I be new to run , listen to several of my `` runner friend '' about how this watch would help I in all stage of my run , but especially as I transition to couch 25k . I buy this watch from Amazon and be SUPER happy with the watch . pro ~ \* it look like a normal watch , unlike previous bulky version and it fit a variety of wrist size . \* it appear to be heavy duty and well make , buckle be sturdy , strap be all thick , flexible rubber , be comfortable to run in , do not snag on anything while on my wrist . \* I can usually connect with a satellite within 1 minute of attempt . I run in town , have not have any interference with connect or dead spot along my run . \* it be user friendly , you may have to breeze through the user manual to figure out how to link up with the heart rate monitor and locate satellite , but if you be at all technically savvy , you can figure this out pretty simply . \* it use a handy convertible charger \ usb to charge or upload , one cord , less hassle . \* I upload to Garmin Connect website , connect to my device well , I choose upload new activity , and whah-lah , I can see a red highlight of my entire workout route each time I upload , even the day i forget to turn off the satellite and drive with my runner partner to Steak-and-Shake for they breakfast special . : -rrb- it be really awesome to see a re-playable virtual map of you run and at what point you heart rate , speed , distance . . etc. . you can view 2 separate chart , or all 3 at once that show performance on each run . if you want to link with other local runner , you can make yourself visible online , perhaps even share route ~ I have no interest in that though , so I disable that function . online software work great on my iMac . I also use the android mobile app for the Garmin Connect website , it be call `` Ga Co Mo. '' it do not show EVERY feature the Garmin website show , but it be a super nice , on the run way to refer back to you stats , calorie burn , date and activity , include modify chart and datum . the mobile app do not let you enter manual activity , like something you forget to enter that you do and remember the activity detail . but instead , you can enter that information online by enter a `` manual '' activity , then you can `` fetch new activity '' from you mobile app and you new activity will then show . \* the user profile on the watch help calculate more accurate datum , like gender , height , weight . use the heart rate monitor be the next step to personalize you run and more accurately measure calorie burn . definitely better to buy the watch with the heart rate monitor include , so much cheaper to buy it bundle !! con ~ \* the charger cord \ usb have a clip with 4 contact point to connect with the back of the watch , sometimes the watch do not charge because those contact point be not exactly line up . I may have a short in the cord too , not sure , but I have to double check each time to make sure it be charge . \* I do experience the screen lock up \ blank screen issue after 2 week of use . I follow what the Garmin web forum say to do and it work the second try . -lrb- while in Power Save Mode , press and hold the light button for 7 seconds , unit will shut off , then press and hold it again for 2 seconds and it should power back up fix the freeze issue -rrb- since then , I make sure to power off the unit after each use and it have not happen since , that be 2 month ago and no problem . ADDITIONAL : the watch be now 3 month old , just last week I notice a small crack in the PAGE \ MENU button , the next day the button must have break in half and be miss . I be work with Garmin currently on how how I can get either a replacement button , or fix , the original paper claim 1 year product warantee . because I do not buy it from Garmin or a physical store , I be a little concerned on warantee . I will post again to let you know how that go . I would definitely buy THIS PRODUCT again , it come highly recommend by MY RUNNER FRIENDS , it give me all the DATA I could possibly want !