Three Popular GPS Running Watch Choices - Timex GPS Watches, Suunto T Series and Garmin Forerunner

The best equipment can help make hard physical training a little easier. While good training shoes and fabrics that breath can make exerting physical effort more comfortable, the best technology can handle much of the hard work in tracking and comparing results. For runners, cyclists and any sport that involves moving from point A to point B in quick time, a GPS watch can be a beneficial tool, providing you with valuable feedback on how you are performing and storing performance statistics for later comparison. As there are a various models of GPS watches on the market, lets take a look at a few of the popular ones.

At the cheap end of the price scale, you'll discover the Timex Speed and Distance watch. Timex GPS watches require an external GPS device be mounted on the wearer's body, which transmits data wirelessly to the wrist watch via a digital FM signal. The Timex Speed and Distance model measures horizontal speed and distance, but unlike the more expensive Timex Bodylink GPS system, cannot measure altitude. That aside, it has many nice features that runners need such as lap and target speed sessions, 100 Laps of memory and the famous Timex INDIGLO illumination lighting system for night time running. The GPS system also features auto-pause which stops the timers when you stop running and starts when you resume.

Another GPS watch system for runners is the Suunto Training series watches. The Training series watches is a series of three GPS enabled watches, the T3C, T4C and T6C. These watches also utilize an external, wireless GPS device and unlike the Timex watches feature "Training Effect", an accurate indicator of the actual fitness benefit of a workout. The pricier T6C can also measure EPOC and is packed with bunch of other analytical features, although these are mostly overkill to all but the most specialist runners and coaches. Only the T6C measures altitude, and utilizes a barometric altimeter which is more accurate than GPS.

The Suunto Training Series watches offer a different set of features to the Timex GPS system and any one of these might be considered one of the "best GPS running watches", but there is a more popular brand of GPS watch that is a clear favorite amongst athletes and runners everywhere. This watch would be the Garmin Forerunner line of GPS watches.

The Forerunner 305 is an older GPS system, yet is still amongst the most popular GPS system in existence. It was superceded by the Forerunner 405, which is sleeker and looks more like a watch, but stripped out were the navigation features that the Forerunner 305 could accommodate with its larger screen size. The 405 was then superceded by the 405CX which was essentially a minor upgrade. The 405 and 405CX are high tech watches that feature a touch-sensitive bezel and a wireless ANT+ transfer mechanism for transferring data to PC. Data can even be wirelessly transmitted between 405 watches. While the 405CX is probably the most popular running GPS watch, the 405 and 305, being older watches can be picked up slightly cheaper and still deliver a lot of bang for your buck!

These three watch brands all offer their advantages, but the best GPS running watch for you will depend on which features you need individually and what price you are prepared to pay. A GPS running watch is a tool highly worthy of investment. It will keep you on track and on time.

Visit our website to learn much more about running watches GPS systems and other GPS running watch choices.

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Looking For a New Garmin GPS?

Deciding on which new Garmin GPS to buy is a difficult task. There are many kinds of GPS so in this article we will concentrate on portable automotive GPS units and leave the other types for another time. Odds are you were looking for an portable automotive GPS anyway.

For most people, the cost of the GPS is the first consideration.

A new Garmin automotive GPS will cost in the low one hundred dollar to the low four hundred dollar range (USD). As you would expect, the less expensive GPS will lack the advanced features of the more expensive ones.

Another selection criterion to consider is whether or not the Garmin GPS has been discontinued. If you are looking for a new Garmin GPS, I am assuming that you do not want a discontinued unit. As of the writing of this article, Garmin lists 26 current automotive GPS.

Garmin's newest GPS are the Nuvi 1200, 1300, and 1400 GPS series (9 GPS units in these series). However, these GPS have not gained the popularity of the Garmin Nuvi x5 GPS. To identify the x5 Garmin GPS models, look for the last digit in the model number to be a five (5). Examples: Nuvi 255W, Nuvi 755T, Nuvi 765T, Nuvi 885T.

The lowest priced new Garmin GPS is the Nuvi 205. It currently sells for approximately $125. The highest priced unit is the Nuvi 1490T that sells for approximately $410. (Note: prices are quoted are from Amazon).

As a word of advice, purchase a GPS that speaks the street name on which you will turn. Otherwise, you must to take your eyes off the road to read the street name on the display. Taking your eyes off the road for just an instant is extremely dangerous. The Garmin Nuvi 255 is the lowest cost, newest Garmin GPS with this feature.

If you are overwhelmed by all these GPS numbers and models, you may need some additional help to determine which are new, which are discontinued, which are current, and the basic features of each unit. Consult the resource information at the end of this article for additional help.

John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. His degree in physics makes him curious about how things work and he was naturally fascinated with early GPS units and has followed their development.

His website, The-Best-GPS.com, helps readers identify the best GPS units. To sort through all the Garmin models and find the right new Garmin GPS, use the Garmin comparison table at http://www.the-best-gps.com/Garmin-Nuvi-Comparison.html

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Garmin GPS Nuvi 350 Review

The GPS Nuvi 350 is one of the hottest GPS systems on the market today. In this short review we'll take a look at the features, quality and design of this popular model from Garmin.

If you're new to the world of GPS technology it may be helpful to first get an understanding of just what GPS is.

