Send GPS Running Watch for training / competition - affordable semi-pro under the GPS RF computers running / accuracy & Synchro / UPD

Send GPS Running Watch for training / competition - affordable semi-pro under the GPS RF computers running / accuracy & Synchro / UPD

Garmin Forerunner 220 GPS Running Watch-with running and training functions (equipment)

Customer Review

CONCLUSIONS: The black / red Garmin Forerunner 220 running computer is a stylish and reliable Running Watch with large display that looks good even in their free time (can be recognized by the red design elements which runs Ruhr). When running, it shows on the nice color display in deep S / W light-dark contrast easy to read run data such as speed (Pace), duration, heart rate (with Garmin ANT + -Herzfrequenzsender) on predominantly individually adjustable different screens. Who on the added value and more features (esp. "Virtual Partner", "Return to Start") of Garmin-top models (the new FR 620 or its predecessor FR 610) can do without, is well served by the FR 220. The current FR 610 from 2011 is in very good condition (via eBay) to another runner / runner to another.

The reviewer is very pleased with the FR 220! The operation of the clock in the barrel with the keys with tactile feedback more accurate than using the touchscreen of FR 610, which has almost three years accompanies the weekly running workout.

For more than a decade (2005), the reviewer has (so far Garmin Forerunner 101, 205, 610) with ambitious running endurance in national and international marathons and city runs several GPS Running Watches - often combined with Polar heart rate running computers with acceleration Laufpod - used. In summer 2011, the then new Garmin FR was 610 acquired with the red dot design award and the proud EIA retail price of EUR 399 - finally solid GPS recording and heart rate analysis in one device (the Polar RCX5 had indeed still no built-in GPS recording ).

Immediately the FR 220 is the new Running Watch for training and competition! Out of the box on the delivery day and the following day the standard routes were to transition training runs on two made with the 220er on the left arm and the 610er on the right arm: identical heart rate, unsystematic fluctuating instantaneous PACE on the respective clocks, constantly displayed Averages PACE (5:26 220, 5:30 at 610). Measured at the end of track lengths on both watches are less than 1% of the mean - the 220-evidently closer to the actual length of the route, the one mounted on the wheel Garmin eTrex handheld GPS receiver had been measured separately.

+++ Pluses +++
+ Attractive, lightweight and slim watch design,
All central data with external sensors (RF transmitter) to measure + for runners,
+ Safe recording of run data in the clock,
+ Easy transfer of run data to Garmin Connect (either via USB charging cradle or wirelessly via Bluetooth)
+ Long battery life.

--- Cons ---
- The FR 220-needs longer than the 610 after power felt at least one minute until it has the full satellite signal found (also on the second day, as the FR 220 should go on your doorstep where they had been turned off the day before).
- Also: no indication of accuracy of satellite reception (in meters) in the 220er (which can be found at the 610er: the shows in Germany in the open air typically +/- 5m on).

Full recommendation for FR 220 all runners (pause) n, who want more than a Garmin entry level, but not willing to spend nearly 450 Euro for the new top-clock 620. The reviewers, however, it had no rest - at the first opportunity he has one day (in a run camp with more than three running sessions a day!), The FR 620 (Garmin Running Watch Forerunner 620 HR Incl Premium RF chest Run.) Parallel to the FR tested 220 - see the review there. As for the FR 220 and a tempo run interval with the FR 620 was then recorded there.

=== Features ===
On the manufacturer side of Garmin can be found at various points feature descriptions of FR 220 and FR 620. Here for a better overview, a summary.

GARMIN Forerunner____________________620_______220

Color display ___________________________ ja________ja
Ja______nein _______________________ touch operation
Connectivity (Garmin Connect app) ________ ja________ja
Bluetooth_____________________________ja________ja
WiFi / WLAN ____________________________ ja______nein
Beschleunigungsmesser__________________ja________ja
Pace Alarm____________________________ja________ja
Auto Pause____________________________ja________ja
Training Plan Support ______________ ja________ja
VO2 max assessment __________________ ja______nein
Erholungsratgeber______________________ja______nein
Competitive prediction __________________ ja______nein
Laufeffizienzwerte______________________ja______nein
Laufdynamik___________________________ja______nein
Virtual Partner_________________________ja______nein
Training Effect (Firstbeat Technologies) ____ ja______nein
Configurable data field sides (up to) _____ 4________2

(Source: own research, Manuals, "Compare 620 220" on Garmin.com)

=== === Professional test
In the current magazine issue RUNNER'S WORLD (Germany edition, March 2014) the running experts of editors tested eight GPS Running Computer: The Garmin Forerunner 220 and 620 are (with pros and cons recommended). The FR 620 gets more expensive by the editors for their innovative scope of services a "Best Buy".

=== Private Practice Test (Addendum: 04/2014) ===

SYNC = =
Meanwhile (04/2014) is the clock for over eight weeks use, often twice a week. Since all races of recent years have been uploaded to Garmin Connect, now also the reliability of synchronization and data transfer can be assessed.

Data synchronization works with the Garmin-USB charging cable - no problem with the latest run data from the clock directly on the website "Garmin Connect" can be uploaded (often made in the FR 610 wireless ANT + transfer with (long) ANT + -USB Stick Pause) - totally easy in the new 220!

= Instantaneous PACE (in min / km) =
Obviously, the clock does not show precise second Pace-values, but only in 5-second increments: ie the current speed (Pace in min / km) will be displayed as 5:15, 5:20, 5:25 (but not, for example, 5 : 27). The average speed of the entire run is nevertheless always displayed the exact second, so you can see at any time the best longer average pace during the run (eg 5:16 average since the start of run). The stepped in 5-second increments instantaneous Pace display was surprising for the reviewer - had none of the previous used Garmin models - but also results in fewer fluctuations in any case always inaccurate instantaneous Pace. The displayed respectively on the Forerunner 220 Average Pace (on the Clock screen as the third value AVG PACE to HF and instantaneous PACE) is sufficient for practical use, if you want to ensure that the competition will be respected (eg constant Maintaining a Pace limit, such as 5:00 min / km).

