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Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM

Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM

Item # 765663
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This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

For your reference, this page contains historical product information.

The Garmin Forerunner 50 with heart rate monitor is the perfect training companion to support your fitness goals.

  • ANT+Sport™ technology allows all Forerunner 50 components to transmit data wirelessly to each other, and to your computer via USB stick
  • Simple, push-button operation allows you to easily switch between time, train, interval, history and data upload modes
  • Chest strap heart rate monitor helps you train in your target zone to optimize performance
  • Cyclists can enjoy the features of the Forerunner 50 when paired with the Garmin GSC 10 Speed and Cadence Sensor (sold separately)
  • USB ANT stick automatically receives data from the Forerunner 50 when placed within 10m of each other
  • Data can be analyzed and shared with other users by downloading free Garmin Training Center (GTC) software on your computer from the Garmin website
  • GTC also allows users to categorize and design workouts based on activity—prior workouts can be saved by day and week designations
  • Forerunner 50 will store up to 100 laps and 7 hours of exercise data, which can be uploaded to GTC at any time
  • When you aren't exercising the Forerunner 50 can be used as full-function watch that features time, calendar (day/date) and daily alarm
  • Forerunner 50 also features a backlight and low-battery warning
  • Components operate on a user-replaceable CR2032 batteries (included)
  • Includes: Forerunner 50, heart rate monitor, USB ANT stick and manual

Imported.

Item 765663

Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM Specs

Specification

Description

Heart rate displayYes
Target heart rate zones5
Time in target zoneYes
Average heart rateYes
Recovery heart rate modeNo
High/low target heart rateYes
Heart rate memory/recallYes
Calories burnedYes
BacklightYes
File storage7 hours
PC CompatibleYes
Speed/distanceNo
ClockYes
Lap timer100
Stop watchYes
Daily alarmYes
Countdown timerYes
DateYes
Water-resistance30 meters
Weight1.55 ounces

Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM
 
3.1

(based on 8 reviews)

50%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Accurate (6)
  • Gives A quick reading (6)
  • Easy to use (5)
  • Compact design (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Running (4)
    • Spinning (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Competitive athlete (3)

    Reviewed by 8 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-8

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    Jul

    30

    2008

    (5 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

     
    2.0

    Good, but not good enough

    By egag21

    from Colorado Springs, CO

    About Me Gym Rat

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Accurate
    • Compact Design
    • Easy To Use
    • Gives A Quick Reading

    Cons

    • Limited Features

    Best Uses

      Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

      I've been a fan of Polar for the past three years, but the price of the Forerunner 50 drew me to give it a try. I was also attracted to the upgradability and the fact that the glass on the face is better protected from accidental scratches than Polar watches.

      With all that said, I'm seriously thinking about returning it for something else.

      The first strike against it was the fact that none of the equipment at my gym recognize the Garmin signal while they all recoginized the Polar signal automatically. I'm a big fan of a treadmill that adjusts the spead and elevation to keep my heartrate at the prescribed level. I can no longer use this feature and I'm very disappointed.

      The second strike is that it doesn't tell me my calories burned. Such a simple, basic feature, but it doesn't do it. Calories burned is major indicator I always use to determine the quality of my workout. How can they not give me this vital info? When I couldn't find it on the watch I assumed it would show up when I transferred the data to my PC. No dice. What I found is that the calorie count is only available when you use your watch in conjuction with some service (with an added monthly fee) that I've never heard of. Lame!

      The third strike came today and really isn't the watch's fault. My employer has a new policy where personal software isn't allowed. This irks me greatly. I only have a laptop at home and I fear loosing the dongle or damaging the laptop.

      I haven't decided what to do. Polar's SonicLink is a joke, and I don't know which other brands work with the machines at my gym, so I have a little more research to do. For now, I'm very disappointed with my Garmin 50.

      Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

      (5 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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      Nov

      5

      2007

      (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Great Upgradable HRM

      By Fisherking

      from Sacramento, CA

      About Me Triathlete-In-Progress

      Pros

      • Accurate
      • Compact Design
      • Easy To Use
      • Gives A Quick Reading

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Fitness

        Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

        I got this watch for running and cycling. This a good watch for the price. I've done some homework and found that this watch has three features that in my opinion make this watch the best budget HRM. 1. decent heart rate monitor [from personal experience - as good as polar/suunto, which are also quite good] 2. two interval timers [each with a pleasant and clear alarm beep] 3. an included USB antenna to download workout data to your PC.

        It also has a fourth great quality: it's upgradable. If you want more features, you don't have to buy a whole new watch, just by new parts.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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        May

        8

        2008

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        1.0

        Unreliable

        By MichLA

        from Los Angeles, CA

        About Me Competitive Athlete

        Pros

        • Easy to Read Face

        Cons

        • Unreliable

        Best Uses

        • Running
        • Spinning

        Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

        I wanted to love it. Reasonably priced. Easy to read face. Comfortable to wear. But sadly it proved to be inaccurate after a couple of weeks. I used it on a 4 mile run and on mile 4, as I huffed and puffed, it said my heart rate was 40 bpm. I had the device pretty snug, right underneath the band of my sports bra.

