Which Garmin, if any.

[JohnK]

The 405 has a lower battery life, quoted as up to 8 hours. My 205 (the 305 without the heartrate monitor) lasted for 12 and a half hours on a long rainy race last December. So if you like long distance challenges you should perhaps consider that. I find it great for checking your pace and uploading details after training.

I have the a Timex body link system that has user replaceable batterie,s a single AA battery lasts for twelve hours, therefore after about eleven hours i pop a new one in and carry on (I am partial to a bit of Ultra Running), coupled with the data recorder this gives the facility to download runs to the puter, all the figures shown Altitude etc seem pretty accurate when compared with spot heights and known distances etc.

You can`t (as far as i know) download routes to it but then i don`t want to after all that`s what a map and compass is for.

Used in conjunction with Tracklogs Timex bodylink does it all including HR wet or dry

[Twister]

You NEED a T-shirt???????????????

Well sometimes....

[SteveS]

You can upload routes up to the 100 waypoint limit or convert routes to tracks and then upload them as a Garmin 'course' (CRS) file, which is better in my opinion but needs quite a lot of faffing about to achieve. Overall the 305's got as much functionality as my Garmin GPS60 with the exception that it can't handle OS grid refs and the waypoint limit is lower.

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The waypoint limit on the 205/305 is too low for most stuff, but converting to a garmin .crs file allows well over 1,000 points, I can't remember for certain but think it's something like 3,600, which should get you a very long way. It's been far more than enough for uploading 100 mile cycling routes. The line of the route can be displayed on the screen, the scale altered, and it'll beep when you go off course. It's a basic display but still useful.

It's not too bad getting a route plotted on Memory Map or similar onto the 205/305. Save as a GPX file, then there's several websites you can use to convert to a Garmin .CRS file, or downloadable programs to do it, and once in that form you can upload to the watch.

The 405 is a bit of a backwards step as it doesn't have the map display, all it can do is give bearings and distances between waypoints as far as I know.

The 305 comes with a HRM, and the option of a cadence meter, which the 205 doesn't. I have a 305, and have borrowed a 205, and found the batterly life was better in the 205. Might just be the two specific watches, or maybe the 205 lasts longer without it searching for a HRM signal.

Altitude is fairly accurate for an instant reading, usually within 5 metres either way of where it should be. Unfortunately because it swings from those upper to lower limits all the time it mistakenly adds up lots of ascent. Sporttracks or some sort of mapping software when you get back and download the data get it to a more credible figure.

[FellMonster]

Garmin Oregon 550T released in the Uk this month....a potenitally cracking piece of kit though I'd like a look up close and personal before I'd part with that sort of cash.

[Fudge the Elf]

What is wrong with ................ a map, a compass and if you want to get really high tech. a watch??

I've never seen the need for these market created gizmos. You don't really need them. You can now get a decent compass which doubles as a fire lighter in an emergency, a map which you can use to sit on or wipe your arse on at a pinch and a watch, all for under £20.

Fell running is essentially a siimple pastime - let's not over complicate it. And while I'm on me obby orse, lets keep the rules of the game simple aswell.

[Twister]

What is wrong with ................ a map, a compass and if you want to get really high tech. a watch??

I've never seen the need for these market created gizmos. You don't really need them. You can now get a decent compass which doubles as a fire lighter in an emergency, a map which you can use to sit on or wipe your arse on at a pinch and a watch, all for under £20.

Fell running is essentially a siimple pastime - let's not over complicate it. And while I'm on me obby orse, lets keep the rules of the game simple aswell.

Yes, I agree.

[Fat Bloke]

Hmmm. There's nothing wrong with a map and a compass. But I (and many, many others) like the added interest that a gizmo gives me. I like to plan routes at home on an OS map on a computer, upload them and try them out. Conversely, I like to run in an area I've not run before and then download a record of where I've been back to the OS map on the computer.

If you just want to use a map and a compass, fine by me, I don't see any problem.

But I'd appreciate a little reciprocity.

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[So Wood]

Fell running is essentially a siimple pastime - let's not over complicate it. And while I'm on me obby orse, lets keep the rules of the game simple aswell.

What, like only visit checkpoints if you can be bothered.

First person back wins no mater where they have been.

[sjedwardz]

What is wrong with ................ a map, a compass and if you want to get really high tech. a watch??

I've never seen the need for these market created gizmos.

So you only buy things you NEED and not WANT

I don't NEED one but I really enjoy using mine, plus the fact that it easily logs all of my runs and mileage, it keeps me motivated which is worth the money in my book! I'm quite happy using a map and compass, I did a long event a couple of weeks ago but still wore the garmin for the HRM and analysis (mainly or where I got "mislocated" and had to get back on track !)

[Tom Smith]

Its my birthday soon...and well, i thought id have a think about what i'd fancy.

Ive always wanted to get a nice snazzy garmin so i know how far ive run/got left to go and the climb.
I was tempted to ask for one at christmas but since my knees started i thought sod it im never going to run again for god knows how long and it'll never get used.

I know every man and his dog seems to have one so there should be plenty of advise.

Is the 405 still the most up-to-date?



Flippin expensive bit of kit though



Or, is there anything else on the market that does the same job.

I've got the Garmin 305 and it does the job. It might be worth having a look at the new Suunto "T" range as a fell runner. Measures distance, heart rate, time etc like the Garmin, but has some of the features of the Suunto Core mountaineering watches i.e. altitude, barometer, compass etc which is useful for fell running and mountain marathons in particular. They're bomb proof too.