Garmin Forerunner 205 Handheld GPS Receiver

I am a runner and really love this product. I have wasted money on pedometers in the past but this Garmin blows them out of the water. It is not too bulky and is dead on accurate in measuring your distance and time while running. It also offers many training routines and also a digital opponent to race against.
This is the best product on the market so far and I look forward to the second generation versions with smaller size and increased capabilities.

I really like this GPS better than I thought I would. It is very well made. It picks up GPS signal anywhere. The 205 is great for walkers but I would recommend the 305 for runners. Also can be used as a regular GPS. Great piece of equipment.

purchased it to calculate speed, distance, alt., time & navigation features primarily for riding distances on my endurance horse. Features I like are distance, altitude, speed, time elapsed, etc. The navigation feature for trails does not have a program to use over a forest map. The buttons are sometimes hard to push, a little too close together. The size of the unit is very light weight & easy to wear. I'm still reading the book & learning. Have been having fun w/it.

I bought this GPS for my first marathon training. Easy to use, accurate, impressed with the features, love it!!!!

A perfect gift for any runner, hiker, or cyclist. Has many features that improved one's running and let's you know that course you thought was 3 miles is really 3 1/2! Big for the petite woman, but fine for average on up. Very user friendly and can download runs to track progress!

Many great features and improvments over earlier models. I especially like the ease of going between sports and the scrolling screens.

This product has been a great addition to my running regimen. This is the second Garmin I have used, and the improvements to it are great! The battery charges quickly and lasts a good, long time. The training programs are very helpful to a runner in training. The set-up is very self-explanatory and screens are easy to navigate through. Information can be very detailed or simple and succinct. I am currently training for a marathon, so this will be one of my most important tools. As with all GPS systems I've seen, it is somewhat bulky, so for someone who is just enjoying leisurely running, it may be more than they need. I would recommend this product to any committed runner who enjoys tracking their progress and training.

I have only been running for a number of months but once i bought this watch there was a very noticable improvement to my running. Before running with this watch i was unable to pace myself effectively and would fall short of my running target. Within a week of using this watch i was able to perfectly pace myself for the long runs of marathon training programs and noticed an improvement in my stride as well. I could tell when my pace fell behind and could associate it with my stride faultering. This watch is a must have for anyone that likes to run or is training for any race. It is very comfortable despite its size and functions flawlessly. The only trouble i have ever come across is not realizing i had it on when i got into the shower after long runs! The software accompanying the watch is incredible and gives more information than i thought possible. I cannot imagine needing the 305 version unless specifically for the heart rate monitor.

Quick Review:
Extremely Useful Training Information
Comfortable and Sturdy Design
Precise and Flawless Function

I bought Garmin Forerunner 205 about a month ago. Since then I eager to go out for walking or jogging. It is very convinient because it automatically record tracks.
And Training Center of Garmin Software also automatically collect my exercise time and distance, and so on, so that I can easily know the totals of my distance etc..
I think it is very strong and useful equipment for people who want do walking or jogging using pc.

It's an excellent device. I use it mainly for running on trails in Hong Kong. The tips is that you have to let it 'locked' on satellites before using it. Just simply turn it on and hold it steady (or put on the ground) for a few minutes. Once satellites are locked, basically I won't lose signal anywhere I go, even it's heavily covered by trees. The new chipset SiRFIII does the good job.
The Garmin Training Center software is not that useful. Suggest to use the freeware SportTracks instead.

I love my forerunner! I am training for my first marathon, along with a team relay of 180 miles and it is so nice to have! I love that in large numbers, you can see your time, your pace, and your mileage. Also, it beeps at you every mile, which is great so that you don't have to look at it if you don't want to. Love it, no problems! Happy running!!

Great Service !! Received it within a couple of days after ordering !! The Garmin was exactly as advertised !! I would order again from this company !!

I was a little worried when I bought the Forerunner 205 without ever seeing or using one before, but I couldn't be happier now that I have it. It's many features (probably more than I'll ever use) have completely opened up the way I run. Now I just strap it on and start running. It tells me how far I've gone, how fast I've done it, and my overall pace. I've found it much easier to keep on pace since a quick glance will let me know it I need to speed up or slow down. Also, I've had no problems with satellite reception, and I run on a trail surrounded by woods. Buy one and have fun!

