Garmin Foreruner X01 Series

Garmin offers several different GPS enabled devices with varying levels of features.  Most of them come with software that helps you keep track of your workouts.  They have fancy charts and graphs that plot your course on an elevation map so you can easily see how you’re performance is affected by that big hill.  Most of them also double as a navigation device, so you can trace your steps back if you get lost.  The main downside to the 101, 201, and 301 models is that they’re a bit bulky.

The Forerunner 101 (MSRP $114.27) is the most basic GPS enabled device that Garmin offers, which retails for around $115.  It comes with a “Virtual Training Partner” feature where you can set the pace you want to keep and an alarm will go off if you deviate from that pace.  It runs on 2 AAA batteries, which offer about 14 to 15 hours of battery life on average.  The downside is that this particular model does not come with the Garmin Training Center software.

The Forerunner 201 (MSRP $149.99 - $160.70) is the next step up.  It adds a rechargeable battery which lasts about 15 hours on a full charge.  The Garmin Training Center software is included with this model.  In addition, you can upload your workout data to the Garmin Connect website (coming soon), which is a community based website where you can share your workout data with others.

The Forerunner 301 (MSRP $199.99 - $324.98) has all the features of the 201, but adds the ability to switch between different sport modes.  So if you also ride a bike every now and then, you can use this device to track your cycling workouts, as well as your running workouts.  This model also adds a heart rate monitor and the ability to save up to 10 routes.

Garmin Forerunner X05 Series

The X05 Series offers the benefit of being much reduced in size in comparison to the X01 Series.  They’re getting a bit closer to resembling a watch, as opposed to a brick on you’re wrist.  These models also have a higher sensitivity GPS sensor than the Xo1 series, so these models will work better under tree cover or near tall buildings.  Another feature that all of these models share called “Courses” is the ability to race against yourself from past workouts.  This is one of the most attractive features for me personally.  I’m a very competitive person, so the ability to compete against myself will without a doubt help me to continually improve my performance.

The Forerunner 205 (MSRP $199.99 - $214.27) offers an increased capability to store up to 50 routes.  It does not, however, include a heart rate monitor.  It’s a bit lighter than the 101, 201, and 301 models because of it’s smaller size, so there is less chance your arm will get tired from carrying it with you on a long run.

The Forerunner 305 (MSRP $299.99 - $324.60) has all the same features of the 205, plus it includes a heart rate monitor, optional foot pod, and a bike speed/cadence sensor on some models.  If you occasionally run indoors, the foot pod is a device you can attach to your shoe and allows you to track distance and calories burned where there is no GPS signal.  There is also an optional quick release wrist strap and bike mount which allows you to easily pop the device off your wrist and pop it onto your bike for a quick transition between sports.

The Forerunner 405 (MSRP $299.99) is about the size of a regular watch.  It includes a heart rate monitor.  The foot pod and bike speed/cadence sensor are optional add-ons.  One nifty feature that this model has over the others is the ability to wirelessly transfer your workout data to your computer whenever it is in range.  You can also wirelessly share workout data with a friend’s 405, then you can compete against their workouts.  This model also has a sport watch feature, so you can use it as just a regular watch when not working out.

Polar RS800G3 GPS Training System

The Polar RS800G3 (MSRP $480.00) is claimed to have EKG-accurate heart rate monitoring ability.   The GPS unit is separate from the watch and can be attached to a strap on your arm.  It has an altimeter which tracks elevation data throughout your workout, and you can upload the data to a computer to see an elevation graph of your run.  There’s an optional bike mount, so you can use this device for cycling as well as running.  It has several nice heart rate monitoring features, such as audible and visual alarms to keep you close to your target heart rate.  You can also see your average heart rate for the entire run, as well as for individual laps.  There is also an automatic lap recording feature, so you can have laps recorded at pre-specified intervals, such as every mile.  All in all this is a very expensive, and very feature packed GPS device.  If you have the cash, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in all that it can do.

