If you become a professional athlete, you will definitely get a lot of use from the Garmin Forerunner GPS 201 watch. It has a striking array of special components for the athlete. It comes with a GPS sensor, an electronic map, routine change and reversal options, calorie tracker, lap info and data, performance archives, auto stopwatch with auto-lap and auto pause functions, lap timer, pace alert, distance alert, free Training Center software, a stretchy wristwatch strap, and an A/C desktop charging unit with a serial port.

The GPS 201 is suited for a professional or a less-involved athlete. It mainly takes care of the speed and tracking facets of a workout. This unit offers plenty of plus points, but its main design error is that it does not work predictably. This is the only reason you cannot call it exactly right. Its dimensions of 3.3 ? 1.7 ? 0.7 make it appear more bulky than a standard fitness watch; in fact it is lighter than it looks, as it weighs only 2.8 ounces. The watch is waterproof and therefore could be worn by swimmers or by athletes in rainy or damp weather conditions.

The Garmin Forerunner Fitness 201 watch can keep a lap history of 5000 laps and offers many more settings that you may tweak to match up with your own needs and personal requirements. Among the most useful features the watch provides is the Training Center Software. This is an apt feature for you to use to save your performance stats and can also let you see ways in which they have changed along your path, especially if you have worked out at different elevations. The Virtual Partner feature helps you set guidelines that you desire to attain. You merely have to compare your real-life workout session with that of your friend.

The GPS connectivity of this 201 model is criticized by many users because the signal can be unreliable sometimes. In addition to that, buyers also tend to find fault with the inconsistencies in functions such as altitude and pace readings. This model does not include a heart rate monitor. Today, when the majority of the computer interfaces can work with a USB, this model still lags behind with a serial port facility.

The wristband of the Forerunner 201 GPS is stretchy, allowing you to sport the watch by wearing it on your wrist or your bicep as you choose. Its LCD display screen is easy to view in well-lit areas as well as in darkness. The rechargeable lithium alloy battery can hold a charge for 14 hours at a time. It seems to be quite alright for runners, but may not be quite adequate for biking, etc.

Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS is a watch that offers you a wide range of virtues. The training Center software and the Virtual partner features deserve attention. Ultimately, its unreliable GPS signaling is its only flaw.