Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
Digital camera Review: A Great Running Tool
Summary: 4 Stars
I am a casual runner that usually runs about 10-15 miles per week. I bought the Garmin 305 last summer and have now used it on over 100 training runs, a few 5K and 10K organized runs, and some nature hikes. Throughout, it has been consistent and behaved flawlessly. I absolutely love it!
Prior to the Garmin, I would just use my wristwatch to record my time and calculate pace, while estimating the distance of my courses via mapping software on the internet. Initially, I was concerned about the apparent size and weight of the Garmin based on the online pictures, but that turned out to be a non-issue from day one. The Garmin fits comfortably on my wrist, the weight is negligible and, unless I am looking at the screen, I don't even know it is there.
Being somewhat of a statistics geek, I enjoy now being able to glance at my current and average pace, elapsed time, and distance as I run, and later (after downloading the data to the PC through the USB connector) being able to review my performance over certain portions of a course. If desired, I can overlay the data from the most current run over the data from a previous run of the same course to compare the two. From a training standpoint, while running I can use the Garmin to tell me if my pace is too fast or too slow from my desired target pace and make real time adjustments on the fly to meet my goal for that run. When I do organized runs, it is somewhat interesting to see when a 5K is really a 5K and when a 10K is really a 10K, and allows me to more accurately compare my actual running times and distance versus "official" running times and distance. The Garmin can store data from up to 1000 runs, so I am not even close to hitting the maximum.
The Garmin allows me to customize the readout, choosing up to 12 different types of data to show on three different screens. I can also configure alerts to tell me if I am running above or below a desired maximum or minimum pace, or alert me when I have covered a certain distance. Once I have run a course, I sometimes store that course to use as a "virtual" partner on a future run (right now, I have 2.6 mile, 3.1 mile, and 3.6 mile courses stored). The virtual partner feature lets me choose a stored course to run against myself, and when running can both tell me (data) and show me (little runner icons) how I am doing in relation to how I previously did. Best of all, I can use the virtual partner feature and still maintain the readouts on any of my other customized screens.
I've found it best to turn on the Garmin and set it on the ground or on a railing while I am warming up. If I do that, the Garmin will consistently take between 60 and 90 seconds to sync to the satellites and be ready to go. That allows me just the right amount of time for a few stretches. If I leave it on my wrist while warming up, the synchronizing can sometimes take much longer because of the body movement.
I typically don't run with the heart rate strap, and so I can't comment on the heart rate feature. As others have commented, the elevation readouts tend to be somewhat inaccurate and choppy. But, again, that feature is not as important to me as the others, since I usually run fairly flat courses and tend to concentrate more on pace and distance.
I would highly recommend this product for anyone wanting to track and save their training data. This Garmin has all the features I could possibly want. It's comfortable, durable, and reliable.
Digital camera Review: A Must Have For Serious Runners
Summary: 5 Stars
this GPS watch is unbelievable. I've only had it for about two months and have seen my pace times improve tremendously. If you are a serious runner looking to improve times or qulify for Boston this watch is a must.Digital camera Review: A Must Have! Training, Motivation, Entertainment!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am fairly new to the running lifestyle and as I train to add miles each week, the 305 has been an absolute necessity for training, motivation and entertainment.
I love that it does everything. I can save my courses and race against my last run of that course. I set it up to alert me at every mile and keep track of each miles stats (distance, pace, heart rate, etc). It alerts, and keeps me within my heart rate boundries. When I want to push myself, I use the Virtual Running Partner to stay at my desired pace. You will not believe the motivation of a little stick figure kicking your butt in a race, It's amazing how motivating that little guy is!
I have heard people talk about the signal strength, well all I can say is, the thing works even inside my house, so I'll say I've had zero problems with it.
I can't even pick out a best part of owning the Forerunner 305, but I really do enjoy analyzing my run each day when I get home. It comes with the program to put it on your computer then you just plug the watch in the cradle and it uploads all the stats of your run, cycle or other, workout and lists it for you.
Everthing you need to know about your heartrate, pace, distance, location, speed, and more...
It even shows you a gps outline of your run. When you are looking at a graph of your stats, you can click on it and it shows you where you were on your run when picked up your pace or stopped for a drink of water.
I am obviously amped about this thing and the cool part is, I haven't even tapped into all it can do.
I know this goes without saying, but I highly recommend all runners, walkers, cyclers, triathletes, and athletes in general get a Forerunner 305.
One more thing, I ordered mine off of Amazon.com from one of their stores and it took freaking forever to get here, like 2 weeks! So I got impatient about 10 days in and printed off the best price I could find on the internet then took that print out to Sports Chalet and they matched the price. I wish I would have done that before I ordered the one from the internet.
So I'll have a Forerunner 305 on Ebay soon I'm sure!
If you have any other questions about the Forerunner that I might be able to answer for you, feel free to drop me an email!
Heidi fmxheidi@hotmail.com
Digital camera Review: A Must-Have for a Runner!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the best investment I made for my marathon training! It tells you the distance, pace, and time during your run. It will also give you your best/worse pace, average pace, and calories burned. I haven't even begun to go into all that it does - that is just what I use. If you are going to run on the street, this takes away all the guess-work so that you can enjoy your run. Despite the size, after your first couple of runs you do not even notice it is there. I played around with the fit, and now find it very comfortable. I love it and recommend it to anyone that wants to run outside!Digital camera Review: A Runner's Must Have Gadget
Summary: 4 Stars
This was the first Garmin watch I've purchased. It's been a big help during my training for my very first marathon. It's nice to go back and look at the elevation verses speed. I love the fact that I know how far I've ran or how much further I need to go. The only thing I don't like - it's a bit bulky for my small wrist. But to me, it's worth having even though it's big. I haven't used the heart rate monitor yet.