Suunto X9i

The Suunto X9i (MSRP $549) is one of the smallest GPS options available and includes a barometer, thermometer, altimeter, compass and GPS tracking.  It seems to be geared more towards hiking enthusiasts.  Heart rate monitoring is not included.  Also, there isn’t a lot of performance data available during your workout, but you can get more info once you’ve uploaded the workout data to a computer.  According to several end-user reviews throughout the web, many are claiming this model has a difficult time holding on to a GPS signal.  So it seems you’re mostly paying for the small size here.  You may have better luck looking elsewhere.

Conclusion

So does a runner need to have GPS tracking…probably not.  But it can give a runner valuable training information that wouldn’t otherwise be available to them.  It can be a valuable training tool for the serious athlete, or just a way to track your progress for the casual runner.  These devices make tracking your mileage extremely simple.  I remember the days of having to trace my running route in my car just to find out how many miles I ran.  With a GPS device this is a thing of the past.  For me, having a GPS device for running would be a motivational factor to get off my butt and go running more often.  With prices for GPS enabled devices starting around an affordable $115, why not pick one up?

If you know of any other GPS enabled devices for runners that you’d like to recommend, feel free to comment below.

Bullzip PDF Printer- www.bullzip.com

• Completely free for personal use.
• Allows you to use the print command from virtually any program to create a PDF file.
• Offers password protected PDF documents and encryption.
• Customizable Quality settings for different uses.
• Has an option to adjust settings using the command line.
• Option to insert a watermark or background image.

PrimoPDF - www.primopdf.com

• Free for personal use.
• Allows you to use the print command from virtually any program to create a PDF file.
• There are different quality settings for different uses, such as eBooks, online viewing, printing, prepress, etc…
• Separate PDF files can be combined together into one document.
• Has an option to create secure password protected PDF files.
• Unique ability to append to an existing PDF file by using the same file name of an existing file when saving.

doPDF Free PDF Converter - www.dopdf.com

• Print from virtually any application into a PDF file.
• Very simple application with no frills.
• Allows custom resolution configuration anywhere from 72 dpi to 2400 dpi (This works fine, but it’s not as user friendly as the competition).

PDF ReDirect - www.exp-systems.com

• Free for personal use.
• Creates PDF documents simply by printing from virtually any application.
• Gives you a live preview of what the PDF document will look like so you can optimize your settings on the fly.
• Customizable quality settings.
• Allows you to merge PDF files together.
• Offers secure password protected PDF files with encryption.

If you know of other free options for creating PDF files, feel free to add your suggestions below in the comments area.

Option 1: Use a Video Capture Device

Dazzle Video Creator Plus
The Dazzle Video Creator Plus is a simple video capture device that plugs into a USB port on your computer.  You simply plug your VCR’s output into the device.  It comes with Video editing software so you can import the video from your VHS tapes to your computer and then edit into your own home movie before burning to a DVD.  If you’d rather not bother with editing the videos and want to just backup the VHS tapes directly to DVD, it can do that for you.  It even has an option to convert the videos into formats that can be played on an iPod or Sony PSP.

Roxio Easy VHS to DVD
This device works in a very similar way to Dazzle’s offering, but is a bit less expensive.  It’s another USB device you simply plug into your computer, and then you just need to plug your VCR’s output into it.  It comes with its own software which allows you to go straight from VHS to DVD, or you can choose to edit the video before burning to DVD if you like.  It also has the ability to create an animated menu system and allows you to insert credits at the end of the video.  So if you feel like being creative, than this may be a good choice for you.

Internal Video Capture Card
If you’re comfortable opening up your computer, you could opt for an internal video capture card.  You will need to make sure you have a spare PCI slot on your motherboard if you’d like to go this route.  This solution will function pretty much the same way as an external video capture device, in which you’ll simply plug your VCR into the video capture card, and then you’ll use software on your computer to convert the video to DVD.  Be sure to look for a card that includes the software to do this.  Another benefit of using an internal video capture card is that many of them come with a built in TV tuner, which will allow you to watch and record TV on your computer.

Option 2: Use an All-In-One VHS to DVD recorder

If you’d rather not bother with installing hardware or software on your PC for video capture, then an all-in-one VHS to DVD recorder may be what you need.

