Garmin Forerunner 301

• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 6 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 8 stars

  A GREAT workout partner

  by Vinay K on October 16, 2005

  Pros: reliable GPS, good Heart rate monitor.

  Cons: heart rate monitor can be erratic sometimes

  Summary: I have been using this for the last four months now, and I must say, everytime I go out for a workout, I always take it with me.
  
  For my
  
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  Summary: I have been using this for the last four months now, and I must say, everytime I go out for a workout, I always take it with me.
  
  For my cardiovascular excercises, I either jog, rollerblade or cycle. At the end of each session, I download the Garmin data to my laptop, and can graphically see how i'm faring.
  
  On the HRM issue a lot of people have complained about, I did get astounding heart rate readings the first time I tried it on. The Forerunner was showing 155 when it was actually around 90, so I went back to the User Manual. No help there, BUT on the Quick Start Guide, it's mentioned in small letters "NOTE:Be sure to position the heart rate monitor so that the lettering on the front is right-side up." BINGO!! That did it.
  
  However, the HRM still behaves erratically sometimes, say around 5% of the time. I wet the sensors only ( wetting the complete HRM would create a signal short between the sensors, i bet) with cold water before putting on the HRM just below my rib cage. If its too tight or too loose, it does'nt work. Has be just so, so that it's comfortable, and does not fall off at the same time. Also, the Forerunner does not immediately display the HR when I put on the HRM, it takes around 30 seconds, but after that, the response is almost instantaneous.
  
  The battery charge on the Forerunner is absolutely wonderful. I used the supplied charger only once ( in four months), the first time I used it. Ever since, whenever I connect the forerunner to my laptop for download, it charges via the USB port.
  
  The distance reading is pretty consistent, as are the maps of my tracks.
  Have not done any check on the elevation so far.
  
  The Garmin Training Center software which comes alongwith the Forerunner 301 is very very useful, and its shows me graphically how i'm doing day by day.
  
  I need to add that i'm really picky about any gadget I get, and surprisingly, the Forerunner has stood upto the test.

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  3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 3 stars

  Not worth the money

  by dalec13 on September 14, 2005

  Pros: Good odometer

  Cons: Heart rate monitor, instantaneous pace, elevation

  Summary: Don't waste your money on the heart rate monitor feature. The 301 HR monitor does not consistently work. I exchanged the first HR monitor because it would never pick ...

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  Summary: Don't waste your money on the heart rate monitor feature. The 301 HR monitor does not consistently work. I exchanged the first HR monitor because it would never pick up my heart beat, or if it did, the rate was just wrong all the time (I would love to run sub 8 minute miles with a HR of 70, but didn't care to have a HR of 190 while at rest). The second monitor worked better, but I would only rate its performance as "POOR". The downloaded data would show my HR jumping +/- 50 BPM or more between readings. Sometimes I would get a consistent reading, but most of the time it looked like static. I have 2 other HR monitors and both of these work perfectly. The Garmin HR monitor is junk. Don't spend the extra money to get this feature.
  
  The GPS is OK. Overall distance seems to be very accurate and consistent, but the instant pace varies too much to be a great training tool. The elevation feature is about as bad as the HR monitor. The download data shows large spikes and drops that I know are not physically possible on the routes I run. Other than being an accurate odometer, I'm not impressed with the performance of the Garmin 301 Forerunner. I will not buy another Garmin unit until I see some proof that they have improved the performance and quality of the product.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 3 stars

  Heart rate monitor erratic

  by Raincityboy on July 8, 2006

  Pros: Extremely useful device

  Cons: If all features worked

  Summary: Love the concept, rugged, reasonably intuitive menu and software it comes with, very useful with frequent updates. However, the heart rate monitor is very erratic, sometimes it works perfect, other ...

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  Summary: Love the concept, rugged, reasonably intuitive menu and software it comes with, very useful with frequent updates. However, the heart rate monitor is very erratic, sometimes it works perfect, other time not. I've had it exchanged twice with no result, judging by other user's opinion this problem is not isolated. I'm disappointed because normally Garmin makes such a fantastic products and this one just simply won't work as advertised.

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  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  Love this product

  by robertstanke on August 13, 2009

  Pros: All of the features on this device actually make it fun to use!

  Cons: It is starting to age in terms of product line, but still is awesome. Also, it is a little big compared to other devices, but I think you get more to view though as a result.

  Summary: If you are just starting off working out or are a buff at the subject, this is a must get!

  Summary: If you are just starting off working out or are a buff at the subject, this is a must get!

• 8 stars

  Love my Garmy

  by RunnerJules on July 30, 2006

  Pros: Easy to use, accurate enough for my purposes...Data, love data, and it really helps me with my pacing.

  Cons: A bit large and clunky, USB cover seems a little flimsy. Program and maps are a bit outdated.

  Summary: I had to add some kind words for my constant running buddy. I got my FR 301 in late April (for ~$150) and use it on every run.
  
  This is
  
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  Summary: I had to add some kind words for my constant running buddy. I got my FR 301 in late April (for ~$150) and use it on every run.
  
  This is the only personal GPS trainer I have used, but I used a top of the line Trimble backpack (~$10,000 with all the bells and whistles) GPS unit at my old job in the mid-late 90s. Oh how far we have come. I really think you need to look at the performance of the Garmin from this perspective. Ok, once in awhile I'll look at the instantaneous pace and it says 4:45...sure there are outliers, but I don't have to wear a big antennae on my back, so I don't expect it to be accurate every second.
  
  My HR montior works great, haven't had any problems with it (but I live in DC, so usually muggy and sweaty...don't have to worry about wetting the contacts). I did a couple of checks on the accuracy and it seemed quite close. Again there are a few outliers but it is generally pretty accurate. When I smooth out the data on the graph, it takes care of most of the problems.
  
  Given the level of technology when it was designed and the current price, i think the FR 301 is a gem! (don't forget to download program updates from the website...the disk I got with it was old and full of bugs, but the updates took care of them)
  
  Hint, if you find the instantaneous pace annoying, you can create a custom screen to show the average instead. One day a couple of months ago it was really acting up, but it was a really steamy day and I think I didn't close the USB cover well enough. Once it dried out, and reset it (had to fiddle with button combinations), it seemed fine....phew.

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• 3 stars

  Heart Rate Monitor doesn't cut it.

  by rudyalaska on June 7, 2008

  Pros: Great for Biking with optional carrier

  Cons: Poor battery life and terrible heart rate monitor

  Summary: Buy a used one for bike rides taking less than 10 hours. Can also function well as a pedometer and has a fair map function.

  Summary: Buy a used one for bike rides taking less than 10 hours. Can also function well as a pedometer and has a fair map function.

  0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

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