Garmin Heart Rate Monitor

Garmin heart rate monitor watches are known for their GPS technologies. Many other heart rate monitor manufacturers produce entry-level, simple, basic heart rate monitors. Not so with Garmin. Almost every single Garmin model is a sophisticated performance measuring device. An entry level Garmin model often has features that are found only on higher end models by other manufacturers.

Note that not all Garmin heart rate monitors are GPS units, and that not all Garmin GPS running watches have heart rate monitoring capabilities. This page attempts to classify them so that you know which is which. Here is a quick summary:

GPS heart rate monitors: Forerunner 110, Forerunner 210, Forerunner 305, Forerunner 310XT, Forerunner 405, Forerunner 405CX, Forerunner 410, Forerunner 610
Non GPS heart rate monitor: FR60
GPS running watch: Forerunner 205

In the table below, you can read about the features of various heart rate monitors from Garmin, together with short summaries of user reviews, i.e. what users think of these models, both good and bad.

GPS heart rate monitors :

Model	Main Features	What Some Users Think
Garmin Forerunner 110	Current heart rate. GPS. Speed and distance. Calorie counter (heart-rate based). Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Online and desktop software.	Quick satellite acquisition. Small form factor and light weight. Very easy to use. No complicated operations. Clear display of important data. Garmin Connect online software great for reviewing the run. No instant pace. Only average pace is provided. Some users reported problems whereby the watch would freeze up while uploading data. Read more user reviews.
Garmin Forerunner 210	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. GPS. Speed and distance. Intervals. Calorie counter (heart-rate based). Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Online and desktop software. Foot pod (optional).	Compact size. Instant pace provided. Interval function. User friendly. Easy to use. Accurate distance measured. Garmin Connect web site very helpful. Proprietary charging clip a little awkard to use. No auto-start/stop. Some users reported that their watches stopped working after a short period of time. Read more user reviews.
Garmin Forerunner 305	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. GPS. Speed and distance. Various navigation features. 3 data pages with up to 4 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner. Time / distance / pace alerts. Intervals. Various workout options. Calorie counter. Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Online and desktop software. Foot pod (optional). Bike speed/cadence sensor (optional).	Accurate distance measurement. Accurate heart rate monitoring. Fine average pace calculation. Nice display, easy to customize data fields and easy to read. Large number of features. Many useful statistics collected. Reasonably priced for what it is. GPS route mapping and navigation. Garmin Connect produces great reports. Instant pace calculation off. Inaccurate calorie calculation. Altitude function inaccurate. Short battery life for some users. Bulky. Some users reported that satellite acquisition can be slow. Read more user reviews.
Garmin Forerunner 310XT	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. GPS. Speed and distance. Various navigation features. 4 data pages with up to 4 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner. Time / distance / pace alerts. Intervals. Various workout options. Calorie counter (heart rate based). Calorie alert. Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Swim-proof. Online and desktop software. Wireless data transfer to/from computer. Food pod (optional). Bike speed/cadence sensor (optional).	Swim-proof. Can be worn while swimming. Longer battery life (20 hours) than Forerunner 305. Faster locking onto satellite. Easy, quick wireless data upload to computer and Garmin Connect site. Virtual Partner. More accurate calorie counter based on heart rate. Customizable display. GPS does not work well in water. Heart rate monitoring does not work in water. Elevation may not be accurate. Screen fragile according to some users. Read more user reviews.
Garmin Forerunner 405	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. Touch Bezel. GPS. Speed and distance. Various navigation features. 4 data pages with up to 3 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner. Time / distance / pace alerts. Intervals. Various workout options. Calorie counter. Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Online and desktop software. Wireless data transfer to/from computer. Wireless data transfer between Forerunner 405 units. Foot pod (optional). Bike speed/cadence sensor (optional).	Bezel interface. Some users find it easy to use. Nice looking and no so bulky. Can be used when not training. GPS distance very accurate. Accurate heart rate. Auto Lap feature. ANT technology to automatically upload data. Great for someone who often forgets to upload data. Mac compatibility. Garmin Connect web site. Bezel interface. Some users report problems with Touch bezel when it is wet or sweaty. Note: The autoscroll feature, followed by locking the Bezel, can help reduce problems with the Bezel interface while training. Some users say that the bezel interface, when locked, can easily be accidentally unlocked. Pace/speed can be erratic. ANT technology a little slow. Some users prefer a USB cable for faster data transfer. Read more user reviews.
Garmin Forerunner 405CX	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. Touch Bezel. GPS. Speed and distance. Various navigation features. 4 data pages with up to 3 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner. Time / distance / pace alerts. Intervals. Various workout options. Calorie counter (heart rate based). Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Online and desktop software. Wireless data transfer to/from computer. Wireless data transfer between Forerunner 405 units. Foot pod (optional). Bike speed/cadence sensor (optional).	Smaller and lighter than FR 305. Fast satellite acquisition. Touch Bezel: some users find it easy to use than button presses. Accurate GPS distance. Many ways to customize display. Navigation feature. Autoscroll feature. GPS can be turned off when not needed to save power. Wireless data upload to computer using ANT technology. Garmin Connect web site. Touch Bezel does not work in wet conditions according to some users. Note: Autoscroll (and Bezel locking) may help to reduce need to use the Bezel during training. Some users simply dislike the Touch Bezel interface and find it difficult or complicated to use. Battery life getting shorter with use. Some users have encountered durability and reliability issues. The watch cannot be completely switched off. Read more user reviews.
Garmin Forerunner 410	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. Enhanced Touch Bezel. GPS. Speed and distance. Various navigation features. 4 data pages with up to 3 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner. Time / distance / pace alerts. Intervals. Various workout options. Improved calorie counter (heart rate based). Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Shut Down feature. Online and desktop software. Wireless data transfer to/from computer. Wireless data transfer between Forerunner 410 units. Foot pod (optional). Bike speed/cadence sensor (optional).	Very fast locking onto satellite. Improved Touch Bezel - reacts better under wet/moist conditions. Accurate GPS distance. Auto lap feature. Interval workout feature. Packed with features. Mac compatibility. Garmin Connect web site. Shut down feature to conserve battery. Automatic wireless data transfer via ANT technology. Battery life becoming unstable has been reported. Certain watches suffer the problem of randomly rebooting. Some users dislike the Bezel interface and find it unreliable or tricky to use. For some, a simple USB cable to transfer data is preferable. Read more user reviews.
Garmin Forerunner 610	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. Touchscreen interface. Alert vibrations. GPS. Speed and distance. Various navigation features. 4 data pages with up to 3 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner. Virtual Racer. Time / distance / pace alerts. Intervals. Various workout options. Improved calorie counter (heart rate based). Training Effect. Data Recording setting. Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Power save feature. Online and desktop software. Wireless data transfer to/from computer. Foot pod (optional) Bike speed/cadence sensor (optional).	Very quick satellite acquisition. Touch screen interface intuitive and easy to use. Works with gloves and works fine in the wet. Virtual Racer feature allows one to race against previous runs. Virtual Partner allows one to run against a static pace, say, seven min/mile. Highly customizable screen to show the data that you want to see. Vibrating alert feature for auto lap notifications etc. Power save mode to conserve battery. After a period of inactivity, it switches off the GPS automatically. The GPS can also be turned off directly. ANT technology to wirelessly and effortlessly transfer training data. Garmin Connect web site. Battery reverse charging issue has affected some watches i.e. the charge appears to decrease while the watch is connected to the charger. Check out this thread. Battery charger is unable to hold firmly on the watch, and hence it is unable to charge the battery. Look at this novel solution. Read more user reviews.

