Satellite GPS ~ Garmin FORERUNNER

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Forerunner is a sports GPS watch range made by Garmin. All models, accept 50, use Global Positioning System (GPS) and is designed primarily for use by recreational road runners. The Forerunner models are designed as an accurate, precise method of measuring distance, speed, time, altitude, and pace, all of which can be important to athletes in training for races. It's fairly common for people to use forerunner GPS while running and biking. They have also started using it while skating, skiing, windsurfing, and distance swimming. Garmin GPS devices like Forerunner and Edge are attractive alternatives to tools like a pedometer, bicycle computer, or heart rate monitor. If you're researching tools for athletic activities, next pages could help you learn how GPS-based devices fit into the mix. If you already own a GPS, our tips and FAQs will help you get the most out of it as you run, bike, ski, or skate.

Six models of the Forerunner exist: 101, 201, 301, new 205 & 305, and latest 50. They are designed primarily for runners and bicyclists (see also Garmin Edge series designed for bicyclists). The 201 and 301 models include a docking station and software for uploading run track points to a personal computer, where a user can view a map of their run, see their progression over the course of the run in pace and altitude, and even apply the map of their run over a satellite image of the area where they ran.

In 2006 Garmin introduced updated versions 205 and 305, which are smaller and which use a much more sensitive GPS receiver chip, SiRFstar III. In late 2007 the Forerunner 50 was introduced. This watch uses a footpod instead of GPS for sensing movement. It can also be bought with a heart rate monitor. One unique feature is that it used a wireless USB connector to upload run details.

How do Forerunner models differ? Within the product line, Forerunner 101 and 201 are the most similar models. They have the same built-in functionality, but the addition of PC connectivity makes 201 a much more interesting and useful tool. Also 101 gps does not have a built-in rechargeable battery. 301 includes a heart rate monitor and has a few more features than the 101 / 201 models. Forerunner 205 and 305 are smaller than earlier versions.

Garmin Forerunner Wrist GPS Receivers

Forerunner 50

The Forerunner 50. is sleek non-gps sports watch ideal for running, cycling and other fitness activities, and is available with a wireless heart rate monitor or foot pod or both. It automatically transmits workouts to your computer where you can store, analyse and share data using Garmin Connect. More about forerunner 50 ...

Forerunner 101

The Forerunner 101 offers athletes and recreational runners and walkers an entry-level personal training device with GPS. It measures speed, distance, pace and calories burned, and it runs on 2 AAA batteries. More about forerunner 101 ...

Forerunner 201

The Forerunner 201 offers athletes a personal training device with GPS that measures speed, distance, pace and calories burned, and runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. After you run, connect your 201 gps to your computer to store and analyze your workout. More about forerunner 201 ...

Forerunner 301

Get results in a heartbeat with the Forerunner 301. This versatile personal trainer adds a digital, coded heart rate monitor to the list of Forerunner features and supports multiple sport profiles for running, biking and other sports. 301 is perfect for any athlete who wants to see tangible results. More about forerunner 301 ...

Forerunner 205

With Garmin Forerunner 205 satellite running GPS unit, form meets function with a sleek and stylish personal trainer. The GPS tool even works on tree-covered trails and near tall buildings. It continuously monitors your speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter, more effectively. More about forerunner 205 ...

Forerunner 305

Garmin 305 forerunner satellite running GPS unit - is a major achievement from a design and technology perspective. The Forerunner 305 is the most accurate, most reliable wrist-mounted performance and GPS tracking tool we've ever tested. While no device this compact can do everything (yet), the 305 pushes the boundaries of what is possible from something strapped around your wrist. More about forerunner 305 ...

Compare Garmin Forerunner 101 vs 201 vs 301 vs 205 vs 305

We have had some customers write in asking more about the Forerunner series and what the differences are between the models. Garmin opened up the GPS fitness market a few years back with the introduction of the Forerunner 101/201/301 series. These were obviously successful, and user feedback sparked a redesign to what is now a very popular series, the Forerunner 205/305 series. In a parallel development they also designed the bikers version of the Forerunner - the Garmin Edge series. All Forerunner models display data as you run and keep a run history with summary data for past runs. Beyond these basics, however, there are quite a few important differences.

Forerunner 101 has all basic features, runs on 2 AAA batteries, and is quite a bit thicker than the other models.

Garmin 101 forerunner is based on generation ONE for the Forerunner design. It tracks satellites, gives you speed and distance, and tracks where you go with a breadcrumb trail. Its design has the satellite antenna next to the readout on the face of the unit. Well, when you run this part usually faces the side of the road, not the sky where the satellites are, so reception can be a problem (this is solved in the 205/305 series designs). It will mark up to 100 waypoints that you can use to navigate, and includes a black and white LCD. The unit is waterproof to IPX7 standards and uses 2AA batteries. It will not connect to your computer. We would not recommend this model.

