::Exploding Head:: GPS HRM for Running

Garmin Forerunner 405 with HR monitor. I really like it!

Another thing to note is that the *05 models use a different calculation on cal burn than the *10 models. The *10 models use the newer Leaf(?) technology that is more accurate.

Do you know how the 05 models calculate cal burn? Is it based on heart rate or distance and pace?

Not off of HR.

I just got a Garmin 210. Love it! Seriously, I LOVE the thing. I don't know about the other's... went straight to the Garmin.

I was debating between the 210 and the Nike+ ... finally decided on the 210 and haven't looked back! I use a Bodybugg so I don't use the HRM but I have it incase I decide to stop using the bugg

I just bought a Garmin FR70....love at first sight UNTIL I saw how many calories I was actually burning.....GRRR!!

I zumba....HARDCORE, sweat dripping and everything. I've been guessing my calorie burn based on my friend's wristbands which tend to show 650 - 800 calories burned per hour.... BUT when I finally used my Garmin for the first time, I was floored by the results: 458?!! Then another class was 398. WTH?!!

Some friends think it MUST be broken, because they know how hard I work in class. Others think it's accurate because I am 5'3" and about 128 and don't have much to lose, so I wouldn't burn as much. SUPER frustrating....I love food. )

Thoughts?!! Not sure if this is normal or I should return the thing. Zumba is supposed to burn 500-1000 per hour. I assumed I was toward the higher end of the spectrum based on my (sweat!) performance.

~Elle

Sadly, you probably don't burn anywhere near 650-800 calories/hour. You're HRM is likely accurate- especially if you have input your height, weight, gender, and age. I weigh slightly less than you do and I can't find anything that will give me that sort of burn. Not even running or p90x plyometrics get me there, and both are more strenuous that the Zumba classes I have taken in the past.

Can't live without my Polar HRM, and just started running seriously, so I'm looking into the Forerunners as well...thanks all of you who have given input on the various models!

I have the Garmin watch and HRM. I have only had one, so I can't comment. Also, all the tracking and routes is BS. I have no idea how to do any of that. It's so complicated. I just hit a button and it starts tracking, I hit the button again and it stops. That's all I can figure out how to do. But, all that stuff everyone is talking about is there, it's just not easy to figure out at all. But, anyone you get will be fine. One thing I didn't understand, is you need both the HRM and a watch. Not just one of those things. They both work together.

I've had my Garmin 305 with the chest strap for about 3 years and have never had a problem with it, except one time. There must have been Interference because it said I was going 300 something mph. It doesn't take that long to get a signal if you set the watch down and not move it. I'd buy it again.

Do you want just GPS and HRM?
Do you want to be able to download and slice and dice the numbers any way you want?
Do you want to use it indoors (treadmill)?
Do you want to use it on a bike too?

The 110 is yes to the first two, but no to the last two. And it doesn't allow you to set up anything funky like intervals.
The 210 is similar to the 110, but you can use a footpod instead of the GPS - you can track yourself on a treadmill. It also lets you design and load workouts onto the watch
The 410 does everything the 210 does, but adds the ability to track a bike speed/cadence sensor (but not a power meter). The 405 is very similar.
The 610 adds a touch screen and some other bells and whistles.
The 910 adds even more, including swim lap counters and linking with a bike power meter.

Then there is a Timex Run Trainer, similar to the 405
And the Timex Global Trainer, similar to the 310, which I didn't mention, as it's focused on multi-sports, not just running.

Timex also makes the Marathon GPS. It's $100 and only does GPS. And it doesn't download.
Soleus makes a "1.0", identical to the Timex Marathon GPS and a "2.0" that adds downloading.

IMHO, the sweet spot right now is either the 910 for all the goodies, or the 405. I found a couple at my local Target 2 weeks ago for $110 (without a HR belt, which is $20 through amazon)

A couple of years ago I had the Garmin 405. It had a touch bezel that was virtually impossible to use. I hated that thing. I could almost never get it to work while on the trail and if I wore a jacket, the jacket touching the bezel would make it work - in ways I didn't want it too.

Last year I bought the Nike+ SportWatch GPS and couldn't be happier with it. I had to buy a specific chest strap for is as my older chest straps didn't work but I love it. It is so easy to use and very user friendly.