Topic: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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Chris
NJ
Member Since:
08/09/2005 Total Posts: 62
3.1 Years Ago
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I just bought one today after reading a few discussions about them. I took it out for a run today and it was awesome. I was most amazed at how accurate it is, I usually end up guesstimating my mileage but this thing was to the point. Once I hooked it up to the computer it didn't just spit out numbers but actually showed me, through GPS mapping every route I ran. I haven't had the chance to take it out on the bike so don't know how it responds. Any cyclist here have any experiences or pointers I should know about?
Thanks in advance,
Chris |
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Re: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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platofish
CA
Member Since:
09/25/2005 Total Posts: 32
3.1 Years Ago
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I've been thinking of buying one of these. Glad to hear your opinion. A question though, did you run through trees, or over open ground? I've read that it won't work in wooded areas, which is a bit of a potential problem for me. |
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Re: Re: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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Chris
NJ
Member Since:
08/09/2005 Total Posts: 62
3.0 Years Ago
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Hey Gerry,
I'm not much of a runner but the little I do is usually at work in the evening. The road I use is either covered by trees or surrounded by buildings. Neither have given me any problems so far. The only time I've had any problems was when indoors, which is to be expected. However, when I use my indoor trainer I still use it to monitor my HR. Hope this helps.
Chris |
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Re: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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Cesar
PR
Member Since:
02/14/2006 Total Posts: 3
2.8 Years Ago
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I'm starting on the site today.
I've been using the 301 for over a year now. It is definitely a tool every cyclist should have. I've been using it in conjunction with the "Training Center" software that comes with the unit and also with Motionbased.com. From Motionbased.com you can export the data to GoogleEarth and "see" a 3D virtual ride of your activity. At times it tends to have some problem recognizing the heart rate but most of the time it is a signal of a weak battery or a poor contact with the skin. I'm considering now the newest model named "The Edge" which can integrate not only heart rate montoring but also the cadence (more expensive though). The unit has very nice features to develop workouts and even ride against a virtual partner.
An example of one of my rides can be seen in http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=5766&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=410117 |
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Re: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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Kim
VA
Member Since:
10/27/2005 Total Posts: 202
2.8 Years Ago
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I tried my 301 out today on a speed workout. I was able to pre-program the entire evolution and hit the road. I don't have a track available to me here, so I had to rely on the info I put in the device. I was very impressed with the acuracy and ease of operation.
My one complaint is that the software is not opening on my laptop. It keeps asking me to connect the 301....even after it is. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the cd a few times and the same keeps happening. Just won't read the device. I know the USB port is good, because it reads my other devices when plugged in the same port. Suggestions?
Haven't been able to use the bike function yet, but it looks like it will be the same satisfaction. |
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Re: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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Bob
TX
Member Since:
04/07/2005 Total Posts: 386
2.8 Years Ago
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Chris,
I have a 201 and love it as well. Right now I also wear a Polar S120 hrm. I run in a wooded area and haven't had major problems. Every once in a while I might not have a pace displayed for a few seconds due to poor signal strength but nothing to worry about.
Does anyone know how Cesar exports his work outs to Google Earth and can a 201 do it as well?
bob |
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Re: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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Kim
VA
Member Since:
10/27/2005 Total Posts: 202
2.8 Years Ago
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Cesar,
I just signed up for the motionbased website...IT WAS AWESOME!!! I am working in Afghanistan, and it allows me to see my workout and exact location by satellite imagery. That is some cool stuff. Both the Training center and the MB website have so much data. I completely recommend this system and software.
Kim |
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Re: Re: Anyone have an opinion on the Garmin 301?
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Cesar
PR
Member Since:
02/14/2006 Total Posts: 3
2.8 Years Ago
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Bob, I upload the data from my 301 to Motionbased.com through the "Motion based agent" which you can download and install from the web site (you need to create an account first; they offer a free option with a reduced view of the amount of activities). Once the data is in Motionbased.com you can either see your ride in the MAP Player of the site or export the activity to Google Earth. |
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