Heart rate monitor or bells and whistles?

[Gridlet]

Is it worth splashing out on a gps? I don't want to scrimp and then regret it but then again I don't want to spend a lot of money on something I won't use fully.

[Minuette Graduate]

I suppose it depends on how much you like to analyse stats and charts etc. I'm very geeky and love having gadgets so I love to upload all my info and analyse everything (sometimes I forget this is about just getting up and running!) so I'd say it's well worth it if you are into that kind of thing

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to Minuette]

I like the idea of adding a new dimension to the running. I am definitely getting the bug! Which one have you got Minuette?

[Minuette Graduate in reply to Gridlet]

I started off with using Nike+ on my ipod nano and uploading to their website which shows nice charts but wasn't much good for proper stats but now I use a Garmin Forerunner 110 which is fantastic, lots of charts to pour over afterwards and you can also see how you're doing whilst you're running.

Initially I just wanted to be able to run for 30 mins three times a week, but now it's all about speed, pace, km, heart rate - geek heaven!

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to Minuette]

Sounds right up my street! Thankyou Minuette!

[Mirella Graduate]

My Name is Mirella and I am a geek. Luckily it was my birthday last week and a Garmin was top of my wish list. I am now the proud owner of a Forerunner 410 (currently £150 on Amazon) and I love it. I have only done 2 runs since i got it but I pour over the stats for longer than the run took! The 410 has a wireless upload so I walk in, put the kettle on and all the data is upoaded ready for me to go through by the time my coffee is ready. Garmin connect is now my home page! I haven't worn the heart monitor yet, i'm saving that as a special treat

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to Mirella]

I like the idea of a wireless upload....

[shelleymcb Graduate]

I love the fact that you can see how far you have run whilst out on your run. makes running for an exact length easier

[shelleymcb Graduate in reply to shelleymcb]

I have the forerunner 110 watch

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to shelleymcb]

Is it ok in the rain?

[shelleymcb Graduate in reply to Gridlet]

havent run in the rain with it yet as only had it a couple of weeks & lucky enough to have treadmill at home. it is supposed to be waterproof to a depth of something or other. sorry cant find the box at the moment. if you ask this as a question am sure someone will be able to confirm.

[Hidden]

I don't have a gadget, I just listen to the radio on my phone and set the timer for the duration I plan to run. My usual circuits are mapped on one of the free sites which has a "training log" so I can record distance and time, and it works out my pace for me. All I've had to buy since I started is some new running kit - and that's because I'm so much slimmer.

[sfb350 Graduate]

I'd like a Garmin. I like gadgets I can't really decide on which one I want, which is just as well as I can't afford one yet !! In the meantime, I am using MapMyRun on my Android phone. It's a free App that gives this sort of detail mapmyrun.com/routes/view/85... You can get similar free Apps such as RunKeeper. I do like to see the maps etc but I think I'd get even more joy from a Garmin of some sort ......... ;-/