Customer Reviews:
 Last century's gadget May 16, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I needed a lightweight easy-to-use inexpensive GPS device to use during outdoors hiking and backpacking trips, mostly as a distance meter but also as a route tracker. There's a very little competition in this sector, and I selected Foretrex 101 because it uses AAA's instead of rechargeable batteries in 201 (well, not sure about Garmin engineers but I typically don't take an AC power outlet to a backpacking trip with me).
Overall, it met my expectations... sorta. COM port communications with a PC, sturdy but ugly looking design, heavier than I thought, very uncomfortable wrist strap - these are the minuses but I could live with them. However, my biggest disappointment was with the GPS chip sensitivity. In 8 out of 10 trips it loses satellite connections every few minutes, pretty much all the time under the trees, even when the forest around is not that dense. When it does, its measurements become extremely inaccurate - once it reported 13 miles on a trip odometer when it actually was just above 8...
I wouldn't buy it again, but at the same time I haven't seen a better alternative anyway. I only wish Garmin could come up with a new wrist mount hiking (not running / personal training) GPS device based on a new chip, using USB connector, and having better map graphics. Dreams, sweet dreams.
 Clark May 14, 2007
Being a novice at walking, this device has helped to motivate me. I am constantly trying to walk further and faster, I know that this GPS will record any stops or distance covered while walking. So I think that I better keep going and that has improved my exercise program.
The device is simple to use. I was able to purchase this device at a reduced rate from Amazon and that makes it even better!
 Great hiking gps May 9, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This GPS is lightweight on the wrist, very readable in sunlight, and easy to use. The optional computer serial cable (get the USB adaptor too) and the Garmin Waypoint Manager make this an even more powerful hiking tool. I do trail running and us it to record the tracks, give speed of travel, and mark my trail waypoints. At home I download the track and waypoints to my computer. I also upload gps lat/lon points and routes to the GPS unit from the computer. When used with paper maps, this is the most powerful small GPS for the money.
Garmin PC Interface Cable for Forerunner and Foretrex (010-10484-00)
Cables To Go USB To Db9 Serial Adapter USBa/db9m Rs-232
Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager (010-10215-04)
Fear of getting lost - Not anymore. May 7, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love exploring the forests, but with a rather limited sense of direction, the fear of getting lost is limiting the possibilities. With ForeTrex 101, I can run & explore places I most definitely would have gotten lost in earlier. It can route me back the track I took, or point me what direction to go to reach a point I have entered earlier. I use Google Earth to find coordinates for places, enter the coordinates, and let ForeTrex take me there.
For running, it tells me how far I ran, how fast I am running, my average speed etc.
Unit uses normal batteries, this is a good thing, so you can bring replacements batteries on the trip.
DRAWBACKS:
* Garmin should really provide free way point management software. This exists, but thats not Garmins fault.
* Data cable (not provided, but can be bought) should be USB. Now I have to get a USB->Serial cable in addition. Who sells products with serial cables these days???
* Max characters in Way point-names should be greater. 6 is too few. The way point directory is wide enough to hold 12 characters, why is it limited to 6?
But all in all, a great, inexpensive way to find your way back home!
Great Product for Entry GPS Users March 13, 2007
This is a compact yet fully functional product. Its' tracking and route function is effective. Inputing waypoints are intuitive with a few buttons. I use it for trail and also for my DSLR to retrieve GPS information for my photos (with cable from Pc-Mobile). Lacking of map function is a shame but it is sufficient for my current usage.
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