Useful

**RHODESIAN** · 25-01-2012, 21:14

I use a 310xt and it's brilliant,very accurate and simple to use,google D.C.Rainmaker for a lot more info mate.

**polar69** · 25-01-2012, 21:21

Im afraid that the expensive Garmin and Polar type GPS watches have had it now that free mobile phone apps are available. I fancied one of the the forerunner watches as well but against a free app its a no brainer.

I use endomondo on my Blackberry, its free and ten seconds after pressing stop on the phone it will have uploaded to the web with graphs maps and more.

Having said that I have mates who have forerunners etc and they swear by them, horses for courses, only drawback apart from the price is the size of the garmins, if you have a thin wrist they are a bit big.

**alfred_the_great** · 25-01-2012, 21:23

I hate mapmyrun on my iPhone.

As an indication, I'll be checking my Garmin every 30 secs or so for the first 4 or 5 mins of a race (to stop the mad chicken rush) and then I'll look at it every half mile or so. There maybe some runner who know exactly what a 6:55 pace feels over lots of different types of terrain, I'm not one of them. I couldn't have got my PBs on my 2.4km (8:47) or 10 miles (68:44) without it.

**postman_twit** · 25-01-2012, 22:30

I would highly recommend a Garmin. The software is fairly basic but I understand that there are other compatible versions you can download.

**Crumbs** · 25-01-2012, 23:49

I have a Garmin 410 and think it's great - has helped my running no end, and also keeps my geeky little brain happy. Tried the phone app crap, and wouldn't use that, it's a PITA and the Garmin gives you loads more. Would echo the recommendation to google DC Rainmaker, he tests and blogs most GPS watches that come onto the market. Well worth a read before parting with your hard earned.

**re-stilly** · 26-01-2012, 08:51

Thanks all, will check out DC Rainmaker and read and inwardly digest. I like it when ARRSE can be helpful.

**broken_man** · 26-01-2012, 09:26

Mate the 405CX is the way ahead. Fully customisable screens so you can set a virtual training partner for the pace you want to run at, set heart rate zones, how the data is laid out etc. Plus it comes with HRM for calorie calculations, and is compatible with a cadence monitor for cycling. The GPS signal drops in quickly even if you move countries. Down to about £125 and worth much more than that. the only thing you can't do is use it for swimming if you want to get into tri.

**FatDumbnHappy** · 26-01-2012, 09:28

I bought a Garmin 305 about a year ago and thought it was great. I used either the Garmin site or mapometer for logging my runs and it was great to see the time/distance/effort stuff so easily displayed. You'll notice I used the past tense....the MO has since told me my knees are fucked and running is a complete no-no - bastard. So the Garmin is sitting in my desk drawer - want to make me an offer?

**Adjutant** · 26-01-2012, 15:46

I've owned a Forerunner 305 for 3 years now - by no means a 'big' runner but big fan, even used it for a triathlon and skiing (just wanted to see how fast I actually got downhill!). The Fitness Centre software is basic - but if you have 'Mapsource' as well, you can mess about with routes and all sorts.

Well worth it getting. There are more modern ones now but it's more than fit for purpose.

Adjt

**GoodIdeaAtTheTime** · 26-01-2012, 16:19

I've a 405 with the heart monitor and it is pretty good. The GPS can take an age to lock into the satellites but once it does the resolution is a lot better than you'd expect. I use it most when refereeing to monitor my performance and it's pretty informative replaying your movements on their application (uses google earth). I've got a lot from it although the battery does not last that long when you are using the GPS functionality.