Garmin 50 Instruction Manual

owner’s manual

®

FORERUNNER

with ANT+Sport™ wireless technology

50

© 2007 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin International, Inc.

1200 East 151st Street,
Olathe, Kansas 66062,
USA
Tel. [phone] or
[phone]
Fax [phone]

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.
Liberty House,
Hounsdown Business Park,
Southampton, Hampshire,
SO40 9RB UK
Tel. [phone] (outside the
UK) 0808 2380000 (within the UK)
Fax [phone]

Garmin Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road,
Shijr, Taipei County,
Taiwan
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]

All rights reserved. Except as expressly
provided herein, no part of this manual may be
reproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated,
downloaded or stored in any storage medium,
for any purpose without the express prior
written consent of Garmin. Garmin hereby
grants permission to download a single copy
of this manual onto a hard drive or other
electronic storage medium to be viewed and
to print one copy of this manual or of any
revision hereto, provided that such electronic
or printed copy of this manual must contain
the complete text of this copyright notice
and provided further that any unauthorized
commercial distribution of this manual or any
revision hereto is strictly prohibited.

Information in this document is subject to
change without notice. Garmin reserves
the right to change or improve its products

November 2007 Part Number 190-00839-00 Rev. E

and to make changes in the content without
obligation to notify any person or organization
of such changes or improvements. Visit the
Garmin Web site (www.garmin.com) for
current updates and supplemental information
concerning the use and operation of this and
other Garmin products.

Garmin®, Forerunner®, Garmin Training
Center®, and Auto Lap® are trademarks of
Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered
in the USA and other countries. Garmin
Connect™, GSC™ 10, Dynastream™, ANT™,
and ANT+Sport™ are trademarks of Garmin
Ltd. or its subsidiaries. These trademarks may
not be used without the express permission of
Garmin.

Other trademarks and trade names are those of
their respective owners.

IntroductIon

Thank you for purchasing the
Garmin® Forerunner® 50 sports
monitoring watch.

WARNING: Always consult your
physician before you begin or
modify any exercise program. See
the Important Safety and Product
Information guide in the product
box for product warnings and
other important information.

Product Registration

Help us better support you by
completing our online registration
today. Go to www.garmin.com/

forerunner. Keep the original sales

receipt, or a photocopy, in a safe
place.

IntroductIon

Contact Garmin

In the USA, contact Garmin Product
Support by phone: [phone] or
[phone], Monday–Friday; or
go to www.garmin.com/support.

In Europe, contact Garmin (Europe)
Ltd. at +44 (0) 870.8501241 (outside
the UK) or 0808 2380000 (within
the UK).

Free Garmin Software

Go to www.garmin.com/forerunner
to download the Garmin Connect™
Web-based software or the Garmin
Training Center® computer software.
Use this software to store and
analyze your workout data.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual i

