Garmin 010-01241-00 Forerunner 15 Large, Black/Blue

I have been running and/or biking with varying degrees of intensity for most of my life, but this device is my first experience with an "activity tracker" more sophisticated than a stopwatch (or lately my smart phone). As such I can't give a review with much context or comparisons with other products. What I can say is that I really like the features this product has to offer. The GPS is awesome. I like the auto-pause, which stops the timer when you stop moving, for instance while waiting for a stop light, and the "lap" timer, which beeps and shows a large, easy-to-read display of your latest mile (or km) time. I like the summary of your run it displays after you finish. The menus are pretty easy to navigate, and the buttons are large and easy to operate. One small detail I like is that the device turns on instantaneously with a push of the on/off button, but turn-off requires pressing the same button for several seconds, with an on-screen count down, which prevents accidentally turning the device off at the wrong time. There are more features than I've mentioned of course, but I haven't really used them and/or they aren't important to me. It works fine for biking, especially (for my preference) if you choose to display speed instead of pace. However, if you are into counting calories, it displays them incorrectly for bike rides. I have read that if you upload your bike rides, which I haven't done, some statistics are recalculated (e.g. speed vs. pace) if you choose workout type as biking in the software, so maybe the estimated calories can be corrected. I will add that there is an available bike handlebar mount that works well, and fits my mountain bike's 31.8mm handlebar. If I have any complaints, one is that I would have liked more info in the included quick-start manual about the various settings. However, more is available online. I do believe the battery life is not really 8 hours, more like 5, but that isn't really an issue for me. It seems to take a long time to acquire the GPS signal when you start - 30 sec? - but that is really nitpicking. After a few workouts, I can tell this will be a good motivator. I need numbers to set goals, and this device gives me the basics I need - how fast and how far did I go, and how fast am I going now? I like the mile splits it shows you in a really easy-to-read display without having to fiddle with the watch, as well as the overall statistics it gives you at the end. If you want more sophisticated tracking of your progress and such, that seems to be available by uploading data, but if you're that advanced, you don't need this review. :)

I am a runner. I purchased the Garmin Forerunner 15 Large Black/Blue on Amazon during 2014 Christmas sales for $125 which was about the regular price of a Forerunner 10. Now, after 2.5 years, the prices have dropped considerably. The Forerunner 15 does everything I need it to do: Track mileage. Show average pace; lap pace; current pace. Show time of day. Track my steps (I turn off activity tracker to reduce battery drain.) Show my route data; location; elevation. Show PR (Personal Record aka fastest mile/5k/10k/HM). Show longest run (Half Marathon which was actually 13.54miles). I used the Forerunner 15 to train for 7 Half Marathons in both 2015 and 2016. It is still working on the original battery. I have learned the areas of town where there is poor GPS signal and poor tracking, not a fault of the Forerunner 15, merely a bad signal. I have tiny wrists, 6 inches, and the Large fits with room to adjusted approx 1 inch smaller. If my Forerunner 15 ever wears out, breaks, gets smashed, destroyed or just stops working I would replace it with another Forerunner 15 if it is still available. Update: 10/11/2018 It is still working on the original battery. In April 2018 I began Tracking Activity, step count. In August I started training for my first Marathon and on my most recent longest runs, 14 miles and 16 miles, the battery begins to blink the "low battery warning." It could be time to replace the battery or stop counting steps.

