Garmin Forerunner 101 Handheld GPS Receiver

Pros: Running history, accurate current distance and good runner specific features.
Cons: Loses signal a little too easy sometimes and questionable support service.

We loved our Garmin 60cs so much we decided to give this Garmin product a try out. For a little background, I run a moderate amount and had wanted to start increasing the amount I ran. The problem I kept running into is either I had to take the car or ...

Pros: Lots of measurements, compact, easy to use, functional, and fairly economic.
Cons: calories consumption for skaters not correct, need a clear view of sky for navigation

Forerunner 101 by Garmin is a fairly sophisticated tool as long as sports are involved, at least. It is light: (55 gr or 0.6 ounces, without batteries), works with 2 1.5 volt AAA batteries (14-15 hours, typical use), and has a reasonably sized display. ...

Pros: A TRULY OUTSTANDING DEVICE THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE !!!
Cons: Somewhat bulky, buttons hard to read, manual could be better.

SIMPLY INCREDIBLE !! I know, you’ve heard about all those things that make your life better, promising that overnight you’ll make more money, look 20 years younger and will become Time’s person of the year if you call an 800 number, etc. Well, this ...

Pros: Excellent way of finding your workout stats. light. accurate. durable. makes your workout more interactive
Cons: doesn't work indoors (gym, indoor track). looses signal in thick clouds sometimes. none other!

This is a simple review about the Garmin Forerunner 101. The Garmin Forerunner 101 is a miniature GPS system that is designed for runners and hikers and anyone that is on the move. It is basically the same unit as the larger Garmin units in terms of ...

Pros: Small, light, cheap, accurate. Simple and elegant design. Brilliant tool for runners.
Cons: Would have been nice to have a computer interface to download workout records... I guess.

I am very impressed with this little unit. The software and interface have been very well thought out. It's small, light and easy to read. The Forerunner 101 is specifically designed for runners, so lacks comprehensive navigation features, though there ...

Pros: Easy to use
Cons: short battery life with alkaline batteries

I have had my Forerunner 101 for quite some time. This unit has: Navigation (as would be expected for a GPS) Training Assistant, history (intended for athletes) shows speed, distance, laps, elevation, grade, average and maximum speeds, and estimated ...

Pros: Nice functionality for the price
Cons: Size is bigger than other Garmin GPS units

I recently ordered the forerunner 101 thinking that the only difference between the 101 and 201 was the price ($30 less), need for 2 AAA batteries, and lack of a serial PC connection.
After opening the package, I quickly realized that the 101 is about 30% thicker than the 201. I've used my neighbor's Forerunner 201 several times and it is pretty comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The size difference is big enough for me to return the 101 and exchange it for a 201. The 101 is definitely less comfortable to wear on your wrist.

Pros: Many useful features, compact, reasonable price
Cons: Only one position format, only one datum.

The Forerunner 101 was designed mainly for runners, but I have found that it works well for bikers, the most useful features being current, average, maximum speeds, distance, elapsed time, and grade. There is a training assistant mode. I frequently use the Auto Lap, but not the Auto Pause. The Speed Alert is a valuable feature for drivers who are prone to speed, just input the speed limit in the "fast speed alert" section, and turn it on. The Virtual Partner is a nice touch. If I know the distance to where I need to be, and the amouint of time I have decided to allow to get there, I just input the data, and it will tell me if I'm going to be early or late for the appointment.
The Forerunner, like all the other GPS units, can mark locations, a feature I use frequently. Position is displayed in hddd mm.mmm format only. I don't know what datum is used, but I'm guessing WGS-84. Bearings are in cardinals, fine for rough navigation, useless for marine or other precision navigation.

Pros: Absolutely Nothing!
Cons: Horrible battery life, terrible design, bad company that doesn't care about post sale customer service

Do not buy this unit! I run as part of triathlon training. My workout plan calls for 3-4 runs a week of very specific distances. I thought this Garmin would be a great way to track distance without having to spend too much money (as I already own a Polar HRM). From day 1 this unit has been a serious disappointment. It takes forever to get a satellite signal. From there, the signal goes in and out. But the absolute worst thing about this product is the battery life. The user's manual says to expect about 14hours of use. That's a plain lie! I'd say it's more like 4 hours! Two triple A batteries every 4 hours gets quite expensive.
I wrote to Garmin asking for support and our a replacement unit that doesn't have this battery life problem. Their response was that the battery life of 4 hours is normal! Why then does the user's manual say 14 hours?!?!

Pros: All the features would be great if it worked. Pros none.
Cons: It took a long time to find signal. Then would not hold said signal.

I live in the state of Connecticut. I run about an hour a day. Most of my running is done on roads. One or two days a week run on trails. I thought this product would be perfect measuring speed and distance no matter which way I went. I get the product set it up and start to run. By the time I get to the end of my driveway I lose the signal. I ran for one hour. In that hour the gps held it's signal for about 20 mins. tops. All the reviews I saw before I purchased the gps raved about it. I guess all these people live in very flat treeless areas. I could never use this on trails, it could not find the signal. I sent a email for help and never got an answer. I feel this product is junk and would nor recommend it to any one. As a matter of fact I have told other runners to stay away.

Pros: Feature packed, very small GPS.
Cons: No computer interface, instructions OK, but advanced users need more.

The device is feature packed. After a while, the menús are very intuitive.
The 2 things I would like to see improved on it are:
1. Latitude and Longitude should be easily seen.
2. The instruction manual is good to get you up and running, but after you have used it a couple of times you ask questions about how it calculates distances, gradients, altitude, laps etc, that should be explained.