Garmin, 10 or 15 with or without HRM

[Prin]

Advice please 😚

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

I don't have one sorry, I should think there are many here who do though...

[Jase44 Graduate]

Hi prin. if you can afford it go for one with HRM. This gives you an extra set of data to see how your body is doing. I have alsorts. Garmin 305. Garmin edge 510 (biking) and Tom Tom cardio runner all good data gatherers. It all depends on can you afford it. If u can go for it J

[AncientMum Graduate]

Both are good but, if you're not going to get a HRM, there's no point paying extra for the Forerunner 15 because it just does the same as the Forerunner10. if you want a HRM then it has to be the FR15. Good luck. I spent weeks making the decision

[Runon Graduate]

I'd buy with an HRM - it simply works out cheaper than buying the two separately and at some point you wil want to check your heart rate even if only occasionally. I have a HRM which I hardly use - once I was convinced that my heart wasn't going into overdrive and about to blow up - I just started listening to my body instead They're obviously very useful tools though for more serious runners and for training purposes and finding things like Vo2 Max and if you're a fairly competitive runner or chasing PB's or just want to run in a zone, then go for it. I got a bit bored of fitting the wetted chest strap thingy before a run and felt a bit like a lab rat but it's no major inconvenience. As Jaze suggests, but at at higher price - around £200 the TomTom Cardio Runner can take your pulse on your wrist (eliminating the need for chest straps) - it's supposed to be very accurate and pulses green light into your veins so you probably glow in the dark!

[Jason666 Graduate]

All you gpsers?? Register at walkhighlands.Co.UK you can view 25k os mapping for the whole of the UK, create your own gpx files to put on your device, does kml too, and it's free x

[Prin in reply to Jason666]

Thanks I am more interested in lap times - I think?

[c4ts Graduate]

Santa brought me a FR10 (no HRM) up until then I did not take any notice of exact time apart from actual races, but did use to plot my routes on GreatRun.org's site so I had an idea of distance. However the FR10 has taken over my life, and I think for me it has enough info when linked to Garmin Connect to not need more - mile or km splits, elevation, distance, total time etc.

But doing Parkrun today I do think it is pushing me too much as I constantly want faster, and annoyingly it says I did more than 5K today, so its time and my race time will not be the same.

[Prin in reply to c4ts]

Ta I have some argos vouchers and have decided on the fr15 at 109

[AdamB Graduate]

If you can afford it, go for the Forerunner 15 as long as you think that there's any chance you may want to check your heart rate (and if you keep up with this running thing, you probably will do at some stage).

I'm afraid that I'm a bit of a technology geek and use a Garmin 610 which I picked up cheap (only £5 more at the time that the 15 with HRM - but I can't see any at a price that low at the moment). The 610 gives me the advantage that I can use it on my bike too and it links in with a cadence sensor (which will mean nothing if you are not a cyclist).

[Prin in reply to AdamB]

Thanks the 15 it is!

[Wristy Graduate]

are there any HRM watches that don't cost £200+?

[AdamB Graduate in reply to Wristy]

Yes - Garmin 15 with HRM is £118 on Amazon at the moment. If you want to go up a level look at the models that are still current but are discounted because they've been replaced with newer versions.

The Garmin 310XT with HRM is £128 and the 610 with HRM is currently £154 (and can sometimes be found for around £130). These latter two are both very capable watches and take a step up from the 15 which is Garmin's entry level model with HRM. In my opinion, these two are both worth the extra money over the 10 and 15.

[Prin in reply to AdamB]

As I have argos vouchers have used them for the fr15

[darkpeak Graduate]

DC Rainmaker's recommendations for different budgets is worth a look: dcrainmaker.com/2014/11/win...

[AdamB Graduate in reply to darkpeak]

DC Rainmaker seems to be a font of knowledge on all things related to GPS's and running (though he does insist on using American spellings; why can't leftpondians learn to write English proper like....)

[Prin in reply to darkpeak]

Thanks hadn't looked at the Tom tom the comparison was good for me