IntroductIon

Table of Contents

Introduction .......................... i

Product Registration ................ i

Contact Garmin ......................... i

Free Garmin Software ............. i

What’s in the Box? .................. iv

Getting Started .................... 1

Buttons ..................................... 1

Icons.......................................... 2

Forerunner Backlight............... 2

Step 1: Turn on Your Forerun-

ner ........................................ 2

Step 2: Set the Time ................. 3

Step 3: Set Up Sensors

(Optional) ............................ 3

Step 4: Go for a Run! ............... 4

Step 5: Download Free

Software .............................. 4

Step 6: Send Workout Data to

Your Computer ................... 4

ii Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

Using Accessories ................... 5

Using the Heart Rate

Monitor ............................ 5

Using the Foot Pod .............. 7

Calibrating the Foot Pod ...... 8

Removing the Foot Pod ....... 9

Turning Off the Foot Pod ...... 9

Using the GSC™ 10 .............. 9

Time Mode ......................... 10

Chimes .................................... 10

Set the Time ............................ 10

Set the Alarm .......................... 10

Set a Second Time Zone ....... 11

More Time Options ................ 11

Train Mode ......................... 12

Timed Workout ....................... 12

Training Settings .................... 13

Training Zones ....................... 14

Running Zones ....................... 15

Heart Rate Zones ................... 15

How Do Heart Rate Zones

Affect Your Fitness

Goals? .......................... 16

Computer Pairing ................... 18

Interval Timer Mode .......... 19

Setting the Timers .................. 19

Starting the Timers ............. 20

Stopping and Resetting the

Timers ........................... 20

Using Timer Repeat ........... 20

History Mode ..................... 21

Viewing Workout History ...... 21

Managing Memory ................. 22

Deleting Workout History ...... 23

Data Upload Mode ............ 24

Requirements ......................... 24

Appendix ........................... 26

Optional Accessories ............ 26

Bike Accessories ............... 26

Pairing Sensors .................. 26

IntroductIon

Battery Information ................ 27

Forerunner Battery ............. 27

Heart Rate Monitor Battery 28

Foot Pod Battery ................ 29

Specications ........................ 30

Forerunner 50 .................... 30

USB ANT stick .................... 31

Heart Rate Monitor ............. 31

Foot Pod ............................. 32

Troubleshooting ..................... 33

Software License

Agreement ........................ 35

Declaration of Conformity ..... 35

Index .................................. 36

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual iii

IntroductIon

What’s in the Box?

Forerunner 50 sports monitoring
watch including four modes: Time,
Train, Interval Timer, and History.

USB ANT

send workout data from your
Forerunner to your computer. For
more information, see page 24.

Heart rate monitor (optional)

sends heart rate data to the
Forerunner (see page 5).

Foot pod (optional) sends speed
and distance data to the Forerunner
(see page 7).

For more information about
compatible accessories, go to

http://buy.garmin.com.

™

stick to wirelessly

iv Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

GettInG Started

Buttons

➊

➍

➋

➌

view

➊

Press and hold to turn the

•
backlight on/off.

Press to scroll through the data

•
pages in Train mode or History
mode.

Press to conrm and advance to

•
the next setting.

GettInG Started

mode

➋

Press to change modes.

•

Press to exit a menu or page.

•

Press and hold to return to the

•
Time page.

lap/reset/-

➌

Press to create a new lap.

•

Press and hold to save your

•
workout in Train mode.

Press to decrease the value for

•
settings.

start/stop/+

➍

Press to start or stop the timer.

•

Press and hold to customize

•
settings.

Press to increase the value for

•
settings.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 1

GettInG Started

Icons

Above high zone setting

Below low zone setting

Bike sensor active

Foot pod sensor active

Heart rate sensor active

Data uploading

Interval timer mode

Alarm on

Chime on

Second time zone

Forerunner Backlight

Press and hold view to turn on the
backlight for 5 seconds. Extend the
backlight for 5 more seconds by
pressing any button.

Step 1: Turn on Your Forerunner

Press and hold start/stop to turn on
your Forerunner. Your Forerunner
ships with the power off to conserve
the battery. For more battery
information, see page 27.

2 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

Step 2: Set the Time

1. On the Time page, press and
hold start/stop until the hour
setting blinks.

2. Use

+ and - to adjust the hour.



TIP: Press and hold + or

- to scroll quickly through

the hours, minutes, and
other Time mode settings.

3. Press view to advance to the
minutes setting.

4. Use

+ and - to adjust the

minutes.

5. Continue this process to set
seconds, month, day, year,
and 12/24-hour mode.

6. Whennished,press

resume Time mode.

mode to

GettInG Started

Step 3: Set Up Sensors (Optional)

If your Forerunner included a heart
rate monitor and foot pod, the
ANT+Sport™ sensors are already
paired. Press mode until the Train
page appears. The and
icons appear on the Forerunner
screen when the sensors are paired.
If you purchased an accessory
separately, see Pairing Sensors on

page 26.

For instructions on using the
heart rate monitor, see page 5. For
instruction on using the foot pod, see

page 7.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 3

GettInG Started

Step 4: Go for a Run!

In Train mode, press start to start
the timer. After completing your run,
press stop. Press and hold lap/reset
to save your workout. Use + and - to
toggle YES or NO. Press view to

conrm.

Step 5: Download Free Software

1. Go to www.garmin.com/

forerunner.

2. Create a free myGarmin
account.

3. Choose

4. Follow the on-screen

Garmin Connect or
Garmin Training Center with
Garmin ANT Agent. Click

Download.

instructions.

Step 6: Send Workout Data to Your Computer



NOTE: You must
download software as
instructed in Step 5 so that
the necessary USB drivers
are installed before
connecting the USB ANT
stick to your computer.

1. Plug the USB ANT stick into
an available USB port on your
computer.

2. Bring your Forerunner within
range (5 m) of your computer.

3. Follow the on-screen
instructions.

4 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

GettInG Started

Using Accessories

If your Forerunner came with a
sensor (with ANT+Sport wireless
technology) in the box, the sensors
and the Forerunner are already
paired. If you purchased an
accessory separately, see page 26 for
pairing instructions.

