Garmin Forerunner 305 Portable Navigator - 010-00467-00
Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Personal Trainer

The Garmin Forerunner 305 works very well as a heart monitor, distance measuring device, and timer. It is easy to use and easy to configure the display to show your desired parameters. The screen is large enough to easily read any of the values while jogging. You can download your workout to a computer for analysis via the prvoided software. This download works well, but the software is fairly limited in its flexibility. There are only a few ways to view the data and I haven't yet figured out any way to print a table or a graph. Still, the device works well and I find it very useful to have a continuous record of my heartbeat during a workout.
 
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The Garmin Forerunner 305 lived up to my expectations. You will need to download the latest software from the web. My autoupdate function did not work with the software on the CD supplied, but the update from the web was easy. It's a great training tool, and it's configurable training alarms will keep you motivated and on your desired pace. The Training Center SW for your PC or Mac is a great way to analalyze your workout. I also like the configurable displays on the 305, and lap by lap or segment by segment data that you can review right after the workout before you download to your computer. Great product, worth the investment.
 
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I have used one of these since January and it has really turned me on to running. I need something to compete with and this has really made running fun. It is very accurate and very comfortable. It is lighter than it appears . I have also worn it on my wrist for biking and cross country skiing. I will probably buy the bike handlebar attachment soon . I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes to be neurotic about distance and pace. It interacts great with the computer and the feature that shows your route on google earth is cool.
 
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I have been using this device for the past few weeks after seeing a friend use one for the past three months. If you are a beginner looking to get better at running or biking I highly recommend it. It helps you train in a good heart zone and allows you to run anywhere without the need for predefined trails. The timing options are endless as are the workout options. It tracks all your worksout, keeping track of best pace, average pace, heartrate average and high and low details. So far I've run several weekends and an 8K and the battery life is more than enough for me, most days I don't even put it on the charger as it contains plenty of charge from the day before. I would recommend you read the manual and talk to someone who already uses one for additional tricks and tips, it is endless all of the uses you will find when working out with the device. I wish the chimes were louder, the newer firmware weakens the sound however that is about the only bad thing about the watch.
 
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Ihad a recent Open Heart Surgery, I am enrolled in Cardiac Rehab which is helping get back in shape. I use it before I start my Work Out, and during the Work Out. We both ( RN'S and Myself monitor my Blood Pressure which is equal to there monitoring system. I hope in the near future we can have our Systolic, Diastolic added to the Data System which will over all areas of Monitoring our Health. At the present time I am sending all Data that recorded to my Heart Doctor to review.
 
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This is a wonderful training gadget. The convergence with the Mac or PC computer makes it a tool that any level athlete can love.
 
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Have been using my new Garmin Forerunner 305 for a couple of weeks now and it's one of the best training tools I've ever used. Distance measurement is extremely accurate (wore it during a 1/2 marathon last weekend, and it tracked the mileage perfectly). Heartrate monitor and pace functions are very useful and accurate. Set up is straightforward, even for a non-geek, old guy like me! I download after every run into our iMac, and it only takes a few seconds; great way to record all your runs and gives a fairly detailed analysis of each run. I have not had an opportunity to use the mapping function yet and look forward to seeing it in action soon. The 305 acquires satellites in my area in about a minute, so doesn't keep you waiting much at all. Overall, very good unit; easy to use; highly recommend if you are searching for a training tool that will improve your running sessions. You will not be disappointed!
 
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I recently purchased a Garmin GPS watch for use when I run. The experience was delightful and satisfying. The price was already below competitors, but when added to the $30 Buy.com Visa instant rebate, it was awesome. The shipping was quick and the item arrived undamaged.
 
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I recently purchased the wrist GPS with HR monitor. I believe that the HR monitor is an essential part of the device for training. You get immediate feedback on your HR and pace you can recalibrate your mind or your technique to change and become more efficient on the fly. It is hard to figure out how to make the HR display large but a call to customer support fixed that, the instruction book is a bit lame in that area. It is not totally waterproof so using it for triathlons is problematic. It is a great step in the right direction and a valuable training tool.
 
