Product Description
Cables to Go's HDMI digital HDTV Velocity Series interconnects will provide a pure digital high-definition video, audio, and system control connection! Using HDMI-enabled components allows you to enjoy the purity of the original signal with no picture or sound degradation! Fully tested and absolutely guaranteed. Don't compromise your high-definition television signal; use the right interconnects! Impact Acoustics Velocity HDMI cables are the right choice when value and performance are the order of the day!
Customer Reviews:
Great Bargin HDMI cables!.......2007-12-28
I saw this product when I was getting my HD DVD player and thought that this would be the ideal way to connect this to my 32 inch vizio. I was skeptical at first, due to the cheap price and some bad reviews. When it arrived, I was impressed with it. The cable worked like a charm and was very cheap! the only problem was my reciever didn't have HDMI pass through and ended up using it on a upconverting DVD player instead.
Great Deal .......2007-12-26
Don't waste your money on expensive HDMI cables as there is no functional difference. These work perfect and are a bargin.
Great Price.......2007-12-24
I bought these cables to hook up my new HDTV. They worked perfectly and I saw similar cables for $40 at Sears and $65 at Office Max. What a rip off.
Well worth the money.......2007-12-24
Cables To Go - 40315 - 2M (6.5ft) Velocity HDMI Digital Video Cable (Blue)
Very good for a reasonable price, so reasonable I picked up 2 of them. I could not see or hear any difference between this cable output and the one I unfortunately paid 3 times as much for in a big box store. Beautiful picture and sound on my lcd tv.
Save your money and buy this cable.
Not been able to use it!.......2007-12-24
I would probably be able to give this product a real review, if I had received the Receiver I ordered to go with it. It's been about a month since I placed the order.
Product Description
The Philips 7" LCD PhotoFrame has a high quality design and exquisite materials. A solid stylish stand, designer frame, and detailed finishing convey an impression of value and refined taste, adding luster to the photos displayed. A selection of interchangeable frames that snap onto your PhotoFrame fits your personal taste and compliments your home or office decor. A USB connector is built into the device for easy and quick downloading photos from a PC. A timer that turns your PhotoFrame on and off at the times you choose. You can select different timeslots to fit your personal schedule and to save energy. Full color display brings out the best in your photos with vibrant, real life colors by displaying the same full range of colors found in professionally printed photos. Flexible display modes give you the freedom to display your photos one image at a time, in thumbnail mode for quick, easy searches, or to create a slideshow of your most treasured photos. The very best high-density screen shows off your treasured photos with the same real life rich detail and vibrant colors as high quality prints. Play slideshows, single photo, thumbnails, or show clock Display and manage photos on memory cards or internal memory Automatically turn display on and off at preset times Effective viewing area - 137.16 x 91.44 mm Resolution viewing area resolution - 720 x 480 Viewing angle at C/R more than 10 - Horizontal 120 degrees / Vertical 110 degrees Brightness - 200 cd/m2 Memory Card Types - Compact Flash type I, Secure Digital, Secure Digital SDHC, Multimedia Card, xD card, Memory Stick, and Memory Stick Pro Built-in memory capacity - 16MB Flash Languages - Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese Regulatory Approvals - BSMI, C-Tick, CCC, CE, FCC, GOST, PSB, and UL Plug & Play Compatibility - Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Mac OS
Customer Reviews:
Good picture quality and worked fine with my Mac.......2007-12-28
I'm impressed with the picture quality especially when compared to some other brands I've seen that were just $20 less. The extra $20 was money very well spent. I plugged it into my Mac (running Leopard 10.5.1) and it showed up in the Finder just like a regular USB drive. I was able to delete the demo pictures and add my own with ease. After doing so, however, the demo pictures still appeared. To resolve, I used the Delete All option then reloaded my pictures and the demo pics never appeared again. The documentation is bare bones. I wasn't able to get any help from it when trying to see if it had any options to prevent cropping of portrait oriented pictures. Turns out there is nothing built in to prevent this, you'll just need to format portrait pics properly to prevent unwanted cropping. Standard landscape oriented pictures display well without any adjustments needed. The ideal ratio is 3:2 and my photos must be just slightly different than that because I have very small black bars on each side but it's hardly noticeable
Overall, the quality is good, it was very easy to connect to my computer and add pictures, and the menus/navigation of the frame itself are acceptable taking just 5 minutes or so to get used to. This one I actually purchased for my father but I like it so much that I'm going to order one for my office.
Gift for Mom.......2007-12-28
Mom does not have a memory card. She has to take images off of the computer. The internal memory does not allow many pictures to be stored. However, the pictures look good. It was not outrageously priced. It will be a way for me to share up to date pictures with my Mom. I live in another time zone.
Mine fell off the desk........2007-12-27
During set up my unit fell off the desk and it recieved a horrible scratch on the display screen. The USB cable is very short and while setting up the tension on the cable knocked it over and onto the floor where it hit a sharp corner on the desk and scratched the display screen. I already need a repair part! Other than that I am happy with mine. Watch out for the short USB cable. I use a much longer one from my computer supplies now. I should be able to call Philips and order what I need for the display.
