Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $234.99 You Save: $65.00 (22%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $150.00 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
Customer Review: 405 Owner now using a 305
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased a Garmin 405 over 2 years ago and have used it on weekly runs since then. My experience with the 405 is similar to what a lot of other reviewers have indicated. Although the 405 looks great and the touch bezel seems like a good idea, it is pretty useless if it ever gets wet (including minor sweat) and it seems to have a mind of it's own sometimes, even when it is not wet.
In addition to the nice look of the 405, I really like the wireless ANT feature that allows the watch to upload a run to the Garmin Connect site. I have all of my runs uploaded since I purchased the watch and it is nice to be able to review previous runs and track the progress (or lack thereof).
However, one thing I have noticed in my running club is that most of the "hard-core" runners and coaches use the Garmin 305. I saw a special on Amazon for the 305 about a month ago, I decided it was too good of deal to pass up, so I bought a 305 and I have used it on about 5 runs since then.
There are a couple of things I don't like about the 305 as compared to the 405. The things I don't like, are, it is more bulky and not as attactive and it doesn't have the wireless ANT. To upload your runs to Garmin Connect, you have to attach the 305 charger and plug into a USB port.
However, other than those few things, I prefer the 305 over the 405. During my runs with the 305, I am getting much better information about my pace, timing and heart rate. I use the scrolling feature on both watches and have set up personalized screens to view what I want. I have found that even though I have essentially the same screens on both watches, the 305 is much easier to read and you can actually use the buttons if you want to see something in particular. I could never touch the 405 while I was running, in fact, I gave up long ago on trying to change anything on the 405 once I start a run and always lock the watch to prevent accidental screen changes from the bezel getting touched, which does happen when running.
The other thing I really like about the 305 is that at the end of the run, I can immediately see how I did. Theoretically, the 405 can do the exact same thing, but, in reality, the 405 is usually not responsive at the end of a run because of moisture (that sweat thing again) or for whatever reason and I always found it annoying that I couldn't see my history because the bezel wouldn't react until I found a towel to dry my hands and the watch. (This is especially annoying when running with others and when finished, they ask you how we did and you can't answer because the 405 is frozen).
So, my advice, get the 305 if you want to save some money and if you want a running watch you can use to get information while you are running and immediately after your run. Get the 405 if you want a watch that looks good and the wireless ANT is important to you. You will not regret getting the 305 and you really don't notice the bulk of the watch once you start running.
Customer Review: Fantastic training watch
Summary: 5 Stars
Pros: Mac and PC compatible (despite what the description says), excellent features, easy to configure if you read the manual, good user interface
Cons: Mac users should run the software update, elevation tracking not perfect near sea level, watch battery is rechargeable but not replaceable, watch is big
As a runner, I am thrilled with this watch after using it for a week now. In addition to heart rate, it accurately tracks pace, calories, distance, and multiple other data points. Its three data screens are totally customizable. The GPS signal is accurate as long as you're not between tall buildings or in a tunnel (I use it in NYC parks with no problems). The included Garmin Training Center (which IS fully Mac compatible on PPC and Intel, despite what you'll see in descriptions of the watch online) is decent, not great, but you can download a free web utility to upload your stats to motionbased.com to perform much more detailed analyses. (Mac users: be sure to also download the update to Garmin Training Center from Garmin's website.)
The watch comes with built-in workouts in which it prompts you to speed up/slow down/etc. You can add your own custom workouts on your computer or (with a little patience) on the watch. You can also customize a workout easily on the fly. You can use its included heart rate zones (auto-calculated based on your age) and pace zones or customize your own (I'm totally happy with the built-ins). And of course you can just hit the "Start" button and start running, to let the watch track your time, distance, pace, heart rate, and plot your path.
Plus, if you're exercising in an unfamiliar area, it even has a mode where it'll guide you back to your starting point.
I was very reluctant to spend more than $50 on a watch of any sort -- I'm the type who shops at Filene's Basement and Costco -- but made the plunge after reading its nearly all positive reviews here. So totally happy that I did.
Someone previously mentioned that negative reviewers had stated problems (e.g. small heart rate readout, difficulty customizing, etc) that could be resolved by reading the manual. This is absolutely true. This watch is the most customizable I've ever owned, including where and how large the heart rate readout should appear. With a little patience, it'll do exactly what you need. Don't be turned away by the negative reviewers.
The only really accurate negative I've read about is its size. Yes, it's big. Think G-Shock, but larger. The two included straps help in finding the right size, but it's not going to fit like your Swatch does. But that's a small negative to a really excellent product.
So a word to the wise: read the manual! The watch is easy to use if you read how first. It's not a simple heart rate monitor, though, and you may not figure it out on your own. Give it a little time and it'll be very good to you.
I really can't recommend it highly enough!
Customer Review: Sweet little device...
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this critter for Christmas, having asked for it, and am increasingly impressed as time goes by.
Yes, you have to take a minute or so to allow the GPSr to aquire the sats but it is a GPS accruate receiver. Hello? I find that I turn it on and set it on my car or nearby while I do a little pre-stretch or get my iPod ready to go and it's ready when I am.
I've been through the manual and still find new cool stuff. Admittedly a Tri geek, I like all the available data. The functionality of the training software that comes with the unit is great. All the info I want is dumped onto the computer. Graphs, averages, elevations, HR, Speed, Pace, Cadence(extra sensor), etc. Set up courses you do and race yourself. Multisport capability during the same workout for triathletes. I could go on and on.
I am doing the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in June and found the run and bike courses available for download on their site right to my computer and the F305. I can see the course and especially the elevation changes. Cool. I love this thing and it seems to be accurate as well. I've been using the Timex bodylink and will definately stay with the F305.
