Garmin Forerunner 50 Water Resistant Running GPS With Heart Rate Monitor and Foot Pod
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $115.00 You Save: $84.99 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 50 Water Resistant Running GPS With Heart Rate Monitor and Foot Pod
Customer Review: Great hardware, Garmin Connect still developing
Summary: 4 Stars
I did a lot of research before purchasing and was down to the 305, 405, and 50. I really wanted a GPS watch, but the price of the Forerunner 50 with footpod and HR monitor couldn't be beat. I also liked the smaller watch and the fact that it didn't need to be charged.
After owning it a week:
I really like the watch. I don't typically wear them, but it is very comfortable. It is only slightly larger than a typical watch and has a fine adjustment on the band. I'm wearing it all the time.
The hardware is impressive. The foot pod and HR monitor worked very well right out of the box, and were comfortable to wear. They "paired" right away and were ready to go when I was ready to run. The ANT installation went as advertised on windows vista, and the upload works automatically for Garmin Training Center, but not Garmin Connect.
Possible improvements:
For the watch itself, the number of "views" while in training mode can be confusing. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it with use or reading manual, but it is clearly more than I'm used to.
Installation: The process seemed to drive you toward choosing either Garmin Training Center (software on your computer) or Garmin Connect (web sofware), but not both. I didn't know the pro/con of either, so I wanted to try both. It was awkward when it wanted me to install ANT drivers again for the installation of the second one. I canceled the installation at that point - but found that Training Center was installed.
Software: It is really not clear to me if Garmin Training Center is still being developed. They seem to be improving Garmin Connect (web) regularly, but at its current state, it doesn't have any benefit over Training Center. (remember - I'm not seeing the GPS/maps, so maybe there is distinction there). So after a week, I still find myself bouncing back and forth. There are a few bugs in Garmin Connect and a few notable features that I would really like to see (that is available in other web training software).
Results:
I'm very happy with the HR monitor and cadence results. They seem spot on and reliable. I'm still working on the distance and pace. I did a test 3 mile run on a measured course and found that it recorded 3.1 miles. I messed up a calibration run by hitting the wrong button, so I'll be trying that again (a subsequent 8 mile run was recorded as a 9 mile run... argghh). I've found that the instantaneous pace is not accurate, but hope it will improve with calibration. Garmin Connect is also doing something weird with the average pace calculation... but I think that is a bug that will be fixed.
Overall I'm very happy with the purchase, but hope they continue to improve the software. Currently, that is the weakest link. If they don't, there may be other sites that accept forerunner uploaded data to fill the gap.
Customer Review: Good budget model - minimal features
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this model after serious debate over a GPS watch. The F50 overall has met my expectations, but I've had to keep in mind that it is only an entry model. It does not have the capability to handle more complex workouts including multiple alerts based on HR, pace, laps, etc. The major selling point for me was to have a watch compatible with the HR monitor, foot pod, and bike speed/cadence sensor (GSC10) which I also purchased - and keep the price under $150.
Pros:
- Can use for indoor and outdoor training via foot pod and the GSC10 which attaches to your rear bike wheel. No significant loss of distance as happens with GPS devices when in cities or under tall trees.
- Watch face is not too bulky (even for a small-wristed female), and very light weight. The design looks more like a traditional watch.
- The ANT stick and computer pairing was effortless for me. It worked perfectly and automatically transfers the data to the Training Center software.
- Foot pod seems to be very accurate, even without calibration. Clips on securely - I don't even notice I'm wearing it.
Cons:
- The watch has difficulty switching between biking and running. I have to manually pair the devices I'm using before each workout. It only takes a minute but very annoying that I have to set everything up each time. Not recommended for bike/run intervals. Here's where I miss the "change sport at the touch of a button" offered in higher-end models.
- The HR monitor strap is too large for me. I guess Garmin sells a smaller one, so either expect to purchase another or get used to tucking it into your sports bra if you are a smaller-sized female.
- There are only four buttons, which means each one has 4-6 different functions. It'll take some time to remember which button to push and in which sequence to find what you're looking for.
- Only two pieces of data are displayed on the screen during training (i.e. HR and pace, or time elapsed and lap elapsed, etc.) You have to scroll through the other screens by manually pressing the button. There is no auto scroll feature. If you want to track more than two at a glance, purchase a higher-end model.
