GPS Devices

[SuRichardson]

I am a long distance runner - not particularly lonely - nor particularly fast.  I am thinking of getting one of those GPS devices, either the Forerunner or the Navman R300.  I would go for the Forerunner 101 as I am not serious enough to want to download to a PC. I just want to know how far I have run without having to wind bits of string round maps

[woofgang]

so what's the question?

[SuRichardson]

Sorry - got so carried away I forgot.  Has anyone any experience of either of these and which one would they recommend?

[stevie21]

Buy a pedometer. Next (of all places) do one with a built in radio so that you can listen to Classic FM while you exert yourself.
Program in your stride length and it'll tell you distance run, how many steps, calories burnt and various other "useful" facts.

I've done the "string round maps" myself! haha

[SuRichardson]

Thanks for the suggestion but I want it for running and it is not easy to get an accurate stride length. It is easier to measure a walking stride. Also when running over the downs off road the length of stride can vary - eg when going up or down steep hills.

[christos]

I use a NAVMAN R300 for a week now and it is awesome! You don't need to mess with PCs, you just strap it on and hit the road. It will automatically tell you all you need to know: current speed, pace, average speed, max speed, distance run at any time, altitude (actually it can be useful if you are preparing for a hilly marathon), calories burned (it overestimates this one). If you are patient enough you can easily figure out how to set speed/pace limits for your sessions and the NAVMAN will beep every time you violate them -or- you can set lap times (if you are running on a track). It is very accurate and the GPS reception is flawless, I use it around Athens (which is a rather densely built city) and it works fine. You can also use it as a pedometer. Hope this helps!

[SuRichardson]

Thanks Christos - I need it for hilly/off road marathons and am interested when you said the GPS worked fine in Athens. I had reports about the Garmin losing the signal in wooded and urban areas. 

[christos]

You're welcome, good luck with your training :)