The Garmin Forerunner 50 is a basic HRM watch without GPS. It fits nice on the wrist and is small and light weight. I got mine for the purpose to measure time and heart rate so I can not speak on the other sensors like the foot pod.

It gave me very little problems to sink with the computer but the Training Center program is not the greatest. For example it will not print a heart rate graph. I have to use screen capture to print any thing. Garmin connect is even worse. Almost useless to try to record heart rate info in a way that it can be easily browsed. Maybe the site is better for the people that want to use maps.

I have two complaints about the Garmin Forerunner 50. First, it has a Stop button that is positioned in such a way that it is too easy to accidentally activate. If the watch is worn on your wrist and you bend your wrist, the stop button may press against your hand and it will quit recording your work out. Very Annoying! Second, the manual is pathetic. For example there are two windows I like to use. One displays heart rate, the other work out time or laps. The manual does not address how to configure the windows. Sometimes both the windows display work out time / laps with no heart rate info and I cant get it to display heart rate. Other times heart rate info is in the small window and I want it in the large window etc. I continue to be frustrated with this as I want it set up correctly when I am ready to run but have to stop and push buttons over and over and still dont get the display right.

The HRM belt that comes with the Garmin Forerunner 50 is not compatible with most exercise equipment. I have another HRM belt that I use to send heart rate data to my tread mill and elliptical trainer. If I want to see my heart rate on the tread mill or elliptical trainer and I want to record the work out to my computer it requires me to wear the Garmin belt and the other HRM belt together. One good thing, they do not seem to interfere with each other and accuracy is excellent. I know this because the heart rate info displayed on the watch agrees with the heart rate info on the treadmill / elliptical.

All in all, I still like the Garmin Forerunner 50. The price is right, it is simple, it seems reliable but it does come with some frustrations.

I needed a HRM and also wanted something to track my bike training. I looked at GPS units, but the ones in my price range appear bulky; the Forerunner 50 with the Speed and Cadence Sensor is a very good alternative. Monitor works great and the download to the Garmin Training Center is easy where you can review and analyze your workout. Only negative is the instructions are not easy to follow especially for some of the less used functions. Over all, this unit has exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to anyone.

While, as others say, this item is pretty easy to use right out of the box, buyers should know that it is not GPS equipped. Therefore, you cannot map your routes, upload them to routiki, etc. The documentation is poor, the controls are not terribly intuitive, and the calibration was off by more than 10%. I was able to manually calibrate it but was hoping for something better.

Great product except software is not Apple friendly. No mention of this on the product