I'm Not Smart Enough to Own A Garmin
Monday, June 8, 2009 at 6:10 AM | Dena Harris 
Garmin Forerunner 405Forgot to mention in yesterday's post that not only did I take the plunge and buy a stationary bike this weekend, I've also committed myself to being a "real" runner by closing my eyes, handing over my VISA card to be swiped, and purchasing a Garmin Forerunner 405.
Unfortunately, as I learned upon coming home and taking my shiny new Garmin out of the box, I'm not smart enough to own and/or operate a Garmin. Given that a recent review in Runner's World describes the watch as perfect for the "technology challenged," I'm not sure what this says about me. All I know is that I'm going to need to hunt down some 7-year-old computer genius to tell me how to work this thing.
A Garmin, at it's most basic, is a watch. It tracks your time, distance, pace, and calories burned. The old ones used to be the size of small television monitors but this newest version is more manageable. I bought one because this summer's training program is all about pace. I need to know if I'm running fast enough, too slow (ha - not likely), what mile I'm at, etc. It uses satellite to track distance. It's fun to watch runners start their watch before a run by lifting their left wrist high in the air, as if the extra two feet is going to connect them faster to the linkup. (I mock now but soon I will be one of them.)
The Garmin tricks you into buying it by showing only a friendly watch in the packaging. Then when you get it home and open the box, about ten little hooks and plug-ins, and computer chips and whatnot tumble to the floor for your cats to play with. I'm pretty sure a $50 piece of my watch was swatted under the couch early on. Blair saw the look of panic on my face and took over charging the watch for me. Now I have to read the 45-page instruction manual and make it work.
Do you know what a bezel is? Neither do I, but apparently it controls the operation of the entire watch. There is also a wireless sync involved, so that after a run all you have to do is walk by your computer and your run statistics are automatically downloaded into your computer. Some call it advanced technology... I say it's creepy.
I think I'll plan a romantic dinner tonight... candles, soft music... and then instead of reading poetry aloud to my beloved, I'll whisper words such as "GPS-enabled," Virtual Partner pace," and "USB ANT Stick" in the hopes he'll be able to explain to me just what the heck I'm talking about.
Cheers.
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Reader Comments (7)
Oo, oo, oo, I know this one. A bezel is the metal band that surrounds the crystal. Yes!
Seriously, though, maybe we can work a trade. I'll help you decipher the instructions for your watch, if you'll teach me the secrets of getting this stupid Mac touchpad to work in any mode (every time I try to place my cursor, a help window pops up, and I can't get it to point to the precise spot I want no matter what inducements I offer it). I also can't figure out how I'm supposed to survive without a forward delete key. Backward delete is great, but it's only half the equation.
Can we make a deal?
Give that woman a prize! That is indeed what a bezel is. And in all seriousness, I would be happy to arrange a meeting with between you, me, and my Mac Mentor, Chris Laney. I basically took my Mac to him and said, "Set this up for me." He showed me a few simple tricks that made my transition much easier. Took about 20 minutes.
Bernie, I'm glad to help you however I can. I've been trying to convert the world to Macs, one person at a time, ever since I switched three 1/2 years ago after 15 years of using PCs. So I'm always happy to help someone use them better. Let's link up through Dena sometime soon.
Grant and I bought a couple of Polar watches a while ago. They are a bit intimidating to figure out!
I love my heart rate monitor but I basically surrendered myself to my Spin instructor and said "Make it work!" and then fell at his feet in a crying, whining heap. Pleading ignorance works every time.
I AM SOOOOO JEALOUS!!!! I've got $25 in my Garmin fund. LOL!! By this time in 2012 I should be about to buy the 405 even thought the new version out willl be the 800! LOL!! Grats on taking the plunge!
If you can tell me how to work it, Thad, I will go sharesies with you.