For information about purchasing
additional accessories, go to

http://buy.garmin.com.

Tab

Heart Rate Monitor Strap

Slot

Heart Rate Monitor (Front)

Heart Rate Monitor (Back)

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 5

Using the Heart Rate Monitor

The heart rate monitor is on standby
and ready to send data. Wear the
heart rate monitor directly on your
skin, just below your breastplate.
It should be snug enough to stay in
place during your run.

1. Push one tab on the strap
through the slot in the heart
rate monitor. Press the tab

down.

Sensors

GettInG Started

2. Wet both sensors on the back
of the heart rate monitor to
create a strong connection
between your chest and the
transmitter.

3. Wrap the strap around your
chest and attach it to the other
side of the heart rate monitor.



NOTE: The Garmin logo
should be right-side up.

4. Bring the Forerunner within
range (3 m) of the heart rate
monitor.

5. Press

6. Press

mode to access Train

mode. The heart rate icon
appears on the Train page.

view to advance to the

HEART data page.

7. If or heart rate data does
not appear or if you have
erratic heart rate data, you
may have to tighten the strap
on your chest or warm up for
5–10 minutes. If the problem
persists, you may have to pair
the sensors. See page 26.



NOTE: For instructions
on setting up heart rate
zones, see page 15.

6 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

Using the Foot Pod

The foot pod is on standby and
ready to send data (like the heart rate
monitor). When you install or move
the foot pod, the LED blinks three
times.

1. Press the tabs on the lace
clip. Lift and separate the foot
pod from the lace clip.

2. Loosen your shoe laces
slightly.

3. Thread the lace clip through
2–3 secure sections of your
shoelaces, allowing enough
room at the top to tie the
shoelaces.

GettInG Started

Lace clip

4. Tie your shoelaces securely
to keep the foot pod in place
during your workout.

5. Snap the foot pod into the
lace clip. The foot pod must
be pointed toward the front of
your shoe.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 7

GettInG Started

6. Bring the Forerunner within
range (3 m) of the foot pod.

7. Press

8. Press

mode to access Train

mode. The foot pod icon
appears on the Train page.

view to access the

DIST, LAP, or SPEED/PACE

data pages.

9. If

or foot pod data does
not appear, you may have
to pair the foot pod and the
Forerunner. See page 26.

Calibrating the Foot Pod

Calibrating your foot pod is optional
and can improve accuracy. There are
two ways to adjust the calibration:
auto and manual.

Auto Calibration

The minimum calibration distance is
400 m. For best results, calibrate the
foot pod using the longest distance
possible at your typical pace. A
regulation track (one lap = 400 m) is
more accurate than a treadmill.

1. On the Train page, press and
hold start/stop.

2. Press

view to advance to the

PUSH CALIB setting.

8 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

GettInG Started

3. Press start to begin recording.

4. Run or walk the known
distance.

5. Press

6. Use

7. Press

stop.

+ and - to adjust the

calibration distance to the

ACTUAL distance.

view to save the

calibrated distance.

Manual Calibration

If your foot pod distance seems
slightly high or low each time you
run, you can manually adjust the
calibration factor.

1. On the Train page, press and
hold start/stop.

2. Press

3. Use

4. Press

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 9

view to advance to the

CALIB setting.

+ and - to adjust the

calibration factor.

view to save the

calibration factor.

Removing the Foot Pod

Press the tabs on the front of the lace
clip to remove the foot pod.

Turning Off the Foot Pod

After 30 minutes of inactivity, the
foot pod automatically turns off to
conserve the battery (the LED blinks
twice).

Using the GSC™ 10

Your Forerunner is compatible with
the GSC 10 speed and cadence
sensor for bikes. The GSC 10 is an
optional accessory that is available
at http://buy.garmin.com. For more
information, see page 26.

tIme mode

tIme mode

Time mode is the default view of
the Forerunner. After 30 minutes
of inactivity, the Forerunner
automatically returns to the Time
page. Otherwise, press mode until the
Time page appears.

Chimes

On the Time page, press and hold

view to toggle Chime mode.

Set the Time

See page 3.

Set the Alarm

1. On the Time page, press

start/stop. The Alarm page

appears.

