Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Super value for money, 21 Mar 2009
Before buying this model I did briefly consider the Forerunner 405 but felt that the cost didn't sufficiently justify the extra features - in my view. Besides some of my friends and colleagues were already using the Forerunner 50 and all recommended it.
For some years now I have been using a Timex Ironman watch/heart rate monitor when running. I still think the Ironman watch is a better looking watch than any of the Garmin ones, but unfortunately the foot pod option isn't available for Timex watches.
That said, the Forerunner 50 isn't an ugly or uncomfortable watch ... far from it. I've also found that the buttons are well placed and have not had any problems with accidentally pressing buttons when exercising like one of the other reviewers. Similarly the display is clear and easy to read, and the back light feature means the display can be easily in poor or no light.
Bought the bundle version which means that chest strap, foot pod and watch are already paired.
The heart rate monitor strap is no different from any other heart rate chest strap I've come across, so nothing to add here. Although the it does seem that the heart rate monitor is more accurate than others I've tried; it doesn't seem to suffer from interference from wireless networks and other electronic devices the way that some do. This is definitely a plus.
The foot pod clips securely in place on top of the shoe, and when running you don't notice it at all. Setting the stride length is easy, and I haven't had any problems with the pod and the watch not connecting.
There is also a USB stick for wirelessly transferring exercise data from your watch to your PC or Mac (I'm a Mac user, and it does work). Once it's set up the transfer is quick and effortless, and the Garmin application does provide some very useful and interesting exercise analysis.
Although there aren't the same amount of features as in some of the more expensive models, my guess is that the Forerunner 50 is more than adequate for the vast majority of recreational runners. And in terms of all round value for money it's takes some beating.
At the same time the watch unit is smart enough to use on its own as just a watch.
Haven't bought any of the cycling accessories so obviously can't comment on those.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forerunner 50, 5 Aug 2009
I run recreationally and have recently begun to train for 10k events. I wanted something that gave me more accurate feedback on my pace and distance, but didn't fancy shelling out £200+ for a GPS watch. The Forerunner 50 is perfect for my needs. The footpod and HRM are easy to pair with the watch (just put them on then go to train mode) and the controls are so intuitive that even I (whom the office IT helpdesk have labelled PICNIC - Problem In Chair, Not In Computer) managed to get the hang of them with minimal confusion.
I've had no problems with ANT: as soon as I get back from my run the stick uploads my saved workout and opens it in Garmin Training Centre. This is a handy piece of software and can do clever things with graphs. However, simply for visual cleaness I do most of my geekery on the online Garmin Connect (which is updated automatically). Reports from here can be exported into Excel files which I attach to my training log.
The only slight issue I have with the watch is the size of it, but it's a lot smaller and less obtrusive than the GPS models. I wear it to work on the days I jog in and the pared down design doesn't look out of place with a suit.
The Forerunner 50 is more than adequate for my needs as an amateur runner. It's easy to use, reliable, and helps me to keep to pace and vary my workouts. Especially with the competitive prices offered by amazon vendors, I highly recommend it.
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12 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Please save you money, 18 Oct 2008
Where do I start with this dreadful, poor quality product? Garmin, you should be ashamed of taking people's money for this. I bought this to train for triathlon so predominantly running and swimming, and to be able to upload the data to my PC. The bike cadence sensor meant I could do all three.
Here are my issues;
1. Product says it is water resistant, but the heart rate monitor does not transmit through water! I eventually found a forum on the web that explained its proprietary communication, ant+, similar to blue tooth, does not transmit through water. Why can't they be clear about this on their website?
2. The quality is pretty ropey, buttons are not positive and difficult to activate when you need them.
3. When you don't need to use the buttons, they press accidentally when you flex your wrist back and forth, say when working out or with your hands on handlebars!
4. Set up is very patchy - 'pairing' the sensors (making them talk to the watch) is tricky and glitchy. I recently set them up before a triathlon (and tested them before), only to find on the day they refused to communicate with the watch so no distance or speed, whether when running or cycling, on an event i really wanted the data from.
5. The software and USB sensor are extremely irritable (ie rubbish) and hard to connect, making communications for uploading data patchy. Mine worked last week for a day but no longer!
6. Finish is poor with some of the plastic colour wearing through after only after limited use.
7. So why the one star? Really should have got zero stars, but does look good, especially compared to the truly awful kids toy looking Polar range.
Thank goodness I didn't waste even more on one of their GPS products. Take the money, give half to charity and burn the rest or bet it on a horse chosen at random before giving it Garmin.
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