Editorial Review
Jump start your training with Forerunner 50. This sleek sport watch is ideal for running, cycling and other fitness activities, and is available with a wireless heart rate monitor or foot pod or both. Plus it automatically transmits workouts to your computer so you can analyze, store and share data using our online community, Garmin Connect.
Get the Data You Need
Train inside or outdoors. The affordable Forerunner 50 provides you with instant workout data including training time, pace, distance, lap pace, lap time, lap distance, average and best pace, calories, maximum and average heart rate. It also records both lap and detailed data. Available in 3 different versions (see versions tab), Forerunner 50 comes bundled with different accessories to help you track your progress for whatever moves you.
Listen to Your Heart
Forerunner 50 with wireless heart rate effectively tracks and records your heart rate while you work out, providing instant feedback about how hard your heart is working. The included digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute which is wirelessly transmitted to the Forerunner 50. Even train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level. And well after your workout is done, Forerunner 50 is still working, wirelessly transmitting your training data to your PC.
Measure Speed and Distance
Forerunner 50 packaged with Garmin's wireless foot pod lets you track your running speed, distance and calories burned while on the treadmill or pavement. Just snap the foot pod into a clip on your shoe laces, and it's ready to send data to Forerunner 50 as soon as you start moving. After your workout, Forerunner 50 automatically transfers your data to your computer when within range.
Track Your Ride
When paired with an optional speed/cadence sensor, Forerunner 50 tracks the speed and distance of your cycling workouts. The wireless speed/cadence sensor attaches securely to your bike an
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Customer Reviews
The ant is not reliable 
2008-09-11
I have had the Garmin Forerunner 50 for 4 weeks now and have run with it 4-5x per week. The basic tools are very useful - speed, distance, etc. But my ant stick is very tempermental. One day it works, one day it doesn't. Now it won't show up at all on my computer and the product manual and website are not helpful. I have tried the basics to fix it but don't know what else I can do. So I called Garmin. Their automated message told me that it was a 30-35 minute wait time for help. It should be just a quick install and never have to worry about it again.
Garmin 50 
2008-09-05
If you need a training watch that measures heart rate, distance, pace, calories, and is inexpensive this is it. The chest strap and foot pod come pre-synched and work great right out of the box. The foot pod's measurement was right on with my car's odometer during my first 8.5 mile run. The watch is easy to use and looks like a watch. A solid 5 stars, way to go Garmin!
love my garmin! 2008-08-21
I've had for one week, and I'm thrilled!! I just wanted distance, pace, and heart rate, and it gives me all of these, plus more! Also, when I get home from my run, it makes nice fancy graphs and records all of my information while I recover!! Its my own little robot :) This price is a STEAL compared to any other vendor. I chose this over a Nike + Sportsband, and the two don't truly compare. Its easy enough for a first time runner, but good enough for one who plans to run for a long, long time!!
Great hardware, Garmin Connect still developing 
2008-08-12
I did a lot of research before purchasing and was down to the 305, 405, and 50. I really wanted a GPS watch, but the price of the Forerunner 50 with footpod and HR monitor couldn't be beat. I also liked the smaller watch and the fact that it didn't need to be charged.
After owning it a week:
I really like the watch. I don't typically wear them, but it is very comfortable. It is only slightly larger than a typical watch and has a fine adjustment on the band. I'm wearing it all the time.
The hardware is impressive. The foot pod and HR monitor worked very well right out of the box, and were comfortable to wear. They "paired" right away and were ready to go when I was ready to run. The ANT installation went as advertised on windows vista, and the upload works automatically for Garmin Training Center, but not Garmin Connect.
Possible improvements:
For the watch itself, the number of "views" while in training mode can be confusing. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it with use or reading manual, but it is clearly more than I'm used to.
Installation: The process seemed to drive you toward choosing either Garmin Training Center (software on your computer) or Garmin Connect (web sofware), but not both. I didn't know the pro/con of either, so I wanted to try both. It was awkward when it wanted me to install ANT drivers again for the installation of the second one. I canceled the installation at that point - but found that Training Center was installed.
Software: It is really not clear to me if Garmin Training Center is still being developed. They seem to be improving Garmin Connect (web) regularly, but at its current state, it doesn't have any benefit over Training Center. (remember - I'm not seeing the GPS/maps, so maybe there is distinction there). So after a week, I still find myself bouncing back and forth. There are a few bugs in Garmin Connect and a few notable features that I would really like to see (that is available in other web training software).
