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Mona
Prince Albert, SK
Sep 8, 2011
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EXCELLENT UPGRADE FROM POD
Pros: accurate, good uploading capabilities
Cons: docking station touchy, large watch
I used to use a Pod style tracking system and this is much better. I find it very accurate and like the heart rate monitor that comes with it. Excellent value for sale price.
Recommend? YES
24 viewers found this helpful.
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Mike, Duf
Québec, QC
Aug 9, 2011
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SUPER PRODUIT
Pros: facile d'utilisation - multi-usages
J'ai fait l'acquisition de cette montre il y a quelques mois et je dois dire qu'elle livre la marchandise. La réception du signale est parfaite et les diverses fonctionnalités de la montre sont également très appréciées.
Recommend? YES
37 viewers found this helpful.
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D
Toronto, ont
Jul 3, 2011
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NICE UNIT BUT FAILS FAST
Pros: nice displays, easy to use
Cons: product fails just after a years usage.
Have had my garmin 305 for just over a year. Now the display does not work and garmin was no help at all. The techs advice was send it back to them and they would send me a refurbished unit. That was poor customer service.
Recommend? NO
55 viewers found this helpful.
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Dino
Windsor, ON
Jun 1, 2011
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A LIFESAVER
Pros: light, excellent flexibility to set up displays
Cons: you can not create a course. must run it first.
I've had the Forerunner for over a month now and have used it often. I'm a novice runner so it is great for me to keep pace and watch my heart rate. I use the alarms to alert me if my heart approaches my upper limit so it allows me to slow my pace ... and avoid those nasty heart attacks!!
Recommend? YES
63 viewers found this helpful.
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Runzilla
Edmonton
May 31, 2011
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REVIEW CENSORSHIP?
Pros: too few
Cons: too many to list
Be aware that GPS City is censoring these reviews! Several negative reviews (fact based, BTW) have been deleted. Mine and my running buddy purchased these from GPSCity and while GPS City's prices and services are great, they are careful in what is allowed in a review. Caveat emptor!!
Expect this to get deleted...mind you they are now sold out so who knows? (There was a reason they were clearing them out!)
[Ed. note: Hmmm. The only way a review gets removed is if it has foul language or does not review the product. We dug into the reviews for this item and see that 95% of them are rated 4 or higher, so that indicates that this is a pretty well received item. You will also note that there are a few reviews rating this thing rather poorly and they are visible.]
Recommend? NO
60 viewers found this helpful.
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Vince Ng
Markham Ontario Canada
May 31, 2011
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
I use the Forerunner for biking/commuting. It's a little sluggish in acquiring satellites, usually more than 30sec to a minute.
Recommend? NO OPINION
64 viewers found this helpful.
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Marlo
Calgary, AM
May 30, 2011
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 395
Pros: does everything!!!
Cons: the time it takes to figure it out!
Not for the "faint of heart". You had best be skilled with technology! This unit does so much that it may take longer to figure out than the running itself. Just make sure you are prepared to put in the time to understand what this unit can do.....as it is plenty.....if you need it or not. Does all that you would need!!!
Recommend? YES
69 viewers found this helpful.
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Frank
Tucson, AZ
May 30, 2011
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EXCELLENT VALUE IN A FITNESS GPS
Pros: excellent value
Cons: the device is a bit large on the wrist...
I'm training alone for some long distance running. The 305 provides a wealth of information for performance tracking. While running, I find myself using the current pace and heart rate information to keep myself on track. While on business travel, I also pay attention to the distance function. Excellent value for the price I paid at GPSCity...
Recommend? YES
58 viewers found this helpful.
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John
Sylvan Lake, AB
May 29, 2011
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GREAT MOTIVATIONAL DEVICE1
I love the ease of use and accuracy. It is great to know pace and distance traveled! Love my Garmin
Recommend? YES
61 viewers found this helpful.
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Jim
Alberta
May 26, 2011
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TYPICAL GARMIN
Works just like it says it will. Fast lockup so no waiting, just turn it on while putting your shoes on, strap it to your wrist and hit start. Easy to set up. Can't beat the price from gpscity.ca
Recommend? YES
69 viewers found this helpful.
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Burhan
Richmond Hill, ON
May 24, 2011
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IT'S A MUST FOR RUNNERS AND SOME OTHERS
I use it for interval training. I use it as GPS for dirtbiking.
Recommend? YES
63 viewers found this helpful.
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bp
Montreal
May 24, 2011
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GREAT!
