This summer I started using a Garmin Forerunner 205 and love it -- I use it mostly for running, but also took it hiking up in the Colorado Rockies in September.
This is a bit out of character for me on two accounts: 1) I am not that much of a gadget guy (e.g., no iPhone yet), and 2) I tend to be a bit of a purest with my running gear -- shoes, shorts, and sunglasses and I'm usually good to go. OK, if it is really cold, I'll put on more clothes, but I'm famous (infamous?) in my running club for racing shirtless even when the temp is around freezing -- but that's a story for another day.
Backing up a bit... My regular running partner picked up Garmin's newest sports GPS, the Forerunner 405, when it was first available earlier this year. He loves it -- not much bigger than a regular running chronograph, his device does all kinds of fancy tricks and he can download his runs to his computer (over Bluetooth, no less). I thought it was interesting, but wasn't convinced -- it still seemed a bit fiddly and I wasn't sure I'd like it.
A couple of our colleagues who also run, have older model Forerunners. Eventually one upgraded to the new 405 model and then offered me a terrific deal on his old 205. Well, I was curious and decided to give it a try.
Now I'm hooked. I've worn my "new" 205 on almost every run. One benefit has been when I've wanted to run a certain distance out-and-back, but didn't know the turnaround point in advance. With the GPS, no problem -- now I just go until I reach the desired mileage. It has also been fun (well, mostly) to look back on pacing during races. Not only can I see at a finer level of detail than on a whole mile basis, I'm also saved from those times when I forgot to hit the lap button on my chronograph.
After running, it is simple to upload the data to my computer over USB to the Garmin Training Center application. The same USB cable will charge the unit, though there is also wall adapter.
It is a keeper!
