I have had my Garmin Forerunner 301 for about nine months. During that time I have seen it has some good points but it fails significantly in several ways.

I'll start with the Garmin 301's best point(s): It is an excellent GPS device for a runner. I have done several organized races on certified courses which proved the Garmin GPS is an excellent distance gauge. Your stride length can vary greatly with no affect. I have not seen anyone run with a Polar foot pod and get nearly as precise measurements as I get from the Garmin. I just ran the California International Marathon with the Garmin. At the finish, it said 26.2 miles. Compare that to the Polar with foot pod my brother was wearing that said almost 28 miles. The only time I have found Garmin's GPS questionable has been on winding trail runs under trees.

Coupled with its ability to measure distance is the Garmin's setting for automatically tagging and storing mile splits. I love this function. Often times after a really long run, it's difficult to remember how you felt over certain areas of the course. This function means you don't have to remember anything. It's there.

I also like that it will tell me elevation, and even the steepness of the grade I am running up. This is especially nice if you are a trail runner. However, I don't like that it won't tally the total elevation change like a Polar will.

The speed and pace measurements displayed while in motion are a valuable gauge. I know of no device that does it better for a runner. But the accuracy can vary widely depending upon your overhead view. Clear sky generates an accurate reading. Throw a tree or a building in the mix and forget it. I have accepted this for what it is, a relative gauge that requires me to factor in my own judgment.

If you are a really serious athlete, you might want something that will run a little longer from a single charge. It isn't waterproof and it crashes periodically with no way to reset until the battery actually dies completely.

The heart rate feature, the one thing that supposedly makes this device worth $100 more than the Garmin 201, is actually its least reliable feature!! They owe me a hundred bucks! The unreliability of the heart rate monitor on this device should be so embarrassing to Garmin, it warrants a recall. Search the web. It's horrible. I routinely see readings over 220BPM. There is less than a 50/50 chance it will even READ my heart rate through an entire workout. Between the CONSTANT spikes and signal drops, there is no such thing as really knowing your average heart rate. I have given up on the heart rate function. It's a negative distraction from my training. As a result, I would not buy another Garmin 301. I would not recommend one to my friend. I would even go out of my way to dissuade a casual acquaintance from buying one if I found out they were considering it!

Customer service: I sent an eight-year old monitor back to Polar with a dead battery. For the cost of shipping they sent me a whole new monitor. I sent an email to Garmin telling them I thought their product had some strong points but could benefit from a few improvements. I offered specific suggestions about the software and offered to provide any additional necessary feedback. Garmin didn't even send an automated reply.

With all these factors in mind, I bought my wife a Polar heart rate monitor and a Garmin 101 for Christmas. Together, they cost less than I spent on my Garmin 301, and the combination will provide the same information far more reliably.

I waited a couple of weeks before reviewing to be sure I had a good sense of how well this device performs over time. So, here are my impressions.

The Garmin Forerunner 301 is great!

The GPS is very accurate. One time I used it while driving in my care and it measured my distance to work at 17.5 miles. I then went to an on-line mapping/routing program, and give it the same path. It returned a distance of 17.5 miles!

Battery life is amazing. It re-charges in less than 4 hours, and then it is good for 13-14 hours. I have never run out of battery, or even come close.

First, it is very comfortable to wear (I recommend, though, not wearing it on bare skin but over a shirt sleeve, as it won't get sweaty this way). The strap is strong and comfortable, and once on you don't even notice the device is there. It feels strong too, although I don't want to try it, it feels like it would survive drops very well. The screen is recessed, therefore making it quite protected.

Displayed info is very intuitive, LARGE, and customizable. When it first arrives it is set up for pace (minutes/mile), but I changed it to speed (miles/hour). It also allows using metrics (km/hour).

I use it mostly for bike rides, and to figure out best routes to drive to work. I therefore separate these two into two sports: Biking and I use Running for the car. Thus, I can keep these datasets separate. I record bike rides, which includes altitude, grade, speed, position, and heart rate. Later the included software can be used to analyze the session (note: the included software didn't work when first installed, but the lastest version found on the Garmin website worked the first time and flawlessly since, FYI, I have a Windows XP pro system).

I've read some complaints about the heart monitor. Well, I've had 4 bike riding sessons, and it workd great on the first two. Then, it worked very intermitently on the 3rd. But, I figured out why! One thing not mentioned in the manual is that the heat monitor chest attachment has two strap connectors on each side. The monitor works virtually perfectly, IF you have it so it is tight-but-not-too-tight, AND those two snap connectors on the side are SNAP-LOCKED into place! If NOT snap-locked, the monitor moves around a bit over time, and loses connection and gives bad readings (>200). But when snapped, it works great! So those who experienced this problem might not have done this. I did this on my fourth bike trip, and it worked all the time, apart from one 15 second glitch.

When the heart rate monitors is working, the included software can be used to plot lots of different things on comparative graphs, and calculates approximate calorie usage. I like to use it to review (re-live) old rides, and keep track of totals (like miles driven this year). Using on-line programs (such as Motion Based, owned by Garmin) one can convert the info to such formats as Google Earth (then you can replay your bike ride on a photo map of the Earth!).

I'm amazed that in this day and age there is a device that actually does what it says it does! And it's not at all expensive for what it can do. It's not perfect, but definitely in the top 20% (heck, I'd give it a numerical rating of 95%, which is 4.75 out of 5), so 5 stars is my vote! :)

I was concerned about this product because of the negative reviews and particularly about the heart monitor. But I received it the next day after ordering from Amazon - whose service continues to get better for me - and I immediately charged the battery and then set up my profile.

The next morning I used it for the first time and the heart rate monitor worked flawlessly for me. The GPS was exceptional as well. The heart rate monitor worked as well or better than my trusty Polar and they agreed with each other, too.

The only negatives I experienced were: 1) that the unit seemed a little bulky to me at first but I gradually became accustomed to it; 2) the lap button is near the start/stop button and I run in the dark so I had a bit of trouble with laps. I think I'll get the hang of the buttons soon.

Also the Training Center software did not work and I had to download the latest version from the web site. But I like the training center software just fine for my needs.

I would recommend it.

The Garmin Forerunner GPS with heart rate monitor is excellent. It is easy to use and has a configurable display allowing me to put the Lap Pace in Large numbers and the Heart Rate, Lap Distance and Lap Time in smaller numbers, yet still readable. When I am more interested in my Heart Rate as the big number, it is easy to reconfigure the display with a push of a button. The product was delivered very fast, I am very happy with Amazon's service.

The Forerunner 301 seems like a great idea, but basically fails to deliver on every level. I have used it about 25 times in just over over a month and am quite disappointed.

The odometer and pace meter are inconsistent . I use the lap function so that the Forerunner automatically records a lap at each mile. Though I typically run about an 8-minute pace, approximately every other run the Forerunner records a mile in the 5-6 minute/mile range, which not only skews the average pace of my run but also the distance. Everytime I use the Forerunner, the instantaneous readings constantly jump from the low 5's to almost a 10 minute/mile pace. On a number of occassions, the Forerunner has lost the GPS signal and stopped recording distance altogether. To its credit, over the course of an entire run, the distance reading seems more or less consistent and accurate (I have checked with my car). However, I have run side-by-side with others using a Forerunner and we got distances that differed by about 80 meters. It's just to erratic to be worth the cost.

The elevation function is so unreliable that it's useless. I start from the exact same place every time I run and according to the Forerunner my starting elevation has varied from 180 to over 400 feet with just about everything in between. I run 5 miles and it typically gives me 4.5 miles of elevation readings. Where did the other half mile go? Did I lose at the start, middle, or end?

Many others have commented negatively on the heart rate monitor and my experiences echo theirs. It loses contact, jumps around though my effort level remains the same, and generally is too variable to be a useful training tool.

All of these problems are made worse by the fact that you cannot edit the data once you have it loaded into your computer. I'm preparing for a marathon and would like to keep track of my average pace per mile over the course of my training, but this is impossible as the Forerunner routinely throws a five-minute mile into my workout. If you could edit the data, at least you could balance your own judgment against the Forerunner's readings and adjust its mistakes.

I should note that I live in suburban Connecticut, not an area that you would expect to get poor GPS reception. There is tree coverage, which no doubt interferes with the GPS. Others have made complaints about problems in urban areas. So, if it does not work predictably in a city or where there are trees, other than a beach or desert just where should one use the Forerunner?