I just received mine today. I tried multiple times to get the watch to fit the charger - it would not clamp in. At first, I thought I was doing something wrong, but then suspected the charger must be the wrong size (I purchased the smaller black/green FR15). My suspicion has been confirmed after reading some of the other reviews. I'll take other reviewers advice and contact Garmin directly to receive the correct size charger. I don't want to jump the gun, but I'm almost ready to give up on Garmin. I own the Vivofit and totally gave up on that thing after it would not work correctly. So far, we're not off to a good start with the FR15. I'll update my post when I'm able to use the dang ol' thing - ugh!! UPDATE I FINALLY received the correct charger. I have to say that I really, really like the FR15. If I could give the watch a 4.5 I would, but for the cons, I have to go with a 4.0. I am not an avid runner, although I do run/walk at least 3-4 times a week. PROS: You've got the best of both worlds in this GPS watch. - I liked some of the features in the Vivofit it that it displays steps, calories, distance and monitors sleep. The FR15 does all this - I can wear it all day/night to track my activities - I can keep it on while swimming; although it does not track laps, it's good for going to swimming parks, etc. - It has a good gps system on it, unlike the Vivofit, so there's good accuracy when running/walking outdoors - Battery life is very good. I started out plugging mine in every morning just long enough to download my activities. Recently, however, I've plugged the FR15 in every few days for about 10-15 minutes (if that) and the watch has never died on me. CONS: -In order to get an accurate count on calories, the heart rate monitor is a must . . . at an additional cost -The indoor activity tracker works well, but only for the treadmill. Doesn't work well for aerobics or the elliptical

For those seeking an entry-level fitness watch, this is a great investment! Great for distances from 5k, half marathon, and up to marathon. I've been using the watch for a little over a month now. Pros: inexpensive, entry-level fitness watch, very comfortable, great battery life for all distances up to marathon (up to about 5 hours of training time), tracks steps, tracks sleep cycles, well established Garmin application, links to other fitness applications like Strava and Nike+. Cons: syncing and charging require that you connect the watch to included USB cable to a computer, does not sync wirelessly, battery life probably won't last for much longer than 5 hours of active GPS use. Notes: I have heard people lose data if they do not sync frequently. I have not had this issue due to frequent charging / syncing (2 times per week minimum). My runs last about an hour, and I can get 3 runs in before I need to charge. Lastly, the syncing-related cons are not truely cons for me; I personally did not want a "smart watch" that pushed email, text, and phone call notifications from my phone. I have a phone for that.

I purchased this GPS watch for my running adventures. I have used my phone and various apps in the past but they never seem to be completely accurate and I often get different step counts, mileage, and times depending on what I am using even though I am running the same route over and over. This GPS watch has proven to be consistent, easy to use, and the watch and app are very user-friendly. Unfortunately this watch does not sync directly to your phone because it does not have Bluetooth. However, for being a more inexpensive model it performs very well and I don't find it to be too big of a hassle to plug my watch in and charge it as well as upload my information. I also really like the fact that you can program intervals directly into your watch and it will beep to alert you to your walk intervals and run intervals both. The beep itself is not very loud so you would not be able to listen to music and your watch at the same time. However if you are simply running without music you will be able to hear the watch perfectly well. I am not a professional runner nor am I even a good amateur. I run because I like it and stick to typically 3 to 6 miles at the most. This does not have all the bells and whistles that a more expensive watch has nor does it have as many viewable options on its screen, but for a runner like me this is more than enough and I have been very happy with my purchase.

The Forerunner 15 does not have some of the features that I wanted and that other devices of about the same price have. The pricing is basically OK for what you get. My experience so far: It was extremely difficult to get Garmin Connect to recognize the device. You basically can't use it until this is done. Eventually, I got it working. The device is light but bulky. It stands out a significant distance from your wrist. Features: The step-counter works well. The distance tracking with GPS is easy to turn on and works well, I think, so far. You must remember to turn off the GPS by ending your run, or the battery will die out. You have up to 8 hours of GPS but I have not tested the limit so far. I thought this device added up distance climbed - like FitBit - but it does not seem to have that feature anywhere. Note that the Forerunner 15 does not have Bluetooth; oops, I should have noticed that before buying. It does not sync to your mobile phone like Fitbit - sync is done with the charge cradle and a computer. You also do not have the ability (as far as I can tell) to get a GPS position from Forerunner 15. The GPS is used internally, only. You can check where you were when you get back to the computer, but not out on a hike.

