GPSReviewBlog.com

GARMIN 010 10997 00 Heart Rate Monitor

This digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute which is wirelessly transmitted to the Forerunner 50. Effectively tracks and records your heart rate while you work out, providing instant feedback about how hard your heart is working. Even train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Just what I needed for my Garmin
My bicycle Garmin 305 came with a cadence monitor… I really like this GPS device for my road bike and only recently did I become interested in adding the HRM strap. It comes ready to use, just be sure to set up your Garmin to work with the Heart Rate Monitor… it’s a few menus into the device, but once I set the function and changed my displays to show – speed, elapsed time, altitude, heart rate on my main screen, it was all good to go.

Reasonable price, replaceable battery included, works with my Bicycle Garmin 305.

5 Stars Works as advertised
I have this paired with my Garmin Forerunner 405. Works perfectly. It’s easy to put on, stays put when I’m running (and I sweat a lot). Only problem is, it makes me skin a little itchy on my sides. I’m not sure why. Maybe i have it on too tight?

5 Stars Accurate!
I was very excited when I saw the ad for the Garmin Forerunner 405 and couldn’t wait to get one. Unfortunately, when I went to make my purchase, the store only had the Forerunner 405 without the heart monitor in stock. To get the full benefits of my new Forerunner 405, I knew this was something I wanted to try.

When my Garmin Heart Rate Monitor came in, I immediately paired it with the Forerunner 405. Pairing was a breeze. I then put it on and wore it for a few minutes to check its accuracy (I wanted to be certain of its accuracy before I adjusted my run workouts based on the results). Suffice it to say, I was more than pleased with the results! It has become a constant companion to me along my runs.

5 Stars Works perfectly
I got this for my forerunner 50, and it just works. No problems. It is accurate when checked against other HRMS.

4 Stars Garmin Heart Monitor
I really like the Garmin system. I’m training for a half marathon this spring and I love getting all my stats so easily. The only thing I was disappointed with is the elastic strap is way too big for me. I can purchase a smaller one but I feel like different sizes should be included. This strap will be big for most women. I’ve pinned it and that seems to be working fine.

Buy/More Info

Garmin Edge 305 GPS Bundle

Rugged, lightweight Edge attaches easily to the stem or handlebars of your bike with the included bike mount. Just turn it on, acquire GPS satellites and go. Edge 305 automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent, and records this data for your review. For extra-precise climb and descent data, Edge 305 also incorporates a barometric altimeter to pinpoint changes in elevation

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars New to Cycling Computers
I took this out of the box and mounted it to my bicycle using the easy to follow directions. I did not know what to expect at the time but now don’t go anywhere without it! The information it provides is great and has helped me to improve my rides and hikes. It easily connects to the computer and downloads automatically into Garmin Training Center. I also upload the files to Motionbased.com where it is automatically plotted on Google maps that you can email to friends. I haven’t had problems with the battery yet but know that charging shortens the life of any battery. The longest hike I’ve taken using this is 5.5 hours. I have only had one problem with this unit and it happened when I loaded a course from Garmin Training Center to be used with virtual trainer. When I went to upload my information to the computer it would not work. Garmin support was not very helpful. I had to search Google for a solution, the problem was a corrupt course download, once removed everything worked fine.

4 Stars Works like a champ
I’ve been using the Edge 305 for nearly a month now and its great! I’ve found the speedometer and the heart monitor are more accurate than my old computer (cat’s eye) and the polar watch (forgot the model) I usually mount to my handlebar.

Installing the software was super simple and transferring data is as simple as pulling in the USB cable and watching the data transfer. The charts and information layout is pretty straight forward and easy to read.

My only complaint is that the recording of my position can sometimes float away or it cuts corners (literally). The Smart Record mode seems to work fine but regardless, either recording mode still has minor position recording issues.

Note about the handlebar mount: I’ve read many many bad reviews about the mount breaking and to date it hasn’t happened. Then again, its mounted on a road bike that never goes off-roading. I would expect it to break if you’re doing some serious devil-may-care rides in the back country.

Do I miss a color screen? No. Would I pay a few extra hundred dollars for a color screen and the same features as the 305? No.

Would I recommend the Edge 305? Yes! Who would I recommend this to? Anyone road cyclist who wants to track your basic stats and train yourself to be a better rider. My old computer didn’t have a cadence monitor and now that I do with this unit, I can see where I’m spinning too hard to too fast.

1 Star Unusable before setup was complete
After fully charging the Edge 305, I set out to configure the unit and ended up with 2 significant problems. First, the unit was not recognized via the USB connector by either my XP or Vista PC. I had the latest Garmin drivers and software installed and this was confirmed by Garmin Support. Both PCs said the USB device was an unrecognized USB device. This problem ended up being a bad USB cable shipped with the EDGE.

Then after 15 minutes of setting up the unit, the LCD is now distorted and unreadable. The LCD is on and every once in awhile you can recognize a menu within the disortion but its useless in its current state. Running the Webupdater from Garmin and overwritting the Edge 305 firmware seems to bring it back to life, but only for seconds, then the display distorts.