The short of it is, the Forerunner is so inaccurate that it simply is not worth the considerable cost.

Well I bought my first 301 for me and it worked great. I bought a second one for my wife locally and when I tried to enter her name as a new user it would not read her device even though the computer said it was connected. The device worked great in reading her heart rate and position but just would connect to the software. I called Garmin and they sent me through some tests and determined that it was the unit and to send it back, taking weeks. I returned it to the store for an exchange and it too would not connect to the software. So I went to the Garmin site and downloaded the most recent version of the software and...that fixed the porblem. HOWEVER now this unit would not pick up her heart rate. We called and tried to get the first unit back but no luck. So we got a third unit locally and it has worked great...So now, we love the thing and we both use it 3 times per week and the software works great.

I actually own 4 Garmin 301's and have used this product since they came out about 3 years ago. Me and my wife are triathletes and we both have 1 mounted on our bike and we use the other for the run. Battery life is excellent at around 8-10 hours or so. Although the battery won't last long enough to get us through an Ironman race (which is why we each own 2) This unit is certainly one of my favorite pieces of technology I own and I use it nearly everyday. I also have a highend Polar (720i) and much prefer my Garmin over the Polar. Some reviewers state that the heartrate monitor portion of the device is not very good and reports erroneous heartrates. I know exactly what they are referring to but the fix is very simple. You have to wet the chest strap before you put it on. If you don't then, yes the HR monitor will occationally report incorrectly. Believe me I have put the these 301's through the ringer and they perform! I train for 8-10 months for a single race and would not show up on race day with equipment I didn't fully trust would get me to the finish line. Garmin support is outstanding as well. I had a 301 a few years back that started powering down all by itself for no reason. I called up Garmin and they swapped my old one out for a new one for free. One feature I really wish they would add though is the ability to add maps to the navigation screen. There's been more than a few times that I got lost out on a long ride and even though the 301 has a navigation screen it won't really help you navigate your way back home. It just leaves a bread crumb trail to retrace your path back home if you need to. Another really nice feature that this has is the ability to set the backlight to stay on permanently so when your running really early in the morning your not fumbling trying to find the light button. No other HR monitor that I know offers this feature. If I could give the Garmin 301 6 stars I would.
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All around the best workout tool I have used to date. I am definately a "gadget buff" so I have tried MANY other toys. The best feature about this tool is the ability to download your workouts to you computer to track your progress. I even use it when on a stationary bike or treadmill so that I can track my heartrate & download it to my computer.
Gripes - I am not happy with the chest strap. I am 6'5" and workout on a regular basis so I have a fairly large chest. The strap is big enough, but I cannot find a happy medium when it comes to fit. No matter how tight I try to make it, the strap still tries to slide down to my waste as I breath in & out.
I would also like the strap for the reciever to be bigger so that I could wear it on my upper arm. (too small even with the extension strap)
The final gripe is that the GPS is useless in the woods.

I really love the concept and the features, but it is very inaccurate when running near trees or in the city. I also have the Timex oem with the big arm strap Garmin GPS receiver and it is by far a better receiver and interpolates between low GPS signal spots accuratley, but I have to wear 4 things on my body to get same functionality and no download of data. I find my self using the Timex anyway because it is more reliable. The 301 does not interpolate between points. The heart rate monitor frequently loses or has false high values, but not too bad. The description for the ForeRunner 305 says it has better reception, has anyone experienced it or seen a comparison? Is there a way to demo one to see if it works any better.

I don't know how I ever ran without one of these. It tells you everything you need to know about your run so you can plan future runs. The 301 comes with a USB connection to the computer (as opposed to a serial connection). Just this feature alone justifies buying it over the 201 model if you want to download the information to your computer. I have had this for 2 years and have loved it every time I run. The only issue I have with it is its satellite signal strength. Sometimes it has a hard time getting locks on satellites but I can't justify spending the extra $ to get the 305 just for the infrequent times that it has weak satellite signals.

Two major problems with the Forerunner 301, which I notice have been mentioned several times in other reviews: 1) Poor GPS reception, and 2) Unreliable Heart Rate Monitor.

I bought the 301 primarily for distance running, with a secondary use as a hiking companion. As a hiking GPS it's of little value, which was expected. I had thought that at the very least it would display lat/long coordinates, but in fact it doesn't do that unless you enter a waypoint. Almost useless for navigation. However, the 301 was designed to be a training aid, but it fails at that, too...

1) One major asset of having a GPS for training is that you can measure your distance traveled over any course. If I decide in the middle of a long run to take a spontaneous detour, I don't have to go out later using the car's odometer to measure how many miles I added. This feature works OK, but the 301 frequently loses satellite lock. It regains the lock within a minute or so, which usually isn't a problem unless you're running some winding trails.

This biggest problem with the frequent loss of satellite lock is with the pace calculation. I was really looking forward to knowing my running pace at any point during a run (it even displays pace in minutes/mile) but this calculation uses a rolling average. Whenever the 301 loses a lock, your pace begins to slow down (since your distance traveled remains the same) until suddenly it regains lock and the pace shoots up. As a result, whenever I look at the pace I can never be certain that I am actually running that pace! A great feature rendered useless by the high frequency of losing satellite locks.

2) The heart rate monitor (HRM) never worked. I tried everything - replaced the battery, wet the electrodes, wore it on my chest, wore it on my back, both running hard and standing still, and NEVER ever got the 301 to communicate with the HRM. Is it too much to ask of Garmin to test their products before shipping them out? I was extremely disappointed.

Ultimately I returned my Forerunner 301 to Amazon for a full refund. If I can't make use of the pace calculation and can't depend on the HRM, then I may as well buy a cheap ol' GPS for measuring distance and hiking, and do the pacing math in my head. Hopefully their new Forerunner 205/305 can improve on these failings, but I'm not going to buy one anytime soon.

I have had this device for a a little over a week, one of my favorite runs is around Lake Merrit in Oakland CA. Running clockwise, the device reports 3.1mi while running counterclockwise, the device reports 2.7mi. I spoke with someone from Garmin at the Consumer Electronics Show who agreed that the 301 products are not very accurate but told me that the 305 product, which uses the SiRFStarIII chip is much more accurate. I am returning my 301 and may buy a 305.

I have owned the 301 GPS since October 2005. So you can say I have some experience with it, mostly for walking an running. The GPS is Ok, not great it can easily lose the GPS signal under threes or close to buildings. Most of the time works OK but sometimes (when you know the actual distance) you would notice 400-500 meters missing in your run (in a 5 Km run). The heart rate monitor is poor. It goes up to very high heart rate readings and you know you are not doing 220 bps and then goes quickly down to a more reasonable level such as 145, closer to what you feel is the actual rate. I would rate the GPS receiver with 3 stars and the heart rate monitor with 2 stars, overall 3.
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The GARMIN 301 is readily adaptable for rowing, I have used it for over a year in a single scull, mounted on the cross rigging. I have an oar mounted cadence meter which complements the GARMIN perfectly. When I do cross training I select the 'running' mode for road work. Great piece of technology.

I purchased the garmin 301 after my garmin 201 died. I figured rather than pay $69 to have it fixed I was better off to buy a new one and have all the added features. I love the garmin products, I use them to train for marathons and I find it very helpful to know the pace, time, and distance without having to try and figure it out. I've been slightly disappointed when running in the woods to find that I lose my signal (and we aren't talking deep in the woods either). Luckily, these times were on measured courses, or else I would have been ticked off because it wouldn't have been at all accurate. I feel this is a good product to aid in tracking your progress, although you're better off to get the 201 (for less money) unless you know you will wear the heart rate monitor strap. I found the heart rate monitor uncomfortable to run in for long periods of time. Also I do want to mention that my first garmin died only a year and a half after having it, which I feel is too short of a time to quit for the amount of money they cost.

This unit was a step up from another heart rate monitor I had been using, specifically purchased for the GPS capabilities. Overall the unit is very reliable and I've only had one very overcast day where I could not pick up the satellites. The GPS does seem to take some time to acquire but I have never had inaccurate mileage by starting before acquired. Included software is adequate and informative. Only issue I have had is with rubber USB connect door not closing easily or staying closed.

