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1328 Review
57 Karma

Review on πŸ”΄ Garmin Forerunner 220 Black and Red by Ryan Sandell

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Very good device, if not quite perfect

Overall the 220 is a very good product and I will not use its many features for training. I bought it to replace an aging 305 that still works. Here's my take on a few days of wearing both. Features: Model 220 is smaller/thinner/lighter. The display is easier to read and scrolling through screens is easier. The 220 uses a USB charger, the 305 uses a wall outlet. When showing Auto Lap miles, the 220 vibrates (works very well) and the 305 beeps (easy to miss). Printed instructions 220 are minimal; You need to go to the website and download the PDF. Both devices are a bit cumbersome to set up. The instructions for the 220 state that you must unlock the device after powering it on to start searching for satellites, but my device starts searching as soon as it is turned on. 220 acquires satellites much faster. The same with charging. Distance measurement: Both devices are quite accurate. On two 1.9 mile rides on the greenway with mile 10 manufacturers, the 220 hit the 1 mile mark on the nose on the outgoing leg and the 305 was about 5 steps behind). Although the devices alternately stood in front of or behind each other at different points, they were synchronized at the 1.9 mile mark and indicated a slightly smaller distance than the actual one. On the way back, 220 was very close to the mark the whole time; 305 was just short again. Pace: I find the pace display (min/mile) very useful. But units do this much less accurately than they measure distance traveled. Depending on the obstacles, etc., the measured value can fluctuate greatly from time to time. The divisions were often clearly at odds. 220 seemed more accurate, but I didn't have an easy way to test it. Auto Lap: It's great when I get the time in 1 mile intervals. Both devices handle it well and the notifications (vibration) and display of the 220 are better. But they have a common problem: when the display shows 1.00, 2.00, etc., it takes 2-5 seconds. before the advent of time. That would be fine except it includes those extra seconds. So, either I didn't actually drive the mile even though the display shows 1.00, or the displayed mileage time is off. I wish Garmin would fix this annoying problem.

Pros
  • Ideal for outdoor activities
Cons
  • Safety