The Garmin 205 is one of the base models in Garmin’s lineup of GPS-enabled heart rate monitor watches. Although it is a basic model, it is nonetheless a very capable and full-featured HRM watch.
Garmin Forerunner 205 GPS HR Monitor watch features:
Garmin Forerunner 205 is one of the first watches to use the SiRF Star III GPS chipset which, combined with the wrap-around GPS antenna, provides an extremely fast and reliable GPS signal lock. Even near tall building and under trees, the watch usually manages to acquire a GPS signal in under 30 seconds. With a GPS HRM sports watch, you probably can log a large amount of data from your workouts, including the time, distance, pace, calories burnt, and HR. This data can then be transmitted to your Mac or PC via a USB cable connected to the watch cradle. Using the Garmin Training Center software, you can then slice and dice the data however you choose. You can, for example, map out your jogging or biking route on Google Earth. This is where the value of a GPS-capable HRM shines through. For an ordinary HRM, you can only plot your heart rate against time, and have to approximate where you are along your route at that time. With a GPS-enabledHRM watch, you can directly visualize which parts of the route is causing your heart to work at the sweet spot of 70% MHR, and which slopes are causing your heart to beat too fast. Combine this with pace information, and you can estimate where you should speed up and slow down so that your heart rate is maintained at the desired level. If you have a competitive streak, you can even upload the data onto the Internet using Garmin’s MotionBased service. If you are running or biking along a reasonably popular trail, you will probably find that other people have already entered that route. There is even a cool feature called Dot Racing, where you can replay and visualize your entire workout, and compare your progress to yourself on other days, or to other people who work out on the same trail. The Dot Racing feature is quite informative, showing you where you slow down and lose steam, as well as surprisingly addictive. It is a fun and interesting way to essentially race against yourself, and visualize your improvement over time.
Visually, the Forerunner 205 is probably not the most attractive of watches, with a large and bulky look. The large form factor is necessary to accommodate the GPS antenna, and also has the nice side effect of allowing a large watch face which can easily display up to 4 separate pieces of data on the same screen at one time. The buttons on the 205 watch are also large and easily punched even in the midst of a run.
In summary, while the Garmin 205 is less aesthetically pleasing compared to more expensive models, it’s functionality is excellent, and it is a robust and full-featured GPS heart rate monitor watch that is a good gift for a sports enthusiast.