Finally, an alternative to awkward pedometers and cycling computers. The Forerunner 201 offers athletes an easy-to-read display and integrated GPS satellite receiver that provides precise speed, distance, and pace data--all in one compact unit that straps to your wrist. It's a lightweight, accurate training assistant with performance tracking, auto-lap, auto-pause and more. And because it is a high quality Garmin GPS device, you get many of the features GPS users have come to rely on, such as precise latitude, longitude, altitude data. Choose either the 201 model for rechargeable power or the 101 if you prefer to use 2 AAA batteries. The Forerunner 201 is easy to use right out of the box and delivers the benefits of GPS technology at an affordable price. To please folks who are passionate about their exercise and training, Garmin has added something special to the Forerunner 201 called the Virtual Partner. The feature allows you to set your training goal by configuring your Virtual Partner's pace and workout distance. You'll get a graphic perspective of your performance by viewing your pace in relation to your Virtual Partner's pace, so you can always see at a glance if you're keeping up or falling behind.
Almost as important as the training device itself are the accessories to integrate it with your active lifestyle. If you're into cycling, the best way to keep an eye on your GPS while you ride is with a bike mount bracket that straps to the handlebars of your bike, motorcycle, or whatever you're traveling with for easy viewing.
Other Forerunner 201 features:
- Mark specific locations, and then look-up and navigate to these points using an electronic map.
- Retrace your steps to a starting point or reverse your normal route for routine variation.
- Amount of calories burned can be tracked and calculated over the course of a workout.
- Lap history--such as lap time, lap distance, and average pace--can be stored for up to two years.
- Performance data can be automatically archived and calculated to provide an accurate record.
- Automated stopwatch provides auto-lap and auto-pause features.
- Lap timer indicates when a certain speed is reached or when you've fallen below a pre-set level.
- Pace whistle sounds alert when you begin traveling slower or faster than your desired pace.
- Distance whistle sounds when you reach a specified duration or distance in your workout.
- Download free Garmin software to transfer data from your Forerunner 201 to your PC for storage and analysis.
What's in the box:
- Forerunner 201 unit
- Wrist strap
- A/C desktop charger with serial interface
Customer Reviews: Read 344 more reviews...
 Excellent aid for running. January 30, 2004
103 out of 110 found this review helpful
After giving it a full charge, 3 hours, I took it out for a test drive. For the first 30 minutes I could not pick up a signal in Miami. I did a hard reset and it picked it up within 3 minutes. Went for a 3 mile run around a local 9-hole golf course, heavily ligned with trees, and to my amazement never lost contact with the signal. Was extremely accurate in measuring the distance and having a pace time allows you to really push yourself. Backlight can be kep on during the whole run - great feature for night running - or 2, 1, .5, .25 minutes. Much smaller than I expected. Love the display. Would recommend to anyone who runs, jogs, walks for exercise.
Excellent Product January 2, 2004
31 out of 31 found this review helpful
The Forerunner does exactly what it says it will do and more. Setup is easy, use is intuitive and results are very accurate. I've used it on a total of 5 runs since receiving it for Christmas and have yet to experience a signal loss. During the last week my runs have been from between 1 and 1.5 hours in length and went through suburban neighborhoods, a built-up university campus and a downtown urban area with "canyons" sided by 4 and 5 story buildings. I also went through both open flat and hilly areas. Again, not once did I lose the signal. Now I'm back home (900 miles from where I spent Christmas) and the Forerunner is still delivering. According to the owner's manual I was supposed to have set the unit outside for 15-30 minutes so it could re-initialize, but in reality it only took about 40 seconds to set up. I have experience very good accuracy as well. Here at home I have a "loop" that I run around my neighborhood. In the car it measures just under 3.4 miles. With the Forerunner my first loop measured 3.33 miles and the second loop measured 3.34 miles. That's as accurate as I'll ever need.
The Forerunner's features are exceptional. The three things I like the most are;
- The freedom to just run wherever I want without feeling like I have to stick to a specific route in order to get a specific distance in.
- The Virtual Partner: I run fairly quickly (7.5 - 8.0 min p/mile) and I haven't found a lot of folks who like to run that pace. As such I don't usually get "pushed" to keep a specific pace. Now my virtual partner does that for me.