Forerunner 201 has the same features as 101 but is powered by a rechargeable battery and can exchange data with a PC via serial connection.

Garmin Forerunner 201 - This has all the features of the Forerunner 101, but adds the ability to connect to a computer through a serial connection to your PC. The unit can be used with Garmin's Training Center Software and with MotionBased programs. It adds a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 15 hours. The device weighs less than 3 ounces.

Forerunner 301 includes a heart rate monitor, has better support for bicycling, has more sophisticated training aids (advanced workouts), and uses USB (instead of serial) to connect to a PC.

Garmin Forerunner 301 - This has all the features of the Garmin Forerunner 201, but adds a heartrate monitor strap. The Forerunner 301 collects this information wirelessly and includes that data in for use in training exercises. This allows you to do advanced workouts using the heartrate data as criteria for your pace. The rechargeable battery life is up to 14 hours.

Garmin Forerunner 205 - This new generation unit has several design features that make it superior to the older Forerunner X01 series. The unit is shaped like a watch which fits the wrist better, but they also placed a high sensitivity GPS receiver in the flat part near the face so that when you run, the antenna faces the sky; brilliantly simple. The unit also upgrades to a grayscale readout with finer resolution that makes it feel less like an Atari and more like a modern piece of equipment. The 205 also includes the ability to run "Courses" which is garmin's term for a pretty clever way to race yourself. You can capture a run, and then at a later date run that same course against your previous time, trying to meet or beat it. No more average pace calculations across the hills, just race yourself! The rechargeable battery lasts up to 10 hours. These connect to a computer via USB, which makes it download a lot faster. On top of this, some machines can't even connect to serial plug.

Garmin Forerunner 305 - This new generation unit has all that the Forerunner 205 has, and adds on the heartrate monitor. This heartrate monitor is also an improvement over the 301 model by being more comfortable and easier to wear. With better fit comes better accuracy in the data capture. The beauty of this unit if you also bike is that you can add the wireless cadence meter and collect that information too. Foot Pod is another accessory that is available for indoor runners. FootPod allows you to keep using your Forerunner 305 on a treadmill. It senses your foot's movement and transmits the data to the Forerunner.

Forerunner compare to other devices

From a technical standpoint, there are a few other types of devices that are commonly used by runners and bicyclists.

For Running

A simple pedometer uses a spring-loaded weight inside a small device worn on your belt to detect the shaking motion of your body as you take a step. They're inexpensive but less accurate than other types of devices. Their features tend to be very basic.

"Foot pod" systems use an accelerometer inside a module that's attached to your shoe to detect and measure the motion of your foot. Users report that they work quite well once they're calibrated to your stride. They offer more features than a simple pedometer but they tend to lack more sophisticated features available with Forerunner. Where they do stand out, however, is for people who usually run in areas where the sky is completely blocked by heavy tree cover or tall buildings. In these situations, foot pods often will provide more accurate data than GPS based systems. Makers of devices that use foot pods include Nike, Polar, FitSense and Suunto.

For Bicycling

There are many devices that monitor the rotation your bicycle's wheel and/or crank shaft. Many offer specialized features just for bicycling. If your focus is completely around bicycling, Forerunner has some nice features to offer and it's a lot of fun to use; but wheel / crank shaft driven devices may offer more specialized features for bicyclists.

Garmin also makes the Edge 205 and 305, which are designed specifically for bicycling. They have similar features to Forerunner. Edge 305 includes a barometric altimeter and can also monitor speed and cadence using bike-mounted sensors.

What Forerunner should I buy?

We would seriously steer you towards the Forerunner 205 or 305 which are just better products due to their better design features and high sensitivity GPS chips. The older 101/201/301 can drop satellite signals more easily in heavy tree cover, but with the better chipset, the 205/305 are a lot less likely to do this. Users who used the 201 on runs and bike rides, and in a heavily tree covered situation, reported intervals of no data.

The 205/305 units can also hook up to all computers, including Macs, with USB. Garmin has put out Mac compatible training center software that is available for download.

The wrist mounted training aids are able to track where you go including a lot of aspects about your workout: pace, speed, time, calories burned, and in the case of the Forerunner 305, your heart rate due to the included heart rate monitor strap. Garmin also recently announced a new quick release strap for the unit that allows a fast change over from the wrist strap to a handlebar mount. There are a lot of multi-sport users out there who are happy with this addition. For the Mac users, Garmin's software companion, Training Center, is also coming soon for download. It was available in an English only version at Macworld. This all adds up to a pretty good deal on the Forerunners. Great fitness tracking, software support for the Mac and easy switching from wrist mounted to your bike.

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