Garmin Forerunner 205 GPS Running Watch Review by Tim October 2006
I recently purchased the Garmin Forerunner 205 after losing my Forerunner 201 (which I loved). The Forerunner 205 is a great improvement over the 201 for trail runners. First, the GPS receiver maintains coverage much better in canyons and heavily forested than the Forerunner 201 did. Second the controls have been better positioned on the watch to aid in use while running on the trails. The last great improvement with this watch is that it seems to synch up much more quickly with the satellites than the previous model. Additional improvements are that it can now be charged and connected to the computer using a USB connection (versus the serial port connection of the Forerunner 201). The Forerunner 205 also comes with much better training software and the ability to create "courses" on the watch. I have only created a limited number of courses on the trails and find that I primarily like to use them when I am trying to meet or beat my performance on a particular trail or run.
Update October 2007: I covered over 800 miles with this watch and it worked in nearly all conditions I encountered. It was much more resistant to mositure that the previous model and maintained coverage in all but the most forested areas.
Pros: Faster synch, better coverage in canyons and densely forested areas, more usable controls Cons: None. Update October 2007: After a little over a year I have not been able to get the watch to work after removing it from it's charging/synch cradle.
This may not be a usual review to have on trail running site, but we are all other things besides trail runners and I am first of all a parent. It is my love for my boys that often forces me to run the roads or park trails as opposed to the off-road trails we all love and for this I now have a BOB. Kind of an odd name for a stroller, BOB, but the name is the only odd thing about my BOB.
I will admit to you, this is one impressive stroller. My BOB came with 16 spoke wheels (not the mag wheels you usually see) and double drink holders for each boy. A drink holder does not seem like a necessity for a stroller, but if a cup of goldfish keeps everyone happy for 15 extra minutes then my 4 just turned into 6. In addition to the cup holders the BOB features shocks and extended handle for you long striders and the easiest fold up mechanism I have yet to see on a stroller.
Pros The folding process and weight make it easy to use Cons Even the shocks still dont allow you to take it off road. And the price, it was not cheap.
This review should have been done 2 years ago with the birth of my first son, but I am happy to wait because I now have used 2 other strollers to compare. The Baby Jogger single is a good stroller for pushing out of the garage to run, but try to avoid putting in the car. The folding process is cumbersome and does little to reduce the size. In fact, it easily takes up the back of my Chevy Tahoe making it difficult to take the dog. I was willing to accept this fact, until I bought my first BOB (read the BOB review) which is smaller than my baby jogger even though it is a double. The shocks on it are stiff, and do not have the range of motion you would expect from a jogging stroller.
Pros Packing aside, this is a smooth riding stroller Cons Cumbersome to pack up and takes up a log of room.
The classic in outdoor fitness watches; the Timex Ironman continues to be one of the best values in the market today. For $30 you get a 30 lap chronograph, alarm clock, and timer ready to help runners of every level understand the basics of their last run. Recently redesigned with a single button on the face, the Ironman is now easier to operate and clearly displays your lap and overall times. For runners looking for more in-depth data, such as heart beat, direction, and temperature you will need to look at the next level of watches, starting around $150 as the Ironman is definitely an entry level watch.
Update: I have found myself time and again using this watch as a backup when I've left my Garmin Forerunner at home or my Forerunner isn't charged. The IronMan continues to amaze me as a great running watch. It's lightweight, easy to use and full of classic but neccessary features for a runner.
Pros: At $29.95 the Timex IronMan is a hard value to beat.
Cons: No fancy features, just your basic Time, Stopwatch, and alarm.
When it comes to running glasses I chose the Bolle Canebrake. As a person who wears glasses all the time; comfort, fit and performance are something I expect from my glasses. The Canebrake delivers with a lightweight frame big on features. First off the Canebrake features 4 rubber pads for comfort and stability. The two nose pads are expected, but the 2 on the arms behind each ear are an added bonus which keeps the glasses from moving even on the most challenging of runs. Another feature which helps the Canebrake to stay in place is the molded arms featuring notches for your ears and the ear stems that wrap around to grasp your head comfortably. Available in multiple colors and lens shades, I elected for amber prescription lenses which are great for the evening runs and rarely ever fog up. All in all, the Canebrake are a great pair of running glasses I would recommend to any runner needing a prescription pair of wrap around glasses.
Pros: - 4 rubber pads and molded arms keep the glasses in place even on the toughest trails. - Prescription lenses available.
Cons: Combined with a hat they can make the top of your ears sore.
