Garmin/Forerunner series

The Garmin Forerunner series is a range of devices designed for running. Specifications vary across the range, some are simple watches, others have more navigation features. Many support GPS tracelog exporting via USB mass storage and/or via Garmin Connect.

Devices with the "mass storage mode" feature can export .fit or .tcx trace logs via usb, unless stated otherwise.

Newer models

The following models are still being sold or manufactured by Garmin. They all use the .fit format.

Garmin Forerunner 25

Garmin Forerunner 25
Description	sport logger
GNSS	channels
Memory	Internal: 7 activities.
Display	acrylic
Connectivity	usb;bluetooth;Garmin Connect Mobile;Garmin Express
Features	addresses points of interest mass storage mode Waterproof
Price	140$

The Forerunner 25 is an upgrade to the older Forerunner 15. It is similar, but it features a higher resolution 128x128 display and Bluetooth, allowing it connect to smartphones via Garmin Connect Mobile.

Garmin Forerunner 35

Garmin Forerunner 35
Description	sport logger
GNSS	channels
Memory	Internal: 7 activities.
Connectivity	usb;bluetooth;Garmin Connect Mobile;Garmin Express
Features	addresses points of interest mass storage mode Waterproof
Price	170$

The Forerunner 35 features Bluetooth, and a wrist-based heart rate monitor. GPS is supported, but not GLONASS.

Garmin Forerunner 235

Garmin Forerunner 235
Description	sport logger
GNSS	channels
Memory	Internal: 200 hours.
Connectivity	usb;bluetooth;Garmin Connect Mobile;Garmin Express
Features	addresses points of interest mass storage mode Waterproof
Price	330$

The Forerunner 235 has more advanced features than the 35, features a colored 215 x 180 pixels display, and supports both GPS and GLONASS. The heart rate monitor is identical to the Forerunner 35.

Discontinued models

The following models are older, and are no longer being sold or manufactured by Garmin.

Forerunner 201 / 301

Garmin Forerunner 201
Description	sport logger
GNSS	12 channels augmentation: waas;egnos
Memory	Internal: no. External: ? no.
Connectivity	rs232
Features	addresses points of interest mass storage mode Waterproof
Cons	performance

Older model, poor performance not suitable for OSM-usage. The 301 model came with a breast strap for heart rate monitoring, otherwise the units are identical.

Forerunner 305 / 205

Garmin Forerunner 205
Description	sport logger
GNSS	12 channels chipset: SiRFstar III augmentation: waas;egnos
Memory	Internal: no (13000 max logging). External: ? no.
Connectivity	usb
Batteries	internal Li-Ion (10hrs lifetime)
Features	addresses points of interest mass storage mode Waterproof
Pros	fixes bugs of Forerunner 301

The Forerunner 205/305 fix many of the bugs and design flaws that plagued the 301. The unit used the newer SiRFstar III chip-set and positioned the antenna better to maintain a good satellite lock in dense forests and built-up areas. Accuracy was observed to be better than the eTrex Vista HCx.

The 305 differed from the 205 in the HR chest strap and support for an optional cadence monitor. The unit came with a built-in Li-Ion battery that lasts around 10 hours between recharges. It connected via USB and came with Garmin Training Center (Windows) which allowed saving workouts in tcx format. It's also supported by gpsbabel and garmintools allowing readout of tracks in gpx-format. The "lap" button functioned as a quick "waypoint" recorder but the device also supported proper waypoints (max. 100) via "mark location" in the navigation menu. Only 13000 trackpoints could be recorded to the internal storage which corresponds to 200 minutes of recording in 1/sec mode.

Garmin Forerunner 230

Garmin Forerunner 230
Description	sport logger
GNSS	channels
Memory	Internal: .
Connectivity	usb;bluetooth;Garmin Connect Mobile;Garmin Express
Features	addresses points of interest mass storage mode Waterproof

The Forerunner 230 is nearly identical to the 235, except that it lacks a wrist heart rate monitor (an external monitor is supported).

See also

• Garmin Forerunner series on Wikipedia
• List of Garmin products#Sports and Fitness on Wikipedia