Amazon Customer Service was great in dealing with the issue and I am now waiting for my replacement. If it wasn’t for Amazon’s efficient return policy, I think I would have given up on this unit. 2 defects in one box is a little hard to accept. Garmin support was very helpful but in the end they couldn’t do much about the defective LCD screen. Will update when the replacement units comes in.

5 Stars Garmin Edge 305 is the shiz nit!
This thing is great! I’ve used heart rate monitors before but I was limited to using them on one bike if I wanted to get my speed as well. With this unit having GPS, I can use it on all my bikes, in the car, on my motorcycles, anywhere. I even use this as a lap timer for my street motorcycles when I go to the track. The interface is simple and the fitness software is a no-brainer, even for me.

5 Stars Great Product
The Garmin Edge 305 provides excellent value at today’s Amazon prices. Software installation on MAC was quick and easy. It sometimes times out after connecting to USB not transferring the new ride data, but a manual Data Transfer achieves the same result. The Training software could feature better Garmin maps and longterm ride statistic features. I am sure online platforms provide this but I had no time to look into it. Adjusting the cadence sensor was a bit of a problem and required some improvised shims on my crankset to meet the <5mm spec for the sensor to work, but it was not a real obstacle. A 2nd flexible arm for the cadence sensor would allow for more adjustability. All in all a stabile product with no cinks.

Buy/More Info

GARMIN 010 10644 00 Speed Cadence Sensor

Monitor your pedaling cadence as you ride with this self-calibrating, wireless speed/cadence sensor. It measures and reports your pedaling strokes per minute, providing feedback for optimal performance.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Low cost, works good
Easy to install on the bike and easy to adjust. I was a little worried I might hit it with my heel since it mounts to the rear wheel, but haven’t had any issues and I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks.

GREAT ADVANTAGE – can use it on outdoor rides or indoors on a trainer since it mounts to rear wheel. No repositioning required.

I had minor problems syncing it to my Forerunner 50 – but mostly when I’m transitioning from a run. Overall, great tool for the low price.

3 Stars Third time’s a charm?
This is my 3rd sensor for my Garmin Edge 305. I hope this one works longer than the first two.

4 Stars Very nice addition to the 305
I am a newbie to electronic fitness products. I am old school when it came to working out. I got the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor to keep track of my after work jogs and since I had a bike I decided to get the cadence sensor as well. They work very well together (Pair easy). It mounts to your bike with cable ties so it’s very easy to install, it transmits to the 305 wirelessly. The only problem was that the magnet that goes on the peddle crank did not come close enough to the sensor to register. So I had to place a spacer between the magnet and crank to get it closer. Other than that it works great for me. The price was high also.

[[ASIN:B000CSWCQA ]]

4 Stars Pairing
I bought the sensor for my second bike and it pair quiet easily to my Edge 705.

5 Stars Works like a champ!
Delivers everything as promised. No issues during installation. Easily syncs with heart monitor, and easy setup.

Buy/More Info

Garmin 010 00658 30 Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor Blue

The Forerunner 405CX is the evolution of GPS-enabled training. This sleek sport swatch tracks your time, distance, pace and heart rate, then wirelessly sends the data to your PC for later analysis. The 405CX features heart rate-based calorie computation.Loaded with serious training features, Forerunner 405CX continuously records your time, distance, pace, calories burned and heart rate. Each workout is stored in large internal memory so you can review and analyze the data to see how you’ve improved. And advanced training features will challenge you to step up your pace – race against Forerunner’s Virtual Partner to improve your times, or set up interval workouts without having to circle the track. You can even download recorded courses to compete against previous workouts. To use the watch, simply tap the touch bezel to change screens without fumbling for a button.Forerunner 405CX comes with a flexible, wireless heart rate monitor to help you make the most out of your training. The digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute and uses your heart rate for advanced calorie computation, so you know how many calories you’re burning. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level or compare your pace and heart rate to past performance on the same run.

Buy/More Info

Garmin 010 00679 25 Forerunner 50 with Heart Rate Monitor and Foot Pod

Forerunner 50 (heart rate monitor, foot pod and USB ANT receiver)

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Foot pod might die on you for no reason
I bought this item over a year ago for $120 and it came with the footpod, HRM, watch and USB ANT stick. I really liked it. If you use it a lot you get used to the software. It can pace you by speed or Heart rate, and will beep if you fall behind. I really liked that i could track my speed. But then the Foot Pod died out of nowhere. I replaced the battery, but it still would not connect with the watch. And now buying the replacement foot pod by itself costs $120. I’m really disappointed in garmin and this product. In fact i feel completely ripped off.

I’m considering getting the Nike +Ipod sportkit instead, at least if it breaks it will only cost me $30 to replace.

3 Stars Good Product.. bad batteries
Everything was great except the footpod. The battery had died, had to spend another $5+. Sent Garmin an email complaining, all I got was “I’m sorry”….

4 Stars Garmin Forerunner
Not too hard to use. Only issue was that the battery to the foot pod was dead upon arrival. Overall, it meets my needs.

5 Stars State of the art!
Astonishing that a product retailed for USD 99.00 can do this much. The heartbeat is precise, the distance is measured effortlessly and precisely. The wireless connection to the computer’s software works well. I do recommend it… Will even buy my wife one of those!

1 Star no lo entiendo
HAsta el d