I REALLY WANNA GARMIN.: Have decided that a... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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I REALLY WANNA GARMIN.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate
29 Replies

Have decided that a garmin would be incredibly useful for me. But there are so many bloody models out there, which one to choose? I might try and drop GIGANTIC hints to Mrs Dan around my birthday in MArch.But then I am also incredible impatient and may just buy one tomorrow!

Any favourite models?

Until next time

yer pal

Dan

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danzargo profile image
danzargo
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29 Replies
MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

Got to be ForeRunner 620 but that depends on Mrs DZ's budget.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to MarkyD

cheers MarkyD. I'll check it out.

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

I just ordered the cheapest one from Amazon (good money off today). They sell for loadsamoney on ebay, so if it doesn't do everything I need I can get rid. Though I think it does everything I need (my needs are few!). I've got to wait till 16 March to use it though as it is my birthday pressie from my son!

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate

I have the Forerunner 15 which works well with the MIOLink heartrate monitor. If you dont needa HeartRate monitor then the Forerunner 10 is the same without that functionality. Naturally if you have more cash to spend then there are more all singing all dancing models too :)

I like the Garmin as it is easy to download to the garmin connect site, which keeps a very nice log of all your runs with stats and maps :)

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to Zev1963

thanks Zev

katie_a profile image
katie_aGraduate

I was thinking of treating myself to the forerunner 10 as a C25K graduation present (currently on week 8 so not far off!) - my birthday is coming up so seems a good use of the birthday money I usually get from my grandparents. Working towards a 10k race so hopefully all the stats will help motivate me once I've left Laura behind! The more expensive models look way too advanced for my needs!

Toonlou24 profile image
Toonlou24Graduate

Forerunner 220. Marvellous!! Talks to your phone via blue tooth so no need to connect to PC often. It's excellent. I love it!!

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to Toonlou24

Thanks Toonlou.

Wristy profile image
WristyGraduate

What about the Polar watches? They look quite good too!

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

Agreeing with MarkyD are we?

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

I have the 220 joint birthday and triathlon completion present and I love it, but I am very much a stats girl. I can't wait for it to talk to my iPod touch when I get home to tell me all the facts of my run, even though I was there!

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

I like stats too! Thanks RFC.

Michael_W profile image
Michael_WGraduate

Money no object then go for the FR620, no question. Back in the real world, you might want to do a feature comparison over at the king of product review sites, dcrainmaker.com. When I was shopping for a Garmin last year, the FR220 came out on top. Does everything I realistically need. Sure, the 620 has a few more bells and whistles but for me it wasn't worth the 100 quid premium. And some things that I like about the FR220 over cheaper models-lightning fast GPS pick-up and vibration alerts.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to Michael_W

brilliant. Thanks Michael.

Rignold profile image
Rignold

If you are a stat-head then the highest spec one you can afford. If you just wnat the basics then they're all good. I have a 410, which has serevd me well.

Just to muddy the waters though, If I was buying a new one I would probably get a Suunto rather than a Garmin.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to Rignold

You are SUCH a rebel rignold!

I've just ordered the 610 can't afford the 620 so it's the next best thing in my eyes

GettingFitter profile image
GettingFitterGraduate

620 - has to be all those stats ;-)

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate

I've got a 220 that I don't need anymore. Happy to sell it for £100 (that's approx half price)

Nadiakoo profile image
Nadiakoo in reply to Tomas

Have you sold this.

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate in reply to Nadiakoo

Hi, no not yet. If you're interested, could you drop me a line at sunny@sunnyworld.org ?

Rob_and_his_westie profile image
Rob_and_his_westieGraduate

The 620 will do all you need, including make cups of tea, programme your Sky box, put the cat out and solve the mystery of the pyramids. I don't use 90% of the functions of my 610, the earlier model of the same thing, but thing I value most over the Garmin 15 that my other half has is the vibration and very loud bleep after every lap, which is configurable and set to 1km in my case.

Buy on function, I'd say. I think you can do comparisons on the Garmin website.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to Rob_and_his_westie

gonna take a look. Thanks....

Jonny1 profile image
Jonny1Graduate

I've got a 220 which is great. It works well with the hrm and syncs with my phone. I paid £230 for mine about a year ago. It gives you loads of stats as well which is great. If Tomas is selling his for £100, might be worth a look.

Theziggy profile image
TheziggyGraduate

My Forerunner 10 has taken to freezing - means resetting it each time. A friend got a Tom Tom Runner which seems to have a lot more features than the Forerunner 10 plus a very quick gps fix compared to the Garmin. If I were buying again I'd look at the Tom Tom. Garmins aren't the only fruit !

Vixchile profile image
VixchileGraduate

You will be happy with any. I like my 220 and it's very robust as we know but 620 has a lot more my partner loves how he can change from run mode to bike mode so it's ben a joy for him.

runningphobe_no_more profile image
runningphobe_no_moreGraduate

I got very confused looking on line, but in my local running shop I found a Garmin 10, which was just under £100 and it's absolutely fine for me. Probably doesn't do heart rates and stuff, but it tracks my runs reliably and uploads to Garmin connect (using Google maps I think). It gives route, time, pace, av pace, uphill (I've forgotten the proper word) and splits (separate stats for each km or ml depending on your settings). It may also do other stuff, but I haven't found out. I like it (said Florence, hopefully) and if was a lot cheaper than what I was seeing on line. Ah yes - remembered now - Forerunner 10, and the uphill word was "elevation". It's my age you know. Keep mis - laying words....

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to runningphobe_no_more

haha! Thanks RP.

Runon profile image
RunonGraduate

Don't be a sheep - Take a look at the Tom Tom's - Currently you get more for your pound than with a Garmin - plus they're a little sleeker and you can get interchangeable straps to match your trainers plus I'm on commission :) Baaa! P.s. I really like mine - it has a built in warp factor drive to make you run faster( just not working at present)

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