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.
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