Non-GPS heart rate monitors: The Forerunner FR60 is the one Garmin heart rate monitor that does not use GPS.

Model	Main Features	What Some Users Think
Garmin FR60	Current heart rate. Heart rate zone. Speed and distance*. 5 data pages with up to 3 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner*. Time alert. Distance / pace / calories / cadence alerts*. Intervals. Calorie counter (heart rate based). Laps. Autolap*. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Online and desktop software. Wireless data transfer to/from computer. Foot pod (may be optional or included depending on package). Bike speed/cadence sensor (optional). Note: * requires foot pod or bike cadence sensor.	Battery can be replaced by the user and does not have to be sent back to manufacturer. Foot pod can be used indoor too since GPS signal is not required. Customizable data display: 5 data pages with each page displaying up to 3 fields. Easy to set up and use. Foot pod works under heavy tree cover or in area with tall buildings since it is not GPS dependent. Accurate distance measurement. Accurate real time pace. Many types of alerts can be set. ANT technology for effortless wireless data transfer to computer. Mac support. Garmin Connect web site. Watch band seems to be fragile as a number of users have reported that the band got broken after a relatively short period of time. Quality issues with the buttons: some users reported that watch buttons got broken or became unresponsive after some time. Chest strap generally does not work with gym machines as most machines do not support ANT. Read more user reviews.

Running watches with no heart rate monitoring capability:

Model	Main Features	What Some Users Think
Garmin Forerunner 205	GPS. Speed and distance. Various navigation features. 3 data pages with up to 4 fields on each page. Autoscroll. Virtual Partner. Time / distance / pace alerts. Intervals. Various workout options. Calorie counter. Laps. Autolap. Stop watch. Multiple run histories. Online and desktop software.	Accurate distance. Display very much customizable to show various data. Large number of features. Easy and intuitive to use. Virtual Partner a great tool for improving running times. Good average pace info. Autolap function. Relative low price for its features. Garmin Connect web site. Some reported battery would not hold charge or watch would not turn on after some months of use. Slow satellite acquisition or loss of satellite connection during a run have been reported by some users. Calorie expenditure over-estimated. Inaccurate current/instant pace. Elevation not accurate. Read more user reviews.

Please visit Garmin's official web site for more information.

Here is a Garmin Forerunner Review which details an actual user's experience with using one of the latest Garmin Forerunner heart rate monitors.

Not sure which heart rate monitor is right for you? Take a look at the Which Heart Rate Monitor page.