Product works great!.
br /Pros;
br /Respectable GPS signal, easy interface, good interactive training programs,
br /motionbased website tracks your activity.
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br /Cons:
br /Weak GPS signal in wooded areas, large bezel.
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br /Makes running more enjoyable.
br /If your mission based and like to track your work. Get this!

I was worried after reading the other reviews but didn't want to buy the more expensive models. As a result, I kept all the packing materials and documents when unpacking it (so that I can return it if it was as bad as the reviews made it out to be).

Since it arrived, I have used it for running, biking, indoor aerobics, and weight training. I did not have the problem with either the GPS or the HRM. Once GPS is locked, it doesn't create any problem, but it does take 20 seconds or so to get the signal. The heart rate monitor did not stop working at any time except when I was doing weights which led to movement of the strap.
When biking on a wooded trail, I continued to get the GPS signal. If I start moving before locking the signal from the satellite the unit does not get the signal at all (so it is better to wait the few extra seconds before starting out). While using it indoors, my objective is to get the heart rate over the entire period I am working out. When I switch off the GPS, i am able to do this without any problem.

I am using two softwares with it right now - at some point in time I will figure out which one to make the main software. Other than the training center that came with the unit (actually I downloaded the latest version), I am using sportstrack which is a free software. Thanks to the earlier reviewer from whom I learnt about this free software which works great - it has several analysis options as well as mapping options.

At no point did I have a problem with the unit - either the HRM or the GPS. I think it is a great unit and worth every buck I paid for it at Amazon.

I have two issues wih the unit and neither of them is so critical as to reduce the rating of the product. First, I would like to see a better software - Sportstrack is significantly better. I am still using Garmin's because it allows me to see the heart rate zones over the run better. Second, I should be able to have two users of the device.

Overall, I am very happy with the product and am writing the review because my expereince was much better than what the earlier reviews made me expect from this product.

I will update this review if I change my mind at any time.

I went back and forth on whether to buy this item. One of the things I like about running is it's simplicity: A runner doesn't need any fancy equipment to run, just tie your shoes and go. This device has won me over though.

Why I like it:
* It is very simple to use (maybe some less tech-savvy people would disagree, I can't say, I'm a programmer).

* I love the software (although the version that came with the Garmin Forerunner 301 was out of date and I had to do a firmware upgrade and install the latest verison from the website... again not a big deal for me, but this might intimidate someone who isn't good with computers). The software gives me nice graphics of the route I run, totals my stats on a per week basis, and gives me graphs of my speed and pace.

* Now I am free to go off my pre-planned route and not worry that I'm running the wrong mileage. I like to be spontaneous and explore, so it really makes this possible.


Definately worth the moeny.

I purchased this about 3 months ago to help me keep track of my fitness level and to help me push new goals. The GPS is extrememly accurate, when I run on a marked coarse the 301 is right on the money. The only issue I have had with the GPS is that sometimes it takes a while to acquire the signal, but I have worked around it and I just turn it on while I'm doing my stretches, by the time I'm done stretching it is ready to go. I have had no prolems with the heart rate monitor as several other reviews said they had, once it has the signal it doesn't lose it. I also use this on my Bike, and it has accuratly gauged my rides of 70 to 80 miles without incident and only minimal GPS loss through heavy trees.

The only flaw with this model is the software. On days that I can't run outside and I have to run on an indoor track (GPS obviously doesn't work indoors), so I just time myself and use the heart rate monitor portion. The unfortunate thing is that it doesn't record your distance without GPS and the software will not let you enter the distance traveled if you want to keep a record of it.

Other than that one flaw, this is an excellent training aid and everyone I have let borrow my 301 has purchased one of their own. I don't know how I ran without it before!

That's saying a lot. My husband is very picky and not very geeky when it comes to technology. I got this for him after his heart attack. He needed to exercise, but had keep a handle on his heart rate, and track his progress toward his fitness goals. I bought it as an anniversary present. He would never have spent this much on himself. From day one, he has used it, and loves it. It took it a few days to figure out everything it would do. I helped him with the computer downloading/tracking part at first, but now he does it on his own. He doesn't go walking or biking without it. Good thing, because he found one of the hills he was climbing was pushing his heart rate too high based on his doctor's recommendation. He changed his route. He says it comfortable and seems to be accurate. We have also used the GPS part in the car. That works too and is fun.
br /He can track his progress and see his improvement which is a big boost for him, and me. I think it was a bargain compared to all it has done for us.

I bought it in dec 2005 for Xmas. I have been using it 3 to 4 times a week when paddling, ie 6 to 10 hours a week.
It takes forever to acquire sattelites, whatever the weather is... The heart rate displayed is sometimes fuzzy.
I never managed to use the trainig center software. It just doesn't detect the gps unit when it is plugged to the computer. I tried to install this software on 3 different PCs : one with Win98SE, the second with WinXPFamilySP2 and the other with WinXPProSP2. I installed the usb gps drivers updates, the new version of the Trainig Center and i even updated the unit sofware... When I mailed to Garmin to ask for help and/or info the only answer i got was "make sure the unit is connected to the computer when you run the software" !!! Do they really think their consumers are so stupid ?
Today, my forerunner301, just six month old, is not working at all. Impossible to switch it on, and when i plug it to its charger, i don't get any message on the screen.
I am very disapointed. Hope the 1 year warranty is not a lie...

I got very disappointed with my Garmin 301. Although all of the features described (gps, heart rate monitor, etc) are amazing, I found the product so fragile!
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br /At the second time I was using my Garmin 301 (before that, I had used it only in the Buenos Aires marathon), its band just got broken!
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br /I was warming up when I suddenly saw it on the street! I'm completely sure that I didn't get any shock on it. The pins that kept the band tight to my Garmin just got broken!
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br /I couldn't believe. How is it possible, for a product designed for sports that involve **impact** to be so fragile?
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br /I was running one of the most important Brazilian races (Volta da Pampulha, 18 KM), and it was very frustrating for me not having my Garmin working as expected!
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br /I had to keep my Garmin into my short; for such reason, I was not able to monitor my running data so quick.
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br /This problem seems to be easy to resolve; however, I don't feel comfortable about running with my Garmin anymore: I can just lose an expensive product due to its fragile watch band.

From the day one, heart rate monitor showed erratic number or won't show any number at all. Sent back twice, each time unit passed their test. I've tried everything from placement of chest strap to using gel on the sensor to no avail. Last 2 years heart rate monitor works only 1/3 of the time. I gave up. But it's a good concept if they can make it work right. Apparently this is a common problem by looking at the internet blogs/entries. I'd imagine newer Forerunners solved this problem? Be prepare to return the merchandise, but perhaps, it'll work for you?

I bought this unit two or three years ago and until recently used it very little. I had to take a break from running for a while. In any case, I think the GPS is very good. I previously had a Timex GPS (with the separate unit on the upper arm). The Garmin is more compact, loses signal less frequently and acquires the signal quicker. I love the ability to program workouts. I also like Garmin's software that tracks workout and even maps the routes you've run.
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br /However, the heart rate monitor is causing me no end of frustration. I have tried changing batteries, using different liquids on the elctrodes, repositioning the strap, etc... But, nothing makes for a consistent signal. This really adversely impacts my enjoyment of the unit. My bottom of line Polar heart monitor works much, much better in this respect.

I own two of these and have used them for over two years constantly. I have a real love-hate relationship with the 301. I love it when it's working properly which is most of the time. But just when I least expect it, it goes haywire. It shows my heart rate jumping up to 200 beats a minute for a few seconds. That's just enough time to throw off any average heart rate calculation I was trying to save. And the Garmin Training Center software that comes with the unit has no editing capability so there is no way to go in and fix those spikes.
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br /When working indoors at the gym,if I walk too close to the vending machines or the electrical service panel, the whole unit has a brain freeze and wipes out all the data for that particular session, even though the display fakes me out by continuing to act like it's working. But when I get home and plug it in to use the Training Center software, the display graph gives me a dead man's flat line all the way across. The whole point of wearing this thing is to record my heart rate and other data to use later for comparisons.
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br /Also it is a common gripe among owners that the altitude recording function is consistently screwy. I can leave my house at one elevation, go for a long run, come home, and find that according to my Garmin 301 my house has either dropped 50 ft in altitude, or gained 50 or more ft. Also, I bought the Google Earth upgrade to overlay the Garmin GPS data on their maps and while it is fairly accurate, it sometimes wildly goes off course on the map even though I was going on a straight route.
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br /But all these things aside, it's still useful to my daily and weekly training and I put up with the quirky things it does and just move on.
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br /Tip: Sometimes the heart rate receiver in the unit will lose the signal from the chest strap for no apparent reason. You'll see the whole screen go blank or just freeze up. Be prepared. Be sure to read your manual in advance and know how to re-set the HR monitor to find your chest strap's signal. It can save you a lot of cussing when you get home and find you've lost all your HR data.
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br /Last thing: Customer Service at Garmin. They ... uh, ... how can I put this delicately? They suck.
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br /Should you upgrade to the 305? I hear the 305 has the same guts as the 301 with a few added bells and whistles and guess what? People are complaining about the same problems they are having with the 301s. So until Garmin decides to really change the guts and the software of their Forerunners, you might as well get the 301.

