and runs on 2 AAA batteries.

The Forerunner 101 stores lap histories for up to two years to provide an archive of workout performance over time. Retrieve lap data for previous workouts by date, week, month, or over a specific time interval. For business travelers who want to train on the road, the Forerunner 101 also doubles as a navigator. Users can mark their hotel as a specific location, see their current position on the plotter display, and follow an electronic breadcrumb trail back to their starting point.

Working out with the Forerunner 101 means you're never alone in your personal training, because the unit provides a "Virtual Partner". This unique feature allows you to set your training goal by configuring your Virtual Partner's pace and workout distance. You'll get a graphic perspective of your performance by viewing your pace in relation to your Virtual Partner's pace, so you can always see at a glance if you're keeping up or falling behind.

Amazon.com provides a detailed product description and also offers a table that tells you the differences between the Garmin 101, 201 and 301 models.

Running Times magazine wrote about it:

For runners who feel there's no such thing as too much information or too many features, the Garmin Forerunner 101 may be just the ticket. Using the company's GPS technology that's already been proven and is becoming more common in motorized navigation, the Forerunner will tell you how far and how fast you've run, and where, as well.

...The Forerunner 101 is $45 cheaper than its twin, the 201, lacking the more expensive unit's rechargeable lithium battery and PC interface capabilities. With the 101, it's a good idea to use rechargeable batteries instead of alkaline AAAs since the 15 hour battery life can get used up in a few weeks running.

If you're a minimalist runner who only needs the total run time, this unit is probably informational overkill. But if you can't have enough running gadgets and the feedback they provide, and you live in an area where GPS signals are strong, the Forerunner 101 or its more expensive sibling might find a good home on your wrist.

The Devices and Development website said:

The 201, coming with mostly the same features, is only $20-30 more than the 101 -- which is something to consider when you're buying yourself a Forerunner. If you can push for the extra few dollars, you may want to get the 201, simply for the rechargeable battery. But if you absolutely can't afford to spend that much, you're not losing much with the 101. It's still a great accessory for everyone who runs or cycles.

Things That Make It Special:

* Mapping functions show your progress.
* Stores distances, lap times, and number of calories burned.
* Shows precise speed, location, and altitude of your workout.
* Waterproof.
* "Virtual Partner" option eliminates need for real friends.

The British Global Positioning Systems website has a page of reader reviews, including the following:

I totally recommend it to any runner who, like me, wishes to know what the details of your runs are. It also has some pretty cool training assistance from the virtual runner, that you program your own parameters, to timed or distanced sprints and rests or time trials. It is incredibly easy to use and understand and the manual is quite clear and really only needs a quick one glance as the controls are pretty much self explanatory. An excellent assist to any running, jogging or walking enthusiast (it sure beats one of those pedometer things).

* Get the Latest Price on the Garmin Forerunner 101 GPS Personal Training Device.

June 9^th, 2006