Top Notch Picture.......2007-12-25
Gave to the wife for Xmas. She loves the bright and crisp photo display, plus the frame has some heft so it won't flop over unexpectantly. I received this a couple of weeks ago and set up 63 photos onto a 32 meg card skipping the 16 meg internal memory altogether. It took a little time to master the sequential modes of going through menus but really nothing to it when you recognized the simple
< > up, down enter button interface ( not a touch screen). My biggest disappointment was how I assumed that the frame had a back-up battery or the ability to play on it's own internal battery. ???? I had flipped between the Philips White, Wood and this one. Dispite that qlitch I kept the frame and will live with that snafu. Oh yes, original price I paid was $120, Amazon dropped the price in early Dec to $99 and promptly credited my Visa for the difference.
A beautiful disappointment..........2007-12-23
I did extensive research before buying this as a gift for my 90 year old mother. What appealed to me about this vs much less expensive frames was: easy operation, high resolution, and a built-in battery so you could unplug it and carry it around to share pictures.
The images really are beautiful. But the product no longer comes with a built-in battery (Amazon has removed the mention from its website since I purchased though it's still in Philips' own product sheet). And the interface, though simple (just a few buttons) is by no means intuitive. I'm used to technical things yet it took me quite a while to figure out how to navigate the many menus in order to do the simple task of loading in a few pictures and getting rid of the annoying default slide show effects (which are way too intrusive and distracting) and big clock in the corner of the screen.
Unfortunately, as soon as you unplug it the defaults return... it's obvious the software has not been updated since the battery was removed from the product specs. It's a beautiful disappointment and, were it not 2 days before Christmas as I'm discovering all of this, I'd return it for a more basic model and use the savings for a couple of memory cards.
Average customer rating:
- Faster flash photos than Nikon D40X
- Excellent camera, especially for the price
- Worth the price
- Best DSLR Camera
- Great value and still so versatile!
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Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Manufacturer: Canon
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Product Features:
- 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
- Large 2.5-inch LCD display; includes Canon's EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 zoom lens
- New self-cleaning dust function, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
- DIGIC II Image Processor provides fast, accurate image processing; Picture Style settings for added creative control
- Stores images on Compact Flash (CF) memory cards; powered by battery pack NB-2LH
ASIN: B000I1ZWRC
Release Date: 2006-09-11
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Product Description
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi has a newly designed 10.1 MP Canon CMOS sensor plus a host of new features including a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, the exclusive EOS Integrated Cleaning System featuring a Self Cleaning Sensor and Canon's Picture Style technology, all in a lightweight, ergonomic body. The EOS Digital Rebel XTi is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF lineup, ranging from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto lenses, and including Canon's EF-S series lenses, manufactured specifically for Canon's APS-C sized digital sensor. Canon's Speedlite 430EX is perfectly suited to the EOS Digital Rebel XTi. In addition to Canon's EF lenses and Speedlite flashes, many other accessories are designed by Canon to work perfectly with the EOS Digital Rebel XTi. The Battery Grip BG-E3 adds a vertical shutter release, and can hold two NB-2LH Battery Packs for increased shooting capacity. Canon's Semi Hard Case EH18-L can accommodate the EOS Digital Rebel XTi with a small zoom lens.
An EF-S 18-55mm is included in the EOS Digital Rebel XTi Lens Kit. Image Sensor Type - High-Sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate, CMOS sensor 3 - 2 Aspect Ratio Recording Format - JPEG, RAW, and RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording provided USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Interface, mini-B port, NTSC/PAL for video output Viewfinder Type - Eye-level SLR with pentamirror Shutter Speeds - 1/4000 to 30 seconds Self-timer - 10 seconds delay, 2 seconds delay with C.Fn-7-1 (mirror lockup) Continuous Shooting Speed - Approx. 3 fps (at shutter speed of 1/250 sec. or faster) Compatible Printers - CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and PictBridge compatible printers (via USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU) Power Source - One Battery Pack NB-2LH Image storage on CompactFlash Type I or II type memory cards (Not included) Dimensions - Width 4.98 x Height 3.71 x Depth 2.56 inch, 126.5 x 94.2 x 65mm / Weight - 18 ounc
Customer Reviews:
Faster flash photos than Nikon D40X.......2007-12-27
If you are looking for a camera to take a lot of indoor photos with flash (of your young children like we do), the Canon is much faster with flash photos than the Nikon. My mother-in-law has the older, 7 megapixel Canon, which takes awesome photos. We went to the store to get the newer Canon, but ended up taking home the Nikon since we were told the menus were easier, the glass of the standard lenses was better, and it came with more free stuff. We compared it to mother-in-law's camera over the holiday, and the Canon was much faster. We have since exchange our Nikon for the Canon XTI, and see a huge difference in the speed you can take flash photos. Luckily, we did this in time for the photos of Santa's gifts on Christmas morning. :)
Excellent camera, especially for the price.......2007-12-27
The Rebel XTi is Canon's prosumer/semi-pro DSLR, but it takes absolutely fantastic photos. Your investment in lenses is protected because you can mount any of the EF or EF-S series lenses on the XTi. If you decide to upgrade to another Canon model then your lens collection can go with you.
