Just like Christmas...

Wow, it's been a while! The weather has been great and so has the running and mt biking!

I got a new toy...the Garmin Forerunner 205.

I went with the 205 because I didn't need the heart rate monitor that the 305 has. What is a Garmin 205 you ask?

The 205 is a wrist watch size (albeit a large one) GPS unit. It gives you distance, speed, elevation, % of incline, and more things I will never use! You can mark points and navigate back to them (it does not have the mapping capabilities of the regular hand held GPS units).

If you are not familiar with GPS, basically there are a bunch of satellites circling the Earth and the GPS unit communicates with them to to find where you are. As you move the spot your signal is coming from changes and it records those changes. That is a VERY simplified version but the important thing is it WORKS!!!

What I especially like is you do not have to calibrate it, no foot pods, it does not matter what you are doing (walk, run, bike, kayak, flap your arms real hard and fly like a bird). They are really nice for tri's, just hit the lap button for the next leg! The info in cycling mode is different than running (for some reason runners want to know the % incline and I guess cyclists don't) but you always get speed and distance.

If you want the heart rate monitor, spend the extra $100 and get the 305. BTW, the 205/305 are nicer than the 101/201/301 that are still around. You do not lose the signal as easy (trees, heavy overcast, and buildings can interfere with the signal). Of course, here in the desert that is Eastern Washington there are few trees, fewer tall buildings and abundant sun shine!

I give this 4 out of 5 toes!