        The manual is too simple and is of no help in trying to troubleshoot problems with setting up the device or the Garmin Training Center. At one point the ANT wasn't recognized and I had to call the service center and wait 20 mins before getting a resolution. (Ironically the tech support assisting me said his Forerunner 50 was running low on its battery.)

        I'll try a Polar device to see if I can get better results.

        Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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        Jan

        4

        2008

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Great bang for the buck

        By Arizona Guy

        from Phoenix, AZ

        About Me Weekend Warrior

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Accurate
        • Compact Design
        • Gives A Quick Reading
        • Looks Great
        • Versatile

        Cons

        • Connection Agent Complica

        Best Uses

        • Biking
        • Running
        • Weight Loss

        Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

        What first attracted me to the Garmin Forerunner 50 was its looks. It doesnt look like the traditional HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) with its bulky design, but rather a stylish and compact unit, also at a great price.

        I went out to get the HRM version since it is the best priced out of them all. I installed all the software and after a quick run (you have to get some data on the HRM before the first connection) I was able to view my HR for my activity. I have had the Forerunner for about a week now and I like this product a lot. I do several sports so it is great to have a HRM that works with biking, running, and that is water proof (if you plan to get wet). My only problem with the Forerunner is that its suite does not allow you to enter some information that you may already know. For example, I have a GPS unit as well so I am able to track with a fair ammount of accuracy the lenght of my activities. It would be great to be able to enter this information onto my activity log, however, they dont allow that. I also do some running at a track, so I know how long each lap is, however, again I cant enter this information.

        I would recommend this product to a friend, but I would also like to recommend to Garmin that they allow users to enter any and all information they see fit when the unit is connected. The flexibility to enter new activities (kayaking, boxing, etc) would provide great feedback to them as to, how the product is being used, and in the end would provide the user with everything we need to know.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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        Feb

        2

        2008

        (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Good value for the money

        By bbentley

        from Sterling Heights, MI

        About Me Weekend Warrior

        Pros

        • Accurate
        • Easy To Use
        • Gives A Quick Reading

        Cons

        • Horrible instructions

        Best Uses

        • Running
        • Spinning
        • Treadmill

        Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

        I purchased the Garmin after reading many of the reviews, visiting the product website, and evaluating what features I needed out of an HRM. I like the backlight, average HR, Max HR, time above the target zone / below zone, countdown timer, and watch functions. I also like the fact that the user can upgrade to include a bike sensor and foot pod and can download your data to your computer.

        I was disappointed that it doesn't have a calorie counter-one feature I wanted. The REI website states that this feature is included. However, from what I can tell, it appears that the calorie counter feature is only available when used with the footpod. The instructions do not state this.

        The instructions give very basic information and the user is left figuring the product out for themselves, i.e. how to get to the Max HR screen. Most of the features are easy to figure out, if take the time. It is just annoying that the instructions are so poor.

        I have checked the accuracy against my Polar Target and it is dead-on. However, when I save the workout data, I noticed that the date is 7 days behind.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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        Jan

        28

        2008

        (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        1.0

        Quit working after my second workout

        By DR LYNN THE MOUNTAIN BIKER

        from Daniel Boone National Forest

        About Me Gym Rat

        Pros

          Cons

          • Unreliable

          Best Uses

          • Mountain Biking

          Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

          The item would not upload my workout data to my computer. I spoke with technical support and they could not fix the problem.

          Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

          (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Jan

          15

          2008

          (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Excellent option

          By Boise Guy

          from Boise, ID

          About Me Competitive Athlete

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Accurate
          • Compact Design
          • Easy To Use
          • Gives A Quick Reading

          Cons

          • None so far

          Best Uses

          • Running

          Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

          My Nike SDM wore out after 5 years of use and I wanted something that showed speed, distance and HR. The Forerunner 50 really delivers. The data transmission is very reliable so I have a lot of confidence in the real time readout. The features are really intuitive and simple to use, which is good when you're in the middle of a workout and can't remember the right button sequece. All of the batteries are user changeable, which is a problem with some of the other manufacturers. And data uploads through the USB antenna are a snap.
          The only thing I would change is to allow more flexibility with the charting feature in the Garmin software. Currently, you can't change the y-axis scale so that you can better see the variation in your pace (or whatever feature you have charted).

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          May

          7

          2008

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          3.0

          Think about it.. before you buy

          By Jen in training

          from Austin, TX

          About Me Competitive Athlete

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Accurate
          • Easy To Use
          • Gives A Quick Reading

          Cons

          • Limited Features

          Best Uses

          • Spinning
          • Treadmill

          Comments about Garmin Forerunner 50 HRM:

          The Garmin has great download capability...fast, easy, and painless. I loved how it grafted my workout for me. I could really see the high intensity spikes and that encouraged me the next time I trained. I didn't care for the screen displays. When i work out I really want to be able to see my heart rate and the stop watch at the same time. They didn't have a display screen that allowed me to do that. I was running and wanted to run hard for 2 minutes and spike my heart rate.. it wasn't exacly the right time to be fudging with the watch. Also - it has one timer.. so when I was trying to do a repeat workout (2 min. fast, 1 min slow) or something like that.. I had to do it in my head without timers,etc. You can't put the garmin in the water!!! Opps.. However.. if you are just looking for a heart rate monitor itself and want to be able to download.. then this might work for you.

          Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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          Displaying reviews 1-8

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