Garmin Forerunner 201 Handheld GPS Receiver

Pros: GPS based track record, heart rate monitor, basic GPS function, training programs, PC link
Cons: Spotty GPS reliability in thick forest, one user only, chest strap unreliable, useless indoors

The Garmin Forerunner 301 is the latest gadgetry in fitness accessories. Heart rate monitors (HRM) like the ones from Polar are common these days. Garmin offered until recently everything but heart rate. With the 301 the GPS based Forerunner (101 or 201) ...

Pros: Easy to use, good tracking features, good battery, feature rich
Cons: Limited GPS functions, feels odd on the wrist

With spring coming I am sure a lot of people are ready to get out and start a walking or running program. You want to know how far you went and how many calories you burned, right? You want to know if one route is the same distance as another route. ...

Pros: Easy to use, accurate, lightweight, options
Cons: Takes some getting used to, software could be better

I have always used some method to try to track my performance while working out. Almost all of my workouts are performed outside and it is not always easy to determine how far or fast I have covered the territory. I have used numerous pedometers, but ...

Pros: Everything about this tool is top notch for the serious outdoor trainer.
Cons: It has same limitations that effect all GPS receivers using the worldwide GPS system.

The Garmin Forerunner is an excellent training tool for all outdoor runners, inline skaters and cyclists. Using the 12 GPS satellites orbiting the earth, it uses triangulation to keep exact track of your position, speed, distance traveled etc. This ...

Pros: Great training tool; fairly accurate; easy to use
Cons: Loses GPS signal occasionally. Software doesn't work with Apple computers

Let me start by saying, I'm not one for gadgets. I'm not good at them, and frankly, I don't need them. So I was not particularly excited when my husband bought me this device for my birthday. I am an avid runner, but was always happy with a pair of ...

Pros: Super-accurate, great battery life, easy to use.
Cons: Garmin 201 Size may annoy some. 

I bought the Garmin 201 after my old Timex Ironman GPS watch gave up the ghost.  I wish my Timex had died years ago.  The Garmin is FAR superior.The most obvious advantages to this unit are the lack of required arm-band (which doesn't ...

Pros: ease of use great features and accuracy
Cons: loss of signal in wooded areas, or around skyscrapers "rather" bulky size

***UPDATES ARE AVALIABLE AT THE END OF THIS REVIEW: The Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS Receiver is the perfect running companion when you finally get tired or running indoors, on a treadmill, or when it's just too nice to be inside. Just last night I was ...

Pros: Battery life, functions, user-friendly, awesome when it works
Cons: Weak GPS signal, heavy/bulky on wrist, really frustrating when it loses signal

2006 update: The thing broke after I left it outside in the cold for a few days, b/c I had to do that in order to get a signal active before going running (the alternative is to stand outside, still, in the cold, for 5 minutes, before you start moving). ...

Pros: Light weight; easy to read; compact; easy to use; Good software
Cons: Inaccurate pace measurement; loses reception; uses a serial cable interface for PC(vs USB); moisture intrusion

Garmin offers a product that many distance athletes have been waiting for. The forerunner 201 comes in a relatively inexpensive, light weight, and easy to use package. I purchased mine for $140.00 from a Marine Corps Exchange only to find it two days ...

Pros: No foot pedometer (pod)to wear on your shoe.
Cons: Heart rate monitor(HRM)imperfect in performance. Trees and buildings do impact the GPS signal.

I have been using the Garmin 301 since June-05 on almost all my training runs. I have not been too disappointed in the GPS tracking system. I ran a marathon recently that started in the city. I thought the FR301 wasn't going to lock onto a satellite ...

Pros: When it functions as intended, it is everything advertised
Cons: Lack of reliability due to signal strength and normal neighborhood trees

I purchased the Forerunner 201 on June 12th from REI and paid $150. With great excitement, I set it up according to instructions, and then set out to measure all of the great runs and bike rides I have been doing for years to see exactly how far all ...

Pros: Nice package, lots of features
Cons: GPS receiver is too weak. Unit has lots of trouble receiving satellites in tree areas.

Having experience with a Garmin GPSMAP 12 handheld GPS unit I thought any product built by Garmin would be of highest quality and reliability. I purchased the Forerunner 201 about 1 month ago. After running on treed streets and bike paths with the ...

Pros: Easy to read features; Virtual training partner capability; Relatively lightweight.
Cons: Device doesn't work in all areas causing data inaccuracy for pace and distance.

I purchased the The Garmin Forerunner 201 after reading many of these reviews. The attributes of this device are well known and have been summarized extremely well by the other reviews on this page (so I won't repeat them again). As a caveat, I only ...

Pros: Simple to use, accurate, easy to read, not too heavy
Cons: Very limited problem with calorie reading

I bought my Forerunner Dec 26 (Thanks for the cash, Santa) and it has been an awesome purchase. I use it for all of my outdoor runs. I had heard a ton of reviews talking about how hard it was to get or keep a signal, and I have found the opposite to ...

Pros: Compact, easy to use GPS, with some really cool features.
Cons: Loss of signal in heavy urban areas, serial port interface.

I purchased the Forerunner 201 mainly for my wife to aid her in training for a 60km (40 miles) walk to fund Breast Cancer. As she gradually walks more and more each outing, she wanted to know exactly how far she was going, and how fast of pace she was ...