Timex or Garmin?

the 201 vrs. timex gps

the new timex is sort of buggy (thanks to the garmin receiver) but still it's pretty good overall. I've never tried the garmin product, but it sure is ugly. I'd like to find out if it works better though. I realize that doesn't really answer your question...

I have used both and prefer the Garmin, I have the older bigger one.

1. The Timex goes through batteries quite quickly, 7-10 hours and you have to replace them, so for me that was weekly. The Garmin charges and lasts 14 hours on a charge.

2. The Timex is 2 pieces. I did not like the "receiver" on my arm so created an elastic belt I wore it on at my waist. Even though the Garmin with the 2 1/2 wide face is clunky, at least it sits in one spot.

3. The Timex always took 3-5 minutes to be "ready" (getting the sattelite locations). The Garmin takes more like 45-60 seconds (guess it helps to be the maker of the sattelite technology). It is okay when the weather is nice, but who wants to stand around when it is 20 degrees or blowing rain.

My thoughts. Good running,

Glenn

I agree with what Glen says. I've used both. I had the first and second versions of the Timex and then switched to the Garmin 301. I live in an often overcast and woody area and get better reception with the Garmin. If it loses its connection it re-establishes it again much better than the Timex. I gave up on the Timex because it often would never reconnect with the satellite. Either one takes some getting used to as a training tool as the display of speed/pace is often delayed about 15-20 seconds. I find they are decent as knowing how far you ran, but it's better to know distances ahead of time for pacing.

Garmin just came out with a new one that uses a new chip, resulting in much better connections in wooded, canyons, and fog. Its called the FOrerunner 205 & 305 (with a HR).

In addition to the above, the watch is much smaller and better looking. I bit more expensive too.

Check it out:

http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner205/

I did a comparison review of the Garmin Forerunner 201 vs the new Forerunner 205 at the URL below. I had the original Timex GPS and never liked putting the receiver on my upper arm. I like the 205 better than the 201 but it also costs an extra $100....

I've tried Timex twice.

The first time, the watch would randomly reset itself. It did this to me in the middle of a 20-miler. Obviously not the end of the world, but who wants that hassle when you spend $200-300 for something? I then got the new watch, but kept the original GPS unit. I went on vacation for a couple months, and when I came back, the GPS wouldn't even start up.

I haven't tried the Garmin (or have I? The Timex GPS is a Garmin,) but I vote NO on the Timex.

This a really good blog on the 205 (it has satellite photos of his runs, with the garmin tracking superimposed - I don't know if that's an included feature):

I just got the 305 a couple of weeks ago and I love it. I run on a lot of trails that are heavily covered with leaves above and I haven't lost the signal. I can even pick up a signal in my apt. I mentioned in another post that the best thing it does for me is make me run farther. After starting with the Garmin I discoverd all my courses were quite short so I have had to lengthen them to get the miles that I want. Obviously it is not going to turn me into a great runner but hopefully it will help me get a little better. One more thing I like is after the run uploading my info to Google maps to see exactly where I have gone on the trails.

dav-man+

dav-man wrote:This a really good blog on the 205 (it has satellite photos of his runs, with the garmin tracking superimposed - I don't know if that's an included feature):

dav-man - thanks for pointing to my blog. There is donationware PC software out there that you can use to upload all your runs and it will map the route using Google maps. It's pretty good software and I use it as my mmain running log:

There is also online sites like MotionBased that does similar stuff...

i just got the new 305 - it kicks ass:

http://www.hdosport.com/proddetail.php?prod=Garmin-Forerunner-305&cat=54

i am getting one of these for sure, is that the best price you have seen?

yeah...think so....i got mine pretty quick and the service was good.

I think you can do better than $350. Go to eBay, where some sell it with the option 'Name your Best Price' Make them a reasonable offer and they probably accept it. Some even have free shipping.

I recently got the Garmin 305 and I love it. As others have said, it allows me to analyze my runs better.

$350 is MSRP for the 305 model, you can buy it from dozens of vendors at that price. I monitored Yahoo Shopping for a month and found a deal for $290 ($280 + $10 shipping). I looked on EBay too, but most auctions ended up around $350 anyway, so no point buying there.

$290 for the 305? That is a good deal. I paid $320, thought I did OK. Running with the thing is still a great experience. Need to figure out how to customize the screens, as I would like to see my HR, but the default display has it way to small. Other than once, when it couldn't locate the satellites, I have not had any problems with the unit.

NJ Runner wrote:

$350 is MSRP for the 305 model, you can buy it from dozens of vendors at that price. I monitored Yahoo Shopping for a month and found a deal for $290 ($280 + $10 shipping). I looked on EBay too, but most auctions ended up around $350 anyway, so no point buying there.

zatopek wrote:

the best thing it does for me is make me run farther. After starting with the Garmin I discoverd all my courses were quite short so I have had to lengthen them to get the miles that I want.

That might be among the dumbest things I've ever seen here. You think your body knew it was running "short"? If you want to become a better runner, it would have been easier to just extend all your runs by 5-10 minutes, and it would have had the same effect.

Garmin is so much better. The new ones are fantastic. Much more sensitivie to the satellites. And no pod to wear.