2. Press and hold start/stop until
the hour setting blinks.

3. Use

+ and - to adjust the hour.



TIP: Press and hold + or

- to scroll quickly through

the hours, minutes, and
other Time mode settings.

4. Press view to advance to the
minutes setting.

10 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

tIme mode

5. Use + and - to adjust the
minutes.

6. Whennished,press

resume Alarm mode.

7. Press

lap/reset to activate

(or deactivate) the alarm. The

icon appears on the Time

page and the Alarm page.

mode to

More Time Options

Press lap/reset to alternate the

•
view between day and month.

Press and hold lap/reset to

•
alternate time zones.

Set a Second Time Zone

You can set the Forerunner time for
two time zones.

1. On the Time page, press and
hold lap/reset to change to
the second time zone. The

icon appears on the Time

page.

2. Follow the instructions on

page 3 to set the time.

3. Press and hold

changebacktothersttime

zone.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 11

lap/reset to

traIn mode

traIn mode

Train mode displays your current
workout settings and data. Press

mode until the Train page appears.

Timed Workout

1. Press start to begin an active
session.

Press lap to mark a known

•

position or distance during
your workout.

Press view to scroll

•

through data pages.

Press and hold view

•

to view secondary data
pages.

2. Whennished,pressstop.



NOTE: To pause the
active session, press

stop. Press start when

you are ready to continue
the session. Your history
includes a rest lap that
contains rest time only.

3. To save the workout, press
and hold lap/reset. Use + and

- to toggle YES or NO. Press
viewtoconrm.

12 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

Training Settings



NOTE: Training settings

cannot be modied during

an active session in Train
mode.

1. On the Train page, press and
hold start/stop.

2. Press

view to advance to the

next setting. The following

settingscanbemodied:

UNITS–change units to

•

miles or kilometers.

PACE SHOW–display

•

pace in minutes per mile/
kilometer.
OR

SPEED SHOW–display

speed in miles/kilometers
per hour.

traIn mode

AUTO–turn Auto Lap® on

•

or off. When AUTO lap
is ON, laps are triggered
by distance; you cannot
use the lap button to
manually mark laps Press

view again to enter the

distance.

•

ZONES–turn the training

zones on or off. See
Training Zones.

•

PUSH CALIB–calibrate

the foot pod by running a
known distance, see

page 8.

•

TxPAIR–see page 18.

•

CALIB–enter a calibration

factor to adjust foot pod
calibration to a known
value. See page 8.

•

WHEEL–enter the wheel

circumference in mm
(GSC 10 required).

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 13

traIn mode

WGT LB–enter your

•

weight (pounds or
kilograms determined by
the UNITS setting)

GENDER

•

PUSH PAIR–see page 26.

•

3. Use

+ and - to toggle or

change numeric settings.

4. Press

mode at any time to

return to the Train page.

Audible zone alarms

•

Pace and speed zones

•
(foot pod required)

Heart rate zone (heart rate

•
monitor required)

Bike speed and cadence

•
zones (GSC 10 required)



NOTE: During a workout
with training zones, the

and icons ash if

you are above or below

Training Zones

1. On the Train page, press and
hold start/stop.

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press

14 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

view to advance to the

ZONES setting.

+ to set ZONES to ON.

view to advance to the

next zone setting. Use + and

- to toggle or adjust numeric

values for each zone limit. The
following zone settings can be

modied:

the specied range.

Running Zones

Use the foot pod to track speed,
distance, steps, and pace during a
workout on the Forerunner indoors
or outdoors.

You can set the low and high zone
limits based on either speed or pace.
The ZONES must be set to ON.

1. On the Train page, press and
hold start/stop.

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press

5. Press

view, and then select
PACE SHOW or SPEED
SHOW.

view to advance to
ZONES.

+ to set ZONES to ON.

view to advance to ZO
RUN.

traIn mode

6. Press

7. Press

+ to set ZO RUN to ON.

view to advance to the

RUN LO and RUN HI settings.

Use + and - to toggle or adjust
numeric values for each zone
limit.

Heart Rate Zones

Setting the heart rate zone is very
similar to setting speed or pace
zones. See page 14.

Many runners and other athletes are
using heart rate zones to measure and
increase their cardiovascular strength

and improve their level of tness.

A heart rate zone is a set range of

heartbeats per minute. The ve

commonly accepted heart rate zones
are numbered from 1 to 5 according
to increasing intensity. Generally,
heart rate zones are calculated based
on percentages of your maximum
heart rate.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 15

traIn mode

How Do Heart Rate Zones Affect Your Fitness Goals?