The Rebel is very pleasant to hold (I have large hands); it feels sturdy and well built. It weighs very little; hand-holding is very easy and comfortable.
Boasting a plethora of configuration options including a mirror-up mode for macro shots, the Rebel produces extremely noise-free images all the way through ISO400. ISO800 is entirely usable, but exhibits some noise. Image quality is excellent; the large resolution means that you can crop your photos and still get 8x10 prints.
Like all DSLRs, the XTi allows you to work directly with RAW files. If you prefer, you can shoot in JPEG+RAW or just JPEG. RAW files are about 10MB, so make sure to get a large memory card. I can fit about 760 RAW shots on an 8GB card. The camera makes intelligent decisions in its automatic or semi-automatic modes. That said, my best shots have all been in aperture priority or full automatic mode.
As a first foray into DSLR photography, this is an excellent buy. Don't get it just for megapixels or to say you have a DSLR. I used a Canon S3 IS for years with excellent results. By no means do you need a DSLR to get high-quality images or flexibility. Better image processing and interchangeable lenses are what set DSLRs apart from even prosumer point and shoots. Speaking of lenses, I don't recommend the kit lens; instead you might look into the 28-105mm lens or the 17-55mm IS lens - both from Canon.
Worth the price.......2007-12-26
This is my first DSLR camera. I bought this to learn photography. I would say that this camera is worth for the price. I would suggest to buy just the camera body and go for a better lens. This camera has decent enough features for a DSLR. This does not have the live preview option though.
Best DSLR Camera.......2007-12-23
I am more than 100% satisified with this camera. I knew about the features well before I purchased, so no regrets. I would refer and prefer this camera to all those SLR lovers.
Great value and still so versatile!.......2007-12-23
Canon has thought out this camera well and put a good
collection of useful features from its higher end DSLRs in this
model. Consequently, this camera has all the features that would keep
a budding photographer fulfilled for quite some time. In addition, the
great price allows you to spend more on good quality lenses, bounce
flash, and other accessories.
The useful features:
- Excellent picture taking: low noise sensor, ISO 1600 is quite usable. Fast
startup: camera is ready to shoot almost instantly at the press of
the shutter. Fast drive: 3 frames per second. With an Extreme III CF
card, one can shoot 27 shots before the camera becomes busy.
- Great user interface: One key access to white balance, ISO,
auto-focus modes, metering, drive, and AF points. These are all so nicely
laid out in the back of the camera. The grip is fine but could be a
bit more rounded. Light and compact.
- Ability to separate focus and exposure buttons with CF4 custom
function. This feature is poorly explained in the manual, but when
used with AI Servo AF, it makes the camera do less work and helps
you take great pictures. I also use custom white balance a lot. RGB
histogram, overblown pixel highlights, mirror lockup to prevent
camera shake are other useful functions.
The body is one quarter or even one-fifth of the picture taking
apparatus. The second quarter is a good lens (spend as much on a lens
as you will on the body), and half is your own dedication and skills
in photography. Invest in a bounce flash like speedlite 430ex or you
will be stuck taking pictures at home at ISO 1600. Buy some
photography books like Understanding Exposure.
Happy picture taking with this excellent body!
Customer Reviews:
Problem with the power switch .......2007-12-27
Got this camera kit from Amazon after reading reviews from a whole bunch of places about this camera. However the power switch was faulty. To switch on the camera I had to open and close the battery compartment every time while keeping the switch in ON position. The switch never worked. So sent it back. The return process was easy though, and I got my money back withing a week.
Now I have ordered a Pentax K10D. Hope it will work fine.
Flash problems with D40s and D40xs.......2007-12-26
I bought the Nikon D40 10 days ago and the flash stopped working. I did some research on the internet, and apparently it is not an uncommon problem. I would have really liked the camera otherwise. I will return this camera.
Superb! Perfect for a SLR beginner!! .......2007-12-26
For many of you point-and-shoot users who would be looking at D40 reviews right now in search of "good but not so complicated" SLR just like I was a month ago, I have one thing to say: THIS IS IT. Perfect for SLR beginners just like me. Regarding the kit lens, for a person like me- who will never go into the pro world but perfectly be happy with a camera that I can play with- it just does its job so well. I just like taking pictures of my family and making visual records of my daily life, and the kit lens is perfect for it. I'm pretty sure some people upgrade their lenses accordingly after buying this one, and really, unless you're all going for professional and dying to take really good scenery pictures and etc, i'm more than happy with what I have. The size is also perfect. It's just a perfectly portable size and I don't have a problem carrying it around with me all the time. No, it will not fit in your purses. Yes, it's so easy and light-weight to carry around considering it's SLR. The battery life is quite pleasing to me as well.
Okay, to be short: If you've been using point-and-shoot and now looking for a transitioning amateur SLR camera, D40's what you've been looking for!!
