Garmin Forerunner Quick Release Kit
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $14.42 You Save: $11.03 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner Quick Release Kit
Customer Review: Very good mount
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a runner who has recently transitioned over to cycling. I didn't want to get an entirely new GPS unit so this struck me as the perfect way to make using a Garmin Forerunner 305 for both running and cycling practical. After a few bike rides with the handle bar mount, I can say that the Forerunner does indeed stay firmly attached to the mount while also being easy to clip on and off. My only disappointment is that I can't get the ties to tighten enough to prevent the cradle from moving a bit on the handle bar (I ride a hybrid) on rough roads. On a couple of occasions, as I was riding on rougher pavement, the cradle moved enough that it swung completely around on the bar such that the Garmin was left facing down. It's a testament to how good the mounting clips for the Garmin are that the Forerunner did not fall out. However, perhaps a tight velcro strap in lieu of the plastic ties would have been a more secure way of attaching the mount to the handle bar. In any event, under most road conditions, I've found this mount to be great and would give it five stars if only it were less prone to budging.Customer Review: Beware of your 305 working itself loose when using the Quick Release!!
Summary: 1 Stars
Not a bad idea to have the 305 transition quickly between the bike and run split but be very very cautious of the 305 working itself loose and falling off. I experienced this with catastrophic results. It appears that when the unit is subjected to jarring vibrations like riding over a cattle grid or similar intense vibration surface, the 305 will work itself loose from the Quick release. In my case the unit fell off while clocking about 35mph and suffered a broken screen a cracked casing to the extent that I could see the printed circuit board inside the unit, needless to say my Garmin is totally useless now. All of this happened on the second ride I was using my new toy!!!
I have written Garmin and sent the unit back as evidence but have not yet heard back from them. It appears that this problem is quite common if you read the reviews (something I wish I had done prior to purchasing the quick release)
BTW - The 305 is a fantastic training tool and highly recommend the product, just be wary about the Quick Release!!!
Customer Review: Not perfected
Summary: 1 Stars
I use the 305 for off-road running/hiking, cycling and for paddling. The ability to quickly move from bike to foot and have the 305 on the handlebar is great. However, I was standing near the water and threw something. I didn't throw it very hard, but the 305 came off the mount and flew into the water. Since the 305 does not float, no more GPS. I have also had it come off from bumping into things, but for most people who probably just use it on the road, that may not be a big deal, so I am giving it 3 stars, even though for me I don't think the product will work at all.
I am going to contact the manufacturer and if their response warrants it, I will amend this review.
Edit -- no response whatsoever. Disappointing. Reduced my rating from 3 to 2 stars.
2nd Edit -- After continued lack of response from manufacturer (not even courtesy of acknowledgement, let alone offer of assistance in replacing the gps unit), despite NUMEROUS others reporting the same fault, down to 1 star.
Customer Review: Great concept, Poor execution
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought the kit, but the watch doesn't stay that well connected to the bike mount or the wrist mount. It uses tension on the watch strap pins to hold the watch to the mount. It's a nice idea, but when mounted on my mountain bike, it popped off with even just a little jarring. You don't want to have to stop and then search the woods for your Forerunner. It's not that easy to find. I took it skiing also with the velcro wrist band and the unit came off the watch mount when I was just tapping my poles on the snow. I'm glad it didn't come off on a run because going back uphill and looking for it would have been awful.
Now I use a Polar watch mount on my bike and leave the Garmin on its original watch strap. It's easy to get on and off, and doesn't come off unless I undo the strap. It feels so much more secure. I've had it come off the mount once in a mountain bike crash but it was still looped around the handlebars so it didn't get anywhere. The Polar mount is less expensive also.
Customer Review: Lost my 305 for 2.5 hours
Summary: 3 Stars
I use this mount for road riding and running. For what it is designed for, that is a quick way to switch between sports, it is a fairly effective method. The trouble lies in if your road or mountain bike rides occur over rough surfaces. In Atlanta the city government has allowed the streets to deteriorate to a point where our group rides are being re-routed due to deplorable road conditions. On one such bumpy ride, my 305 apparently bounced off without my knowledge. A couple of miles past the ejection point I was shocked to look down and find a blank mount where my 305 usually rests.
The good news is that I found it after a 2.5 hour search in the thick ivy and tall grass lining the road. What a pain, but it would have been much worse to take a $180 hit had I not found the unit. Anyway, have gone back to using the wrist strap around a Polar mount until Garmin comes up with a better mounting solution. If you ride bumpy roads with this mount, keep an eye on your GPS.