Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
by Garmin
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List Price: Buy Used: from $165.00 (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: Garmin Forerunner 305
Summary: 4 Stars
I am a stats guy, someone who will pour over sports box scores to analyze the latest trends, who's hot and who's not, and compare versus history. So, when I was looking for a way to keep track of my running, this product came highly recommended.
I've been using it now for the last 2 weeks and I'm very satisfied. The watch is a little on the large side, but, to be quite honest, it's so lightweight that you don't even notice it while running. I actually enjoy the larger display as it can hold more information. This was a key factor in deciding to buy now or wait for the Forerunner 405, which looks more like an everyday watch, as opposed to a workout watch.
The stats it produces are remarkable. Heartrate (min/max/avg), pace, speed, elevation, weather conditions, and the ability to see a Google Earth flyover of your route are just a few items it tracks. It's fun to compare your results day-to-day and week-to-week to see improvement, as well as identify areas of weakness to improve your game.
I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the way it stores the stats on the computer. It comes with desktop software, but you only get very basic information and can't drill down very much. To really see the motherload, you must upload online to TrainingPeaks or MotionBased (Garmin owned site) with a free or subscription account. You can even make a RSS feed based on your runs. However, it doesn't let you upload runs done inside on the treadmill. The online software says this functionality will come at a later point. So the indoor runs can't be analyzed that well. Defeats my purpose of analyzing stats, but I guess it's encouragement to run more outside. There are alternatives to the desktop software, but one is only for the PC (SportTracks) and the one for the Mac (Ascent) I didn't really care for.
There are still many cool features on the watch I haven't tried yet like the ability to download courses, virtual partner (race against yourself with full display/alerts on how far ahead or behind you are), customizing the main display with the stats you want to track, and auto-stop (running outside, if you stop for a traffic light, the watch stops timing until you start again).
All-in-all, this was money well spent and a watch I recommend to all runners. Seeing your results on screen and steadily improving will give you positive reinforcement and encouragement to keep running... probably the most important reason of all.
Customer Review: I'm in love....
Summary: 5 Stars
I need to preface this by stressing I rarely (shame on me) take the time to review the many many items I purchase from Amazon. That's how much I'm in love w/this product!
I bought this on a whim when it was a Gold Box special. I'd been knowing I needed a heart rate monitor to make me accountable for my workout intensity, yet, at the same time, not really yet ready to be held accountable for my workout intensity (I'm kind of lazy, what can I say...). When I saw it offered in the Gold Box, I decided to give it a closer look. I spent quite a bit of time reading the reviews and product specs. Most seemed overwhelmingly favorable. For mere dollars more than a quality heart rate monitor, I could add all of the cool features of the Garmin, so i decided to pull the trigger and order one.
Boy, am I ever glad I did! I must admit, my husband did the initial set up (he was more excited about it when it arrived than I was...), so I can't comment personally on ease of set up, but I know it only took him minutes. The first time I used it, I hadn't customized the display and was worried I would hate it because the HR display was so tiny. I relayed my concern to my husband when I got home from my run and he promptly set my display to show total time, HR, distance, and pace. Love it!
I haven't played with many of the features yet (courses, virtual running partner, etc) simply because, right now, it's motivating me as is. I'll save the *bells and whistles* for when I need to mix it up a bit.
PROS:
*Easy to customize and read display
*Seems super accurate for distance
*HR strap is as comfortable as any I've ever worn
*Easy to download to computer (we use a Macbook Pro)
*If you're dressing up as Lindsay Lohan for Halloween it can double as a SCRAM bracelet
CONS:
*It kind of hurts, a bit. I have smaller wrists (my thumb overlaps the nail on my middle finger when circled around my wrist) and it's actually bruised me a bit on both sides of my wrists. I don't notice it if I'm walking, but I do when I'm running. However, I like it so much, I'm willing to deal w/the discomfort. I do play to buy some padding to adhere to the back to see if that helps (like lambskin).
I've barely scratched the surface of what this bad boy can do and I'm LOVING it! If you're considering it at all, just do it!
Customer Review: The ForeRunner
Summary: 5 Stars
For my birthday, which was about a month ago, my mom bought me the Garmin ForeRunner Watch. I would classify myself as a serious runner. I am actually running a marathon in two weeks. And I cannot say enough good things about this watch. It has really helped me train. The ForeRunner is able to keep track of my pace, time and distance and each run is stored on my computer. I have not once had a problem with the satellite. The ForeRunner has a pretty good battery life; it can last for longer than a two-hour run. I am planning to use it on marathon day to help keep me on track and at a good pace.
