Interested in running or bicycling competition? Or just maintaining or improving cardio-vascular health?

The Garmin 210 is a wrist-watch sized and shaped GPS device for serious runners and bicyclists to measure distance, speed, elevation change, heart rate, exercise intervals, and calorie use. The device keeps in touch with satellites even around tall city buildings or under tree cover. Mph or km/hr readings are especially useful

for bicycling use.

I. What comes with it

The Garmin Forerunner 210 wrist device itself is smaller than the the bulky and comprehensive 405, with fewer--but typically adequate--options, and can function like a regular wrist watch when not used in physical training. An accompanying ANT+ heart rate monitor and soft strap (in applicable packages) has improved measurement capabilities (but keep at a distance from strong electromagnetic fields for proper measurement). And attach the accompanying and device-compatible foot pod to one's running shoe for treadmill, indoor track running or wherever the GPS signal is weak. Measure steps per minute as one gauge of work out rigor.

An included clamp grips the top and bottom of the "watch" with USB port at the other end for recharging the battery and downloading data into a computer after a run or bike trip. Use of Garmin Connect or similar software shows graphs from data the device collected which can be analysed on a PC or Mac for health measurements and goal setting. When the device memory reaches capacity (after 180 hours of recording per the manual), new data will overwrite old data, starting with the oldest.

II. Simple set up

Set up is in intuitive and simple steps, allowing for various languages, mile or kilometer laps, warm-up to cool down intervals and a number of heavy exercise iterations. Tone warnings remind one of the end of rest periods, laps, intervals, and other settings such as those measured in either distance or time.

The unit allows one to set up heart rate zones. Individual use of these zones must be determined in consultation with a doctor before starting or altering an exercise regimen. An alert sounds when one's heart rate exceeds or falls below the target zone.

Calorie burning can be measured best after professional testing and set up, but can also be roughly estimated using either heart rate over time or weight, speed, and distance measurements. With software and data collection, monitor body fat, water, and other health-related measurements. Free training online preparing for various race lengths.

III. Miscellanous

1. An interior light enables screen visibility in the dark as needed.

2. The 210 is water resistant so as to survive rain showers intact, but is not designed for continuous submersion such as when swimming. The manual notes the device "can withstand immersion in one meter of water for thirty minutes," but why push that limit?

3. Battery charge depletes according to heavy or light use and length of uninterrupted use, but the manual suggests on average a full charge should last a week exercising forty-five minutes per day. The lithium-ion battery will only charge within a temperature range of forty-one to onehundred four degrees Fahrenheit (five to forty degrees Celsius).