Ultra Cool Gadgets

Just when you thought Garmin had cornered the market on powerful, affordable, and effective wrist-mounted GPS devices, here comes the Forerunner 305. The release of this device is a major achievement from a design and technology perspective. This isn’t just marketing-speak; the Forerunner 305 is the most accurate, most reliable wrist-mounted performance and GPS tracking tool we’ve ever tested. Yes, it’s that good. While no device this compact can do everything (yet), the 305 pushes the boundaries of what is possible from something strapped around your wrist. The 305 model includes wireless heartrate monitoring and it can also be connected to Garmin’s wireless bicycle speed and cadence sensor.
The big news about the Forerunner 305 is that it features an integrated, high-sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS receiver. What does this mean? It means that the 305’s ability to both track, and maintain a lock on, your position is better than anything before it. After an intial battery charge, the tester had the 305 on his wrist and was tracking speed and distance with GPS satellites within 3 minutes. The next time we used the 305, satellite acquisition was nearly instantaneous. A run through dense trees didn’t faze the unit either; tracking remained true and steady. Performance on a bike was equally impressive. Whatever witchcraft has been cooked up by the designers of the SiRF technology, we like it!

Customer feedback:

1. I use mine for cycling and running, the direct link to see your workouts mapped on GOOGLE EARTH is FANTASTIC!!!! (the included software is far more stable than the junk Polar included with their HRM’s. Heart rate strap with replaceable battery is coded and comfortable. It’s better in my opinion than the Polar products (of which I’ve owned three)
This is much better than the Forerunner 201 which I previously owned (locks on satellites 10 times faster) and I’d avoid the 405 unless you really want to use this watch as a normal day to day wristwatch (check out the 405 reviews)

2. I have enjoyed using this product so far. I have not used the heart rate monitor attachment yet. I have found the Garmin to be very easy to use and it seems to be amazingly accurate. The instructions were very easy to follow and implement. I look forward to exploring more of the features as I become more familiar with the Garmin.
The ordering process was very simple and efficient.

With the Forerunner 405, Garmin has finally put the power of GPS location-based date into a sleek sport watch that can be worn all day. Runners no longer have to choose between function and fashion. Garmin’s ANT + Sport wireless platform that wirelessly sends your data to your computer and a touch bezel that lets you change screens with a simple tap (no more fumbling for buttons) run make this not just a leap forward in GPS-enabled fitness devices, but in training devices period. Forerunner 405 comes in two color options — black or green.
Loaded with serious training features, Forerunner 405 continuously monitors your time, distance, pace, calories and heart rate (when paired with heart rate monitor). Each run is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data to see how you’ve improved.
The high-sensitivity GPS receiver sustains satellite reception, whether you’re tackling a trail or jogging through the urban canyons of skyscrapers. The Forerunner 405 is water-resistant (IPX7) and can be used outdoors or indoors (with an optional foot pod), making it the ultimate year-round, all-weather training tool.

Technical Details

* Round 4-Level Gray Fstn, 124 X 95 Pixel Display
* Accurately Tracks Distance, Pace & Calories, & Displays On Easy-To-Read Screen
* Ant+Sport(Tm) Wireless Technology Automatically Transfers Workout Data To & From
* Computer When Device Is Within Range
* Heart Rate Monitor

Customer feedback:

A. Likes:
1. Everything in one device – HR, pace, distance, elevation, laps.
2. Pace – I thought the whole GPS thing might be a bit too high-tech for a guy who loves the simplicity of running, but it is very, very nice to know your pace as you run. I use Hal Higdon’s training plans, which call for all kinds of runs, with warm-ups, intervals, tempo intervals, pace segments, etc. The pace feature makes doing these workouts possible without having a coach at your side.
3. GPS frees you from mapping out your route. You just run until it shows your distance is done. The Garmin Connect site then shows your map. This doesn’t sound so amazing, but it is very liberating. You just run wherever you want, explore your neighborhood, whatever. It transforms city running.
4. Auto laps. Great feature. Records all your details (time, HR, pace) for each lap automatically. You can review on the watch or on Garmin Connect.
5. The Garmin Connect website is good, not amazing, but complete enough with nice graphs and it’s easy to imagine it getting better.
6. The data seems pretty accurate, based on a track workout. In a recent 10K race, it recorded 10.2K, but some of that variation is certainly due to my weaving among the crowd.
Dislikes:
1. Battery life – with GPS enabled, it needs a charge every couple of days to avoid the dreaded “low battery” warning in the middle of a workout.
2. The USB stick for wireless transfer. It works, but Nike does it better. The Nike+ pop-out USB stick is a much simpler way to transfer data to the computer and a much better way to keep from losing the USB part.
3. It can take a couple of minutes to find satellites and loses the satellites on streets with tall buildings. This is a little disconcerting, but the software seems to correct for it.
4. You need the foot pod to use it for indoor training. One more piece of gear (and not cheap).
All in all, the Garmin 405 is an incredible training device. It is the best choice in the market. Nothing comes close to it. 5 stars.