Overall, you sacrifice some functionality going with the F50. But if it's the first sport watch you purchase and/or you're on a budget, it's a good one to pick. Garmin's website has an excellent comparison feature - check it out before you decide to purchase.
Customer Review: excellent product
Summary: 4 Stars
I needed a new heart rate monitor and the price of this package with the foot pod was too good to pass up. The heart rate monitor works flawlessly compared to my old Omron which never gave me a stable reading. I am now able to accurately monitor my recovery and tempo runs based on heart rate. The foot pod also works quite nicely, once calibrated. I am getting spot on mileage readings. I did encounter a problem when I used the foot pod on a different shoe (I rotate my running shoes). I was getting inaccurate pace and mileage readings on this other shoe. When I put the foot pod back on the shoe on which I initially calibrated the unit, my readings were once again accurate. Both shoes are Brooks, but the models are different. I researched this issue a bit and learned that small pod movements or changes in the angle on which it sits on your shoe can affect the way it measures the speed of your gate and thus impacts accuracy. So word to the wise, recalibrate when switching shoes!
One other thing about this system is the Garmin software and/or Garmin Connect website. This system's functionality is tied directly to Garmin's software and the Garmin Connect training log. The watch itself reads your workout data, but does little when it comes to reviewing the data. You must download your data in order to analyze heart rate, pace, intervals, cadence, etc. For those who want the watch to spit everything back out, you might look at another product. Otherwise familiarize yourself with Garmin's software or some of the other online running logs that now read Garmin data (I use both because I find Garmin Connect to be a bit limited) and maintain proper foot pod calibration and you should be well-pleased.
Customer Review: So.. according to Garmin's site.. it says it works with your Mac, but not really..
Summary: 4 Stars
Specifically.. on Garmin's site it says..
"Garmin Training Center (GTC) is a training tool for your computer that works with your compatible Garmin fitness device. With GTC, you can analyze and store workout data from your Garmin device on your computer, as well as plan and save future workouts. GTC is included when you purchase a compatible Garmin fitness device. You can also download the latest version of Garmin Training Center for free.
Compatible Garmin devices: Forerunner 50, Forerunner® 201 (PC only), Forerunner 301, Forerunner 205, Forerunner 305, Edge® 205, Edge 305, Edge 605, Edge 705
Compatible computers: IBM-compatible PCs running Windows® 2000 or XP operating systems | New! Intel-based Macs or PowerPCs (G3 or newer) running OS X 10.4 or later"
The above would mean to me that the Garmin Forerunner 50 is a compatible device with the usage of the Garmin Training Center software.
So.. imagine my surprise when the Garmin Forerunner 50 arrived and wouldn't work with my Mac (current Macbook)..
Upon further reading and MUCH DIGGING on Garmin's site this is what I found.. the "ANT+Sport technology will not be mac compliant until sometime in 2008"
So, while the device itself might be fine (and it is), it's intended usage (with a Mac) is not. Garmin should be more forthright about this and insure ALL info on their site is correct (or at least is the same).
Customer Review: Good product for the price, great software (compared to Timex Trail Runner)
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my second "speed and distance" watch.
I had used Timex Trail Runner before.
Trail Runner is GPS-based, while Forerunner 50 is foot pod-based.
As a watch Trail Runner is better.
GPS worked flawlessly for me, both on road and on forest trails.
It did not require any calibration and 3-line display was more useful on the run.
Forerunner has 2-line display, and the foot pod requires different calibration numbers for road and trail.
That being said...
When I "ended" my Trail Runner, I didn't get another one.
Forerunner is 2-3 times cheaper and because of that I decided that I can live with the 2-line display
and change calibration numbers depending on where I run.
Moreover Forerunner has 3 advantages over Trail Runner:
1. It collects all the data in the watch itself and you don't need (expensive)
data collection unit (like with Trail Runner).
2. Free software from Garmin (Garmin Training Center) and Garmin Connect website are great products
with well rounded features and user interface.
3. If you ride a bike, you can purchase little wheel sensor (also wireless) that will send speed
and cadence data to the watch as well.