Everything I expected.......2007-12-24
Wanting to move up from a point and click camera to a DSLR, I researched the information on the internet about Canon, Sony, Nikon and Olympus cameras. I wanted a camera that takes good quality pictures in low light situations. My Olympus D560 and Nikon Coolpix 200 both take decent outdoor, normal light conditions, but not in low light conditions. Many reviews were helpful and it came down to a decision between Canon and Nikon. The D40 felt better in my hands from the standpoint of weight and ergonomic layout of buttons. The D40 has excellent refresh rate when the built-in flash is used, which is horrible on the point and click cameras. I am still learning how to use all of the manual and P-S-A modes but the tests I have done so far give excellent picture quality results. The low light test pictures have been great in auto and manual settings. I need to get a tripod to achieve better long-exposure pictures to get the quality of pictures others have posted in reviews. I would recommend the D40 for people wanting to enter the DSLR world. The best advise and information came from Ken Rockwell's site: http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm
His site also lead me to Amazon for the best price when I decided to buy. Thanks Ken, Amazon and Nikon.
Second purchase of this product.......2007-12-24
I bought the Nikon D-40 for one of my daughters last year to make periodic digital pictures of my latest grandson. These could then be emailed to us for printing or achiving. The pictures have been excellent, and my daughter has been complimented many times from others that have seen them. She has compared her pictures to some made by a professional photographer, and she believes some of her pictures are superior. My wife uses a D-50 which also delivers fantastic pictures. Even the lower resolution of these cameras does not detract from the images produced. The real beauty of the D-40 is that it can be a simple camera to use or provide the features a more experienced camera buff might desire. I have now bought a second D-40 for my other daughter. This should illustrate my satisfaction with the camera.
Product Description
Cables Unlimited brings A/V enthusiasts the next generation of digital video and audio cables. These high quality HDMI cables deliver the optimum video and multiple channel audio signals required for connecting today's high-end DVD players, cable boxes, AV receivers and HDTV's. These premium cables are fully HDCP compliant to provide the highest level of signal quality and compatibility.
Customer Reviews:
Good price.......2007-12-26
Good price for these cables. Work perfect, no problems, use on my 42" lcd 1080p.
Use for HDMI HDTV and Toshiba HDTV disc player.......2007-12-24
Cables worked fine and the TV images and sound are great. All is routed througha Sony ES STR-DA5200ES receiver back to the Mitsubishi 73" 1080P DLP TV.
Works excellently.......2007-12-24
Works as described. I cannot figure out why people would pay as much as $100 for a similar cable! Enjoy this item!
Working great.......2007-12-24
This product has worked wonderfully for a huge fraction of the price. This shows jus because something doesn't cost alot doesn't mean it isn't quality
hdmi cables.......2007-12-21
The cables are fine. Work as designed. However... I had to pretty much order them in the dark as they were described only as HDMI cables including the length. There are many diffrerent types of HDMI cables on the market which are designed for different technologies. It would have been very helpful to have had a item specification list for each of these cable models.Cables To Go - 40315 - 2M (6.5ft) Velocity HDMI Digital Video Cable (Blue)
Product Description
Package Includes: Forerunner 205, docking cradle, expander strap, AC charger, PC/USB interface cable, Quick start guide, Garmin Training Center CD & owner's manual
With the Garmin Forerunner 205, form meets function with a sleek and stylish personal trainer. Designed for athletes of all levels, this running partner and personal trainer tracks your every move with a super-sensitive GPS. The GPS tool even works on tree-covered trails and near tall buildings. It continuously monitors your speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter, more effectively. Don't let their good looks fool you -- these taskmasters will continually push you to do your personal best. Virtual Partner lets you train against a digital person at specified time, distance or pace goals AutoScroll cycles through data pages during a workout Auto Pause pauses and resumes training timer based on a specified speed Easy to use - No calibration required, just turn it on and go Multi-sport capability lets you transition between sports without resetting -- you can use it for running, biking, and more Customizable screens let you view up to 12 data fields on 3 data screens for immediate feedback Lap Memory - 1,000 laps Rechargeable internal lithium ion battery - life of 10 hours (typical use) Waterproof - Submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 mins. Transfer data from Forerunner to your PC for a detailed analysis of your workout Create, schedule and download workouts to your Forerunner View data for each workout, including your heart rate, time, distance, speed, pat Display Size(WxH) - 1.3 x 0.8 (33 x 20.3 mm) Physical Size(WxHxD) - 2.1 x. 7 x 2.7 (53.3 x 17.8 x 68.6 mm) Weight - 2.72 oz. (77 g)
Amazon.com Review
Just when you thought Garmin had cornered the market on powerful, affordable, and effective wrist-mounted GPS devices, here comes the Forerunner 205. The release of this device is a major achievement from a design and technology perspective. This isn't just marketing-speak; the Forerunner 205 is the most accurate, most reliable wrist-mounted performance and GPS tracking tool we've ever tested. Yes, it's that good. While no device this compact can do everything (yet), the 205 pushes the boundaries of what is possible from something strapped around your wrist. While the 205 doesn't offer heart rate monitoring, or connectivity with Garmin's wireless speed and cadence sensor -- for that, you'll need to step up to the Forerunner 305 -- but it's a great way to get basic GPS location and performance data.
View Garmin's Forerunner demonstration video.