Lite-On LVC-9006
This particular VHS to DVD recorder has gotten some fairly good reviews and also has a pretty good price.  With a device like this, all you have to do is plug insert a VHS tape and a blank DVD, press a button, and that’s it.  It has been reviewed as one of the easiest to use models out there.  It doesn’t include frills like thumbnail previews of your videos on the DVD, but it gets the job done.

Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK
This model is on the higher end of the VHS to DVD recorders.  It has a huge plethora of features.  It has best in class recording quality, MP3, DivX, and JPEG playback, one touch VHS to DVD dubbing.  It even includes a digital TV tuner, so it can be used in place of a converter box if you have an old analog TV and you get your TV signal through an antenna.

Option 3: Have someone do it for you

If you’d rather not bother with converting all your tapes yourself, or if you only have one or two tapes that need to be converted, it may not be that economical to invest $50 to $150 on a device you may use once.  Most professional services offer fairly low fees of just $8 or $9 per tape to convert to DVD.  Some websites such as NetTapes and iMemories allow you to mail in your tapes, which they then they ship back with DVDs.  If you’d rather not send out your tapes through the mail, there should be local business in your area that can get the job done, such as Ritz Camera stores.

Whatever method you decide to use, be sure to get it done soon!  The video quality of your old VHS tapes is degrading further each day you wait!

LogMeIn

LogMeIn (www.logmein.com) is a great solution for people who have multiple computers that they may need to connect to on a daily basis.  It does not require any port forwarding or router modification, so it’s pretty easy to set up.  It sets up permanent connections that do not require a user to be present at the remote computer.  It’s also a web based application and allows you to connect to any of the remote computers in your account from any computer with internet access.

The free version includes chat support, remote screen blanking, remote keyboard and mouse locking, clipboard synchronization, a laser pointer tool and encryption, but lacks file sharing.

You will need to install a small application on the remote computer that will be running in the system tray of that computer at all times.  The only way to install this application on the remote computer is by logging into your account from the computer you want to setup the connection for, and then clicking on a link within your LogMeIn account to install the application.  If you don’t have a way of installing the software yourself on the remote computer, you will need to have a remote user log into your account with your username and password and then walk them through the process of installing the software.  This is obviously not ideal in terms of security.  So it is best if you have physical access to the remote computer to install the LogMeIn software yourself.  Once the software is installed, you will be able to connect to that computer from any computer with internet access.

TeamViewer

TeamViewer is similar to LogMeIn in that no router modification is needed and you can connect to a remote computer from any computer with Internet access through a web browser.  There are two main methods of connecting to remote computers.  One way is to simply run a small application on both computers to initiate the connection.  Another way is to install a service on the remote computer, which listens for a connection so you can connect to an unattended computer at any time. TeamViewer also offers chat, file transfer, VPN connections, encryption, and remote reboot and reconnect.

UltraVNC

Ultra VNC (www.uvnc.com) works well, but it is not as user friendly as the other options and may be more suited towards advanced users.  Typically in its default configuration, router modification will be necessary in order to get the connection working.  The server software needs to be installed on the computer you will be connecting to, and the viewer software needs to be installed on the computer you will be connecting from.  In order to get the connection going, you need to know the IP address of the remote computer, which can easily be found by having the user at the remote computer going to a website such as IP Chicken to find their IP address.

Since UltraVNC is an open source application, it can be customized to suit your needs.  There is an add on called Single Click, which is a small stripped down version of the Ultra VNC server that can be customized with your own logo, instructions and connection info .  So when an end user downloads and installs this file, the software initiates the connection.  This simplifies the process of connecting to a computer that you haven’t connected to before.  Once the remote session is completed, the software will automatically uninstall itself from the remote user’s computer.
All in all, Ultra VNC might be a good choice for people who do a lot of remote tech support, but its advanced configuration and possible router modification may turn away some people.

To summarize, TeamViewer is the best option of the three remote connection applications I’ve mentioned here. It has the most features and is easiest to use in my opinion.

If you know of any other free remote connection applications that work well, please feel free to comment!