Knowing your heart rate zones can
help you measure and improve

your tness by understanding and

applying these principles:

Your heart rate is a good measure

•
of exercise intensity.

Training in certain heart rate

•
zones can help you improve
cardiovascular capacity and
strength.

Knowing your heart rate

•
zones can prevent you from
overtraining and can decrease
your risk of injury.

You can set the low and high heart
rate limits on your Forerunner. If
you know your maximum heart rate,
you can use the following table to
determine the best heart rate zone for

your tness objectives.

If you do not know your maximum
heart rate, use one of the calculators
available on the Internet.

16 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

traIn mode

Zone % of

Maximum
Heart Rate

1 50–60% Relaxed, easy pace;

2 60–70% Comfortable pace;

3 70–80% Moderate pace;

4 80–90% Fast pace and a bit

5 90–100% Sprinting pace,

Perceived Exertion Benets

rhythmic breathing

slightly deeper breathing,
conversation possible

moredifculttohold

conversation

uncomfortable;
breathing forceful

unsustainable for long
period of time; labored
breathing

Beginning-level aerobic
training; reduces stress

Basic cardiovascular
training; good recovery
pace

Improved aerobic
capacity; optimal
cardiovascular training

Improved anaerobic
capacity and threshold;
improved speed

Anaerobic and
muscular endurance;
increased power

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 17

traIn mode

Computer Pairing

Computer pairing is the setting in
which the Forerunner automatically
detects and pairs additional
computers with a USB ANT stick.

To pair your Forerunner with a
new computer:

1. Verify that the computer is set

up for data upload. See the
requirements on page 24.

2. On the Train page, press and

hold start/stop.

3. Press

4. Press

5. Press

6. Press

view to advance to the

TxPAIR setting.

+ to turn on computer

pairing. Your computer detects
the Forerunner and requests
to pair.

view.

+. The FOUND Comp

conrmationmessage

appears.

After you have paired with your
primary computer, turn computer
pairing off to avoid disruptive
messages on the Forerunner and
nearby computers.

To turn off computer pairing:

1. On the Train page, press and
hold start/stop.

2. Press

3. Press

view to advance to the

TxPAIR setting.

- to turn off computer

pairing.

18 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

Interval tImer mode

You can set two timers in Interval
Timer mode. Setting up a Forerunner
timer is very similar to setting the
time of day. Press mode until the
Timer page appears.

Setting the Timers

1. On the Timer page, press and
hold start/stop until the hour
setting blinks.

2. Use

+ and - to adjust the hour.

Interval tImer mode



TIP: Press and hold + or

- to scroll quickly through

the hours, minutes, and
seconds.

3. Press view to advance to the
next setting.

4. Repeat this process for
minutes and seconds.
Whennished,pressview
to advance to the REPEAT
setting (see page 20).

5. Press

6. Press

+ and - to turn on or off

the repeat function.

view to advance to

TIMER 2 settings.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 19

Interval tImer mode

7. Press + and - to turn on or off
the TIMER 2 function.

Stopping and Resetting the Timers

1. Press stop at any time to
pause the timer.

2. Press and hold
reset the timer.

lap/reset to

8. Repeat steps 2–4 to set

TIMER 2.Whennished,

press mode to resume Timer
mode.

Starting the Timers

1. Press view to choose TIMER

1 or TIMER 2.

2. Press

20 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

start. The timer counts

down and beeps when

nished.

Using Timer Repeat

Set the timer to REPEAT to
automatically restart the timer after
it beeps. If both TIMER 1 and

TIMER 2 are active, the repeat

function runs TIMER 1 > TIMER

2 > TIMER 1 > TIMER 2 , and so

forth until you press stop.

HIStory mode

Your Forerunner stores workout data
based on the type of workout, the
accessories used, and your training
settings. Press mode until the
History page appears.

Viewing Workout History

1. On the History page, press +
and - to scroll through your
saved runs and workout data.

2. Press view to display the start
time and lap information.

HIStory mode

3. Press

+ and - to view the rest

of the run data depending on
which accessories, settings,

andtrainingzoneswereused:

Total run time

•

Total distance

•

Total steps

•

Total calories

•

Time in each zone

•
(ZONES must be set to

ON).

