Gadgets to keep track of distance etc...

[The Moose1]

In my experience with Garmin, get the 205 or the 310xt.  Both seem pretty durable, and accurate.

Mike

[NancyR]

Thanks Sandy, do you carry the Garmin? I think I can picture a display at your shop...I will have a look at them both.  I was just going to say doesn't Mike rec comend the 310xt.... thanks Mike, testimonials are important to me.

I checked out the Garmin Connect site, where you would upload your data, looks pretty neat.

My washing machine died yesterday and so did the pressure washer.. So a $1,000 later....I may have to "pace" this gift to myself lol

Going to be beautiful today - getting out there early.

Nancy

[Sandy]

Yes we carry Garmin, Polar and Timex.

[NancyR]

Thanks Sandy, I will be by soon to check them out, and pick up a "pocket" to try too.

[NancyR]

2 runs with the "pocket" it is working, as in running, but I am not certain of its accuracy now.. thinking it is not picking up the feed all the time.

Surely my improving run isn't now 12 minutes a km? LOL I sure hope not. Will keep playing around, calibrating, see if I can get it, but I have little patience as the years roll on... or am I just looking for an excuse to get a Garmin... or other gadget :) New technology to me is like new shoes are to some women! 

[Kate]

I tried the Nike shoe thing and discovered I had NO patience for calibrating it either.
Hence the Garmin!
 

[cucina]

just curious about the font size and rainbow colours?

[NancyR]

..of my posts? Just like colour and a bigger font... I design web sites, that might explain having a phobia of little black letters lol (I am going to post now, without altering..it is hard though) 

[NancyR]

I've been researching all the Garmins, and had it narrowed down, until I tried them on. They just feel so large, and it was tough to get them tight enough (appr. 5 1/4 inch wrist) to feel right...I figured the 405 would be best but oddly the 205 that Mike suggested fit better, but looked like a laptop on my arm, which I could get past, it is the fit that counts, comfort, not looks.

But then, while over at Tri & Run I was told Garmin has some new ones coming next week, so I decided to wait until they arrive to check those out. The 205 so far is my favourite for price and features. We shall see.. but I have to have something soon...maybe I will look in my son's rucksack and see if he has any ranger beads lol

[April]

nancyr,

     I have the 405 and I thought it was huge when I bought it too, but you get used to it and I don't notice the size anymore. Good luck in your quest for your gadget.

[NancyR]

Thanks April, will let you all know when/what I decide - I appreciate all the input greatly.

[Newt]

G'day Nancy,

Not to be a fly in the Garmin ointment, but both Polar and Suunto have excellant heart rate watch monitors that can give speed in distance, with additional GPS pod/sensors and/or foot pod/sensors. I've used Garmin, Polar, and Suunto (as well as Ranger Beads). I most often use the Polar as it's Protrainer Software is the best and I have many years of recorded data on it as well as the Polar is more features. But I find the Suunto user friendly and easier to use. I find Foot pods are more accurate once calibrated, as a lot of the areas I run have lots of tree cover and that can effect the GPS signal. Plus the foot pods give a better instantaneous speed response (nice for intervals) because of the GPS signal time lag. GPS is good for avg speed and descent for distance though they all often can be off 100-200m over 10k, (which is only 1-2% error) for me no biggie.
Hope this helps more than adds to the confusion

Peace
Peter

[NancyR]

Thanks Peter, I like to hear about any brands anyone is using and how they've liked them. I know many have enjoyed the Garmin, so I guess that is why I've geared toward them but I haven't yet bought... will def check out the protrainer software, a big part of it for me is the data collection. Enjoy that - a geek at heart.

[Newt]

G'day Nancy,

Wellllll, if you are into the software you will have a hard time beating the Protrainer 5 software. Not just Data collection, but custom graphing, Polar device and workout configuration, and also a lot of customization for how the data is kept. It comes free with the high end Polar running and cycling monitors. I've also found ways to convert the data collected from Garmin, Suunto, and Computrainer to the Polar format, so that everything is in one place. The Polar file structure can be easily edited with a combination of Notepad and Excel, which I've found handy at times. Oh ya you can manually enter info as well. :)

Peace
Peter

[Janet]

You guys make me tired just reading all of your tech stuff ,but then I can't get my computer on my bike (whichI've had for 2 1/2 years, then when I did, the battery had died ) BUt someday when I join the big leagues, I know who too ask for advice on all of this stuff.