My particular watch does not have the heart rate monitor attachment (since I do not need it at a ripe age of 22). My dad, however, also has the watch and he does have the ForeRunner with the heart rate monitor attachment. He loves the watch as well, I have not once heard him complain about it. The heart rate monitor provides a good way for him to wage the intensity of his workout. On weekdays when he has less time (since he has to rush to work), he does a high intensity, short workout. On weekends, he usually does a longer but less intense workout. These types of workouts are monitored and distinguished with the help of the ForeRunner, along with his own fatigue and breathing capacity levels obviously.
In my opinion, one of the best features about this watch is the ability to log your times, paces, distance and the route on your computer. The ForeRunner actually brings up a map of where you ran, street names included! I use a Mac and the ForeRunner software is fully compatible with my computer.
I have used a Garmin watch for years now, owning the original one, a far chunkier gadget. It was a huge, rectangular watch that almost weighed down your arm as you ran. The new, current ForeRunner, however, is a chic, black watch, that fits nicely on the wrist. It is a good size, not too small and not too big. The ForeRunner has a big enough screen so that the numbers are readable even while running. The screen is exceedingly clear, almost too clear that it reminds you on those slow days just how slow you are really going. And, to be completely honest, the watch makes you look intense. So even if you are not a big runner but want to impress your friends, purchasing and using the Garmin ForeRunner is rather clever way to do so. I promise I won't tell.
Customer Review: Best Training tool around
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very hesitant to purchase the Forerunner 305 as I had read many reviews, some of which were not pleasant. I finally ordered one around a month ago and have been nothing but amazed since then.
First off, the one con I was most nervous about was the satellite reception issues people have had. After a month I have not had one dropped satellite in the month of running. The unit has found satellites within 15 seconds of turning it on....in my house. The longest it has taken was about 45 seconds on a very rainy day. I run on primarily back roads with heavy trees with an occasional trail. My watch beeps within 3-4 strides of my lap marker (since I use the autolap feature).
The next concern I had was in regard to the heart rate monitoring. I have used a polar F11 prior to the forerunner for several years. While the polar was a great tool, I sometimes had difficulty acquiring a HR. The forerunner seems to pick up a HR as I'm putting the chest strap on. I have been impressed with the comfort of the strap and accuracy of the telemetry.
As for battery life, I have not done many training sessions over 3 hours, but I have never run out of battery. I can understand if you wouldn't be able to recharge for a few days that it may be a problem, but I tend to sync after every run.
I was a little worried about the size of the unit, but once it is on my wrist it is very comfortable and not cumbersome at all. The size lends well to good visiblity. the display is very easy to read and highly customizable with sport specific display pages.
Along with the pros, there are some cons I feel I have to agree with. The elevation and grade features are generally useless. GPS is simply not designed for elevation unless you are in to aviation grade GPS. If you require accurate grade and elevation data this unit is not for you.
The Garmin Training center software is very good, but has some glitches Garmin hasn't fixed yet. If you create courses in the Training Center software, you may experience difficulty syncing the watch with the PC. I had to erase all my course data and reset the watch in order to restore the sync capability.
Overall I am very pleased with the function of the watch and highly reccommend it to anyone wanting further motivation for training.
Customer Review: one of the best investments you can make a runner
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok first let me say. This is one of the best investments you can make as a runner other than a good pair of running shoes. Ive had this for about 7 months now and absolutely love it. Whats so good about this unit? Well first of all you can run anywhere and not have to worry about mile markers. This openes up so much more possibilities on where you can run. You know exactly how far you have ran. Its really accurate. If your a runner who is competitive and trying to increase their minute/mile or training for that race or you just want to increase your stamina/endurance than this watch will be a godsend. If your one of those people who goes and run and really don't care your distance or if you improve your time then this watch is probably not for you. Now i do have to tell you sometimes when you turn the watch on it can take 3-5 minutes to acquire a satellite after its locked it does a really good job of holding onto a signal. For me it looses it at two places where i generally run. I run under a big metal bridge (under an interstate) and i run through a tunnel that looks like a big gutter (made out of metal). I would expect it to loose signal in both of these places. Otherwise i run through some heavily wooded areas and it never looses a signal.
Some of the bad things ive read about the watch are the following:
1) Support for the MAC
2) Elevation readings
3) Calorie Readings
I tell you even if i couldn't use the watch with my PC i would be totally happy. The PC software is kind of cool how you can map your route but the watches ability to get accurate distance/time measurements is the MOST important thing. I really don't care about elevation or calorie readings. There are calculations you can find on google how to determine a estimate anyways.
Ok i will have to tell you. When i bought the garmin i had a $[...] rebate. If i didn't i probably would have got the 205 instead of the 305. The 205 is the same but it doesn't have the heart rate monitor (which i never seem to wear anyways) and you can buy accessories for the 305 that you can't get for the 205 but the important point is the 205 has the IMPORTANT features. If i were you i would look at the accessories available for the 305 and/or decide if the heart rate monitor are that important to you to justify the $[...] price difference