Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?

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2009-03-05 11:27 AM

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Subject: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?

I have gone back through a whole bunch of forum archives and I can see the the most popular HRM/Training watch amongst BT members is the 305, but even at Costco it is just a little out of my budget range .  I am still trying to keep a little money in the budget this year ($500 left) for any modifications I need to make when I have my final bike fitting done at the end of April, and I still need to bike another pair of bike shorts or a tri suit.

 

I am looking for a watch that can track HR, Speed, Distance, and has a countdown timer that I can use for interval training.  It would be nice to record training data on the computer, but it is not a big concern for me yet.  Mostly I want to know exactly how far I am going and how fast I am getting there.

Does anyone have any experience with these two models?  Costco.ca has the Garmin for $149 and the Timex for $179, which do you consider more bang for the buck? Pros and Cons to either?

 

 

2009-03-05 11:33 AM
in reply to: #1999291

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Subject: RE: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?

You're paying $149 for the Forerunner 50? I just bought a FR305 from amazon.com for ~$163.47, shipped...

Don't know anything about the Timex but I used the FR301 for over three years and loved it. I expect to love the 305 even more.

2009-03-05 11:54 AM
in reply to: #1999291

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Subject: RE: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?
Are you in Canada? Looks like prices are way higher. If you could find a Forerunner 305 in the states and have it shipped to you and pay customs it's still probably a better deal.
2009-03-05 12:04 PM
in reply to: #1999291

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Subject: RE: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?

Hey Guys,

Yeah, I know our prices up here sound high... and they are.  Our $ is only worth $.70 of yours right now though, so cross-border shopping is out... eight months ago I would have bought everything down there. Back when our $ was worth more than yours I could have gotten alot more for what I paid for my new bike ('08 P2sl $1400 new)

So I am still stuck with the previous two options.

2009-03-05 12:17 PM
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2009-03-05 8:15 PM
in reply to: #1999291

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Subject: RE: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?

JeepFleeb, Thanks for the response.

How well does the foot pod work for distance and speed in comparison to gps?

 

2009-03-05 8:33 PM
in reply to: #2000763

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Subject: RE: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?

From what I understand it has the potential to be accurate but it definitely needs calibration, preferably on a track. A friend of mine has the forerunner 50 and has struggled to get it to be accurate. He's tried to do some calibrations on the treadmill but you never know if the treadmill is calibrated itself that's why I suggest the track. I think you could get it to be pretty close but it's another thing to have to deal with.

I have a 305 and when I look at the map of my runs I can actually see where I crossed the street: very accurate. Obviously it's going to cost you more. The 305 is 165 USD from amazon which is about 215 CAD. If you could find a way to get it I think that the 65 CAD difference from the 150 CAD forerunner 50 is worth it IMHO. I would think you'd have to pay customs too though?

Hope this helps a bit...



Edited by merlin2375 2009-03-05 8:34 PM
2009-03-06 5:15 AM
in reply to: #2000820

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Subject: RE: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?

I am x2 with Jeepfleeb and would say in answer to merlin that I have had no problems at all with the distance measurement from the footpod. I used a friends GPS to map out a 1km run and then set off with my Garmin and footpod to see what the reading would be. Uncalibrated it read 0.99km so I adjusted to 1km and now it is acurate. Easy to do.

I am very pleased with mine and would recommend it highly although it is obviously not as good as the 305. Its all about the cash available really.

2009-03-06 11:22 PM
in reply to: #1999291

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Subject: RE: Forerunner 50 or Timex Trail Runner?
Is there anyone out there that has even tried the Timex?  I would love to hear some actual feedback on it.  Everyone seems to swear by the Garmin products, but from what I have read it seems like the Timex should be the better product. 
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