A typical GPS receiver includes an antenna to catch satellite frequencies a receiver, and a clock . A GPS receiver will generally have up to 20 channels.

GPS receivers are available in automobiles, telephones even watches, and can provide you with directions to get almost anyplace that has been mapped. This is certainly true in the United States where I have seen the GPS Nuvi 350 used in cities, towns and even many rural areas. I understand that they are widely popular in Europe and elsewhere as well.

The GPS Nuvi 350 is manufactured by Garmin which should provide a sense of comfort as Gramin is an industry leader in the manufacture and design of GPS technology.

Let's take a closer look at the GPS Nuvi 350.

The GPS Nuvi 350 is approximately 3.9 inches. I can easily put one into any pocket, ladies will find it an easy fit into a purse.

Albeit small, Garmin has packed this pint sized GPS with some powerful features.

For example, you can get directions read out with street names. This allows you to keep driving safely without looking at the display screen.

The screen itself is a color touch screen, three and one half inches, that is bright and easy to read. Also included is an MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, and a calculator.

I used the JPEG Viewer to show pictures I've taken with my phone. But that's not a reason to buy any GPS system, just consider it an extra bonus feature of having truly accurate directions in a reliable GPS is what you are really after.

All of these extra features are fun toys and are handy of you are traveling for work or pleasure. But in my opinion the best feature of the GPS Nuvi 350 is the GPS technology which makes traveling a snap and a pleasure.

Another nice feature of the GPS Nuvi 350 is that it works as soon as you take it out of the box, and is as easy to operate as Garmin claims.

If you use the GPS Nuvi 350 in you car you'll have a suction cup mount that's reliable and won't fall on the floor of the car. A handy AC adapter is also included.

Having used the GPS Nuvi 350 in more than one U.S. locale I was happy to find detailed street maps for North America which included text-to-speech technology.

All in all, the GPS Nuvi 350 is a compact and easy to use GPS that is reliable and jam packed with a lot of bonus features that make the detailed street maps for North America and includes text-to-speech technology. If you should get stuck the Reference Guide will get you moving in the right direction in no time.

A personal travel aide and all around worthwhile piece of technology to own, the GPS Nuvi 350 gets 5 stars in our opinion.

Looking for more information on the GPS Nuvi 350 AND the lowest price from a reputable vendor? Garmin Nuvi 350 price at [http://www.garminnuvi350price.info]

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Garmin Traffic GPS - Everything You Need to Know

All Garmin traffic GPS are in a group Garmin calls "FM traffic compatible". This means these GPS can accept FM traffic data from an FM traffic receiver and show it on the GPS display. A subgroup of this larger group is titled "FM traffic included" which means that the GPS is sold with an integrated traffic receiver and subscription to the traffic service included in the purchase price.

Now that we have the definitions out of the way, let's clear up one point that may surprise you. None of these Garmin GPS actually have the FM receiver built inside the GPS. The FM receiver is actually built into the cigarette lighter power plug that powers the GPS. The cord that powers the GPS also carries the data from the FM traffic receiver located in the power plug to the GPS.

On all current Garmin units, you can tell if the GPS has FM traffic included in the purchase price if the model number has the letter "T" in the last character position. Example: Garmin Nuvi 1490T.

If you purchase a GPS that includes traffic, you will have an easy time installing it since the GPS and the FM receiver are matched when they arrive together in the box.

If you purchased an FM Traffic compatible unit without the FM receiver (and associated subscription to the traffic service), you will need to do some research if you want to add the traffic service to your GPS.

The best place to find the information you need for this is on the Garmin website. Go to the Garmin home page. You will see a link on the top left of the page, "On the Road". Move your cursor over this link and a drop down box with appear. Click the link "Automotive" in this box. This will bring up a page that lists all the current Garmin automotive GPS models.

On the top left of this page are several links, one of which will be "Traffic Receivers". Click this link and all of the Garmin traffic receivers will be displayed. Note that there are also some satellite receivers shown, but we will not address those in this article.

The basic differences between these traffic receivers are the traffic service that they provide and the type of plug on the cord that plugs into the GPS. To find the FM traffic receiver for your Garmin Traffic GPS, click on the link to a specific receiver (Example: GTM(TM) 25 with lifetime traffic). When the page loads, you will see some tabs across the page toward the bottom of the screen. When you click on the "Products" tab, a page will display all the Garmin GPS that are compatible with the FM traffic receiver.

Check to see if your GPS is included and verify that the FM traffic service covers your area. The traffic service is provided by either Clear Channel Traffic Message Channel or NAVTEQ Traffic. Other subscriptions may be available under the "Accessories" tab (if displayed).

You should now have the information you need to make an intelligent decision about how to add traffic capability to your Garmin traffic GPS.

Good luck and good driving. Steer clear of traffic with your Garmin traffic GPS.

See the resource information below for more information about using the Garmin and Amazon websites to find the correct FM receiver for your Garmin traffic GPS. 

John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. His degree in physics makes him curious about how things work and he was naturally fascinated with early GPS units and has followed their development.

His website, The-Best-GPS.com, helps readers identify the best GPS units.

For more information and help in finding all Garmin Traffic GPS go to http://www.the-best-gps.com/Garmin-Traffic-GPS.html

For more information about Garmin FM Traffic Receivers go to http://www.the-best-gps.com/Garmin-Traffic-Receiver.html

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