Training & Nutrition - garmin 301

Any one using it as a training aid?

I would wait for the 305.

Until very recently I used this and very much liked it - combined a nice and simple on bike unit (no cables!) and nice review of your ride and workout. You need the sporttracks software though, as the stuff that comes with the garmin is junk (sporttracks is free, btw).

However, I have unfortunately had to move away from it as the heart rate strap is way too temperamental and after continuous failures (3 straps from garmin) it is not worth the time. Nothing is more frustrating then having a hard, HR based training plan on the schedule, do your warmup, and then find the the unit decided not to work that day. . .

I was just about to add the 301 to my christmas wish list. More reviews please.

I've had one for a few months now and simply love it. I use the MotionBased (http://www.motionbased.com/) site along with the Training Center to record rides like this one http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?view=dashboard&key=MzQxMTIx

As Kuan said though, I would wait for their new 305 The Edge (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BKP80G/002-2905424-1512000?v=glance&n=172282&%5Fencoding=UTF8&colid=2RMUK0AMZYRZS&coliid=I3LCFDL9ARK8YI&v=glance) which I will be upgrading to as soon as it comes out (provided the reviews are good) as it has pretty much the same basic features as the 301 but with more cycling-specific extras while the 301 has options for running and such.

I use the 301 but the computer software that comes with it (Training Center) has some very important errors in it. So ... 301 receiver good ... 301 software bad. Some very helpful poster pointed me to the SportTrack (http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/) software. I use it with the 301 instead ... and it is free.

I'm also waiting for the EDGE (http://www.garmin.com/products/edge305/) to be released (Jan '06). Sure wish they'd beaf up their effort to make this a good Christmas gift. And hopefully the Training Center software that comes with it will be purged of it's current bug list.


d.tipton

Until very recently I used this and very much liked it - combined a nice and simple on bike unit (no cables!) and nice review of your ride and workout. You need the sporttracks software though, as the stuff that comes with the garmin is junk (sporttracks is free, btw).

However, I have unfortunately had to move away from it as the heart rate strap is way too temperamental and after continuous failures (3 straps from garmin) it is not worth the time. Nothing is more frustrating then having a hard, HR based training plan on the schedule, do your warmup, and then find the the unit decided not to work that day. . .

i very loudly second this. the bike computer stuff is great; it works like a champ. the heart rate part is junk. i, too, have a heart rate training plan, and yes, it's frustrating to the max to find your training ride go out the window because garmin can't make a quality product. i'm not yet convinced it's the strap; i don't know what the problem is

i looked at both the SportTrack and the MotionBased software and went with MotionBased. had just a bit more of what i need. at least, it's great every time all the planets align and i get heart rate info

If you absolutely want one it's one sale for $199 at REI this weekend.