Choose from 12 data fields to display on the 305's screen. View larger. |
The design cleverly integrates the GPS antenna and aims it towards the sky when you're running or walking. View larger. |
The Virtual Partner function makes your workouts more competitive. View larger. |
Choose from three workout modes that help you target your training goals. View larger. |
The 305 features rudimentary mapping and location marking functions. View larger. |
Design
The 205's design is a radical departure from Garmin's previous generation of wrist mounted GPS devices, which reached a pinnacle with the Garmin Forerunner 301. While the 301 delivered accurate heart rate monitoring, good performance tracking, and decent GPS reception, it didn't quite deliver in the design department. The form factor was bulky and wearing it wasn't much different than duct taping a full-sized GPS device to your wrist.
Not so with the 205. Garmin's engineers obviously burned the midnight oil and have come up with a waterproof design that, while certainly not as small as a sports watch, feels just as comfortable. The curved casing allows the unit's antenna to face the sky when you're running, while the widescreen display is perfectly positioned for viewing when you need it. And the display certainly deserves a few kudos. While it's smaller than the display found on previous Forerunners, its resolution is far higher, offering incredible clarity and crispness.
Garmin has smartly given the 205 a simple button layout and the buttons have a nice tactile feel with good pressure response. The right side houses the menu selection and enter buttons, while the left houses a power/backlight button and a mode button. This simple and elegant solution is a big improvement over the sometimes confusing button functionality of previous Forerunners. View button layout.
The underside of the 205 is pretty nondescript, except for a row of contacts that interface with the included charging and data cradle. The cradle is small and unobtrusive and its single mini-USB port connects to either an included AC adapter, or a USB cable that connects to your PC. In addition to data transfer with the USB cable, you can also charge the 205's embedded lithium-ion battery via a powered USB connection from your computer.
GPS Performance
The big news about the Forerunner 205 is that it features an integrated, high-sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS receiver. What does this mean? It means that the 205's ability to both track, and maintain a lock on, your position is better than anything before it. After an intial battery charge, our product tester had the 205 on his wrist and was tracking speed and distance with GPS satellites within 3 minutes. The next time we used the 205, satellite acquisition was nearly instantaneous. A run through dense trees didn't faze the unit either; tracking remained true and steady. Performance on a bike was equally impressive. Whatever witchcraft has been cooked up by the designers of the SiRF technology, we like it!
The simple docking cradle makes charging and data connectivity a snap (Forerunner 305 model shown). |
While the Forerunner 205 isn't billed as a GPS navigation device, it does have some rudimentary mapping, waypoint marking, and routing capabilities. In addition to marking locations along your journey, you can zoom in or out of a simple map that displays your current direction and path. There's also a "go to location" feature that routes you back to your starting location, or to any location you have defined. Once you have defined several locations, you can save this information as a route, allowing you to travel the same path in the future. As you'll see below, the 205's new "Courses" feature gives you new levels of control over how you define your favorite runs and rides.
Training Functions
The 205 is first and foremost a training tool, and its ability to organize a ton of data types into a user experience that is intuitive and simple is no small feat. Whiz-bang technology aside, if you can't use it and make it a natural part of your exercise routine, it's worthless. When it comes to these factors -- and here's the take home message on the 205 -- this device is successful where many other devices fail.
The heart and soul of the 205 can be found on the data screens, which give you real-time information about all aspects of your workout. In fact, the 305 can display a dizzying array of data, such as calories burned, distance, elevation, grade, and heading, as well as multiple lap and pace modes.
Thankfully, the device makes it easy to define how much or how little data you want to view during a workout. You can arrange the data that's most important to you and then make that data appear front and center on the device. Indeed, within a few minutes of skimming the manual and fiddling with the device setup, you'll have your most important data displaying just the way you like it.
Garmin's Virtual Partner function was cool feature of previous Forerunners and they've decided to keep a good thing going with the 205. If you're the type that performs best when you've got a competitor egging you on, you'll love this function, as it allows you to set up virtual running or biking companions that compete against you.
If you're looking for an complicated workout with a variety of intervals and intensity levels, or just a quick three-mile jog against your best time last week, the 205 has you covered. Navigating to the Workouts menu on the device yields three options: Quick Workouts, Interval, and Advanced Workout. A quick workout is just that; set the distance and time, distance and pace, or time and pace of your planned workout and off you go. Interval workouts are just the same, but they allow you to add repetitions and rest between them. When you really want to get fancy with your exercise, you can step up to advanced workouts, which include goals for each workout step, as well as varied distances, times, and rest periods. You can use the Garmin Training Center software to set up these workouts and then upload them to the device.
PC Connectivity and Software
Garmin has been outfitting their devices with USB connectivity for some time now -- a welcome move for those who struggled with serial port connections in the days of yore. Thanks to USB, the 205 integrates seamlessly with the Training Center software and we quickly had workout history uploaded and stored on the PC (Sadly, Training Center is not Mac-compatible).
In a first for the Forerunner series, the Training Center software also lets you define courses on your PC that you can upload to the device. When course information is combined with uploaded workout information, the Forerunner becomes a complete guide, telling you where to go, when to make a turn, and what kind of workout to do when you're on the road or path. Back on the PC, the software's ability to overlay workout data on maps of the course makes it easy to see where the course offers up the tough hills and the easy recovery spots. Plus, the ability to track historical performance on a given course is a great way to measure your improvement.