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Takes a minute or 2 to sych with Satellites (dont move the watch until it has linked), but once linked, great tool, second by second update, good basic software.
 
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This is my second device. The first last a year. I have a problem and Garmin repaired in warranty. I have study all options this is the best.
 
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I knocked almost a full minute off my average mile by using the 305. Your mileage may vary, of course, but I use mine ever time I go out and couldn't imaging training without it now. I've also started incorporating it into my bicycle crosstraining as well.
 
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No need to right some lengthy drawn out review. Suffice it to say that this device is a great training tool. I recently entered into the fray of triathlon competions, which by the way are quite a bit of fun. Several of my friends own them and it allows us to compare performances thereby challenging each other to push harder. I have had no technical issues whatsoever, and its easy to use. It would be nice if the GPS feature would operate during the swim. Since it doesnt the only way to track data is to set the watch to the "other" sport mode and hit the lap button at the conclusion of every lap. Since the pool lap is a fixed distance its just a matter of doing a little math to figure pace, and such. No dissappointments here with the watch, plan on adding the Cadence sensor in the future.
 
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The Gramin Forerunner 305 is a great exercise enhancer, and works very well. Besides the practical value of tracking your progress it adds fun to the experience. The convience of wrist operation is great. The improved receiver is also a great benefit as I work out in the woods and previously had trouble with GPS units losing coverage. Does seem to take a long time to initially sync up, usually a couple minutes, that need to be computed into your schedule, but once synced, hangs in there.
 
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Overall, the Forerunner 305 is exactly what I expected, which is why I rated it 4/5. The software is ok although I wish it allowed you to retroactively create laps/splits (it's very hard to isolate when you finished a mile split for instance unless you set up the autolap in advance). My main complaint is that the device takes a long time to get satellites, but I am in Manhattan so I understand that there's not much you can do about that. Once you get into central park or on the west side greenway, reception picks up pretty quickly. I haven't had time to use the training features yet but just based on the time/speed and heart rate features, and how easy it is to use, so far I'm pleased. Took me a while to decide to spend the money but I'm glad now that I have.
 
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I just starting running about 2 months ago and had no idea how well (or not so well) I've been performing. I purchased this item about 2 weeks ago and it's working great. I was a little worried about losing satellites on some of the streets I run on, as they are very heavily tree lined, and that was not a problem. It's been a great tool to track my progress and to keep me motivated to continually improve my performance. The price on buy.com is incredible. A great value! If can afford this item, get it. You won't be disappointed.
 
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Buy.com is an excellent source for electronic purchasing. The Garmin Forerunner is not huge in size and very user friendly. The software is not great and needs to be improved. Connecting to the satellites does take a few minutes depending on where you are, but once obtained, it is not lost during the run.
 
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I love this watch! Don't hesitate just get it.
 
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In short, this works well in all the areas about which I cared the most (quick sync'ing, keeping the signal, light weight, easy to use, easy to read for my old eyes). MORE DETAIL: My big concerns were synchronizing quickly and loss of signal (I have heard many horror stories about GPS speed/distance units taking a long time to sync or loosing signal). This unit sync's very quickly (usually within 10 seconds, the longest has been about 25 seconds). Further, I've not had it loose signal yet (except in a building when I was simply pushing it to it's limits for testing). Even in a heavily wooded area, it did not loose signal. So far, cloudy days have not affected it either, but I've not used it on extremely cloudy days yet. While the display looks complicated, I was able to use it immediately with no custom changes and most of what was displayed was exactly what I wanted. As I learned more, I was able to add things I wanted to see (e.g. current pulse for cool-down, and overall pace instead of current lap pace). The software is nice, but lacks a few features that I would like (e.g. the ability to highlight a series of sessions and get average pace times... that's only available per week or a total of all runs). (I've heard good about SportTracks but have not tried it.) The heart rate monitor works well also. My old heart rate monitor periodically was difficult to connect (the sensors to me) but this one is not a problem. I was also very pleased that the unit was light even though the appearance will set off geek alarms. It is also easy to use and easy to read (nice large numbers). While customizing the display perfected it for my goals, it was extremely usable directly out of the box. My only gripes would be that there is no way to sense the cadence of my stride. I know of the foot pod, but it will cause the GPS to be disabled (and I don't know if I can find the cadence of my running even if I'm willing to do that). I wish I could use the foot pod to detect my running cadence only (but still use GPS for speed/distance). However, I'm very happy with this unit and highly recommend it. However, I'm very happy with this unit and highly recommend it.
 
