Forerunner 205 for MTB?

[Locool]

Just a shout out to MTBs using the Garmin Forerunner 205 and links it to Strava. Is the 205 up to the task? I'm looking for tracking only, no training data. And does the 205 track well in a pocket of a Camelback. Anything else I should be on the look out for?

[Harold]

It will track well if you do a couple of things. First, make sure it's recording every second. You can change the recording interval on these. Auto recording is fine for most running, but biking on a twisty trail, you need more frequent recording.

The second thing you need to pay attention to is the antenna position. The antenna is small, and when worn on a wrist, the position is optimal for reception when RUNNING, but not so well for biking. Wrap it around the bars using Garmin's rubber mount, or using cheap foam pipe insulation. Putting it in your pack will obscure the antenna and give you shit results. Make sure that antenna is pointed to the sky.

And for the record, stuffing ANY GPS in your pack will degrade your tracking data.

[jjaguar]

I used to have a 305, and IIRC the 205 is the same but without the Ant+ interface. Since it sounds like you're not concerned with accessories like a HRM, then the 205 would be perfectly fine for basic tracking purposes. Like NateHawk said, just be sure to turn on 1-second recording intervals to get an accurate recording of a twisty path, and mount it in such a way that it has a view of the sky.

[Locool]

Thanks Natehawk and jjaguar,

Just the info I was looking for.

[jerbsod]

Item Weight 1.1 pounds
Product Dimensions 5.6 x 5.4 x 5.2 inches
Item model number 010-00466-00
Display Size 1.3 inches
Display Resolution 160x100
Warranty 1 year Manufacturer's Warranty
Battery Life 10 hours

specs from amazon?
look at these dimensions and weight. surely its not 1.1 pound..
and the size MUST be wrong or the size of the package lol

I'd pick a quest with Gps pod any-day rather than this antique

[Harold]

specs from amazon?
look at these dimensions and weight. surely its not 1.1 pound..
and the size MUST be wrong or the size of the package lol

I'd pick a quest with Gps pod any-day rather than this antique

It's inexpensive and it's quite reliable. Yeah, it's bigger than more modern watches, but look at the functionality it offers compared to other models in Garmin's current lineup. You have to pay a LOT more to get those functions from something in their current lineup.

Maybe he's already got one. Maybe someone's giving it to him free or for a really good deal used?

Fact is, he asked if it would work for his purposes. And it will.

BTW, take third party information with a grain of salt. Amazon is providing shipping dimensions. Garmin has more reliable information about actual product dimensions.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into...5/prod348.html
2.72oz/77g Big difference.