Great unit. Sits a little large on the wrist but I understand they have designed a smaller device. I love the software which records the results. I used it to track a hike at the Grand Canyon. I got lost and it helped me get back on track. This is a great conditioning tool. I have reduced my long distance running times.

I have owned a 301 for about a month and a half now. Just three days ago I ran my first marathon with it. I'm proud to say that I am a beginner runner and GPS user.
br /With that in mind I would like to say that although the 301 has its flaws, it is a great device especially for those of us that are just starting. Don't expect it to have the accuracy of a top of the line $400 device simply because the 301 is not one of those. Maybe it was overpriced in the beginning but it is fine now.
br /The pace will never be measured at a constant manner neither will the heart rate. These are inherent flaws of the runner and of the technology. Your pace is never constant, I would think that the more accurate an instrument is, the more fluctuations you would see in the digits.
br /As far as the heart rate monitor goes, listen I never used one of those until I purchase my 301 and although it may not be the best, when used properly there should be no problem. There is plenty of info on the web on how to properly use a heart rate monitor.
br /I give it 4 stars but keep in mind that I think that if you are experienced with GPS devices, obsessed with pinpoint accuracy while running or loaded with money, there are plenty of other devices out there for you. If you are starting out then go for it, the only issues I've had with it were a lost signal while going under a massive bridge during my marathon when I got the signal back I realized it was about 0.20 miles off in the end, 26.2 or 26.4 is a lot of running for me anyway. The other problem I had occurred during my training when the heart rate monitor was going crazy during the start of the run, I realized that the electrodes were not moist enough. I'd love to blame the technology but it was really my fault.
br /Anyway, I hope this helps

I have several other Garmin GPS products and this one is on the same level with them. When it comes to GPS I think Garmin is the industry leader, especially for hand held units. I had some trouble with the heart rate monitor in the beginning, but once I tightened the strap it worked better. I have had other brand of Heart rate monitors and this one you need to have the band much tighter than the others. The only down side to this product is the size of the unit on your arm. It is very lightweight but is pretty large. I would recommend this product for anyone. The software is really user friendly. You can even Geocache with it. All in all it is a great addition to my running.

I bought the 301 in early March 2007 and have used in on a handful of runs and a couple of bike rides, and have found a couple of useful features that made it worth the purchase. The first feature I love is the auto-pause, the watch can pause when you stop e.g. at an intersection, and then automatically resumes when you start running again - no more stopping and restarting the watch to capture an accurate running time. The second feature is the auto-lap, the watch can automatically take laps for you when you go through each mile (or km) - again no more checking your gps and pressing the lap timer. With both of these turned on I can run and never need to touch the watch until the end of my workout. The 301 is larger than a regular watch, but this enables a bigger display which shows 3 data points, it has two preset and one custom format. The display format I use shows HR, total time and current lap (mile) pace. Highly recommended.

I bought this product as I had already used the 201 satisfactorily and wanted the same product with a heart rate monitor. I've only had the 301 for a month but so far I've not been disappointed. It takes a few minutes to find the satellites (I usually leave it outside while I get ready) but the signal after that has been good. I've even had an indoor signal! The unit is quite user friendly and easy to understand the different settings and features. The unit fits to your wrist. On my first run I found it a little bit bulky (I'm a female with quite skinny wrists) but now I'm really used to it and I'm not even aware it's there. The HRM is fine although on a couple of runs I've had to readjust the chest strap to regain the signal. I had heard mixed reviews about the software product the 301 comes with but I've tried this and it seems very straightforward to use. The cable is included and plugs straight into the USB port. It produces nice clear charts of your work outs. All in all, a good product and great value compared to the newer models!

I bought the 301 from Amazon a few weeks ago, and it has worked flawlessly. Heart rate and distance both track quite well.

There are some great review comments already on the board, so I'll only add a few new thoughts:

1. Freedom! The biggest surprise that I've found is how the 301 provides me with a sense of freedom when running. I no longer have to stay on pre-measured routes, or wonder how far I've gone when running in unfamiliar territory. I can just turn on the 301 and then run as an explorer throughout the area that I'm in. The 301 keeps track of distance, so I know when I am reaching my target mileage and should be turning for home. It hadn't occurred to me how freeing this would feel!

2. Location Tracking. I too have found that the location tracking is a bit off at times. This is for two reasons that I've seen. First, due to the +/- 22 feet resolution that I get from the 301, it will sometimes measure my path as a slight zigzag even when I'm running in a straight line. Second, since the 301 only takes a measurement every few seconds, it doesn't always see exactly when I've turned a corner so it often cuts the corner when measuring distance. The best way that I've been able to see this is when mapping my route over a satellite image. It becomes quite obvious when I see the data showing me in a yard instead of on the sidewalk! Most of these errors tend to balance each other out, though, so the measurement of my total distance seems to be quite good. I tested this out by using SportsTracks (a freeware alternative to Garmin-owned MotionBased that's quite good.). SportsTracks allows me to edit my run data on a satellite view, changing my route so that I stay on sidewalks and don't cut corners. As I change the route, SportsTracks automatically recalculates the total distance. In the few runs of 5 miles so far, correcting the errors has changed the run by only 0.02 miles. Not bad!

3. Pace Tracking. I too have found that the pace reading varies a bit while running. This is because of the variation in location tracking that I've mentioned above. To keep the readings from bouncing all over the place, Garmin averages multiple pace readings before displaying them. The amount of averaging can be adjusted in the settings menu. I've used the out-of-box setting and it looks like the 301 averages readings for 5 to 10 seconds. The easiest way to see this occurring is to run at a steady pace and then start walking, and notice how long it takes the readings to finally settle down to show a walking pace. So, overall, the pace measurement is pretty accurate as long as I'm running at a consistent pace for more than 5 to 10 seconds (which is usually the case).

4. Virtual Partner. I also like the Virtual Partner feature, which allows me to have a pacesetter during my runs. The 301 then tells me how far ahead or behind I am relative to this pacesetter. I'll be using this during my next marathon, where my Virtual Partner will be set to run 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 22 minutes (a 10 minute pace - yes, I am slow!) That way I can regularly tell whether I'm ahead of or behind my target finishing time. Very cool!

My wife and I have a Garmin 201 & 301. We are very happy with them both. They take the guess work out of time & distance allowing us to try new routes more easily.

I recommend paying the extra for the 301. The advertised difference, of course, is the heart rate monitor. But the biggest advantage to me is it connects to your pc with a USB connection. Just plug it in after a run and it uploads your workout stats into your record book. The 201 uses a serial port connection and frankly, I've never gone to the trouble of connecting it to my pc.

Within a week I sold my altimeter, heart rate monitors and bike computers. I immediately realized I didn't need any of them any more. And above and beyond merely replacing the functions of these items, this device gives functionality and analysis capability that none of these devices are capable of providing. I've never been all that anal about analysing training data, but this is the best and most useful training tool I've acquired in at least 20 years.

Primarily designed for training, I have used it as well for navigation and as a good toy :-). In all cases, it has performed wonderfully. The route tracking is good for navigation on the water, and the ability to easily download to MotionBased and Google Earth makes this a "must have".

I am only casually training for a road race, so the training software is a bit of overkill for my application, and I would say I am not impressed that there is no method to export the data from the training software once it is there. I would love to compare times/pace/heartrate with excel...

Enjoy - it has seen continuous use since we purchased it.

