Which Garmin can virtually track?

terraskye

HI there,

I think I've settled on a Garmin for my next HRM.. Since I walk outside and sometimes in areas of our city where situations could happen ( though I'm not sure it would) I want something that my hubby can track virtually on our computer where I'm at ....

I thought I had read on the boards that someone had one that did this and I was wondering what models did. I know it would have to be one of course with the GPS (with the gps how does that work? do i need a cell phone with me too ? or subscribe?)

I am looking at the Forerunner 210 and cant' figure out if this will what i need it to mentioned above.


Thank you in advance

Fi

zoom2

I know the 305 can...and I think the 310XT and 910XT. Not sure about the smaller models. I've really only looked at the square ones that can show 4 fields at once.

tenunderfour

To my knowledge - the Forerunner 305 and 405 do NOT track calories burned using the HRM function. They track the heart rate for training purposes, but calories burned is calculated using pace, distance, and perhaps elevation?

I have a Forerunner 405cx. I can use it for indoor cardio activities to track my HR and it also calculates calorie burn based on my HR.

I'm not sure about other higher end models.... there are some that can go in water for triathletes, etc.

Also - just as an FYI I think my 405cx underestimates calories burned. I also have a Polar FT7 and my numbers are different. I only burn about 78 calories per mile running according to my Garmin and the Polar has me around 100 calories per mile. I believe the Polar is more accurate.

ETA: Oops I didn't answer all of your questions. I'm not sure if your husband can track you..... I've never checked on that. Lastly, it is a self contained unit. You don't need a cell phone or any subscription of any kind. You can upload your workouts onto the Garmin Connect website.

terraskye

To my knowledge - the Forerunner 305 and 405 do NOT track calories burned using the HRM function. They track the heart rate for training purposes, but calories burned is calculated using pace, distance, and perhaps elevation?

I have a Forerunner 405cx. I can use it for indoor cardio activities to track my HR and it also calculates calorie burn based on my HR.

I'm not sure about other higher end models.... there are some that can go in water for triathletes, etc.

Also - just as an FYI I think my 405cx underestimates calories burned. I also have a Polar FT7 and my numbers are different. I only burn about 78 calories per mile running according to my Garmin and the Polar has me around 100 calories per mile. I believe the Polar is more accurate.

Thank you..I may have to reconsider and go with another Polar. I really want to be accurate and I guess I can just bring an iphone with me if need be. I think there are virtual tracking apps via iphone GPS

dinos

What your husband is talking about is a GPS locator. Check out the Garmin GPU 10 tracker.

scorpio516

Since I walk outside and sometimes in areas of our city where situations could happen ( though I'm not sure it would) I want something that my hubby can track virtually on our computer where I'm at ....

No Garmin watch can do that. They receive, not transmit.

The GTU 10 is the only Garmin device that transmits. It uses the AT&T wireless data network, so it only works in the US too. And its got a yearly fee. There's a decent chance your phone has the same functionality

terraskye

Since I walk outside and sometimes in areas of our city where situations could happen ( though I'm not sure it would) I want something that my hubby can track virtually on our computer where I'm at ....

No Garmin watch can do that. They receive, not transmit.

The GTU 10 is the only Garmin device that transmits. It uses the AT&T wireless data network, so it only works in the US too. And its got a yearly fee. There's a decent chance your phone has the same functionality

thank you ...that kinda sucks though lol I was all excited when i read it on the boards too /cries

Edited to Add: whoot the GTU 10 does work in Canada:) I'm not sure what carrier they use though but is on the Garmin Canadian Site

zoom2

Oops, my bad...I saw virtually track and for some stupid reason I thought you were asking about the virtual partner feature on some Garmins. Nope, they don't have any sort of tracking capability. I think there's something with most smartphones that can be set up like that, though. I have an iPhone and haven't really looked into it, but DH alluded to it. I wonder if that's a carrier-dependent feature...? I don't leave the GPS on on my phone, because it's such a battery hog, but if I were ever in an area where I'd want DH to be able to know where I am it would be a really useful thing to have.

terraskye

Oops, my bad...I saw virtually track and for some stupid reason I thought you were asking about the virtual partner feature on some Garmins. Nope, they don't have any sort of tracking capability. I think there's something with most smartphones that can be set up like that, though. I have an iPhone and haven't really looked into it, but DH alluded to it. I wonder if that's a carrier-dependent feature...? I don't leave the GPS on on my phone, because it's such a battery hog, but if I were ever in an area where I'd want DH to be able to know where I am it would be a really useful thing to have.

No worrys..I'm probably being over cautious anyways. I mean I've ridden my bike to sketchier areas but he thinks I have a tendency to not pay attention to my surroundings lol I swear I do though

I think we found an iphone app that may work

zoom2

Oops, my bad...I saw virtually track and for some stupid reason I thought you were asking about the virtual partner feature on some Garmins. Nope, they don't have any sort of tracking capability. I think there's something with most smartphones that can be set up like that, though. I have an iPhone and haven't really looked into it, but DH alluded to it. I wonder if that's a carrier-dependent feature...? I don't leave the GPS on on my phone, because it's such a battery hog, but if I were ever in an area where I'd want DH to be able to know where I am it would be a really useful thing to have.

No worrys..I'm probably being over cautious anyways. I mean I've ridden my bike to sketchier areas but he thinks I have a tendency to not pay attention to my surroundings lol I swear I do though

I think we found an iphone app that may work

You know, sometimes I should be MORE cautious about where I ride...the areas that scare me most are the ones out in the boonies, but I like those areas best, because they are most scenic and peaceful. But those are the areas where if anything bad happened I'd have no witnesses.