Tuesday, August 30, 2011

To Garmin or not to Garmin

So I have become increasingly frustrated with my Nike + over the past couple of months.  It tends to stop in the middle of my run, fail to sync with the Nike website and not post my workouts to facebook like it is set up to do.  The last time it stopped on me was during the 5 mile race I did in Putnam, my home town.  It really got me off my game, having to stop running to try to figure out what the heck was wrong with it. 

I have been thinking about buying a Garmin Forerunner 110. 

It seems to have a lot of the bells and whistles that I am looking for and I have seen it for as low as $189.   I am looking at the model that has a heart rate strap with it.  I think that a heart rate monitor could be beneficial to my training.  It also has the capability to do interval training.  Now that I am following Jeff Galloway's Run Walk Run model I need a way to keep track of when I should run and when I should walk.  On his website he does sell a vibrating timer for this function for $19.99.

I am trying to weigh my options.  I don't want to spend $189 needlessly.  But I am also getting to the end of my rope with the buggy Nike+.  What do you all think about the Garmin?  I have seen mixed reviews about them.  I have heard some people say they die after a couple months.  Is this a good investment?

6 comments:

  1. I really love my Garmin 305. It's not as pretty and small as the 110 but you REALLY don't notice it when it's on and you're running. You can get it on Amazon for $138. I did a good bit of research before I went win that one and I have been happy with it! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CSWCQA/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1314728439&sr=8-1

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  2. I have a Garmin 405 and I love it so much. I think it's slightly bigger than the 110 (but not much) and it really changed the way I run. Personally, I think it is worth the investment!

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  4. @ Vanessa I wonder what the difference is between the 405 and the 110? They both look like they have the same accessories. (Heart rate monitor, ability to use a pod to track indoor use, and interval training) They even look to be around the same price.

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  5. I had NIKE + and HATED it. I bought a Garmin for over $300 and am so happy I did. I have an interval timer too like the one you pictured but it just isn't the same. You will get tons of se out of your Garmin!

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  6. I definitely recommend a Garmin! It is worth the investment. I used Nike+ for awhile too, but it was never accurate for me.

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