I have had the Forerunner 301 for about 1 month and I love it. The GPS is dead on accurate (give or take a few feet). The only downside is it takes about 1 minute to find the satellites if it is turned off for more than a couple of days. The built in heart rate monitor works flawlessly. I like the fact that you can customize the display screen and make whichever feature you wish larger or smaller. It gives me my distance and pace instantly. Before having the Garmin I used to log onto Googleearth and plot out my run on the map to find out the distance I ran and then went to a website where I have my training log and enter the information to figure out my pace. What a hassle! Now all the information is uploaded into my computer where I can see my progress including my BPM at different intervals of my run. I would definitely recommend this product. Why pay an extra $100 for the 305, when it is not really that much smaller.

IT WORKS BETTER THAN I HAD HOPED FOR. VERY ACCURATE. WOULD RECOMEND IT TO ANYONE.

Pros: GPS is decent, moderately accurate

Cons: Heart rate monitor unreliable!

This product is a great idea; too bad it doesn't work as planned. The heart rate monitor (HRM) is the worst! My $50 Polar HRM works all the time, every time. The HRM on the 301 works about 50-60% of the time. The rest of the time it either cannot read the transmitter or provides a highly inaccurate reading. I've tried all the "fixes": cleaning the transmitter after every run, using electrode gel, wearing the transmitter on my back, etc. Nothing helps. I can't believe that a company such as Garmin would sell junk like this. The GPS functions work OK, with the exception of the pace function. It, like the HRM, is so unreliable as to be useless. In my experiences, it can fluctuate between 7:00 minute miles to 12:00 minute miles while I maintain basically the same pace. And the slow-pace alert will sound although I'm nowhere near the slow-pace limit. Oh, and every now and then - just to make things interesting - the unit freezes up and no buttons work, even the reset. Useless.

I returned mine after a month and got a refund. The Forerunner 301 just doesn't work as advertised. Garmin should step up and recall these units. But don't hold your breath.

I have had my Forerunner 301 for just over 1 year now. Let me say my 4th 301 that is. My 1st 301 worked fine for about 3 months then would not connect reliably to the PC. I worked with Garmin support for some time and was able to limp along for a couple months. I tried a couple different PCs and USB cables but eventually the unit would not connect at all.
br /
br /Through Garmin's support we determined I had a bad GPS. I returned the unit and about 6 weeks later received a new GPS.
br /
br /Well the new unit worked again for about 3 months before I ran into the same problem. Same process to determine I had another bad unit. Again antoher 6 weeks and the new unit just arrived.
br /
br /This new unit will not connect to the PC at all. I am working with Garmin to replace again.
br /
br /When the GPS works it is nice. I have marathon data from Houston, New Orleans and Boston. The data is close (seems I ran an extra 1/2 mile in Boston, but cheated and skipped a 1/2 mile in New Orleans :) ) to the actual distance.
br /
br /For me the GPS data is fine, but if you are close to trees or buildings you will not receive the the GPS data. In New Orleans and Boston the downtown data did not register very reliably, so do expect perfection.
br /
br /My goals for the device are just to keep a close idea of milage and have something to distract me on long runs. It is a very brief diversion to look at the HUGE watch and see how far and how long you have been running.
br /
br /Hope this helps!

Overall I am pleased with my purchase of this product. I like the features of stopwatch, heart rate monitoring, pace, and distance. The only complaint I have is that it doesn't clearly define my entire path (i.e. listing street names) which I had thought was an interesting feature. The picture from the product's website shows how it displays the exact location of the entire run. I downloaded the upgrade from the Garmin website, but it still does not show the street names. It just shows a diagram of the directions I ran on a white screen then it will display the nearest interstate or major highway. It's not a major concern to me, though, since I care more about tracking my progress which it does that well.

This is a cool toy that performs as advertised. It does a nice job of collecting and displaying distance, speed, heartrate etc. It works well while running, biking, hiking and driving.
My only concern is the protective cap for the USB port is pretty flimsy.
My wish list is that Garmin would upgrade the Training Center software to allow more Excel-like features such as plotting any combinations of data and increase the user control of how it plots.

I waited to write my review after having the product for a while. I really like it. It is great for running, biking as well as hiking. The interface is very user friendly though I have to admit I have not tried customizing it as of yet. The only small complaint I have is that the 301 it is quite large and awkward when running (thus the 4 stars & not 5). For the money it is a very good value.

I have only had a few opportunities to run with the 301, but I am already seeing enhancements in my running. The instant feedback on my pace really helps me keep on top of my speed. I do see some erradict readings, glancing down one second seeing a 9:30/mile pace, then seconds later I am at a 6:30 mile pace. But for the most part it seems to be spot on. A little big, curious about the 305, but didn't want to wait or shell out the extra dollars. A good investment overall.

br /I like the item. Itshows the distance of runs well and the heart rate well.
br /Future suggested improvements are the following:
br /a. show a larger number for the heart rate. In the dark with "mature eyes" it is a little hard to read.
br /b. the minutes per mile appeared to record wildly when running a steady pace on a flat surface. I am not sure why.
br /c. the item wears a little large on the wrist.
br /d. this may be too much, yet some GPS systems show the altitude above sea level. That could be interesting to know the variations in a hill run.
br /
br /An issue that is out of the company's control, I left the watch and heart rate band on top of my car, drove off, and lost them! What a bummer.

It really is this simple - the Garmin 301 works exactly as advertised! I got mine a little over 3 weeks ago, I run 3 or 4 times per week and I've used it every run since it arrived. Yeah, the heart rate monitor dips out occasionaly and the GPS takes 2 or 3 minutes to get a lock, but these are small complaints when set aside what it does. Typically I power the device on 10 minutes before I go out - it pairs with my HRM and gets a lock on the GPS - yes, when I'm indoors.

I bought it, I use it 3 or 4 times a week and I LOVE IT!

I'm just getting used to the various features of the monitor - as this is the first of it's type that I've used.

I really enjoy the heart monitor function. I haven't had the problems that others have. I wonder if they are placing the strap correctly. I have the sensor right under my heart with the two leads on either side, below the breast. The GPS seems to work pretty well also, just takes a bit to lock on to the signal. I look forward to getting the various features utilized in the future.

I have used this unit for 4 runs and love it. I've been using the treadmill exclusively for the past 2 years and decided to head outside. Since I'm new to running outside, this has been a great tool for me. It's easy to use. It does take a while to get the satellites so be patient. Other than that I have had no problems with any part of the unit. A definite must have for new runners. The unit makes it easy to see your progress and see how hard you're working.

The Garmin 301 GPS has made my marathon training much more effective and accurate by taking the guess work out of endurance, speed, and elevation training. I not longer need to guess my distance, pace, elevation gain and/or grade which has allowed me to maintain a much more consistent training plan and recognize the effects of each run on my body in the days following the run.

I would recommend this device to anyone wanting to improving their running ability!

I love it, does everything the others do and more for half the price. Size of device is larger, but have to expect that for what it does. Screen size is big and easy to read when running. Software, is nice and can detail your workout but you need to download the most current addition. Thanks

After going through 2 or 3 different heart rate monitor watches, I found the Garmin Forerunner 301. I can honestly say that I have purchased my last heart rate monitor! The Garmin is everything I'm looking for, all in one!
br /
br /The built in GPS syncs up with satellites to record where you run and how fast you are running. It has a customizable screen that lets you choose the placement of up to 3 real-time stats along with your heart rate. You can show your current workout time, pace and distance all on screen at the same time.
br /
br /The screen size of the Forerunner 301 is nice and large. I actually prefer the 301 to some of the new models because of the larger screen making it easier to view while running. With the larger screen you are able to read your pace or distance at a quick glance without breaking stride.
br /
br /After your run, simply plug in your Garmin to your computer through the USB port and import your training session to the training center software. In the training center you can view individual training sessions and see your distance, average speed, top speed, heart rate and a bunch of other stats. Plus, the GPS plots points on a map showing your route. You can drag a pointer along your route to check your stats for that specific area of your route as well.
br /
br /If I had to find a fault with the Forerunner 301, I'd have to say that I would rather not have to wear the chest strap heart monitor. In a perfect world the unit would pick up the heart rate from the wrist band. But this is a small complaint in a sea of positives!

