Garmin 101 Quick Start Manual Download Page 2

mode

reset

enter

lap

start/stop

Forerunner 101 Setup

2

  Starting Up the Forerunner 101

Welcome Page

To turn on the Forerunner 101: 

1.  Press and hold the 

POWER 

button until the Welcome Page is 

displayed. 

2.  Allow the Forerunner time to track satellites the first time you 

use it. Leave the Forerunner outside with a clear view of the sky 
for 15-30 minutes.  After the first use, it should take less than 
one (1) minute to acquire satellites.  

3.  When the Forerunner acquires enough satellite signals to 

determine your location, the satellite dish icon in the upper left 
corner of the screen stops flashing.

Forerunner 101 Icons

Three icons in the upper left-hand corner provide at-a-glance-

status of the Forerunner: battery icon, timer icon, and satellite dish 
icon.  

Battery icon:

 The battery icon indicates how much 

battery power is left before the batteries must be replaced.  
A full battery icon indicates fully-charged batteries.  

Timer icon:

 When the stopwatch feature of the Fore-

runner is being used, the timer icon displays just below the 
battery icon.  

Satellite Dish icon:

 When the Forerunner has acquired 

enough satellites to establish your GPS location fix, this 
icon displays just below the timer icon.

Forerunner 101 Setup

3

  Changing the Mode

Press the 

MODE 

button to cycle through the various modes of 

the Forerunner. The two default modes, the Timer Mode and the 
Menu Mode, are shown below.

Menu  Mode

Timer Mode

Timer Mode: 

The Timer Mode allows you to start or stop the 

timer, split a lap, and reset the timer.  It also provides access to three 
data pages or screens:

  The 

Timer Screen

 displays the length of time, pace/speed, 

and distance of your workout. 

  The 

Lap Screen

 displays information on the current lap.  

  You can change the 

Custom Screen

 to display the fields you 

want to view, such as calories and average pace/speed.  

Menu Mode: 

The Menu Mode provides access to features and 

settings.

Map Mode: 

The Map Mode, when enabled through the 

Navigation menu, displays where you are going and where you have 
been on a graphic map. 

Refer to the Forerunner Owner’s Manual for complete informa-

tion on all of the Forerunner’s modes and screens.  

Forerunner 101 Setup

1

  Installing Batteries

The Forerunner 101 operates on two AAA alkaline batteries (not 

included), which are placed in the back of the unit.  Rechargeable 
alkaline, NiMH, NiCad, or lithium batteries may be used.  See page 
30 of the Owner’s Manual for instructions on selecting battery type.

Stored data will not be lost while batteries are being changed.  

However, if batteries are completely discharged and are not changed 
within a couple of days, it may take longer for the unit to get a GPS 
signal fix.

To install the batteries:

1. Remove the battery cover by inserting a coin in the bottom slot.  

Twist the coin to lift the cover up and pull away.

2. Compare the battery polarity with the diagram in the battery 

compartment and install the batteries accordingly.

3. To re-install the battery cover, slide the top portion into the 

appropriate slot, then snap the bottom section securely to the 

base of the unit.

  

Forerunner 101 Battery Life

Your Forerunner 101 should get about 14-15 hours out of use 

before the batteries need to be replaced.

Forerunner 101 Setup

4

  Setting the Time Zone

When the Forerunner is ready for use, you may need to check 

the Time Zone selection.

To change the Time Zone:

1.  Press the 

MODE

 button to display the Menu Mode.

2.  The current date and time is 

displayed on the top of the 
screen.  When the Forerunner 
has established a GPS fix, U.S. 
Central Time is selected as the 
default Time Zone.  

3.  To change the Time Zone, Use 

the 

UP/DOWN 

buttons to select 

SETTINGS’

 and press 

ENTER

.

4.  Use the 

UP/DOWN 

buttons to select ‘SET TIME’ and press 

ENTER

.

5.  Use the 

UP/DOWN 

buttons to select the ‘TIME ZONE’ field and 

press 

ENTER

.

6.  Use the 

UP/DOWN 

buttons to select the correct time zone and 

press 

ENTER

.

5

  Adjusting the Strap

The Forerunner has been designed to comfortably fit your wrist.  

A strap extension provides additional length and easily attaches to 
the existing strap.  

To add the strap extension:

1.  Slide the end of the existing strap through the connector on the 

extension.

2.  Place on your wrist or arm.  
3.  Slide the end of the extension through the existing connector.  
4.  Adjust to fit comfortably and secure the strap.  

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for complete instructions.

Settings Menu

The Battery usage icon shows an 

estimate of battery life left. Four 

squares with the battery outline 

indicates a full battery. 

+

-

+

-

Forerunner 101 Buttons

Using the Forerunner 101 Buttons

ENTER 

START/STOP

UP

DOWN

RESET 

LAP

MODE

POWER

The 

POWER 

button:

•  Press and hold to turn the unit on or off 
•  Press and release, with the unit on, to turn the backlight on  

or off 

The 

MODE 

button:

•  Press to switch between the Timer and Menu Modes
•  Press to back out or escape out of the present page or screen
•  Press and hold to change between 

PACE 

and 

SPEED  

(This setting impacts calorie calculation. See owner’s manual.)

The 

RESET/LAP 

button:

•  Press to split a lap when the timer is running
•  When the timer is stopped, press and hold for 3 seconds to 

reset the timer and start a new run

The 

ENTER/(START/STOP) 

button:

•  In Timer Mode and Map Mode (if enabled), press to start or 

stop the Timer

•  Press to confirm data entry or menu selection

The 

UP/DOWN

 buttons:

•  Press to cycle through the different screens of the Timer Mode
•   Press to highlight options on pages and menus
•  Press to adjust display contrast on the initial welcome screen
•  Press to Zoom out and Zoom in on the Map Mode (if enabled)
•  Press to cycle through the different screens in the Virtual 

Partner™ Mode (if enabled)

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