Garmin Forerunner 205 Handheld GPS Receiver

The Garmin Forerunner 205 GPS is exactly what I was looking for in a sport GPS. Small, light, functional, and easy -- and much more convenient than my old Garmin 12 brick!

I enjoy trail running, and I wanted to be able to track what I was doing a little better. I already owned a Garmin GPS, so I checked around to see what Garmin offered in a wrist-worn GPS. I found two current models: the Forerunner 205 and 305. As I didn't need the heart rate monitor that comes with the 305, I opted for the 205.

Build

Small and light. It's not tiny -- more like an early 1980's calculator watch -- but unlike other wrist GPS units out there, like the Timex Ironman, it's self-contained. Earlier 1-piece wrist GPS units were pretty bulky in order to accommodate the satellite antenna. The Forerunner 205 tries to compensate for this by wrapping the antenna around the wrist. The feel is a little clunky, but it's not uncomfortable, and I got used to it. Weighs only 2.7 ounces; very nice. Wrist strap is durable, and if it isn't long enough, it comes with an extra strap to extend. 1.3" x 0.8" LCD display has a backlight. Waterproof, but not for dives -- can be submerged up to a meter for up to 30 minutes (so, good for surface swims). Rechargeable battery good for up to 10 hours; on-board memory holds up to 1,000 laps. I've been using it for two months, never had any issues with battery life or memory.

Features

Garmin says it has a new processor and antenna to make satellite acquisition lightning fast. It's definitely faster than my 7-year-old Garmin 12, but if you are moving around, it'll take longer. I normally set it outside while I get ready so it's ready to go when I am. The main screen is easily changed so you can track different data: distance, time elapsed, local time, current pace, average pace, speed, etc. It can be used as a standard GPS as well to fix and locate points. It's designed primarily for running, walking, or cycling, but it can work with other activities as well. Display is easily customizable. Data entry is a little slow using the buttons on the watch -- scrolling through letters and numbers and hitting enter to pick. Rather than entering waypoints directly, it's easier to use an external program to create waypoints and then load them directly into the device (I use EasyGPS, which is free).

One of the coolest features I have yet to use is the virtual partner. Pick a course or a set distance; pick the pace or time you want to meet (or beat), and the Forerunner will let you know how far ahead or behind you are from your imaginary friend. Mapping on the unit itself is pretty basic - no roads or streets, just your route and any waypoints you've entered. When the timer is running, the start is marked on the map as a temporary waypoint, and you can set the unit to go back to the start.

The unit purports to give you a calorie count for workouts, but I find it to be a little inaccurate -- for a 4.7 mile, 43-minute run in the hills, it claimed I burned over 1,400 calories. I don't think so -- probably closer to 700. So until Garmin reconfigures its calorie calculator, take it with a grain of salt.

Software

The software included with the Forerunner, Training Center, is pretty no-frills. It has the basic information you need to keep a database of your activities. The road map that comes with the software is pretty basic, or at least it is for maps here in Germany. I have been trying to figure out an easy way to upload waypoints without using the one-letter-at-a-time method directly on the GPS unit, but it's not exactly intuitive. It'd be a lot easier if the software had a non-workout mode for simply adding waypoints, rather than depending entirely on courses you've already run. But again, there are other programs out there, such as EasyGPS, that you can use to manage your waypoints and courses. It'd just be easier if the Garmin software handled it for you.

A little more helpful is Garmin's website, http://www.motionbased.com. The site has basic features for free, but if you want to keep track of more than 10 activities at a time, more detailed analysis, or the ability to share your routes with others (and get their routes for your use), you'll need to get a paid membership (about $8/month). Whether or not you pay, I find the most convenient features are the maps: you can see your routes on Google Maps online, or you can download the routes to Google Earth -- much better than the rudimentary maps that come with Training Center.

Geocaching?

I also use my Forerunner for geocaching, because the only other GPS unit I own is a 7-year-old, brick-like Garmin 12. for the reasons already mentioned above, it's not the best GPS in the world for geocaching -- not surprising, as it's designed for running. But for running, it works really well.