- "Live" Pacing: This is a great feature for training for long-distance runs and marathons. I can now see and adjust my pace without having to do "advanced algebra" in my head after a specific distance on a specific course. I can do the first half of a run at one pace and the second half at another pace. I've noticed an immediate increase in my distance by being able to strictly control my pacing in real time.
Battery life has been impressive as well. The 2 set-ups, all five runs and a bunch of playing with the features have all been done on one charge that took only three hours - and there's still 4 hours of charge left.
All in all you can't go wrong with this product. I very highly recommend it.
TOOK A LITTLE WHILE, BUT NOW IT WORKS GREAT!! December 25, 2003
30 out of 31 found this review helpful
I had some problems with this unit at first. It could not find any satellite signal. I contacted Garmin and was told to reset the unit. While the unit is off, you hold down the mode button and press and release the power button. Once the unit was reset, it acquired a signal within a few minutes.I went on a five-mile run and the unit was amazing. I did not lose signal once. It gave me my time, pace, distance ran, calories burned, and average pace. I am extremely impressed with this unit. I am looking forward to the release of the software that will allow me to track all of my running statistics. The Forerunner adds a new dimension to running. I now highly recommend it.
Greatest invention since the Running Shoe November 28, 2003
26 out of 27 found this review helpful
I wonder if this simple to use, lightweight, reliable device wouldn't have been better named the "Liberator". If you, like me, have ever done marathon training you know how frustrating it can be sticking to well marked, pre-measured trails for your training runs...and then, even when marked, having to undergo those mental calculations for each split.... Buy this device and leave those cares behind! For good. Seriously.This is not your typical pedometer or other cheesy gimicky product promising to measure your speed or distance. This is the real deal. Second by second reports on your pace, distance traveled, altitude (or grade, your choice), etc. Configurable alarms. This has it all...and no more (i.e. no other extraneous functionality that would just confuse/complicate things). Unlike some Garmin products I have used before which have a pretty steep learning curve this product is simple to use too. Very intuitive and easy to setup. Having never tried the Timex Bodylink system which espouses to do the same thing, I can't comment on a comparison, here, except to note the obvious: price. $124 for this thing is a steal!! Contrast this with the several hundred bones you'll have to shell out for the Timex. Other reviewers have hit on a couple of the opportunities for improvement: serial vs. USB, heavy charger, outdoor only, etc. These are valid nits...but really trivial compared to the freedom you'll experience the moment you take your first long run with this device. I'm sure future release will address these nit (and I wouldn't be surprise if some integration with a Heart Rate Monitor isn't in the works). But trust me don't wait for these improvements get this now and your runs will never be the same. By the way, you could really say goodbye to daily entries in your logbook as well. This thing does it for you (and stores it for several years). It then summarizes your mileage by week, month etc...as well as other key parameters (avg speed, etc.) This is all done within the watch to...no need to upload to the logging/analysis software for your desktop which will be available for free from Garmin in Jan.
Forerunner review December 9, 2003
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
Have been using the Forerunner for about 1 month now, and I am still impressed about it features. The User interface is very intuitive. Very comfortable to wear and manipulate the buttons. Display is easy to read, and the backlight even comes on at night when you reach distances you have programmed unit to notify you at. Love the history feature, and with the year plus memory feature, I can take my time updating my Ultra Coach logging software that I use to track my workouts.
For 95% of the runners out there, you will be quite happy with the device. For those of you that run underneath allot of heavy tree cover, you will be disappointed. GPS satellite acquisition under heavy tree/foliage cover will be spotty (This is a inherent problem with all GPS units because of the very weak nature of the satellite signals) I took the unit out on an orienteering event, under heavy tree cover (although no leaves) and lost signals quite often over the 8 mile course). Of course, this use of the instrument is at the extreme end of its intended use. Like I said, for runners, X-Country skiers, power walkers, you will be quite happy with the unit. BTW, for those of you who were disappointed that your unit had a hard time acquiring signals indoors, you will be lucky to get any satellite lock unless your near some windows (and glass will cut down on signal strength). The unit is not designed to work indoors unless you just want to use the stopwatch timer.The logging software is still not available. Apparently you can export data in XTML, which should make it importable in mapping software. And the serial interface? Should be USB (Garmin? what were you thinking?) And for crying out loud, make a drop in docking station that charges the battery and interfaces with your PC. The snap in cradle is Mickey mouse. So, all in all, 135.00 well spent.
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