B. I researched this watch for a few months before buying it. I am a casual runner, between 3-8 miles on a normal run at school.

SCI-MT4100 GPS tracking system features a robust all inclusive GPS logging system. You have chosen a sophisticated GPS system that is easy to operate.The MT4100 uses GPS to find its location. In order to lock onto the location, the GPS unit can have a direct line of sight to 3 locations in the sky and these locations are changing constantly throughout the day.

Technical Details

* Logs data, including speed, every second.
* Features 16 channel GPS receiver and is Weatherproof.
* Software animates the car driving over a digital street map.
* Displays address location, date, and time of every stop.
* Runs on 2 AAA batteries with accuracy of 2.5 meters.

Customer feedback:

A. Pros:
1. Profile – very small for what it does and the black color is perfect for concealment.
2. Ease of Use – Simply find something magnetic to stick it to and you’re done. Later, retrieve the unit, plug it into your computer, download and view.
3. Accurate – This thing doesn’t skip a beat. I’ve had virtually no blank spots on the tracking. It also records fastest speed and how long you are idle.
4. Cost – good price for the capabilities.

Cons:
1. Software – The software that came with mine would not install. This is not an isolated issue I later found out. I had to download the software from the Internet. Annoying, but I got it to work.
2. Quality – Within 2 months I had lost the cap protecting the USB connection (got lose and fell off). Also, two of the parts that hold the screws in are coming out and need to be glued. The o-ring is also very flimsy and will soon break I am sure.

Overall I like the product and would consider another.

B. I was really pleased with how the tracker key worked! I was able to track the vehicle to the precise location using Google Earth.

Technical Details

* Logs data, including speed, every second
* Very affordable and NO ONGOING MONTHLY FEES!!!!
* Runs on just 2 AAA batteries
* 16 channel GPS Receiver
* Accuracy of 2.5 meters

Customer feedback:

1. I was really suspicious when I went GPS shopping, because I’d heard so many problems about metal blocking signals and so forth. I put the tracking key through all kinds of tests in my van, hiding it upside down under the seat, inside the dash, stashing it back inside the compartment for the jack, surrounding it with metal and pointing it in all different directions (it recommends you keep it upright, but I found it doesn’t make a difference, this thing still works perfectly!). It’s only disadvantage is that as a data logger, you have to retrieve it before you get the tracking info to download to your computer. The battery lasted me about two weeks of regular driving, though, so it more than compensated. But yeah, as a first time buyer of a tracking device and thorough tester, I was highly impressed. It shows on an overhead map (adjustable to satellite images with Google Earth!) the exact path the vehicle took, or an animated time-clocked journey, showing where it went, how long it stopped, when it took off again. No matter how deeply I hid it in the car, it never lost my signal once. Shop around a little bit to avoid overcharging companies, and you might want to wrap a piece of black electrical tape on the green battery light on the outside of the case for better hiding. Definitely an excellent buy, I’d recommend it to anyone with covert tracking needs.

2. I received this Tracking device 2 weeks ago. I wanted something that was inexpensive and I did not have the need for a subscription based product. I have access to the device daily. I put it inside the vehicle where it does not have metal overhead as indicated for best reception. On one of the reviews I read that the batteries are not lasting but one or two days for the reviewer. My experience over the last two weeks is very different. I am using a cheap alkaline Walgreens brand battery and just changed it today after 13 days. The low battery indicator was not activated but I felt it was time to change it just in case. The Past Track software that comes with it is not the greatest but it works. It also works well with Google Earth. There are a few different settings that can be customized for viewing and individual dates of tracking. As stated by the other review it does not show a brief stop as a listed stop, but once you see it in action it is easy to know if a stop was made. You also know for how long it was even though brief. You can even play a moving diagram of the vehicles movement and watch the clock at the same time. Over all if you need a device that you are able to access for downloading this is the one to get.