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 21

HIStory mode

4. Press view from any of these
pages to view the next level
of history data. Press + or - to

viewtheavailabledatapages:

Average lap time

•

Average lap speed

•

Average heart rate

•

5. Press

view from any of these

pages to view the next level of

historydata:detailsforeach

lap in your workout. Press +
or - to view the available data
pages.

Managing Memory

Your Forerunner holds up to 100 laps
and up to seven hours of exercise

les. When there is approximately

one hour of memory remaining, the

Lo MEM warning appears on the

Forerunner screen in Train mode.
When the memory is full, the Full

MEM warning appears, and your

Forerunner stops recording data.

For information about uploading data
to your computer, see page 24.

22 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

Deleting Workout History

NOTE: See page 24

for information about
transferring workout data
to your computer.

1. On the History page, press

+ or - to scroll through your

saved runs to select the run
you want to delete.

2. Press and hold
delete a single run. Continue
to hold lap/reset to delete all
runs.

lap/reset to

HIStory mode

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 23

data upload mode

data upload mode

Requirements

Your Forerunner holds up to 100 laps
and up to seven hours of exercise
les. Periodically upload data to
your computer using the ANT+Sport
wireless technology.

NOTE: By default, the

process of uploading data
deletes that data from
your Forerunner history.
To override this, you must
change the settings in
Garmin Training Center or
Garmin Connect.

1. Turn the computer on. (An
Internet connection is required
for software download and
Garmin Connect.)

2. Download software (see

page 4) so that the necessary

USB drivers are installed
before connecting the USB
ANT stick to your computer.

3. Connect the USB ANT stick
to an available USB port on
your computer. For optimal
performance, keep the area
free of clutter.

4. Bring the Forerunner within
range (5 m) of your computer.

5. Verify that Forerunner is in
Time mode.

24 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

6. Verify that there are no
Forerunner timers running or
active training sessions.

The Forerunner automatically
transmits data to the USB ANT stick
so you can use Garmin Training
Center or Garmin Connect to store
and analyze your workout data.

NOTE: If you are having

problems uploading data,
you may need to enable
computer pairing. See

page 18.

data upload mode

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 25

appendIx

appendIx

Optional Accessories

For more information about optional
accessories, go to http://buy.garmin

.com. You can also contact

your Garmin dealer to purchase
accessories.

Bike Accessories

For information about the GSC 10
speed and cadence sensor and the
Forerunner bike mount, go to

http://buy.garmin.com.

Pairing Sensors

If you purchased a sensor (with
ANT+Sport wireless technology)
separately, you need to pair it with
your Forerunner.

What Is Pairing?

Pairing is the connecting of sensors,
such as your heart rate monitor,
with your Forerunner. After you

pair the rst time, your Forerunner

automatically recognizes your sensor
each time it is activated. This process
occurs automatically when you turn
on the Forerunner and only takes a
few seconds when the sensors are
activated and functioning correctly.
When paired, your Forerunner only
receives data from your sensor, and
you can go near other sensors.

26 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

To pair sensors with your
Forerunner:

1. Move away (10 m) from other
sensors while the Forerunner
is trying to pair with your

sensorforthersttime.Bring

your sensor within range (3 m)
of the Forerunner.

2. Press

3. Press and hold

4. Press

5. Press

mode until the Train

page appears.

start/stop.

view to advance to the

PUSH PAIR page.

start/stop. While the

Forerunner scans for new
sensors, the , , and

icons blink. The icons are

solid when paired.

appendIx

Battery Information

WARNING: The Forerunner,
the heart rate monitor, and the
foot pod contain user-replaceable
CR2032 batteries. See the

Important Safety and Product
Information guide in the product

box for important battery safety
information.

Forerunner Battery

The Forerunner battery will last for
12 months (typical use). When the
battery is low, the Lo BATT warning
blinks on the Forerunner screen in
Time mode.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 27

appendIx

All of your Forerunner settings are
preserved, except the time of day.

NOTE: Before replacing

the battery, save all
of your workout data
to history or to your
computer.

NOTE: Garmin

recommends that you
take the Forerunner to a
professional watch repair
person to have the battery
replaced.

Heart Rate Monitor Battery

The heart rate monitor contains a
user-replaceable CR2032 battery.
The heart rate monitor battery will
last for three years (typical use is one
hour per day).

To replace the battery:

1. Locate the circular battery
cover on the back of the heart
rate monitor.

2. Use a coin to twist the cover
counter-clockwise so the
arrow on the cover points to

OPEN.

