I remember seeing a post on this earlier but I couldn't find it, jc-9 maybe you could help me out haha...if not then anyone have opinions on which is better, I'm not really bothered about the heart rate monitor but the USB hookup to the computer sounds easier to use than the serial? is it worth the extra $30 dollars?
Submitted by nb1376 on Mon, 02/26/2007 - 5:31pm
Nb, the biggest problem with the 301 is that the USB port is not waterproof. Seal it with bluetak or something similar else it will corrode very quickly. The 201 has hot points so is ok.
However both are prone to water damage generally so i keep mine in a waterproof sealed clear bag, like the ones made for mobile phones.
Cheers Rambo
#1 Mon, 02/26/2007 - 7:13pm
nb1736, since you called me out, i had to do it.
did a search for "garmin 201 301" in the handy search feature at the top of the ocpaddler home page. enjoy...funny i think i may have linked a link to this link. kind of an endless circle if you will.
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/1218
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/1945
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/2188
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/1087
#2 Mon, 02/26/2007 - 7:29pm
Yeah, I love my 201, but the reset button no longer works after an unexpected huli one day when I didn't have it wrapped. The 201 and 301 both can be water damaged, so definitely put them in a waterproof case or at least wrap them in saran wrap or a sealed plastic baggy before taking them out.
My 201 hooks to my computer via USB, and I like it because it is flat and small, so it is unobstrusive on my bike handlbars or mounted between my calves on the ridge between the footwells on my Huki V1-Z. Also fits well on my marathon racing canoe on one of the cross bars. I don't use the heart rate monitor since I don't attach the GPS to me anyway. It's not like during the race I want to take time off from my paddle stroke to look down at my wrist. I would have to stop paddling to read it. So I don't need the 301, the 201 is just fine.
The newer 205/305 are nifty, but don't lay flat, they are curved, which is fine if you are putting it on your wrist, but sucks for mounting flush on a boat.
#3 Tue, 02/27/2007 - 8:52am
I just started using the 305 and I mount it on my footstrap so I can see it during the run. I've heard that the 305s are pretty solid as to being waterproof but if they take a good shot it can crack them and render them useless.
#4 Tue, 02/27/2007 - 11:05am
my 201 just broke again.. because of water damage. If you don't go in the water, i recommend it, but the thing seems to suck in water and break at very in-opportune (is that a word?) times. For the money i think you're better off measuring the distance between trees on the beach, and timing yourself and finding your speed from there....
i've become very anti-GPS (maybe anti Garmin?)
#5 Tue, 02/27/2007 - 10:55am
haha...thanks jc9_0...figured you did so well finding all the links for the boats you could help me out with this one...is there any sort of warranty that covers against water damage on either the 201 or 301??
#6 Tue, 02/27/2007 - 11:33am
they used to cover water damage-- but not anymore. You have to declare a boycott for them to take anything back from you.....
#7 Tue, 02/27/2007 - 12:56pm
new
......... I use a 201. Last week I finished my workout and put it in my pocket and forgot about it....... I then put my 201 through the laundry....... thought for sure it would be toast !
But hey it still works fine! go figure.........
#8 Tue, 02/27/2007 - 1:14pm
I've had the 305 since it came out a year ago. Never had any issues with it. it's been underwater alot (not on purpose of course). Just last week I mistimed coming into shore and the 305 was attached to footstrap of my ski as it washed up on the beach upside down. No problems. I'd get a 205 if you don't need HRM, as opposed to 201/301. They aren't much more expensive. I have heard some people complain about one of the buttons being faulty on the 205/305 but I haven't seen it. If you get a 205, just make sure to rinse/dry the unit after use...one of the contacts will turn black from time to time for some reason, but it always goes away.
#9 Wed, 02/28/2007 - 12:14pm
hey hey
#10 Tue, 03/20/2007 - 2:41am