The 205 is also fully compatible with Garmin's MotionBased service, which takes your training to another level by connecting your data with the Internet. While we weren't able to use the service, the promise of sharing courses, maps, workouts, and performance data with other users is intriguing. And if you're a serious endurance athlete, you'll be glad to know that the 205 is also compatible with TrainingPeaks.com, an easy-to-use web based training system designed to help athletes train for any event.
Pros
- Radically new design is better in every way
- Amazing accuracy and fast satellite acquisition time
- So simple to set up and use, you will actually use it
Cons
- No Mac OS compatibility
- Okay, it's bigger than a sport's watch -- but so much more powerful
What's in the Box
Forerunner 205, Garmin Training Center CD-ROM, docking cradle, expander strap, A/C charger, USB cable, owner's manual, quick start guide.
Amazon.com Product Description
Just when you thought Garmin had cornered the market on powerful, affordable, and effective wrist-mounted GPS devices, here comes the Forerunner 205. The release of this device is a major achievement from a design and technology perspective. This isn't just marketing-speak; the Forerunner 205 is the most accurate, most reliable wrist-mounted performance and GPS tracking tool we've ever tested. Yes, it's that good. While no device this compact can do everything (yet), the 205 pushes the boundaries of what is possible from something strapped around your wrist. While the 205 doesn't offer heart rate monitoring, or connectivity with Garmin's wireless speed and cadence sensor--for that, you'll need to step up to the Forerunner 305--but it's a great way to get basic GPS location and performance data.
View Garmin's Forerunner demonstration video.
Choose from 12 data fields to display on the 305's screen. View larger. |
The design cleverly integrates the GPS antenna and aims it towards the sky when you're running or walking. View larger. |
The simple docking cradle makes charging and data connectivity a snap (Forerunner 305 model shown). |
The Virtual Partner function makes your workouts more competitive. View larger. |
Choose from three workout modes that help you target your training goals. View larger. |
The 305 features rudimentary mapping and location marking functions. View larger. |
Design
The 205's design is a radical departure from Garmin's previous generation of wrist mounted GPS devices, which reached a pinnacle with the Garmin Forerunner 301. While the 301 delivered accurate heart rate monitoring, good performance tracking, and decent GPS reception, it didn't quite deliver in the design department. The form factor was bulky and wearing it wasn't much different than duct taping a full-sized GPS device to your wrist.
Not so with the 205. Garmin's engineers obviously burned the midnight oil and have come up with a waterproof design that, while certainly not as small as a sports watch, feels just as comfortable. The curved casing allows the unit's antenna to face the sky when you're running, while the widescreen display is perfectly positioned for viewing when you need it. And the display certainly deserves a few kudos. While it's smaller than the display found on previous Forerunners, its resolution is far higher, offering incredible clarity and crispness.
Garmin has smartly given the 205 a simple button layout and the buttons have a nice tactile feel with good pressure response. The right side houses the menu selection and enter buttons, while the left houses a power/backlight button and a mode button. This simple and elegant solution is a big improvement over the sometimes confusing button functionality of previous Forerunners. View button layout.
The underside of the 205 is pretty nondescript, except for a row of contacts that interface with the included charging and data cradle. The cradle is small and unobtrusive and its single mini-USB port connects to either an included AC adapter, or a USB cable that connects to your PC. In addition to data transfer with the USB cable, you can also charge the 205's embedded lithium-ion battery via a powered USB connection from your computer.
GPS Performance
The big news about the Forerunner 205 is that it features an integrated, high-sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS receiver. What does this mean? It means that the 205's ability to both track, and maintain a lock on, your position is better than anything before it. After an intial battery charge, our product tester had the 205 on his wrist and was tracking speed and distance with GPS satellites within 3 minutes. The next time we used the 205, satellite acquisition was nearly instantaneous. A run through dense trees didn't faze the unit either; tracking remained true and steady. Performance on a bike was equally impressive. Whatever witchcraft has been cooked up by the designers of the SiRF technology, we like it!
While the Forerunner 205 isn't billed as a GPS navigation device, it does have some rudimentary mapping, waypoint marking, and routing capabilities. In addition to marking locations along your journey, you can zoom in or out of a simple map that displays your current direction and path. There's also a "go to location" feature that routes you back to your starting location, or to any location you have defined. Once you have defined several locations, you can save this information as a route, allowing you to travel the same path in the future. As you'll see below, the 205's new "Courses" feature gives you new levels of control over how you define your favorite runs and rides.
Training Functions
The 205 is first and foremost a training tool, and its ability to organize a ton of data types into a user experience that is intuitive and simple is no small feat. Whiz-bang technology aside, if you can't use it and make it a natural part of your exercise routine, it's worthless. When it comes to these factors -- and here's the take home message on the 205 -- this device is successful where many other devices fail.
The heart and soul of the 205 can be found on the data screens, which give you real-time information about all aspects of your workout. In fact, the 305 can display a dizzying array of data, such as calories burned, distance, elevation, grade, and heading, as well as multiple lap and pace modes.
