Hi! I'm looking for a GPS system for my b.f.'s birthday. I know nothing about the best brands, etc. Can anyone recommend a good one?

GPS has some things that I didn't like when I got my setup. If you're in a wooded area (such as Fairmont, Forrest Park, etc.) the GPS may not always get a clear signal. They also tend to not be accurate for track workouts (not a big deal for some, but becuase of the way GPS tracks points, the distance isn't accurate on a 400 m track).

I wanted something that would give me ave. pace, max pace, distance, laps, and HRM, so I went with a Polar RS200. They have 3 different versions I believe that have foot pods to track your distance. The accuracy has been very good and I can also upload to the web (Polar Personal Trainer). The higher end models use the IR on a laptop, mine required a mic. There are other brands that also use the foot pod vs. GPS as well.

Is the GPS for running solely, or other applications? I have both the Forerunner 305 and a Polar S625x. The point about the Garmin in foliage is spot on, the smaller antenna has trouble. If you are looking for something that is handheld, Garmin makes a number of quad helix antenna units that are better under foliage. If for running, the F305 software is very straight forward to use with a USB-based cradle, but Polar's ProTrainer has more options, though the interface/download setup is irksome. Plus, you can swim with a S625, but that's risky with a F305. Both have cadence devices for bikes if you need that too.

Dave

I like my Garmin.

The amount of information you can get while running is good. The 305 is much better than the 301 for picking up the GPS signals. I have a 301 and just got a 305. I prefer the design of the 305. The 305 has less memory than the 301. So you have to be sure to download your data. Doug from Portland Fit has advised me to upate the software on the 305, there are updates available.

I do bounce around between my Poloar s625x and the garmin 305. Right now I am concentrating on heart rate and am using the Polar only without the foot pod.

If you are looking for a GPS for running the Garmin 305 is a good one. Like DaveActive said it does have the heart rate feature. If your bf doesn't need HR monitoring the Garmin 205 would work well. Training with a HR monitor does have alot of advantages. I think most people are running at too high a heart rate and burning them selves out. So get the heart rate monitor.

If you just need a GPS for navigation I have a Garmin Nuvi 350 and its great when I drive out of the local area.

Michael

Boy, am I glad I asked!! Thanks Dave, this is very helpful!!

Thanks Michael! I am so glad I asked in this forum!! Have a great weekend,

-Sharon

Sharon:

Both Michael and Dave have given you great advice! The choice between the Garmin and Polar products starts with location vs. distance: If you want to know your location then the Garmin with the GPS is the product to select; If you want to know the distance you have traveled, then the Polar with the footpod is the product to select. Once you have made this decision, you will be able to focus more on the model features for the specific brand.

Both Brands include models with heart rate monitoring, but the Polar includes the Polar Precsion Performance (PPP) 4.0 or ProRunner (PR) 5.0 Software. The Garmin products do NOT include any software that allows you to actually download, review and analyze your training progress!

If you would like to try a downloadable Polar heart rate monitor on a PDXFit run, please email me (Eric@StressThenRest.com) and reserve one. Please include your full name, color group and the date you would like to try one. When you return from your run/walk, I will download your heart rate data and you can see a few of the capabilities of the Polar Software. I only have six (6) units available for trial, so email me as soon as you have a date you want to try one. They usually go fast!

Eric

I have a Forerunner 305. The 305 is supposed to be a lot better at getting good satellite reception than any of the older models; I've also heard that it works best if you make sure to download and install the latest firmware. In my experience, it works great! As an example of its distance tracking ability, it said the Helvetia Half was 13.2 miles. It's true that it's worse in the forest, or in canyons, but it still doesn't usually do too bad a job... plus, if you're a geek like me, anyway, it's a lot of fun.

I have the Garmin 305, works great for me. I do have problems in heavily forested areas -- such as Forest Park.

With the Garmin 305 you can choose which screens you want displayed, for instance I have Time, Pace, Distance, and Heart Rate.

You can download workouts onto computer. When you download info on computer the left hand side about 1/4 screen shows a calender and lists workouts. The top of the remaining 3/4's of the screen you can choose between a map of the route taken, totals for the workout, and a screen for note regarding the workout. The bottom of the remaining 3/4's shows a graph chart that you can have between 2 to 4 items tracked and the choses for those are: Pace, Speed, Elevation, Heart rate BPM, Heart rate % of Max, and Grade. You can choose between Statute and Metric Units. Once info is on the computer you can compare the workouts through the edit pull down. You can program in workouts into the Garmin itself, such as interval -- great for speed training, or you can create workouts on your computer and upload into Garmin.