GPS Running Watch

lvm

Hello,

Hoping some of you sporty money savers could help.

I want to buy a GPS Running watch for my sister's Christmas but as a non-runner myself, I have no idea what to get and the prices seem to vary widely.

She wants one that tracks speed, distance, time, probably calories and heart rate too but also the actual route/map of where she ran.

She mentioned a Garmin and the Forerunner 10 seems to do all that and is just £99. But what would the more expensive watches do that this one doesn't? I've seen some on Amazon got up to £200-£400.

Any recommendations for watches or just what extra spec/benefits of a watch I should look for would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

*Beki*

This is an awesome website/blog for reviews:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/garmin

Personally I would recommend the Forerunner 10 (I have one) - it's the best value for money in my opinion, and is simple enough to intuitively use.

Ones with HRM are usually more expensive...

Alias_Omega

If they want a Heart-Rate-Monitor (HRM) Strap, then I would go with the Garmin Forerunner 305.

If not, I would go for the Garmin Forerunner 205.

I have a Garmin Forerunner 301, which is older but works perfectly the same.

pinkmami

I have the Garmin Forerunner 10, does the job for me, but I'm not sure about the heart-rate.

But from checking calories/miles/route its brill!

Lizling

From the review linked, it doesn't look like the Garmin 10 is heart rate monitor compatible. The next Garmin up is the Forerunner 110, which is compatible with a standard HR monitor strap.

I've got one of these, and it's very good except that the recharging cradle thingy can be a bit fiddly to connect.

LeafGreen

If you do decide to go to a higher budget (ie £200+) the upcoming forerunner 220 is worth a look, should be out in good time for Xmas.

RobGuggle

lvm wrote: »

Hello,

Hoping some of you sporty money savers could help.

I want to buy a GPS Running watch for my sister's Christmas but as a non-runner myself, I have no idea what to get and the prices seem to vary widely.

She wants one that tracks speed, distance, time, probably calories and heart rate too but also the actual route/map of where she ran.

She mentioned a Garmin and the Forerunner 10 seems to do all that and is just £99. But what would the more expensive watches do that this one doesn't? I've seen some on Amazon got up to £200-£400.

Any recommendations for watches or just what extra spec/benefits of a watch I should look for would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

I use an app on my phone called Runmeter - it's ace. Maps my run and records all the info you'd ever want.

andygb

As someone who used to do a lot of competitive sport, and knows a few sports scientists, I would concentrate on buying a watch with a heart rate monitor and forget about one which "counts calories" altogether.
A watch cannot tell you your metabolic rate or body fat percentage, and it cannot tell what your heart rate range is - it can only guess.

terra_ferma

RobGuggle wrote: »

I use an app on my phone called Runmeter - it's ace. Maps my run and records all the info you'd ever want.

I'm sure the OP's sister would be thrilled to get that nicely wrapped as a xmas present

Its_Nice_Here

Hi,

I bought the forerunner 305 as a very cost effective one. When i researched them the more expensive ones just had prettier interfaces, and didn't actually record more data. Don't forget though if she has a smart phone with a GPS she can probably do all the same things if you get her a bluetooth heart rate monitor & and arm- phone holder and she downloads a free app.

If you do go for a watch some are only splash proof not water proof, although you might not be swimming in it showers & sweating made water proof a better bet.

the 305 is obsolete now, I'd recommend garmin. Any with a heart rate monitor which is helpful - whichever you can get the best deal on.

fin7

I've been looking into these for my daughter for Xmas, anyone have any thoughts on the Garmin 610?

Fin