Thankfully, the device makes it easy to define how much or how little data you want to view during a workout. You can arrange the data that's most important to you and then make that data appear front and center on the device. Indeed, within a few minutes of skimming the manual and fiddling with the device setup, you'll have your most important data displaying just the way you like it.
Garmin's Virtual Partner function was cool feature of previous Forerunners and they've decided to keep a good thing going with the 205. If you're the type that performs best when you've got a competitor egging you on, you'll love this function, as it allows you to set up virtual running or biking companions that compete against you.
If you're looking for an complicated workout with a variety of intervals and intensity levels, or just a quick three-mile jog against your best time last week, the 205 has you covered. Navigating to the Workouts menu on the device yields three options: Quick Workouts, Interval, and Advanced Workout. A quick workout is just that; set the distance and time, distance and pace, or time and pace of your planned workout and off you go. Interval workouts are just the same, but they allow you to add repetitions and rest between them. When you really want to get fancy with your exercise, you can step up to advanced workouts, which include goals for each workout step, as well as varied distances, times, and rest periods. You can use the Garmin Training Center software to set up these workouts and then upload them to the device.
PC Connectivity and Software
Garmin has been outfitting their devices with USB connectivity for some time now -- a welcome move for those who struggled with serial port connections in the days of yore. Thanks to USB, the 205 integrates seamlessly with the Training Center software and we quickly had workout history uploaded and stored on the PC (Sadly, Training Center is not Mac-compatible).
In a first for the Forerunner series, the Training Center software also lets you define courses on your PC that you can upload to the device. When course information is combined with uploaded workout information, the Forerunner becomes a complete guide, telling you where to go, when to make a turn, and what kind of workout to do when you're on the road or path. Back on the PC, the software's ability to overlay workout data on maps of the course makes it easy to see where the course offers up the tough hills and the easy recovery spots. Plus, the ability to track historical performance on a given course is a great way to measure your improvement.
The 205 is also fully compatible with Garmin's MotionBased service, which takes your training to another level by connecting your data with the Internet. While we weren't able to use the service, the promise of sharing courses, maps, workouts, and performance data with other users is intriguing. And if you're a serious endurance athlete, you'll be glad to know that the 205 is also compatible with TrainingPeaks.com, an easy-to-use web based training system designed to help athletes train for any event.
Pros
- Radically new design is better in every way
- Amazing accuracy and fast satellite acquisition time
- So simple to set up and use, you will actually use it
Cons
- No Mac OS compatibility
- Okay, it's bigger than a sport's watch -- but so much more powerful
What's in the Box
Forerunner 205, Garmin Training Center CD-ROM, docking cradle, expander strap, A/C charger, USB cable, owner's manual, quick start guide.
Customer Reviews:
Garmin Forerunner 205 wrist GPS.......2007-12-27
This is an excellent training partner. It keeps you on pace when running alone and is a must for anyone that runs in new places where you are unsure of the distances and don't ant to run for just time. I recently ran a 1/2 marathon and it was absolutely 100 % responsible for keeping me on pace, never going too fast or too slow. If you have ever run a marathon or 1/2, you know how seldom the mile markers are exactly where they are supposed to be.
I am not a 'techie' so I haven't mastered all the things that it can do, but it is wondeful, with just the things I know how to do now. You can use it on your bike, hiking, running, roller blading and so on. It is a great toy, even for an old guy like me.
FANTASTIC.......2007-12-26
I have been using the NIKE+ that works with my iPod for my training. I never knew how inaccurate it was until I got my Forerunner. I am VERY pleased with this unit and the accurate feedback I get.
Fantastic Device.......2007-12-26
Here in flat Florida - we've never had a problem with satellite reception. The data is amazing to have and I've found free software to plot coordinates onto google maps. My wife and I both use it and love it. That revealed probably the only weakness that we have found. Personal data can only be configured for one person. It is unfortunate.
And if this thing could hold a couple gig of mp3s I could ditch my nano. I bought that originally for the nike+ system, and still run with it for music, but the garmin provides more accurate information and much more of it.
makes running even more fun.......2007-12-23
I have had my garmin for only three weeks and already I can tell it has helped me run faster. Knowing my pace at each point in time really pushes me. I usually train at an eight min per mile pace but having the garmin makes me want to keep my pace in the seven minute range. Beware if you live in an area where you get poor cell phone reception because the satellites will take longer to load. This is one annoying feature. Sometimes the satellites are loaded as soon as I step out the door and other times, I have run a couple minutes before I pick up a signal. The "current pace" is a little delayed, but as long as you are aware of that its not so bad. I was afraid of becoming dependent on using the garmin, but it really hasn't been like that, I still enjoy just going out for time. I recommend this product for any one who likes knowing how fast and far they run and likes to push the pace on their run sometimes and get the reward of knowing what they accomplished.
Garmin 205 get High-5.......2007-12-21
I had the old Forerunner 201 and was not sure the new model would be worth the extra expense. I was wrong, it is a much better system. Not only smaller, but quicker response, less dropping signal in trees and more functional. The interval trainer lets me do run-walk with ease and keeps track of total time (in real time) which the FR201 does not. So, I am very happy that I upgraded. I have not used the training package that comes with it, but it is great for keeping track of progress on the go. I do not miss the HR feature in the FR305 so the FR205 is ideal for me. It switches from running to cycling much easier too, for you dual or tri-athletes.