I purchased this to start to keep some stats on my running, biking, hiking, kayaking, and rollerblading. Yup. It works great in all of those activities.
br /
br /IT IS NOT A GPS. If you're looking for a GPS unit for navigations this isn't it. But what this does do is keep all of your stats for your workout or trip.
br /
br /But then again you're looking at the one with the Heart Rate Monitor so you're thinking workout I would expect.
br /
br /I have been very happy with this product. The only problem is battery life. It lasts for several days so if you're not paying attention you can pick it up on the fourth or the fifth day and find you don't have enough juice for your run. SO remember to plug it in! I've had mine die twice in the middle of a workout.. Very disappointing to loose the stats for the day. BUT my own fault I hadn't plugged it in for days.
br /
br /I also picked up the bike mount. Great for the bike, not so great for a baby running jogger.. but I just use the Velcro straps on the jogger.

it is a great little tool to use as a trainer and a tracker. i use it while running and biking and so badly wish that it were also waterproof. although garmin claims that limited exposure to water won't affect the unit.

it is not as bulky as the pictures make it look. it is very light and wuite comfortable but it is a bad idea to wear it for a marathon since the straps gets uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

the preciseness of the data is acceptable (a margin of error or 1-2%).

the tracking software that comes with it is very handy for analysis though it was a pain setting up the first time. [...] is a popular alternative.

i used it once to track my path using points at mount shastha to see if it would help me find my way back. it did.

sometimes the reception isn't strong in woody trails but no issues within the city.

The 301 has been a great addition to my running. So much useful information, accurate GPS and overall a lot of fun.

Highly recommended.

I received the Garmin 301 for Christmas and have used it 10 times. The heart rate monitor has functioned flawlessly, and I have had no trouble with the GPS function staying connected (although my routes are pretty much in the open.) The device and the software are both very easy to use. I'm definitely a satisfied customer so far.

This is absolutely the best product I have bought to aide in my exercise regimen. I love it! I do alot of biking and running, and my 301 lets me swith back and forth really easy. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone getting started, or for those who wish to take their game to the next level!

This watch is great. I used to drive my running routes to get the mileage. This watch is great to get my mileage and route time as well as my heart rate.

After reading the various reviews online, I bought the 301 and I absolutely love it!! It took only a few minutes to acquire a signal. I turned it on when I started my warm-up and it was ready before I was done. It was extremely accurate and measured my heart rate well. The online software was easy to install and use (though it installed more easily on my XP than on my Vista). The product does everything I hoped it would.
br /
br /Prior to purchasing, I considered the newer 305. Even though the 305 has the ability to more readily read a weak signal and looks a little cooler, it also has a shorter charge life and costs twice as much. So I opted for the 301 and have no regrets.

I absolutely love this product! I am not a runner, but do at times run. The only flaw with this product I have noticed is that when I run, the heart monitor does not read accurately. I believe it is from the movement of running (and/or jumping). It works perfectly when I am walking/biking/rowing, etc. (activities that do not have jumping involved). The one thing I learned when trying to obtain a GPS signal is to keep it in one spot without moving it until it receives a signal. I have had it a couple of months now and just love it. I find the software program very useful as well. I love the fact it shows distance, calories burned, heart rate, pace, speed, elevation, etc. It is an excellent guide to helping me with reaching my goals...whether it be my target zone or pace. It is unbelievable to me that people complain and expect to get a GPS signal inside! Unless one has satellites in a building, the Garmin won't pick up a signal. Trees at times can also get in the way. Again, common sense. If the satellite signal can't reach the Garmin, how can it work properly. When that happens, I have noticed that the Garmin will slow my pace down because it's trying to catch up with the signal then as soon as I hit a clearing...boom. It's catches up with itself. That may bother some, but not me. It doesn't happen often. I make sure to take a pretty clear route. Don't expect it to work well in a forest with a ton of trees. All in all, it's a great product. I've told all my friends about it. I don't ever want to be without it.

The only difficulty I have with this product is that the software is not Mac compatible.

I have had my Garmin 301 for 7 months. The GPS works great. However, I run and cycle and wanted an HRM. The heart rate feature has proven to be unreliable. I have always gotten infrequent spikes of over 200 and the rate seems to vary a lot.

I did a long mtb race solo on Sat and was really depending on having it work. It worked for the first two laps (14 miles), then it locked on 230 and stayed above 200 for the rest of the race. I stopped to take my pulse and verfied that it was 140 several times. I tried power cycling etc... to no avail. Now it won't register a heart rate at all. I replaced the transmitter battery and the watch battery, cleaned the contacts etc... No luck. My Polar Accurex was much more reliable.

As most users have commented, this is agreat device for outdoor running and tracking workouts, although the instantaneous heart rate and pace readings can be erroneous.

I have one MAJOR complaint that I haven't seen here. How come it cannot calculate calories burned indoors, based on the heart rate reading (instead of GPS)? My primary use for this gadget is a tracking tool - for my outdoor miles and my indoor calories. I don't care what my heart rate was - I want to know how many bon-bons I can eat when I'm done working out. Even $100 heart rate monitors calculate calories - why doesn't Garmin?!?!?

Unit has a hard time acquiring, then is not accurate on distance or speed. Expensive heartrate monitor is what it is for me. Good for recording several workouts but nothing more.

I got the Forerunner 301 as a Christmas present from my wife,
charged it up and turned it on and everything looked good. I finally got a chance in January to go for a run, the Forerunner worked great except the heartrate monitor. Could not get it to work! Contacted their support people via e-mail and they were great sent me out a new heartrate monitor with strap. Still no good! The problem must be in the main unit! Anyway, I now have to return the entire unit back to Garmin for repair, since Amazon won't take it back being over 30 days since the sale.

I would suggest if anyone wants to buy one don't do it over Amazon, since you can't take it back to the store. I believe the Forerunner would be a great tool if the heartrate monitor worked.

The product worked very well for the most part. The features exceeded my expectations and should satisfy both beginner and serious athletes. My complaints are three, and they are ones I can live with. If you are running on a course that has many tight turns, the average speed calculation will get distorted on the turns because of the calculation intervals using the GPS are not quick enough. In other words, it is very accurate going straight or with gradual turns, but less so in tight places. The second issue is the monitor did not recognize the heart rate chest strap very quickly when you first strap it on. In most cases it took over 2 minutes to start after it put on correctly (we were careful to follow instructions). Lastly, it took about 2-3 minutes to initialize (find satellites) when it was first turned on. I have other Garmin boat and car units that initialize in less than 30 seconds. Aside from that, I loved it.

The Garmin 301 is really a great product the only problem I had with it was the watch pin that holds the wrist strap together came out.

The Forerunner 301 is a nice GPS unit for the price. It's fairly simple to use, but has a variety of functions for geeks who like to play with such toys.
br /
br /A few issues that I have had with this unit though is the heart-rate monitor is a bit finicky and depending on where you are the GPS signal isn't the best, but these problems rarely occur. Overall a great buy!

I got a 301 when they first came out. I've used it for hiking, running and bicycling. Most of the time it works great. The heart rate monitor works for me only if the chest strap is really tight. And you must keep checking it every day. It loosens up constantly. It must be slightly uncomfortable to reduce the erratic readings. The pace read out is no good, so I just ignore it. I get better GPS results when I wear the 301 on top of my hat. Then I cannot see the pace number. I just set the unit to beep every mile and look at my stop watch. That's good enough for me. I live in the south SF Bay area and the only place I've been where trees are a problem is Uvas County Park. There are steep canyons there too. I've had great success transferring data to my computer. Nearly everybody says the Garmin Training Center software is unsatisfactory. Well, it's not great, but it works. I started running in 1969 and if I thought then I would have the function this unit provides in the future, my friends would have thought I was crazy. Of course, back then I had no such ridiculous thoughts...

I purchased this item to get a definitive measure of how fast and how far I was running. It met my expectations and is a pretty neat tool to have as a runner.
br /
br /The downside is that it is a bit bulky being a large display (which is good), and the save functionality is awkward. But if you use the software to track your running, it comes out ok.
br /
br /Great value for the benefit.

This a great product. All features are excellent and data automatically transfered to pc once connected. My only issue is that it takes too long to connect the gps feature. There were no trees in the area and it still took about 8 minutes to locate. Other than that I was happy.

Information very clearly displayed. Is super easy to use and is almost intuitively like a black berry. I use to run with a Polar and was never happy until I got this Garmin.

