Route, Running

My EDSA Tour: GF405 Perspective

Posted by runningpinoy on

Here are the GF405 data I accumulated during my carbon-loading at EDSA last Sunday:

My EDSA tour officially started atop of the footbridge on EDSA-North Ave.
My EDSA tour officially started atop of the footbridge on EDSA-North Ave. intersection.
EDSA-Quezon Ave. intersection. It has the only footbridge you can run up to because of the ramp.
EDSA-Quezon Ave. intersection. It has the only footbridge you can run up to because of the ramp.
East Ave.-Kamuning-Aurora Blvd. My GPS reading was distorted by the flyover making it looked like I was running in the middle of the road.
EDSA Kamuning – Aurora Blvd. My GPS reading was distorted by the flyover making it looked like I was running in the middle of the road.
hardly any shadows to cover you from the sun, narrow sidewalks, and white walls on your right that reflects the heat and sunlight.
The Desert – my least favorite part of my tour: hardly any shadows to cover you from the sun, narrow sidewalks, and white walls on your right that reflects the heat and sunlight.
Surprisingly GF405 worked well below Magallanes Interchange despite several obstructions that could bounce the GPS signal.
Surprisingly GF405 worked well below Magallanes Interchange despite several obstructions that could bounce the GPS signal.
The pedestrian crossing in Taft Ave. was below LRT Line-1's EDSA Station so I had to make my crossing there. I had to take a pit stop before crossing the flyover and proceeding to MoA. This was the spot I got a 3 meter GPS accuracy.
The pedestrian crossing in Taft Ave. was below LRT Line-1’s EDSA Station so I had to make my crossing there. I had to take a pit stop before crossing the flyover and proceeding to MoA. This was the spot I got a 3 meter GPS accuracy.
My finishing route in MoA to complete my goal of 21K. I intentionally exceeded 21K by a few meters to have a full half-marathon distance (42.195K). I had to make a wide turn to ensure I don't run out of area to complete the distance.
My finishing route in MoA to complete my goal of 21K. I intentionally exceeded 21K by a few meters to have a full half-marathon distance (42.195K). I had to make a wide turn to ensure I don’t run out of area to complete the distance.

Satellite imagery courtesy of Google.

GF405's Elevation Graph. Ignore the sudden spikes as these samples were distorted, usually took place below the MRT stations or flyovers.
GF405’s Elevation Graph. Ignore the sudden spikes as these samples were distorted, usually took place below the MRT stations or flyovers.

As you can see running on “real roads” really tests GF405’s features better than just running on tracks or race courses.  And with these tests we can all see that as great a product GF405 is, it’s not perfect and it still has room for improvements.  I’ll be coming out with a review of GF405 using all these data that I’ve accumulated on various “tests” soon for you to evaluate if it’s worth your hard-earned buck.  As for me, I still view it as a “Ferrari of running sports watches.”

You may view my actual EDSA Tour GF405 data from http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1994168.

3 Comments Add yours

  1. Wayne's avatar Wayne says:
    2009-02-04 at 11:43 AM

    Definitely, I couldn’t agree with you more that there will be improvements made with the Garmin. I remember my first GPS watch, a Timex with the bulky box that you had to put on the bicep of one of your arms. When Garmin came out with the 201, wow!

    > I agree, 201 really paved the way for more ergonomic GPS watches that’s why I still recommend it to my friends. I think 401’s changes were only superficial but deep inside it’s still just an upgraded 201.

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  2. cathydaza's avatar cathydaza says:
    2009-02-04 at 1:12 PM

    The top view images of your route are amazing! Now that’s what you call a ‘Power Run’. 🙂

    > Thanks Cathy but I have to give the credit to Google. Too bad that the satellite imagery of Metro Manila is a few years old, but nonetheless it’s still workable. 🙂

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  3. i2runner's avatar i2runner says:
    2009-02-04 at 8:03 PM

    No! Ferrari is the Garmin of sportscars! 😀 LOL!

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