Product Description
Garmin's MAP60 CSx is an all-purpose upgradeable handheld locator that lets you load up your own digital maps for better reference. The reflective 256-color display lets you find your way on the map in almost any lighting. It's got a long-life battery for up to 20 hours of outdoors adventuring. The new MicroSD card slots make it simpler than ever to find those out-of-the-way places -- just put them on a MicroSD card and load it up. Internal Memory - 64MB MicroSD Card slot Celestial tables Quad helix antenna Battery life - 20 hours (requires 2 AA batteries) Includes belt clip and USB cable
Amazon.com Product Description
The venerable Garmin 60CS just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 60CSx's integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you've got a unit that is ready to take you anywhere on land or sea.
The 60CSx is a refreshing upgrade of the 60CS, and features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory. View larger. |
The device features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip for supreme accuracy in all conditions. You also get an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.
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You also get a large color TFT display and turn-by-turn routing capability. |
You can use the 60CSx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits, and tide data. There's also a preloaded marine point database. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.
The 60CSx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 20 hours of battery life from the unit. The unit's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.
Another key feature of the 60CSx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. There's also a large-numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode.
The 60CSx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60CSx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 64 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 60Cx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots. The four-position rocker pad and dedicated high-use buttons make navigating through the unit's features easy, even when your fingers are cold or wet.
Finally, the GPSMap 60CSx is packed with some extra fun features. An integrated outdoor calendar provides ideal hunting and fishing times, plus moon rise/set/location information. There is a dedicated geocaching mode for those of you into the hot GPS community treasure hunt game. Finally, there are indoor/outdoor GPS games to help you and your friends enjoy the outdoors.
If you like the features of the 60CSx, but don't need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin 60Cx.
What's in the Box
60CSx unit, 64 MB microSD card, belt clip, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owners manual, and quick-start guide.
Customer Reviews:
The Best GPS Got A Little Better.......2007-12-28
This is my all time favorite GPS unit for hiking. I use an Edge for cycling and played around with quite a few units before I bought this one. Its display is visible at almost any angle. Its bright, clear and works well in the rain! It just doesn't get any better than the 60CSx IMHO.
good reception under trees.......2007-12-27
Got this recently and have been happy. It represents a serious improvement over previous GPS receivers, because the new GPS chip that it has gives significantly better reception under trees. It also has very good battery life. The biggest complaint I have is that you are stuck using Garmin's Mapsource software, which is damn near to worthless. The only way you can tell any topographic details is to carry, in addition to the GPS, both a printout of their Mapsource map and a printout for the same area from a real topo. It's enough to make me go with another brand. I wish Garmin would decide that they were in the business of making GPS units and not mapping software.
Good Unit, Garmin quality as always.......2007-12-26
I have used sevearl of Garmins units over the last ten or so years. The map 76 was a good unit for it's time. My company bought over 500 of the 60 Csx units and distributed them to the field. They work great on land and water. Reception is very good and like all Garmin products it is very user friendly. Most of the reviews I have read are very accurate so I won't bore you with the same details. It is an awesome unit. I do recommend it. The ONLY drawback it has is that it doesn't float like the 76 series. The 76Csx and the 60Csx are the same exact units except for screen size and shape. The 76 screen is a little larger, but the functions and capabilities are the same on each. The sugg. retail price is the same on each. So, one would ask how to choose between the two. May I recommend the 76 series simply because my 4 month old 60Csx is in the bottom of a boat ramp in the South Texas marsh. My partner lost his just 2 weeks ago in the marsh also. I know exactly where mine is and he's pretty sure when he lost his. If they floated I know I would still have mine. If you have no intentions of using it in the water then you can't go wrong with either unit, they are both excellent.
Great All-Around Handheld GPS.......2007-12-20
It took me a long time decide on a GPS unit that would be above average in many different categories and I'm happy with my choice in the Garmin GPSMap 60CSx. I have had this unit over a year now and have only had one serious problem with it. After a few months, the power button would not work (sometimes it would, sometimes it wouldn't) and I finally had to send it in to Garmin for a warranty claim. They replaced the unit quickly and the power button on the new unit has a different feel to it making me think that the original was defective all along. Besides that problem (which has nothing to do with rating its performance), this unit has been a great companion when I travel. I have used it to hike, mountain bike, and navigate through city streets. The screen is a little small for navigating in a car, but this is a compromise considering you can put this unit in a big pocket for hiking or mounting it to your bike or boat. Many units seem to focus in one area (like only auto navigation), but this unit excels in many areas. The altimeter and compass are great supplements to the GPS capability and I'm glad that I paid extra for these features. You do have to be a little savvy and technologically aware to use this unit to its full capacity, so if you're looking for a very dumbed-down unit, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a good all-around unit for hiking, biking, boating, car navigation, and more, you should be happy with the GPSMap 60CSx.
Very helpful.......2007-12-12
I purchased this product for my husband's birthday. We really like it. It has tons of features and once you read the manual is very easy to use. Would highly recommend.
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