The Forerunner 301 combines the popular features of the Forerunner 201 with a proven heart rate monitor and Training Center™ software to create a highly integrated personal training system.

Whether you are a triathlete in training or just want to see tangible results, the Forerunner 301 sets the pace with innovative features:

• Compact, lightweight and waterproof with an easy-to-read display on an ergonomic wristband
• Embedded GPS sensor provides basic navigation capabilities to tell you how far, how fast, even how to get home.
• Digital coded heart rate monitor so you can see whether you are training too hard or not enough
• Training Center software, a powerful PC-based application that lets you analyze and create workouts
• Highly flexible — offers multiple sports profiles so you can use it for running, biking and other sports.
• Easy to use — no calibration required. Just turn it on and go.

Customize your Forerunner 301 to get the most out of your training. To help you achieve your personal best, the Forerunner 301 includes the following smart features:

• Auto Pause™ pauses and resumes training timer based on a specified speed so you never have to start or stop the timer
• Auto Lap™ records lap data when you reach a specified distance so you never have to punch the lap button
• AutoLearn™ feature learns user’s heart rate zones, adjusting them as fitness levels improve
• Virtual Partner™ lets you train against a specified time, distance or pace goals
• AutoScroll cycles through data pages during a workout

Included Training Center software lets you create custom workouts with templates from the experts at TrainingPeaks.com. The software also allows you to store and analyze data using interactive graphs that chart your speed, elevation, pace or heart rate data. Your course is overlaid on a map so you can pinpoint specific areas and see how elevation and other factors affect your performance. Garmin has also formed a partnership with MotionBased.com to provide Forerunner 301 users with unique internet-based performance analysis and mapping tools for GPS and heart-rate information.

Forerunner 301: How hard is your heart working?

• Continuously monitors heart rate, speed, distance, pace and calories burned.
• Easy to use, 2 piece system
• Heart rate monitor helps you train in your target zone to optimize performance.
• Included Training Center software lets you create, analyze and store workout data on PC.
• Use for multiple sports — one button push changes your heart rate profile from running to biking or another sport.
• Weight: 2.75 oz.
• Display:1.44” x 0.92” (W x H); 100 x 64 pixels on FSTN display with LCD backlighting.
• Physical size: 3.3” x 1.7” x 0.7” (W x H x D).
• Battery Life: Up to 14 hours (typical use); rechargeable lithium ion.
• Waterproof: IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 mins.)
• 5000 lap memory (up to 2 years worth of lap data) organized into days or weeks.
• Heart rate, pace, time distance, interval workout & advanced custom workout alerts.
• Mark specific locations, and then look-up and navigate to these points using an electronic map.
• USB interface allows for fast data transfer to the computer.
  

Heart rate monitor features:
• Physical size: 11.65 ” x 1.34” x 0.43” (W x H x D).
• Strap: 12.6 ” - 25.2".
• Weight: 1.55 oz
• Display: Shows heart rate (beats per minute) and zone (between 1 and 5).
• Digitally coded transmission
• AutoLearn™: Learns user’s heart rate zones, adjusting them as fitness levels improve.
• Alerts: Alarm sounds if you reach specified minimum or maximum heart rate.

Comments (5)

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not as good as it sounds...
written by Hiro, June 15, 2006

I bought one from Amazon six months ago... and it's dead already. It's just impossible to switch it on.
It has never been underwater and I've been using it 10 hours a week for the past six months. Rinsing it with clear water and drying it after each session.
It took forever to acquire sattelite info, even with clear sky and far from any tree/house/mountain/... Sometimes the gps will loose the signal for a few minutes during the trainig session, thus making the distance and average speed info unaccurate.
The cheap heart rate sensor makes the unit display unreliable data too often.
It is supposed to have a one full year warranty, but I received a mail from Amazon to tell me that I could not return the item since I bought it more than a month ago. So I will try to contact Garmin customers service but I'm afraid that I will get the following answer "Amazon sold it, ..."
I don't think I will buy another Garmin gps device again. Or if i ever change my mind, I won't buy it from Amazon.

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Garmin 301
written by GeoM, June 16, 2006

I have burned thru two of them in the past three weeks. Out of the box they both worked great. two paddles later, and the unit would not upload the data to my PC. Tried everything for two days, gave up and called Garmin. They sent me back to Amazon. No problem. On line site to print out a postage paid mailing label, and the free replacement immediately shipped by UPS, even before they got the old one back. Two days later, got the new Garmin 301, set it up, paddled two days, same problem. Amazon said "sorry, no more in stock. All appear to be junk. Will give me $20. certificate towards next Amazon buy and will refund all my money upon receipt of second defective Garmin."

A couple weeks later,and several E-mails, I was finally credited the full amount ($162). I have gone to a different seller, and have ordered a Garmin 305 (for $279) and I'm hoping that the improvements in the docking station vs. the USB cable will allow the new unit to communicate with my PC for longer this time. I'll keep you posted. Bottom line, forget the Garmin 301. Two for two only worked two days. It was great when it worked, but neither of them worked very long.

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301/305
written by robin.mousley, June 17, 2006

My 301 lasted for a year before it stopped registering HR and it worked well. I kept the USB port sprayed with silicon & the rubber cap taped on while I was using it.

The 305 does seem a more robust unit and that's what I'm using now.

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garmin 305 forerunner
written by ahayden, June 17, 2006

Robin (and others)

With regards to downloading data, do you suggest using the garmin software or joining up with the Motion Based software?

Any thoughts on specific programs you have found useful when using the unit for training? I find the heart rate read out very small and I have good eyes, and can't get it to appear any bigger on any screen - disappointing if you are training via heart rate. Any ideas?

Also would have been good to have included a rating "metronome".

Thanks for your help and your great website. PS Forerunner 305 $599 in Aus with full back up if you by from local dealer. :-( :-(

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Garmin/Motion Based
written by robin.mousley, June 19, 2006

I find the Garmin Training Centre adequate for logging my training and for creating new workouts.

I've been using the free version of Motion Based only so far, mainly to export some tracks to googlearth!

The 305 is more customisable and easier to read. I find the audio alarms useful when doing workouts.

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