28 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

3. Remove the cover and
replace the battery with the
positive side facing up.

NOTE: Be careful not to

damage or lose the O-ring
gasket on the cover.

4. Use a coin to twist the cover
clockwise so the arrow on the
cover points to CLOSE.

appendIx

To replace the battery:

1. Locate the circular battery
cover on the back of the foot
pod.

Foot Pod Battery

When the foot pod battery is low, the
LED blinks six times upon activation
(instead of three). Approximately

ve hours of battery life remain.

Also, the Lo BATT warning appears

2. Use a coin to twist the cover
counter-clockwise until it is
loose enough to remove.

3. Remove the cover and
replace the battery with the
positive side facing up.

in Train mode when a workout starts
or stops.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 29

appendIx

NOTE: Be careful not to

damage or lose the O-ring
gasket on the cover.

4. Use a coin to twist the cover
back into place.

NOTE: You do not

need to repeat pairing
or calibration following
battery replacement.

Specications

Forerunner 50

Watch size: 58 mm × 42 mm ×

•

20 mm

Wrist band size: 204 mm ×

•

28 mm × 3 mm

Weight: 44 g

•

LCD Display: 23.75 mm ×

•

18.25 mm, with backlight

Water Resistance: 30 m

•

continuous

NOTE: To maintain

the water resistance, do
not operate Forerunner
buttons under water.

Data storage: Up to 100 laps and

•

up to seven hours of exercise les

Computer interface: Wireless,

•

automatic USB ANT stick

Battery type: User-replaceable

•

CR2032 (3 volts)

Battery life: 12 months,

•

depending on usage

Operating temperature range:

•

5°F–158°F (-15°C–70°C)

Radio frequency/protocol:

•

2.4 GHz/Dynastream ANT+Sport
wireless communications protocol

30 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

USB ANT stick

Physical size: 59 mm × 18 mm

•

× 7 mm

Weight: 6 g

•

Transmission range:

•

Approximately 5 m

Operating temperature:

•

14°F–122°F (-10°C–50°C)

Radio frequency/protocol:

•

2.4 GHz / Dynastream ANT
wireless communications protocol

Power source: USB

•

Heart Rate Monitor

Physical size: 34.7 cm × 3.4 cm

•

× 1.1 cm

Weight: 44 g

•

Water Resistance: 10 m

•

Transmission range:

•

approximately 3 m

appendIx

Battery: User-replaceable

•

CR2032 (3 volts)

Battery Life: approximately

•

3 years (1 hour per day)

Operating temperature:

•

14°F–122°F (-10°C–50°C)

NOTE: In cold

conditions, wear
appropriate clothing to
keep the temperature of
the heart rate monitor near
your body temperature.

Radio frequency/protocol: 2.4

•

GHz/Dynastream ANT+Sport
wireless communications protocol

Accuracy may be degraded by
poor sensor contact, electrical
interference, and receiver distance
from the transmitter.

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 31

appendIx

Foot Pod

Physical size: 42 mm × 10 mm

•

Weight: 27 g (including battery)

•

Water Resistance: 10 m

•

Transmission range:

•

Approximately 3 m

Speed and distance accuracy:

•

Uncalibrated 95%, calibrated
98%

Battery: User-replaceable

•

CR2032 (3 volts)

Battery life: 200 hours run time

•

NOTE: After 30 minutes

of inactivity, the foot pod
automatically turns off to
conserve the battery.

Operating temperature:

•

14°F–140°F (-10°C–60°C)

Sensor Accuracy Range:

•

32°F–104°F (0°C–40°C)

Radio frequency/protocol:

•

2.4 GHz/Dynastream ANT+Sport
wireless communications protocol

Accuracy may be degraded by
electrical interference, receiver
distance from the transmitter, and
extreme temperatures.

For a complete list of specications,

see www.garmin.com/forerunner.

32 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution/Answer

NOTE:

This procedure deletes all information that you have

The buttons don’t
respond. How do I
reset the Forerunner?

How do I set the time
to AM or PM?

The Forerunner will
not send data to my
computer.

The heart rate
monitor or foot pod
will not pair with the
Forerunner.

The heart rate monitor
strap is too big.

entered. Press view, mode, and start/stop simultaneously
to reset the Forerunner software. This restores the factory
settings. Workout data is deleted. You must reset the time and
your custom settings. If you are still having problems, remove
and then replace the battery (see page 27).

