Talk me out of buying a Garmin Forerunner 205 (Read 1617 times)

I like being able to feel kung fu not to have to think kung fu. And I often lament that so many new runners get so into the gadgets they never learn how to "feel" the run.

All well and good, and I agree with you. To a point. However, I find it becomes more difficult to "feel" my paces in the latter stages of a marathon. Last year, at Boston, my 201 lost signal 1 1/2 miles into the race. I was ok for the first 10-12 miles gauging my pace, and since the timer still functioned, could verify my pace at each mile check. However, the second half of the marathon was more of a challenge. At mile 18 it becomes increasingly more difficult to gauge your pace during the most recent mile. Verification after the fact didn't do me a whole lot of good. In point of fact, with the 205/305 (which has better reception), I could tell by a glance what my pace was at nearly any point on the course. Again--I do agree wtih you, and often will do my daily training runs without being tethered to my garmin. But during a race (especially longer races)? It has helped improve my times markedly. Oh--and welcome to the dark side.

I never wanted one...now I want one. I'll wait for the 305

I never wanted one...now I want one. I'll wait for the 305

Oops. Sorry.

From pictures, they look pretty big and awkward. Are they heavy, big, and goofy looking in person?

No. The 205 / 305 are very natural feeling. I, on the other hand, AM big and goofy looking in person.

I wasted some money a year or so ago on a Timex Speed/Distance GPS unit that would not hold a signal on trails! I love the idea of going for a run and then seeing my course. Do these units hold a signal in tree cover? Does anyone have a heavily wooded course they could link on motion based?

From pictures, they look pretty big and awkward. Are they heavy, big, and goofy looking in person?

I have a small wrist/small body... so when I wear it, yes, it looks big/goofy... sort of like the first calculator you ever bought (took up your whole desk and could just barely do a square root). However, it is not heavy. I think the extra volume is so they can add a little more receiver antenna, so it's mostly empty space.. at least that's what it feels like (I'm not ready to dissect mine yet). Don't let the size/weight dissuade you, unless you're afraid of other runners making fun of you (ahem!).... and if they do that, they're probably just jealous.

Water and sweat resistant. Canoeing is fine.

trent you should probably get some commission from RA-member purchases of the Garmin 201/205/301/305 - I am now on a mission to manipulate the wife to feel like she needs this thing..

Well my Garmin is finally on its way but I did not get it for the initially advertised price. Amazon pulled their famous bait and switch again. In the end I paid about $4 more for the product and $3 more for shipping than I thought I had on my first try. Not a big deal, but a hassle and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth for Amazon (again). I really need to stop buying from them. I would have gladly paid $189 and $3.99 shipping the first time to have it be on its way on Wednesday but they were advertising it for $185 and $0.99 shipping. So a couple days after I placed my order I got the email telling me my order had been cancelled because the item was out of stock, even though it had said it was in stock when I ordered. Then when I went back in and re-ordered, it got shipped from the same exact supplier it was supposed to ship from in the first place but was mysteriously out of stock for about 6 hours. A hassle, but still a good price. And there's still the rebate... Having done business with them as a vendor and as a customer, there is a lot I don't like about Amazon.