Garmin Forerunner 205 GPS Receiver and Sports Watch

I've been running for a few years and I'm currently training for my third marathon. I've spent thousands of dollars on shoes, socks, supplements, shorts, rubs, headphones, etc etc etc. This is BY FAR the very best return on investment I have gotten. It's simple to use, if you can use a smart phone you can figure out most of the features without reading the manual. I thought based on the reviews it was the best combination of features, display, quality and price available and I was right. This really is an excellent product and I can't wait to use it over and over.

Technical Details

• High-sensitivity, watch-like GPS receiver that provides exceptional signal reception
• One-piece training assistant that provides athletes with precise speed, distance, and pace data
• Includes training center software, which allows users to download workout data for a detailed analysis
• Used for multiple sports, such as cycling, cross- country skiing, and windsurfing

I bought this watch for my fiance, an avid runner, this past Christmas. I waited a few months write this review to allow enough time for a comprehensive review and make sure it didn't stop working after a few weeks. Today the watch works as well as it did on its first use. The battery life is excellent and has never run out on him. He runs around 6 to 12 miles on average. running watches with gps

The features of this watch allow him to track many aspects of his run and have improved his skill level. The satellite contact is consistent and accurate. I was concerned, at first, with buying him an older model. While the 205 model is a bit bulkier than newer models, my fiance claims it is still lightweight and appreciates the large display screen with easy-to-use controls. From reviews I've seen on the new models (usually complaining of difficult controls which malfunction, satellite connection loss, and inconsistency), I believe I made the right choice. He now considers this watch a part of his regular running routine. Highly recommended if you prefer quality over flashiness, especially at such a low price!

More information at Garmin Forerunner 205 GPS Receiver and Sports Watch

Timex Marathon GPS

I love this watch it was just what I wanted! not fancy, and just the features I needed and did not spend 300.00. I run in the city but in wooded areas and it works great!

I've been running recreationally for four years, three to four times a week, usually with one long run on Sundays. I bought this watch two weeks ago because I wanted a cheap, simple, waterproof GPS watch that shows current running speed.

For those of you new to GPS watches, you should know that GPS watches don't give you an instant pace, but an "average" current pace over the last minute or so. During my first run, I did a little experiment to see how fast it picks up the change in speed. At warm-up, watch was showing 6.1min/km. I sped up to the pace I know from experience was about 5 min/km. Initially nothing happened. After 20-30 seconds, pace changed to 5.8, then after another 10-15 seconds to 5.6, and it kept going down. It took around a minute to go down to 5.1min/km. If you want instantaneous pace, you need a watch with foot pod, but they have different gotchyas to GPS watches, and my preference was GPS watch.

It is fairly simple to use: you press the GPS button, wait 30 seconds to pick up the signal, click "Mode" few times till you find "Run", and press "Start". Watch display is quite large, easy to see, and you can adjust the contrast of letters vs the background. Display shows time/distance/current pace. You can change that to time/distance/km/ per hour (for biking) or time/distance/calories or few other combinations.

You can do automatic laps, or splits, and you can use it indoors, like a normal chronograph watch.

The watch is fairly bulky, like other GPS watches on the market.

Pros:
-Great battery life of 8 hours of running (apparently it lasts few months as a normal watch)
-Easy to re-charge off the USB port
-Waterproof, you can swim with it
-The cheapest GPS running watch on the market
-Intuitive

Cons:
-No option of downloading data , although you can save the runs and review them on the watch. One of the web reviews said that Soleus cable can be used to download data, but Timex company has obviously chosen not to offer that option.
-No heart rate monitor (there is a small heart symbol, and my suspicion is Timex has not provided that option, either, probably because nobody would be buying their more expensive watches if this one offered the same features for a third of the price) running watches with gps
-Buttons are sensitive, I switched indiglo light on few times by accident.

For the price of $99, this is a very good value. It's so much cheaper than other GPS watches on the market. If you need a very basic, no-fuss watch to monitor your time, distance and pace on medium to long runs, this will do the job.

I would prefer to give it 4.5 stars due to sensitive buttons, but apart from that, the watch does what it promises, and price is amazing.

More information at Timex T5K3639F5 Marathon GPS Watch

Garmin Approach S1 Waterproof Golf GPS Watch

Approach S1 is unlike any other golf GPS. Combining a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with a lightweight, flexible sport watch, S1 gives you distance information to the front, back and middle of greens. You can measure individual shot distances, track how far you walk on the course, and then use the alarm to get you up in the morning. Approach S1 is golf's first full-featured sports watch and golf GPS in one.

Technical Details

Color: Black

• Combines a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with a lightweight, flexible sport watch
• Sunlight viewable screen features large numbering for at-a-glance visibility
• Provides yardages to the front, back and middle of the green
• Measures precise yardages for shots played from anywhere on the course
• Rugged, waterproof device also functions as everyday watch with time/alarm

My club's course was re-routed this year, and Garmin got the new layout loaded almost immediately. The watch is as accurate as other rangefinders and much simpler to use. running watches with gps

 If you have ever been annoyed at trying to zap a flagstick with a rangefinder (or the time it takes for a playing partner to do so) or wondered what to do with a GPS device while you take your golf swing (or left it in the cart as you walked to your ball), this device is for you. It will speed your round and give you accurate distance information to the green.

More information at Garmin Approach S1 Waterproof Golf GPS Watch