Nice product, with on-line site to display map of running route, complete with elevation and pace. Fairly quick to acquire satellites, about 20 seconds. Updates pace frequently, nice when you are interval training, but less accurate so the pace fluctuates even if speed is constant. Love the "auto pause" function, which recognizes when you stop running for traffic light, talk to neighbors, etc. It automatically resumes when you begin running again. Slightly underestimates the distance traveled when making turns or following a curved path, as it presumes you do not make a right-angle turn but take a diagonal shortcut. Similarly with a circular path, it presumes you are following short straight line segments inside the circle. Estimates sleep duration and type with two alternative displays. "By category" gives blocks of time "awake" "light sleep" or "deep sleep". Alternatively, you can display a line graph of the intensity of motion, with deep sleep corresponding to no motion and "awake" corresponding to frequent motion. There is no provision for naps or sleep outside the pre-designated time interval for usual sleeping. During setup you provide the usual bedtime and usual awake time. The device automatically recognizes the first time (within the designated interval) that you are asleep as well as the last time. However, sleep outside the designated window is not recognized. Also gives a display of the step count, which is updated once a minute.

Received the Forerunner 15 this week it was just released May 30th 2014. First let me say I like the watch and the idea of combining the step counting and an activity watch. The Large has nice size display and uncluttered screens. It is easy to use, to start and stop and save an activity unlike my Garmin 210 where you have to press and hold a button for about a half a day to be able to end and save an activity. All that being said my real issue is with the Connect Web page that is to track you steps, calories burned, average heart rate etc. It just stopped recording total calories, total distance, average heart rate, etc. in reports although the activities are recorded. Garmin's web support is not much either. I tried to enter the problem and got the attached error. It seems they have some real issues on their web pages. This is my third Garmin running watch or 4th one if you count the one I bought for my wife. (Also a Forerunner 15). But Garmin is making the tracking software a mess. This being said, I would like to give the Forerunner 15 five stars, but at this time and unless Garmin fixes its "Connect" web tracking software I can only give it three stars. Review update 7/5/14 Garmin - products just not reliable! I'm changing my rating on Garmin to one star because Garmin products just are not reliable. Today is July 5th, and my Garmin 15 has stopped working again. It will not connect or be recognized by Garmin Express, nor will it turn off by holding the light button. Garmin just does not have reliability, and since these watches are expensive products I don't understand why there is no competition to build a sports watch that works each and every time. No one would put up with a company that sold razor blades that some times you got a shave when you got up in the morning and sometimes it wasn't even a good paperweight. No reliability in the products Garmin brings to the market place nor do they have customer support. You just never know if you are going to be able to record and track your exercise data, and that is the whole reason for buying the Garmin to being with.

This is an excellent product, I have absolutely no complaints at all. This was my first product from Garmin and I use it when ever I run. With the price I think this is a good product to use. I was looking for a GPS watch that give me reading on my pace and distance run, ease of use and sturdy. I got all this is Garmin forerunner. Read customer review on this product else where and you will know more. Their reviews are right on There are other products to use in the price range, however, I felt this has better reputation. It does not have a bluetooth so I need to connect to my computer via a cable provided. Apart from this I do not think anyone will be at loss. Data gets uploaded to Strava app seamlessly. Only once I got an issue while uploading data on Strava, but you get ample help through it's forums and good customer service. I really like the Virtul pacer function - This lets you choose a Pace you want to run and the watch beeps when you are running ahead or behind the pace set in virtual pacer. Texts are readable while running and the beep sound is loud enough for you listen while running - e.g when you are running ahead of pace set in virtual pacer or behind the pace set

Bought it a little over a month ago, loving it so far. It works just as expected and hopefully will continue to. The only bad parts I've noticed so far are that it can take a little bit to connect to the satellite for gps at certain times, usually when it's overcast or stormy outside (which would be expected in any GPS watch), and that the battery may last a little bit less time than expected. Overall amazing watch though, especially for how little it costs compared to other similar ones!

Great GPS watch, small and comfortable, no fancy extras, great watch for training and step counting, battery last a pretty long time, picks up the GPS signal fast

Tracks running with GPS on. Am using garmin connect app to upload data. Also tracks my steps, calories burnt, distance travelled. Great fitness companion indeed! Would have loved to have (1) Garmin connect app from ubuntu (2) Heart rate monitor

This wouldn't be suited for a serious trainer - I used it for a half-marathon, but I don't think the battery life would be sufficient for a longer distance. Easy to use and very useful!