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This watch is an excellent exercise piece of equipment. I have put over 3 hours of run time on the watch now. It has a tremendous computer tracking program which allows me to keep a history, track progress, and I can even review the map of the areas I run. It quickly downloads my runs with the USB cradle, and there was minimal setup involved with the program. I have had the watch on for two hours straight without any battery issues. The History allows me to review the graph of any number of items simultaneous like heart rate and running pace, so I can see when I slowed down because my heart rate was too high, just how fast I was running. Some of the best features of this watch is pace alarms and heart rate alarms. I can set the watch to a target heart rate like 130-165 bpm and the watch will beep at me if my heart rate goes too high or too low. Similarly with the pace alarm, I can set the rate to 7:00/mile to 6:00/mile and once again the watch will beep at me if I go outside the target zone. I find this is an excellent feature for training. I don't think this watch is solely an exercise item. I can also use it for way points so I don't get lost. Mark where I park my truck before entering the hunting grounds. I can hunt all day, return at dusk and not worry about getting lost in the failing sun light. There is a compass feature to find stored way points so I can find my truck quickly and easily. The watch is a little expensive and there are many menus to traverse to find the option I want to use, but it has the best and most options I have ever seen in such a small package. It's only mildly larger than a standard man's watch, and it's not bulky or heavy. Overall it's an oustanding watch for the runner, cyclist, outdoors person.
 
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I love, love, love my Garmin 305. It was the best big ticket running item I ever bought. I had a hard time deciding if I should really be spending $250 on a gadget that isn't totally necessary, but it has taken my running to the next level. KNowing my pace is making me faster and I have been training for my first marathon with it and it's sooo nice knowing how far I've gone, how fast I'm going and how much further I have to go, all at a GLANCE! I don't really use the HRM and if you don't want the HRM, you might as well get the 205.
 
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Before I purchased the Forerunner 305 all my runs were precisely distanced and I never went beyond those boundaries (Easy, Tempo and Speedwork). Since I've purchased the 305 I run, and run and run (adding more distance and speed work for the individual workouts)...amazing how much more incentive I have to go running and to continue running once I get going. The Garmin Training Center software is excellent and its a snap setting up workouts, and exchanging data from the 305 to my computer. I've had a couple issues with the software communicating with my 305 and I had to update my software to a newer version and it's working with no issues. Having the heart rate monitor is a great asset as well. When you get the 305 look into MotionBased...you can download your workouts and courses there and analyze it all...cool site. Acquiring satellites does take at the longest around a half minute, but once acquired doesn't drop the signal. Overall it's a wonderful tool and adds a new outlook (at least for me) to running and getting out more often.
 
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I had a Timex Bodylink sytem. I liked it except for the drain on batteries. Maximum time of use before the 3 AAA GPS batteries died was about 2 1/2 hours. That's one big advantage to the 305 - much longer life and no need for replacing batteries. On the downside, the 305 is still bulky. I find it doesn't fit comfortably on my wrist. If I want to see the display, I have to turn my arm, or wear the watch on the inside by my palm. Still learning all the settings. Haven't had any problems with it picking up heart rate and satellites, or losing signals.
 
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I've found the 305 to be highly accurate with no issue of signal degradation from trees or other objects. The manual is clear and easy to understand. I found the training software to be useful to me for comparative purposes. Overall, I am very pleased with the Forerunner 305. I also like the idea that I'm supporting Garmin, whose headquarters is located not too far away.
 
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