I think the training functions of the watch are outstanding. The only advice I would offer, don't turn it off! When you turn the watch on it searches for Satellites, and usually takes 10 - 20 minutes before it can start tracking your location, distance, speed, etc. Unacceptable when you are ready for a run! So just don't turn it off (or turn it on, stretch for 20 minutes, then run).

I bought my Forerunner 205 about a month ago and have used it many times while running. I have been training for half marathons with the goal of a full one next year to qualify for Boston. I had been frustrated because I never knew exactly how far or how fast I was running. The Forerunner gives an accurate distance and average pace. I set it to automatically record lap stats every mile, so at the end of the run I can review how I did for each phase. Displaying my route on the map (linked to Google Earth) is also useful and entertaining. Now I can run a different route every day and still have accurate stats.

The device appears to be well constructed and this series is much more compact than the previous iterations. I don't feel like I have a laptop computer strapped to my wrist. Satellite acquisition is good and I keep the signal when trail running with heavy tree canopy. I do lose the signal when running under an over pass, but that does not seem to degrade the accuracy overall.

There are some weaknesses. The instantaneous pace readout fluctuates a lot, so it is difficult to use for constantly monitoring your speed. It would be better if they would average over a few seconds of readings. Maybe in a future version. Related to this problem is elevation change information in the data summary. I just did a run along the shore at Grand Cayman. Dead flat. The 205 told me that I had gained and lost over 800 feet in elevation. The problem is that any fluctuations in reading get added up. You can see real trends on the graph when you download to your computer, but it uses the elevation change to calculate calories burned and thus grossly overestimates. If I were eating according to what it tells me I expend calories, I would be very fat!

In choosing the 205 I also looked at the 305. The main difference is that the 305 has a heart rate monitor and can interface with a cadence meter for your bike. I have a heart rate monitor that I rarely use and a computer with cadence on my bike already, so I could not justify the extra cost of the 305. I am happy with my choice.

Overall, I am very happy with the 205. The inaccuracy in instantaneous pace and elevation change are annoying, but I still get accurate overall stats for my run. Being able to download the information to my computer allows me to keep track of my progress.

I did not receive the product from this seller. They did not respond to any e-mails and I had to put in a claim to get my money back.

My son loves his new Garmin 205 running watch. The new features added, like Geo caching is a fun way to find items placed around the city and encourages new running routes. This watch is a must have for anyone who enjoys running

Received in excellent condition and within a few days of ordering. Device works great and meets expectations.

5 out of 5 for 6 months then unable to locate satellite since then making unit totally useless. Had no time to wait (35 minutes) for GARMIN to give me a number so I could ship it back to them. This is second Garmin forerunner I have bought in two years. 201 was brain damaged.

Will look for other manufacturer in future. Buyer beware!

I bought the Garmin for walking/running. It keeps track of distance, calories, time, etc. Only drawback is waiting around for it to connect to a satalite. I love using this and when in remote areas where distance or direction is not marked it keeps track of where you are and where you have been so you do not get lost!

Works as advertised. Easy to use and understand how to operate. Love the autopause feature! Good piece of gear that I'm sure I'll use as I train.

I'm doing this review on behalf of Ebay's request - guess they figure to give Amazon some competition.

Anyway, this is great and convenient item - so says my hubby who is the primary user of it. He's a several time marathoner and I got this for his Father's Day gift.

There really are no cons, it does what it says it will do. Tracks times, distance, etc. all with the use of satellite and has worked for him under all types of conditions, including heavy tree cover.

And, he says the software that comes with it will track pretty much EVERYTHING you could ever imagine (ok, so it's not tracking my birthday nor those of significant others - maybe I should write Garmin about that?) but he is thrilled.

I'm glad I got it for about $50 less than retail and the seller did everything they said they would - if you are a runner, try this gadget out - you won't be dissapointed.

Gives you all the infomation you need (pace, time, average pace, lap pace, etc.) and then the software allows you to easily see if you are making progress. You can choose programmed runs or do your own thing. Got my wife and I ready for a half marathon.