Results:
I'm very happy with the HR monitor and cadence results. They seem spot on and reliable. I'm still working on the distance and pace. I did a test 3 mile run on a measured course and found that it recorded 3.1 miles. I messed up a calibration run by hitting the wrong button, so I'll be trying that again (a subsequent 8 mile run was recorded as a 9 mile run... argghh). I've found that the instantaneous pace is not accurate, but hope it will improve with calibration. Garmin Connect is also doing something weird with the average pace calculation... but I think that is a bug that will be fixed.
Overall I'm very happy with the purchase, but hope they continue to improve the software. Currently, that is the weakest link. If they don't, there may be other sites that accept forerunner uploaded data to fill the gap.
Great Garmin 2008-07-16
Very good product. The things I like best about this product are:
1. You don't have to charge the watch, like some other models
2. It isn't bulky, like some other models
3. The foot pod is great for measuring speed, cadence, and distance
The only cons I have are that the telemetry strap is not compatible with cardio machines in a gym that have heart rate monitors built into them (so you always have to bring the watch with you), and the software for viewing your comleted workouts is pretty bare bones. I am willing to bet that Garmin will roll out software upgrades in the future though.
Great product, hard to get started 2008-07-08
Jump start your training with Forerunner 50. This sleek sport watch is ideal for running, cycling and other fitness activities, and is available with a wireless heart rate monitor or foot pod or both. Plus it automatically transmits workouts to your computer so you can analyze, store and share data using our online community, Garmin Connect.
Get the Data You Need
Train inside or outdoors. The affordable Forerunner 50 provides you with instant workout data including training time, pace, distance, lap pace, lap time, lap distance, average and best pace, calories, maximum and average heart rate. It also records both lap and detailed data. Available in 3 different versions (see versions tab), Forerunner 50 comes bundled with different accessories to help you track your progress for whatever moves you.
Listen to Your Heart
Forerunner 50 with wireless heart rate effectively tracks and records your heart rate while you work out, providing instant feedback about how hard your heart is working. The included digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute which is wirelessly transmitted to the Forerunner 50. Even train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level. And well after your workout is done, Forerunner 50 is still working, wirelessly transmitting your training data to your PC.
Measure Speed and Distance
Forerunner 50 packaged with Garmin's wireless foot pod lets you track your running speed, distance and calories burned while on the treadmill or pavement. Just snap the foot pod into a clip on your shoe laces, and it's ready to send data to Forerunner 50 as soon as you start moving. After your workout, Forerunner 50 automatically transfers your data to your computer when within range.
Track Your Ride
When paired with an optional speed/cadence sensor, Forerunner 50 tracks the speed and distance of your cycling workouts. The wireless speed/cadence sensor attaches securely to your bike an
Garmin Forerunner 50 with Heart Rate Monitor, Foot Pod, USB ANT Stick 2008-07-07
Too much setup timed required. Also is too complicated for most computer users. It is not user friendly at all.
Garmin 40 w/ Pedometer and Heart Monitor 
2008-06-23
This product is very functional. It provides all of the basic information needed for running. Although the watch isn't very stylish, it is much more discrete than other similar products out there. The buttons don't work as well as my Timex watch and the screen is a little dim for my liking, but these don't detract too much from the value of the product. My largest complaint, though, is with the software. The ANT Agent has difficulty picking up the unit after I have stored information from my runs. I would suggest it to a budget conscious consumer, but not for more serious runners.
Nice Product, Poor Manual 2008-06-11
I love my Garmin Forerunner 50 now that I have finally figured it out. I did get very frustrated by the vague instruction booklet and still would not have figured it all out, had I not gotten tutored by another owner. The pedometer was very accurate, even without calibrating. My first run showed 2.35 miles on my Forerunner and my friend with a GPS came in at 2.40. The heart rate monitor works great and is comfortable. All in all this is a great motivator for someone who is just getting into a fitness routine and wants to track his/her progress. The download to the ANT stick works well.
Great product & very pleased 2008-06-11
My wife saw this advertised in a magazine & said she would like it so I got it for her for Mother's Day. I have used it too several times & have been very pleased with the way it operates. The heart monitor & foot pod all work extrememly well and having this makes you want to work out. I walk around my neighborhood & take different routes & I like to know how how far I have been walking & this does the trick. I also like having the pace show under the other readings to get me to speed up, etc. The heart rate monitor is very comfortable to wear & seems very accurate. I will probably purchase a second one for myself. That is how pleased I am with the product. It lived up to what it claimed to do --- that sums it up!