Nice little gizmo for training purposes. Little big and clunky for the wrist. Will not work until satellites are collected, so turn on early if you are trying to record exact distances and time. Lots of features, don't use all of them yet, still learning, but would be very handy for serious training. Battery holds well and nice recharge system. Downloadable to see routes and sessions- very impressive and able to see progress. Good value for the money.

The price finally came down enough where I could justify buying the G301. And it has been worth every cent. It hasn't misbehaved or given me trouble yet and I'm very satisfied with it. The MotionBased website is the big plus as well...the Training Center PC software is good but the interactivity with MB is awesome.

My husband bought this for me for training. It's great. It tracks my miles and then I can plot it comparing my progress. The heartrate monitor is also a great feature. It's easy to use.

This GPS unit is a great buy and easy to use. I hate reading manuals because they are always difficult to understand but this manual and quick-start guide had me up and running within minutes. I love the constant feedback on heart rate, speed, distance, etc. The watch is easy to program and I would not hesitate to buy this gadget again. I only wish the older models such as this one had the new watch-type face but this is still a great deal and the size is not a bother at all.

I love my Garmin Forerunner 301! Since I've gotten it I haven't run without it- The training assistant is my favorite feature because it helps me train at the pace I want to be at.
I definitely recommend this watch and it's at a reasonable price point.

I have been running with this product for almost a month and love it! It keeps track of a lot of information and when my run is complete I plug it into my computer and it automatically downloads my run information. It provides me with graphs that show my speed, distance and heart rate information. It is easy to view historical data of past runs. I am seeing improvement in my runs because I am able to watch my speed as I am running so I can make adjustments based on my heart rate and the goal I have in mind. I would highly recommend the Forerunner.

Using my 301 for road cycling. First time out, worked perfectly. HR function, was dead on, compared to my polar (that's being replaced).
br /Mileage appears to be off 0.5%, compared to my cycling computer, don't think thats a problem, as my cycling computer may be off a tad. Speed seem to match my cycling computer. As far as the Garmin Training Center goes, it won't let you print, sucks.

I was really suprized to see how well it works. I use it all the time and haven't had any problems with it at all. Everything is right there for you at the touch of a button (or a couple of touches).
br /
br /I highly recommend this product for serious atheletes or folks that truly want to improve fitness.

The Garmin 301 is a great tool for running and biking...I don't go without it anymore! The best part for me is to be able to monitor my speed and distance over days or weeks, which enables me to be more realistic in my training. I have not tried the heart monitor part yet. The only problem I've had with it so far is that it is relatively easy to accidentally hit the stop button while running, but I've only done that once :) First time users beware, that's all.

Great product. I love to run and take stats and this is easy to understand and use. I have a Mac, so the disc could not be read by my computer, but to download the program was also simple.

A little more bulky than the 501 but you would not notice this on your arm. All the computer interfaces are the same and it sure tells you a lot about your run. In many of my cases, I was running much further than I had thought. Can't fib on your distance!

So, looking to save a few dollars and have top quality running results, great purchase.

I bought two Garmin Forerunner 301s; one for myself and one for my adult son. It is easy to use and tracks my workouts for running, biking and rollerblading. I can easily switch between modes while I'm exercising to see my heart beat and pace. The software has helped me record and track my training progress. I would give the 301 model a "best buy" on Amazon. It is worth the money.

My wife loves to run and all of the bells and whistles with this Garmin 301 makes her enjoy it even more!

I like being able to track my progress on the computer. The heart rate monitor is a great feature.

Very light and convenient. The Training Center software is very easy and provides lots of information. The only problem is that the reception can be weak even under light tree cover.

Great training watch price is very good for what you get. Very good online support, updates and interactive web pages.

I had no problems with the unit, I love it does everything I want great product.

I have not had any problems with the Garmin. I also got the bike adapter to use on by bike. I run or ride 5 to 6 days a week and this is a great training aid. You will not be disappointed with the product. It gives you all the infomation you will ever need. I really enjoy it and hope it helps me become a beter runner.

This is the best training tool I ever bought. I've been working off and on for a long time now trying to get myself to train for a triathalon. The Forerunner is awesome. I have a Garmin GPS for my car and the speed is more accurate than my car's spedometer, so I was looking forward to seeing how fast I run and bike.
It tells how I am doing and gives me a point to strive to do better next time I go out. My biggest complaint about it is that it has sooooooooo many features I tend to just use the most basic items. I hope to eventually play around with all of the features, but right now the most basic features are all I need to push myself.

I love the Garmin! I had the 201, but lost it. I think the 301 is better than the latest Garmin models, even though it is bigger. It is very easy to read while running. The watch and the computer software are very user friendly.

I've only had it for a bit over a month, but it's been great so far! I love the results it gives me (Avg. HR, HR over time, Pace, etc); it's just what I wanted. The GPS map on the computer can be a little off (it can show your path as being in a river if you're close to one), but it records the actual path well, with respect to turns, etc. I have seen that some people have troubles getting the HR monitor to work (no HR shows up). This has happened to me twice, but by wetting the contacts on the inside of the chest strap and/or readjusting my strap (placing it lower or higher), I got the HR to show up again.

Thank you for alowing me to share my joy with this unit. I love the garmin 301 forerunner wrist GPS. It has alot of features and not difficult to program. I choose this unit for the window size so I can see the information quickly. I use garmin forerunner 301 for a multiple of functions. First, I utilize the miles per hour to increase my speed in walking and running. It has a virtual runner in the window which will pass you up if you are not maintaining your speed. I also used the unit while I trail ride on my horse in the deep woods. It not only allows me to mark a spot, after riding some 15 miles, I then can re locate my original mark spot and it will direct me to the exact location. In addition it has a bread crumb picture that you can also follow. I had return from a ride just as it got dark and I used both functions to find my way in the dark and in the woods. Plus you always have the compass of north, south east and west. I love it and I use it a few times a day. It is true that the heart rate sometimes does not pick up. Just make sure the placement is correct and good contact. If you are active, you will love this. thank you.

I was looking for a bike monitor that could analyze my speed and distance. Went for a lookout of Polar products but they where just too expensive.
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br /Found this alternative with gps tracking that not only gives you speed, distance but also elevation and hear rate monitoring.
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br /When I took up running this was it, it has presets for both sports, counts your calories burned based on your age, height and weight profile nd gives you detalied info when you plug it on your PC.
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br /ADVICE: If you use a Mac try using TrailRunner, it's a free app thet integrates with Google maps to give you a detail on your routes and keeps a log of your workouts.

After running for the past year, I finally know EXACTLY how FAR I'm running, how FAST and how many CALORIES I've burned!!! This little gizmo really works great and gives me alot of incentive to keep up the good work!

The Garmin Forerunner 301 is not the prettiest girl at the dance but it works. The setup is simple, using the functionality and moving around the screens is intuitive enough. You get over the additional size of this model after about the first mile. More mature runners like myself appreciate the useful size of the display. Overall the Garmin is a great tool to improve your runs, and share other outdoor activities with others via "motionbased.com". Go buy one and go for a run!

Great product. Only wish that they had a more detailed local map. Otherwise, great features and great training tool for running marathons.Garmin Forerunner 301 Wrist-Mounted GPS Fitness Computer with Heart Rate Monitor

This is by far, the best one piece of equipment I have for my triathlons...PERIOD.

Training software, HRM, bike as well as run monitor make this an absolute must buy if you do Ironman or sprint tri's.

The training log software,which is free, is easily a $100-$200 software package from what I've seen out there. Do yourself a favor and don't buy any add-on map stuff as they all make vauge reference to how detailed their mapping is but I've tried them all and they aren't worh it.

Stay with the 301 and you'll love the simple, hassle free results!

This unit seemed to work OK for 6 months, then became very unreliable.
br /When resetting the data the distance would inexplicably jump ahead, thus rendering all data inaccurate. Customer support was not helpful, so I would recommend trying another brand and model.
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The GPS part of the Forerunner is good, it keeps satellite contact all but in the thickest woods. I use on my bicycles, both road and mountain, mounted with the optional handlebar mounts.
br /The problem is that the heart rate monitor is just plain junk, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I started using contact gel - no difference. Garmin sent me a new chest transmitter, this worked for a couple months, now back to sometime works sometimes doesn't. Change batteries, still no difference. No I've been using Polar HR monitors since 1988 and never had a problem.
br /Don't waste money on the HR monitor style - they are junk
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Easy to use, Readable display, lap splits, virtual training partner, accurate GPS data...It does everything you need in a wrist-top computer.

