The biggest complaint some folks have about gps watches used by many runners relates to size. Garmin has dominated this category, and their products have gotten less clunky as years go by. New entries from Timex and Garmin have arrived. Considering how they stack up.
Garmin has a simpler, smaller
Forerunner 110 model. (Pink Ladies!) Smaller size, fewer features....bad? Maybe not. Timex has a new product distributed through
REI- Timex Global Trainer. See Engadget review at link above. It's not small photo - left. From left to right, with prices (Garmin prices from Amazon. Timex from REI.)
Garmin FR60 $90 and up,
Garmin 405 $236,
Garmin 305 $145,
Garmin 310 $336,
Timex Global Trainer $275.
Above in pink/gray
Garmin 110 $200.
Garmin FR60. Reasonable size, but a glorified heart rate monitor and pedometer. No GPS. Run away.
Not recommended. Previously Garmin 50 model similar...horribly inaccurate.
Garmin 405. Last year's new Garmin Forerunner model. Biggest issue - the touchy, touch screen bezel - the ring around the outside. Not amusing to see friends with middle age eyes trying to make this work. Don't touch with wet hands said the manual at one time. Really, a running watch you are not supposed to sweat on? Ok for some, not for others.
Recommendation - Neutral.
Garmin 305 - the old workhorse. Price includes heart rate monitor. Real buttons. It works. 10 hr battery life. Been over the mountain, what I use. Large size for females. Clunky looking.
Recommended, but ladies may consider the 110. See below.
Garmin 310 - a newer version of the 305. Same size, but you can swim with it. Twice battery life - 20 hrs. Only personal experience says the watch band might be touchy....friend lost it in an open water swim in a tri.
Recommended, but expensive.
Timex Global Trainer - as big as as a 310 or 305, better integration of tri events swim, bike run. Reports of low battery life 6 hrs, poor satellite reception. Ladies - consider the size.
Not recommended...let them come out with a firmware update first.
Garmin 110 - Garmin's simple version for 2010. Gives lap pace, distance, but NOT instant pace. Small size, battery life ok for marathons - 8 hrs. It is SIMPLE. Less junk that people rarely use. Can be used just as a watch for a couple weeks if GPS turned off.
Recommended - smaller and less clunky than others.
-Larry
There is another 25k/50k trail run happening a few weeks later than WildCat. Fellow ultra runner Tim Smith is putting on an ultra near Iowa City. His is a 15.5 mile loop on trails and pavement in the vicinity of Lake Mcbride and Coralville Lake. Check out his website for more details.
