Review on 🌟 High-performance Garmin 010-01772-00 Foretrex 601: A Trustworthy 2-Inch Companion by Jerry Mangum

BLUF: Don't buy the Garmin Foretrex 601 for reliability reasons. This is my third iteration of this device and I cannot recommend this product. The first Garmin 601 I bought (04/26/2018) was sent to me used, although it was listed as brand new. The item was sent to me with the batteries already in the device and randomly placed in the box. Needless to say, someone who bought the device didn't like it and returned it. I contacted Revain and they quickly replaced the device. The second Garmin 601 worked great for the first two months. It was sent to me on April 30, 18. I used it daily after morning runs and walks. Also, I've used it for work from time to time (I'm in the military at Fort Hood, TX) when I've been in the field. I first encountered the problem while traveling in Colorado for 3 days. On the first day of the hike, the Garmin 601 just turned itself off. No beeps or screen warnings. Nothing. He just switched off. I replaced the batteries but it kept cutting out. The device did not get wet and did not overheat. During the whole trip it never rained and the weather was at the level of the 1960s. I had a Garmin Foretrex 301 as a backup and it worked great throughout the hike. When I came back from a hike, I connected the Garmin 601 to my computer and updated the software. Problem still exists. I tried asking Garmin for help or advice and three weeks later they emailed me and recommended a software update. I contacted Revain and as always they replaced the unit with no questions asked. My third and last Garmin 601 was sent to me on 07/26/18. Has worked flawlessly for almost a year. Running, walking, hiking and working again. No questions. Last month, without warning, the device lost power during a morning walk. Last week I was traveling around Minnesota with a Garmin 301 and left the Garmin 601 at home in Texas to rest. This morning (9 Jul 19) I put on a Garmin 601 and I didn't even get it to 0.25 and the unit just turned off. I tried turning the device on and it just started up and then shut down. Again, I advise against buying the Garmin 601 due to reliability issues. Instead, I recommend you buy a Garmin Foretrex 301 or 401. I have used both at home and abroad in the past. Model 301 is an excellent durable product.