I am training for my 1st marathon. Without my Garmin I would not be able to track my miles and speed. I love that it has a hart rate monitor because I also like to track the calories I burn, and to stay in my fat burning zone.

I have the Forerunner 305 and I love it. It monitors my heart rate, my pace, my route, my distance, elevation, and my lap and total time. When I download the information, I get a plot of up to 4 variables vs time or vs distance. The GPS location seems to be accurate to about 5-10 feet horixontally and 15-20 feet vertically. I am amazed. I run in Santa Fe, a high desert with no tall buildings. It took awhile to figure out all of the options and I still have not used them all. You can program 3 screens with 2-4 readouts on each. I display 4 values on each screen. One screen for instantaneous lap values of time, distance, pace and heart rate. One screen for last lap total time and distance and average values of pace and heart rate, and one screen for total workout values of the same parameters.

I purchased the 301 in Febuary - It is now October and I am disgusted. From the very first day, heart rate monitor was very erratic (inspite of following all directions)heart rate will spike to beyond where I would be dead or sometimes totally dissapear during runs, for no apparrent reason. This unit is great for keeping general pace and distance of runs, however, it frequently says you are going too fast or too slow even when you are keeping a steady pace and this can be frustrating. The last problem, and gravest, is that as time has gone by it has gotten harder to connect and download the information - maybe moisture in the contacts? - I have talked to other Garmin owners and have heard similar complaints - this is a serious design flaw ! My unit is still under warranty - So I am HOPING that this company will honor its warranty. Anyway, If I was to do it all over again I would get a speed & distance monitor with foot pod technology (maybe from Polar) I have heard these are great. Forwarned is Forearmed and not Fore-Ripped off !

Go with the newer Garmin 501. The 301 is too big for jogging. Also battery died in heart mointor two weeks after I got the watch.
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This watch is very easy to use and has all you need for the price. Don't know what more you could find in the $350 watches out there. The only thing that is a little hard to deal with at times is the satellite connection doesn't always work. Perhaps that has nothing to do with the watch, though, and with the satellite system. I bought this watch for my husband, and he uses it every morning while running. Very motivating!

Bought it as a gift to my husband he loves it.No complaints after using it several times other then sometimes it loses sattelites during his runs and it causes it to act a little whacky for a few minutes.

The watch is great. Very accurate. Can not beat the value.

I bought this forerunner for my fiance for Christmas. He travels a great deal for his job and is a runner. He loves that he is able to track his route by distance and pace no matter where he is. If you want a reliable and accurate GPS for running you should definitely consider this model.

I owned mine for 8 months beofre it died. It would not keep a charge (it would say it had 13 hours of charge then die 10 minutes into a run).Then when I went to turn it back on it just beeps until the battery completely dies.
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br /The Warranty is only good for 90 days and after that you have to pay $70 for a "repair" when ehat they really do is send you someone elses' broken garmin that has been refurbed.

The calorie counting doesn't work at all without the GPS, so indoor workouts like at a gym seem not to work. I called their technical support and they said its a measure off the distance that you travel via GPS and indoors the GPS doesn't work. So it will always register 0. Bummer. For someone running outdoors only...really cool and simple.

the feature set of the 301 is solid but the GPS doesn't work very. I bought the 305 afterwards and think it is much better. Spend a few more dollars and get the 305 instead.

I really like my Garmin. It tracks miles well. You can see heart rate, distance, pace, and time all at once. There's even a virtual training partner, but I've never used it. The only problem is that they only last for about 2 years and then just quit. This is my third Garmin Forerunner. I suppose it's from being exposed to the elements and sweat almost every day.

Nothing wrong here, works great.
br /Easy to use, does everything I would want in a training HR monitor
br /Software is cool and helps track routines
br /Wish it had a Sirf III chipset because it takes forever to locate.
br /Looses signal easily in trees, nothing new with that though

I am very pleased with the performance of the 301 for my
endurance horses...after being adapted for horse use. The
heartrate monitor functioned immediately, and the GPS had no
problem getting a signal. Great product!

Love it! Love it! Love it! The setup is so simple a 1st grader could do it. Tracks distance, heart rate, speed..accurately. The alerts to tell you when you are going above or below your target pace are great. This gets used daily so far the quality is shining thru. Have not yet dumped data to a PC... but that looks like it will be a cool feature to.

As received, the unit would not connect with my PC until I downloaded a bunch of updates to the software off of the Garmin website. Finally, after all the initail problems, I used it for two sessions before the Garmin 301 would not upload the data to my PC. After trying everything that I could think of, wasting several days........I contacted Garmin via E-mail, (because the phones are always impossible)Garmin E-mailed me to return it to where I bought it. Amazon was great, and paid the postage for return and immediately sent a replacement (at no cost via UPS).
The new replacement was set up, (after all the software updates)and it worked for exactly two sessions before the same problem reoccurred. I didn't waste any time and sent it right back to Amazon.Amazon admitted that all the unit were N.G. and that there were none left in stock to replace it.

After about three weeks and ten E-mail inquiries, I was finally credited with a full refund. The Garmin 301 is a piece of junk as far as I am concerned. The concept is great but the items are seriously flawed and unusable. Two junked, out of two after two days use.I have now purchased a Garmin 305, and have used it for two days and it is still working. So far so good.

I bought the new Garmin 305 from a dealer other than Amazon, because the price was about $100 less. Don't waste your time on Amazon's Garmin 301.

Only time I used it for exercise, it registered my resting pulse at 202. I could not get it to function, although it did well when I was at rest. I returned it. Hopefully the next generation of these will function better.

I use the Garmin Forerunner 301 on power walks. Very satisfied with reliability of GPS and heart rate monitor. The heart rate monitor on occasion blinks out, but comes right back - the stats sometimes show a max heart rate of 200+, which I just ignore. The average heart rate is reliable.

With the new model coming out on the market, the current price for the 301 model is a steal!

The Garmin Forerunner 301 is a great product! I've used it about 1 dozen times since getting it as a Christmas present (picked it out myself!) It tracks speed, distance, heart rate, elevation, grade, time maps your route out. It's fun to plug it into the laptop after a workout see lap times, averages, elevation changes (up down around 200 feet in Northwest Austin), fastest speed, etc. I hit 19.6 mph in a short sprint the other day! Not bad for a 41 y.o.
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Its an excellent machine for all levels of runners/cyclists. I strongly recommend this unit.

I have had the Forerunner 301 for a week and I love it. The heart rate monitor and the GPS both work fine so far. This has helped jump start my workouts, I was in a bit of a couch potato rut. It's pretty cool to be able to run where you want and still know what the mileage is instead of having to run routes that you know the mileage. The Garmin software works fine but I wanted to see my routes on google earth. I have downloaded sporttracks freeware and exported my routes to google earth which is cool to look at. Connectivity to my vista home system was easy with the Garmin software and the freeware. It took me a while to figure out the basics but it is user friendly. I would like bigger letters on the display but at my age I'm starting to say that about everything. I look forward to using it for inline skating and biking. So far I've just done jogging with my dogs. Also the interval training feature is very powerful as it lets you run pretty accurate long sprint intervals without having to measure them ahead of time with a car or on a track.

This GPS unit is absolutely awesome. There is not one thing about it that I wish worked differently or better.

I had trouble charging the unit from the start with the AC adapter. I got it to charge twice through the computer. Now it won't charge at all. The two times I did get to use it were very cool. It showed pace and mileage and when downloaded to the computer showed the route I ran. But I cannot get the unit to turn on or charge again. I'm very disappointed.

Works almost perfect, no problem with satelite reception, HRM.
All bad review are results people don't understand how GPS working.
Have it for a month already and love it.

I like having all the data (pace, distance, heart rate) on my wrist. The device is big, but not heavy. Easy to get used to.

The product seemed to have everything you would need in a GPS. The only con is that the watch was somewhat larger than expected.

I thought for sure I could use this in many aspects of my life, fitness, hiking, and military ops but unfortunately, unlike the etrex, the coordinates are only in lat/long. I NEED MGRS. Maybe Garmin could update the software?