Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23700 Location: Hampshire, UK
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: Pssst!..Wanna buy a watch? GPS watches on test
Now the summer is at an end I've decided its time to get outdoors and test some GPS units! Kicking off the test we have Globalsat's GH-625 and Garmin's Forerunner 405 GPS watches.
Although both are targetted at similar markets they are very different in their implementation with Garmin eschewing a detailed display in favour of a relatively compact sports watch that could pass for a 'normal' watch. Despite its small size it still manages to squeeze in full datalogging, comprehensive training records and track pace functions etc.
Garmin Forerunner 405
Globalsat on the other hand have chosen to go the whole hog and offer features that would have until recently only been available on a handheld device such as a detailed display with trail mapping functions, full GoTo Waypoint functionality, datalogging, POI capturing and even a GPS mouse function. The downside is a watch that is fairly substantial in size although still wearable.
Globalsat GH-625
We'll be putting both through their paces including tests of the desktop software supplied by each manufacturer but in the meantime please post any questions in this thread.
Now when can we expect a watch with colour routable maps......
_________________ Darren Griffin - Editor I ran the 2013 London Marathon in support of the National Autistic Society see here.
Are these aimed at sports people, or can they be used for day to day datalogging for say Photo tagging. ?
Rather than a seperate datalogger and having to remember to take it with me, having a watch that does it would be easier.
Be interested to see what battery life is like too. _________________ Navigon 8450 LIVE
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23700 Location: Hampshire, UK
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject:
jonandmarkuk wrote:
Are these aimed at sports people, or can they be used for day to day datalogging for say Photo tagging. ?
Rather than a seperate datalogger and having to remember to take it with me, having a watch that does it would be easier.
Be interested to see what battery life is like too.
The Garmin is aimed at sports usage primarily, the GlobalSat less so.
Both could be used for datalogging, the Globalsat exports very easily to common file formats. Battery life is very good, I had the GlobalSat loohing an entire trip to Amsterdam and back plus out and about with TomTom and it still had power after 15hrs solid use. I have yet to measure the 405's battery. _________________ Darren Griffin - Editor I ran the 2013 London Marathon in support of the National Autistic Society see here.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:26 am Post subject: Garmin 405
I just got a 405, previously had the older 310 and I have to say that this far more of a sports centric device than the previous forerunner 301. This suits me as I have a handheld too but my advice would be that this is a mutli-purpose device. This is an extremely neat, compact and accurate sports GPS.
Looking forward to a waterproof version though.......Garmin?
I like these - much improved over anything from the past.
Now, all I have to do is find the budget for one..... with out the better half noticing
Looking at the photos there is no doubt they are a sports device, as they certainly have a very long way to go before you could wear them day to day, let alone as a dress watch
Joined: Jul 08, 2004 Posts: 82 Location: Midlands, UK
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:33 am Post subject:
I was looking for a small sized gps that could also provide routes etc., for both cycling and running.
The gamin units seem to be mainly for fitness and post run analysis. They don't seem user friendly to be able to create routes and transfer then to the device.
The globalsat watch looks good but also looking at the GH-601.
However I can't seem to find a retailer that stock either. Do you know where I could get one from.
Thanks _________________ Tom Tom One Series 30 with TMC
Brodit Mount permanent mount
I bought one from there the week they were released in the UK (which was about 6 months ago), and they still shipped it out same day. You also get their complimentary advice book for runners on how to train with a speed and distance heart-rate monitor.
I'm surprised that the original post doesn't mention the Garmin's 2ndary unique selling point. The UI is mainly driven by a touch bezel, which acts like a fairly basic version of the touch-wheel thing you get on the iPod. It is quite effective.
You don't get MapSource included with the watch, but if you have it already, you can use it in conjunction with the watch to send waypoints. TBH I have only used it to monitor my pace, speed, distance and heart-rate while running, and for logging my training sessions. I have put a waypoint on it (with MapSource) but I haven't yet tried to navigate to it.
The logging records your location roughly once every 3 seconds, so you get a detailed track record. The training centre software that comes with the watch (well, download it actually, but its included in the price) lets you view the track log on the Garmin base map, which isn't very detailed, or if you have a CityNavigatorNT map installed you can choose that instead. You can also export it directly to Google Earth, which is a lot of fun!
I'm pleased with mine, but I did buy it for sport and I only wear it when I'm running. You can definitely 'bookmark' your current location though, I did it when I was running whilst on holiday, in case I couldn't find the hotel, but I didn't need to use it.
BTW Garmin claim it will run up to 8 hours with GPS on, and I would agree with their estimate.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in for private messages
Log in
Now the summer is at an end I've decided its time to get outdoors and test some GPS units! Kicking off the test we have Globalsat's GH-625 and Garmin's Forerunner 405 GPS watches.
