Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: Calculated in a shopping cart Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
Customer Review: A good purchase
Summary: 4 Stars
A second heart attack has forced me to exercise in a more "controlled" manor. My cardiologist has implied that day hikes (6 hours or so) with more than 4,000 feet in elevation change, or hopping on my off road motorcycle and dueling it out with the "young guns" was not the most beneficial type of exercise for a 55 year old man who has had 3 stints placed to keep arteries open. Playing is good for the head, but the heart needs something more regular. The Forerunner 305 with the heart monitor is a nearly perfect tool for someone who wants to record or gauge physical activity. When used outdoors the GPS receiver keeps track of distance, speed, and elevation. Using that data (and your personal profile), it can calculate calories consumed. When paired with the heart monitor you can see where, when, and why, your heart is working the hardest.
The software that comes with the unit (Garmin Training Center) is pretty week in my opinion, but it is a functional tool. I prefer a piece of software called "SportTracks" [...]. for tracking my progress and making charts and graphs for my doctors. The 305 is comfortable to wear and has a reasonably simple user interface. It does take some time to get used to the button layout and menu structure, but there is probably good reasons for Garmin's choices here (I just don't know what they are). I have done "side by side" comparisons with my Garmin Etrex Vista HCx (MTK chipset), and My Tomtom ONE XL (Sirf chipset) against the Forerunner GPS receiver (Sirf chipset). At no point were any of the 3 in disagreement about any location by more than 30 feet. I have tested this in the car, on my bicycle (yes I have had all 3 mounted on my mountain bike), and hiking (I'm also a geocacher). The Forerunner is a top quality GPS lacking only the mapping and routing functions of it's much more expensive playmates (I doubt those functions would be much use on a screen that small anyway!).
I purchased the Heart monitor, Foot Pod, and Bicycle Cadence Sensor separately, and have found that each sensor has improved my "awareness" of where I need to improve my fitness. The Bicycle Cadence sensor has also been fitted to my elliptical trainer, and with proper calibration provides cadence, distance, speed, and calories burned to within just a few percent of what the elliptical trainer reports. When mounted on my bicycle, it auto-calibrated close enough on it's own (based on the 305's very accurate gps) that I did not bother to do a "custom calibration" on it. This is all possible because Garmin had the foresight to allow several separate bicycle profiles to be stored in the unit at one time.
The Foot Pod in like manor was close enough to not bother with recalibrating, but as I only use it outside, the GPS receiver takes care of the distance and speed data. I only use the Foot pod to record cadence while walking/joging/hiking.
I can't think of any constructive criticisms other than the limited menu options, and the inability to reconfigure the menu order (shortcuts would be nice). It would also be cool if you were given the option of flipping the screen upside down so the antenna was still pointing up when worn on the right arm, or when mounted on a bicycle. Oh yeah,, the training software is weak! Come on Garmin,, you have an excellent piece of hardware here,,, step up and put out a good software package to complete the package!
I would strongly recommend this product to a friend (including all of it's add on sensors,, heart monitor, foot pod, and bicycle cadence sensor)
Customer Review: Such high hopes!
Summary: 1 Stars
I really wanted to like this unit, and was very excited to try it out, but it's going back after two days.
I bought this as an upgrade/replacement for a heart rate monitor, because I train for triathlon and am running my first half marathon this spring. On my first run, it was very easy to set up, sync up, and find satellites, and it worked beautifully. Unfortunately, however, as it is winter and I also enjoy spinning classes and indoor interval work in my training, this unit is going back.
Though it has a heart rate monitor, this is only used for telling you a current heart rate. The GPS is necessary in order to calculate calories burned, despite having my age, heart rate, activity, weight, and gender, and so this does not function on indoor mode, or in a gym, or on a trainer or spin bike. As such, through an spin class and an hour of lifting weights, I burned no calories, but on the drive home, I quickly went through like 58.
It's pretty useless for people who want to do anything other than walk, run, and bike outdoors in clear weather, away from buildings. If you are in that niche market, I imagine it's great, but for me, it is already on its way back.
Customer Review: Another fantastic Garmin product!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is another super Garmin product. I use it for cycling and hiking and satellite reception is unbelievable even in heavy forestation. The only drawback is that the software is lacking in depth... it is very rudimentary.Customer Review: Freaking Rocks!
Summary: 5 Stars
It is a little bulky but it has been the best one I have owned. With other GPS enabled devices they get so complicated but this one is easy to use. And it is very accurate. The HRM strap is comfortable. Everything about it rocks.Customer Review: Great for all kinds of runners!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I run, I like to be pushed because without motivation I wouldn't leave the start position. I bought it because it is difficult to find someone to run with that will keep up with me and this watch is a substitute. You can set it to keep you in a constant pace and this feature really helps me because it pushes me.