My only minor complaint so far, I'd like a wrist mount that would stay put when I rotate the unit on my wrist for the bike part of races. Like I said, very minor. Highly reccommended.
Well, after three years, I am still extremely happy with this device. I've used it with the quick release wrist and bike mount as well as the cadence unit. Everything works well though the unit did pop off the bike a couple of times at the Treasure Island triathlon where there are some serious rough spots in the road(was on my wrist mount at the time). Scratches to the unit but no serious damage though it's ultimate demise may be related.
I've used it during all segments of triathlon including swimming. Don't put it on your wrist but in a under your swim cap. It is water resistant and I would soak it periodically in the sink to aid in cleaning without problems until last month. I suspect lost a bit of it's integrity after the three falls off the bike. (Twice in 2007 and once in 2008, all at TI) I've never had it disengage at any other race. Anyhow, it got waterlogged and works intermittently now. I've decide to replace it with another 305 rather than the 310xt. I think the 310 has to work out a few things and the only real advantage is the increased water resistance. I now use a zip-lock under my swim cap, just to be safe. I love the F305 and have been really missing it.
Cons: Size. Some of the new units are smaller. Still wish I could rotate the unit to view on my wrist without turning my wrist while running. Minor stuff.
Replacing my broken unit with the same one because I still love the functionality relative to price and nothing out there is appreciably better IMO.
Customer Review: Exceeds Expectation. Great Tool to Monitor and Track Training.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned the Forerunner 305 for about 3 weeks. Mine has performed exactly as advertised.
The GPS rapidly acquires satellites and I have not had a problem with it losing connection. I live in Hawaii and the GPS had no problem finding satellites (updating the Almanac data) and providing a fix while I sat in my living room on the initial start. Since then it occasionally seems to take longer to find satellites, but while I input my planned workout it continues to find the satellites and by the time I am done, it is ready to track my progress.
The heart rate monitor has worked perfectly. It has not once failed to immediately display my HR. So far it has worked better than my Polar dedicated HR monitors.
The display feature allows you to customize different displays with up to four attributes each out of a list over twenty different parameters. For example, if you want to know how long you have left, how far you have gone, your current heart rate, and sunset while you are exercising you can make a display just for that! The display illuminates well at night.
I have found the pace information to be very useful and not at all jerky. Since GPS does not provide speed directly, the 305 like any other receiver calculates speed based on measured position changes over time. Since those calculations tend to provide pace information that is naturally jerky, the 305 allows you to smooth the data to varying degrees. It records the raw speed information, but the pace it displays with "high" smoothing is very steady and useful. I have not tried other pace settings because I am getting useful information. Bottom line, pace information is useful, but may require you to adjust the settings to your personal preference.
The best part of the 305 is how it effortlessly provides useful summaries of your workouts, tracks lap to lap performance, and allows you to transfer information to a computer. I did update the software for the watch (firmware), the USB connection, and the computer program so I may have avoided problems that plagued earlier versions. I was very impressed how fast and easy moving training plans and routes to the watch and historical workout from the watch to the computer. The entire process took no more than 3 minutes and didn't require any complex setup. Once your training records are on the computer, they can be displayed on the Garmin software or a number of different third party web based software solutions that provide different analysis tools, workout plans, and trails to explore. Most of the features available online are free. Even if you don't use a computer, the watch stores a long history of previous workouts and displays your previous workouts with useful summaries.
In summary, the 305 is a great tool for runners who want to monitor their workouts or keep an accurate record of their training with very little effort!
Customer Review: More than a heart rate monitor
Summary: 5 Stars
I was going to try to post top ten reasons for owning a Garmin 305, but only came up with five. As a long time user of other brands - I was very excited about having GPS on my wrist. I was also not completely satisfied with needing to purchase additional parts to get another brand of heart rate monitor to work. When I saw the 305 was on sale at Amazon I bought one and it has really changed my biking experience. With that here is my list:
1. No more sensors - if you are old school like me you remember the early cycle computers there was a sensor on your bottom bracket, a sensor on your chainstay, and a magnet in your spokes. The Garmin needs no sensors only satellites.
2. GPS is better than watching your odometer roll over. Compulsive bikers need routes in all 4 compass directions and mileage usually calculated by driving it with your car. There is a lot of error in watching a digital odometer roll over 1/10 of a mile as opposed to the GPS being accurate to within 30 feet. My preliminary estimate on odometer error is about 5%.
3. Thirty miles is thirty miles. No more cheating - even on estimated routes there is the human tendency to cheat. I am not talking EPO, but following the optimal lines for cornering is often a lot shorter than the route used to map it in the car.
4. Forget about the radar boxes - you have the speed on your wrist. A couple of years ago I found inspiration from the radar boxes the police set out to advise motorists of their speed. Numerous problems with this approach including the fact that they don't always pick you up.
5. Fire up for TdF. Want to know how much distance you can cover in the same time as the prologue winner? Fire up the Garmin.
It is a pleasure to go out and know that you can hit it as hard as you want, everything is flawlessly recorded and you get accurate real time data that you can use. My workouts immediately evolved into a warm up, a recorded period on the 305 and a cool down period. The final result is that all of my miles are actual quality miles at a certain speed with specific goals. I don't count the warm up miles any more.
Is there any downside? The Garmin 305 needs to be recharged from a wall outlet. That was a surprise to me and there have been times when I was concerned about losing data due to a depleted battery. That has never actually happened. There have been a few times when I have bent my wrist and accidentally pushed a button that changed the display, but this is usually easily changed back. The only other frustration is that it takes a while for the watch to lock on to the satellites and this can slow you down if you have just pumped up your tires and you are ready to go.
The Garmin is superbly engineered, the software interface performs as advertised, and it has just about everything that I need to get the most out of training on a bike.
George Dawson