= KM-accuracy =
The Forerunner 220 has recently taken on a journey on a running track in the Ruhr city with shares, parks and forests, together with the iPhone 4S with Polar Beat App on the left arm. Result: the Garmin FR 220 indicates the distance as 10.15 km, the iPhone-based Polar app 10.17 km away. Fluctuation around the mean (10.16 km) approximately plus / minus 1%. Super consistent (or just a coincidence?)!

But, as well as Runner's World in issue 4/2014 on the same subject ("presumptuous claims", p.78) notes, almost never show different GPS watches at the same distance. Upper tester and editor Urs Weber writes: "GPS watches of the latest generation (...) measure the actual length of the route much more accurate (plus / minus 200 meters with a ten-kilometer run course, as our experience value) than any runner they can assess" , So RW conducts an empirical value of about plus / minus 2% from - I have to plus a maximum of 2.5% (ie "my" appears occasionally error of indicated distance to various Garmin GPS watches on (urban) Marathon Marathon distances great city runs (Berlin / Frankfurt) were 42.6 to 43.1 km long - but who knows exactly how I followed the "racing line"). So take into account 2% inaccuracy - which is a common practice in measuring inaccuracy in large path lengths ;-).

= Data recording inbes. TEMPO at intervals =
Some users inaccurate data recording and fluctuating instantaneous Pace is criticized - the reviewer can not confirm these effects.

In April 2014 was made on a 400-meter track (10x) in the stadium with a running group under the leadership of the Olympic champion Nils Schumann as Tempo Trainer Tempo a training sequence. With ten laps pace with
SYNC = =
First was synchronized with the wired USB charger - that went pretty smoothly and faster / more reliable than using the ANT + technology of 610. Recently, the FR 220 on wiedend via Bluetooth and the smartphone app "Garmin Connect Mobile" (App Store ) synchronized. After setting the Bluetooth on both devices (FR 220 and iPhone) and initial coupling transmits automatically iPhone the latest runs from the clock (with RF recording, cadence, etc.) and synchronized with the Garmin Connect account on the Internet, where (see above) have over the years put all runs. Bluetooth works quickly, wirelessly and anywhere only with clock and iPhone, more flexible and more reliable than the ANT + technology with USB flash drive and computer software. The rotor is very satisfied!

=== Training plan / interval (Update: 08/2014) ===
For ambitious and advanced skiers on half marathon or marathon routes include torture as hours of long slow runs as hard interval training with regular tempo changes to the program. When reviewers of this application area was until the summer of 2014 on the plan so that the clock has been tested only on this aspect out now (and thereby their limitations disclosed).

In August 2014, the software version of the clock is now at V2.90 (GPS version 3.10) - query via Menu, Settings, System, Info.

Programmed Interval training is possible in two ways:
1.) Manualle input in the clock
2.) programming an interval to Garmin Connect (under "training").

== Manual programming of Intervalltrainngs ==
Under, "training", "intervals" "menu" can be directly in the FR 220, an interval training type ("edit", "training", "intervals") can be entered. However: the entry and exit phases can only be "open" (ie without timing / -limit) entered here, ie "warm" and "phasing out" feature | select [Off] and when running with the "Lap" button to initiate , Interval training can itself with "interval" and "pause" in each case as "duration" and "type" [Distance | Time | open] and the number of repetitions to be determined. Heart rate or pace-areas which must be observed for interval or break, can not be specified here. If the next time another interval type can be trained (eg instead of 10x 3 min. Interval plus each 2 min. Break now 5x 5 min. Plus 4 per min. Break), this new interval training has to be new to be "entered" and will overwrite the previous interval training , This mode is therefore for the ambitious runner not differentiated enough.

== Programming in Garmin Connect and transfer to the clock ===
At Garmin Connect different interval training can be created and stored device-independent under "training". Programming takes place at the computer. Then training by can be sent to the device "Send to Device". Currently looks Garmin Connect ago that the program "Garmin Express" is installed. The connection to the clock, which is connected to the charging clip via USB is detected reliably Garmin Express - also available updates are displayed reliably accessed and synchronized. The transfer of the selected training on the device (either directly or through "iCalendar" and subsequent synchronization) worked once, but later it was not reproducible hinzubekommen. In typical 12-week (half) marathon preparations not only interval training interspersed for a change - even the interval training themselves vary in their sequence. Here disappointed the FR 220 the sophisticated power runner.

=== Buy recommendation FR 220 or 620 ===
Even after six months now used frequently in beleaguered city runs, applies a so unlimited buying recommendation on the FR 220 for runners, the usual running training and perform -wettkämpfe! The professional model FR 620 as has apparently ran - To check diversified interval training the FR 220 is, however, less suitable. Interestingly for purchase considerations that the FR 220 (without HR) for months remained unchanged at around 200 euros market price falls, while the FR 620 now for around 350 euros (with Premium HR belt) - just under 100 euros below Garmin EIA is to have. This makes the selection decision for power runners, so make easier.

Should this review be useful for decision making, thank the reviewer in recognition of the work report for a click on "useful", and ...

... Keep on running!

Class Song 2 Rank: 4/5
April 13
Fits great and protect good Rank: 5/5
May 21
lot 893 Rank: 5/5
February 22
Pitiful, fragile, bad honest! Rank: 1/5
September 3
The ball! 4 Rank: 5/5
January 15

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