Garmin Foretrex 101 Or 201

[+cooksvillewildcat]

I am debating whether to purchase the Garmin Foretrex 101 or 201. I will be primarily using it for tracking my distance when I run (the 201 is thinner) but I will also use it for hiking and Geocaching.

 

Has anyone jogged with the 101 and could comment on the additional thickness compared to the 201?

 

I also looked at the Forerunner but decided the Foretrex will fit all of my needs.

 

The AAA batteries of the 101 would be fine for me - I would use rechargeables, so either the 101 or 201 would work.

 

Thanks in advance for your suggestions,

 

Mark

[+benjamin921]

I have not used either one, yet, but would have to go with the Fortrex 101 based on being able to change batteries.

[+cooksvillewildcat]

benjamin921,

 

I agree with you about the AA batteries versus li-Ion batteries that are proprietary. My concern is that the 201 being 0.6 inchese high versus the 101 being 0.9 inches high would be more comfortable while running, but I have been unable to locate any retailers selling either one locally.

 

Newegg had the 101 for $109 + shipping, but they are currently sold out. I would still need a serial cable ($15)

Amazon sells the 201 for $139 + free shipping

 

Thanks for your input. If someone has worn the 101, I'd like to get some feedback on how it felt while running or walking fast.

[toddm]

I would recommend the 101 model for the simple reason it has batteries you can change. Lion batteries last I heard are lasting somewhere between 500-750 charges. If you are going to be using it for training, that's what 2 years of use, it's a lot granted, but the other problem is if you are going to take it on say a week hiking trip to Colorado, unless you bring a 110v power source with you, it's only going to be useful for a day or two of hiking, then it's just dead weight.

 

I simply cannot understand the idea of using a non-changeable propriertary battery in a unit that may have to go into the back country. At least use a combination, if they want a lion battery pack, fine, but set the battery compartment up to use AAA's or AA's or something the user can replace.

 

I was pumped about the new Edge cycling units they had until I found out they were lion only, what good does a 12 hour battery life do me on a two week trip to utah....none. On top of that if I'm riding 250 days a year, that's two years before the battery is probably shot anyway.

 

I realize it makes it easier for them to seal the units, and it makes a smaller lighter unit, and if all you are doing is using it for daily training it's fine, but for anything that needs to go more than a day without you being around a 110v power supply, get something with replaceable batteries.

[Alphawolf]

I own the 101 and I wouldn't own the 201. I have no use for a rechargeable battery, that can't be charged in the field. I do a lot of hiking and backpacking with the 101, and my headlamps also use the AAA batteries. I hate the rechargeable batteries in outdoor equipment with a passion! Cameras, GPS receivers, radios, lights and lanterns, MP3 players...They all must be battery powered or I won't own them.

[sunpazed]

I own a Foretex 101 and I use it for both Cycling (mostly) and for Bushwalking.

 

I also faced the same problem, but purchased the 101 over the 201 simply because the 201 requires to be recharged. This is much more annoying than the added increase in size.

 

With the 101, you just pop a fresh set of rechargable batteries in, and off you go!

 

Oh, and on another note:

 

Have you considered buying a Polar HRM Speed Distance watch? I've got a Polar S625X which has now replaced my Foretrex 101 on distance runs, simply because it is lighter and has all the groovy analyitical software.

 

If you still want the benefits of a GPS in a small package, also consider a Garmin Forerunner 305. It's got a HRM, and a GPSr with the SiRF chipset.

Edited April 3, 2006 by sunpazed

[+cooksvillewildcat]

Hi,

 

Thanks for all the responses. I was about to purchase the Foretrex 201 but cancelled my Amazon order after reading all of your suggestions.

 

I ordered the Foretrex 101 from Buy.com (they has sent me a 10% off coupon so my 101 ended up costing $105.00 ($115 with shipping.)

 

I did order a Garmin data cable, some duracell rechargeable aaa batteries and the Complete Idiots Guide to Geocaching book from Amazon.

 

I went on my first Geocache hunt yesterday (had a 10 year old Megellan that would not provide a consistent reading ....) and unfortunately we did not find the cache .... I had my 3 year old and 4 year old daughters and my wife with me. We enjoyed the hunt and will return again when our Foretrex arrives.

[+UncleFester98]

I am debating whether to purchase the Garmin Foretrex 101 or 201. I will be primarily using it for tracking my distance when I run (the 201 is thinner) but I will also use it for hiking and Geocaching.

 

Has anyone jogged with the 101 and could comment on the additional thickness compared to the 201?

 

I also looked at the Forerunner but decided the Foretrex will fit all of my needs.

 

The AAA batteries of the 101 would be fine for me - I would use rechargeables, so either the 101 or 201 would work.

 

Thanks in advance for your suggestions,

 

Mark

 

I own a Fortrex 201 and I love it. I mostly use it for Geocaching while riding my bike. The batteries last a long time between charges and they have never gone dead on me. I usually charge it once or twice a week when I ride 2 hours a day. The charging cradle works easily and flawlessly and since the contacts are external, I never have to open up the case for any reason. I believe this makes the Fortrex 201 more water and sweat resistant than a GPSr with a removable battery cover. When I am charging the batteries, I can also load Geocache coordinates at the same time. I can also download my track files to mapping software such as Delorme and use it to make printed maps. The Fortrex seems to be as accurate as any other GPSr that I have seen while out Geocaching. I have no regrets about buying a Fortrex 201 and I would buy it again if I had to. UncleFester98