Verify that the time mode is set to 12-H (12 hour). Use + and

- to select the correct hour. The A or P icon appears above the

seconds on the Time page. For more information, see page 3.

See page 18 to enable computer pairing. See www.garmin

.com/forerunner for additional troubleshooting.

Stay 10 m away from other ANT sensors while pairing.

•
Bring the Forerunner within range (3 m) of the heart rate

•
monitor while pairing.

If the problem persists, replace the battery.

•

A smaller elastic strap is sold separately. Go to http://buy

.garmin.com.

appendIx

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 33

appendIx

Problem Solution/Answer

Make sure the heart rate monitor is snug against your body.

•
Warm up for 5–10 minutes. If the problem persists, continue

•
with the following suggestions.

Reapply moisture to the sensors. Use water, saliva, or

•
electrode gel. Clean the sensors. Dirt and sweat residue on
the sensor can interfere with heart rate signals.

Syntheticfabricsthatruborapagainsttheheartrate

•
monitor can create static electricity that interferes with heart

The heart rate data is
inaccurate or erratic.

rate signals. Wear a cotton shirt or wet your shirt if suitable
for your activity.

Position the heart rate monitor on your back instead of your

•
chest.

Strongelectromagneticeldsandsome2.4GHzwireless

•
sensors can interfere with your heart rate monitor. Sources
of interference may include very high voltage power lines,
electric motors, microwave ovens, 2.4 GHz cordless
phones, and wireless LAN access points. After you move
away from the source of interference, your heart rate data
should return to normal.

34 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

appendIx

Software License Agreement

BY USING THE Forerunner, YOU
AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE
AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ THIS
AGREEMENT CAREFULLY.

Garmin grants you a limited license to
use the software embedded in this device
(the “Software”) in binary executable
form in the normal operation of the
product. Title, ownership rights, and
intellectual property rights in and to the
Software remain in Garmin.

You acknowledge that the Software
is the property of Garmin and is
protected under the United States
of America copyright laws and
international copyright treaties. You
further acknowledge that the structure,
organization, and code of the Software
are valuable trade secrets of Garmin
and that the Software in source code

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 35

form remains a valuable trade secret of
Garmin. You agree not to decompile,
disassemble, modify, reverse assemble,
reverse engineer, or reduce to human
readable form the Software or any part
thereof or create any derivative works
based on the Software. You agree not to
export or re-export the Software to any
country in violation of the export control
laws of the United States of America.

Declaration of Conformity

Hereby, Garmin declares that this
Forerunner product is in compliance
with the essential requirements and
other relevant provisions of Directive
1999/5/EC.

To view the full Declaration of
Conformity, see the Garmin Web site for
your Garmin product: www.garmin

.com/forerunner.

Index

Index

A

accessories 5, 26
alarm 10
Auto Lap 13

B

backlight 2
batteries 27
bike accessories 26
buttons, watch 1

C

cadence sensor 9, 26
calibrating, foot pod 8
changing modes 1
chimes 10
computer pairing 18

F

foot pod 7, 15, 29

calibrating 8

G

Garmin Connect i, 4, 25
Garmin Product Support i
Garmin Training Center i,

4, 25

GSC 10 9, 26

H

heart rate monitor 5, 28
heart rate zones 15
History mode 21

I

icons 2
Interval Timer mode 19

L

D

data uploading 4, 24
downloading software i, 4
drivers, USB 4, 24

36 Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual

lap 1, 13
license agreement 35

M

memory 22
modes, change 1
MyGarmin i

P

pairing

computer

sensors 3, 26
product registration i
product support i

18

R

running, foot pod 7, 15
running zones 15

S

sensors, pairing 3, 5, 26
setting the time 3
software downloads i, 4
software license

agreement
speed and cadence

sensor

35

9, 26

T

technical specications 30

time, setting 3
Time mode 10
timers, setting 19
time zones 11
training zones 14
Train mode 12
transferring data 4, 24
troubleshooting 33
turning on Forerunner 2

U

units 13
uploading data 4, 24
USB ANT stick iv, 4
USB drivers 4, 24

W

workout data 21

Index

Forerunner 50 Owner’s Manual 37

For the latest product information and accessories, visit the Garmin

Web site at www.garmin.com.

© 2007 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

Garmin International, Inc.

1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9RB UK

Garmin Corporation

No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road, Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan

Part Number 190-00839-00 Rev. E