Thsi watch does everything it is supposed to do, and it does it very well. The display is clear and easy to see, and the info on Garmin connect is amazing. The value for teh price is unbelievable. The watch is big and clunky, but I certainly do not wear it for the look!
Recommend? YES
66 viewers found this helpful.
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JBLab
Ontario
May 24, 2011
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3RD UNIT
Pros: ease of use, large amount of data in one package
Cons: little bulky
This is the 3rd 305 in our family, these are great units for the money.
Recommend? YES
72 viewers found this helpful.
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Charlie
Longueuil, QC
May 23, 2011
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SUPER CHOICE
Pros: great watch full of important features.
Super choice for runner or cyclist. I am training for a marathon and this watch changed the way I trained before. I am a runner since 25 years and this is a revelation!
Recommend? YES
68 viewers found this helpful.
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mz
Delta, BC
May 23, 2011
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FORERUNNER 305
It does all I need for running. So I am happy with that. The issue is how long will the rubber it's made of last.
Recommend? YES
64 viewers found this helpful.
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RT Hallett
Fredericton, NB
May 23, 2011
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POOR BATTERY LIFE FOR THIS PRODUCT
Pros: price was the deciding factor
Cons: cannot go longer than 2 hours without charging.
No issues with GPS City as the product arrived promptly. The item does everything as advertised however it needs to be charged daily (before each run) and doesn't last longer than a couple of hours. The 205 seemed to have better battery life than this newer model. Not sure if they went to a cheaper battery. Would avoid this product even at this price.
Recommend? NO
78 viewers found this helpful.
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vopt
Ottawa, ON
May 23, 2011
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RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATION
Pros: accurate, good for tracking fitness activities
Cons: a little bulky (but who cares), slow gps
I like this GPS for its features. It works really well with the online Garmin Connect site. My only complaint is that it takes quite a while, sometimes minutes, to get a satellite lock. That seems like a long time when you are waiting to start your run/cycle.
Recommend? YES
74 viewers found this helpful.
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Nicolas
Saint-Georges, QC
May 21, 2011
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WOULDN'T RUN WITHOUT IT NOW!
Pros: accurate, weightless, useful
Cons: usb cradle required
I really appreciate running with my forerunner. No longer need to calculate my distance with runningmap.com. Plenty of options for multiple uses or training. Software does what I need it to and it's user friendly. Ran under rain and had no humidity issues.
Only negative point:
USB plug should have been directly on watch (you must use the cradle). I would have keep an USB cable at home and another at job to charge it, but since I have only one cradle I have to charge it at home.
I would recommend this watch to anyone.
Recommend? YES
68 viewers found this helpful.
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Ileana
Puerto Rico
May 20, 2011
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FORERUNNER 305
Pros: easy to read and change between displays and sport
Cons: little big for my wrist.
I like displayed views, size and customized options in the panel, accurate. I use Garmin Connect to view results and route that i ran.
Recommend? YES
69 viewers found this helpful.
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Rob
Arizona
May 20, 2011
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VERY NICE!
Like the quick start up and all of the data analysis features. Can use for running or hiking.
Recommend? YES
69 viewers found this helpful.
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Mikayla
Vancouver
May 18, 2011
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
Pros: great info - needed for a long time!
Cons: too large on a small wrist
I love having a GPS. Very accurate! I no longer rely on others for distance pace etc.
Recommend? YES
72 viewers found this helpful.
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Chris
Vancouver, BC
May 16, 2011
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GREAT PRODUCT, GREAT PRICE
Pros: great for running and cycling
Cons: can't swim with it
Bought this 305 for triathlon training. Software was easy to set up and it's easy to download workout plans onto the watch. You can set up a free account at TrainingPeaks to track your training and you nutrition. Being able to track pulse, current pace, and distance while running and biking is invaluable for training. I would buy this product again and I would recommend it to my friends.
Recommend? YES
73 viewers found this helpful.
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Reckhard
Edmonton, AB
May 5, 2011
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IT CHANGED MY LIFE...
Pros: best fitness gps ever
Cons: bad software, doesn't last forever
My wife got one of these and after taking it out for a run I immediately got one for myself. As an engineer I love seeing data. Its easy to see your fitness improvements even on days when your not pushing yourself. Never again do I go on a new route and wonder how far I've gone. This product changed me from an occasional runner to an avid runner. I even got the bike kit and use it for cycling as well.
The unit is easy to use and navigate the menus. I considered getting a Forerunner 405 but after trying to use a friends got this one instead. The 405 is just too hard to use and navigate menus, the 305's screen is bigger as well.
My recent purchase from GPScity was actually to replace my 3 year old unit. These things do have a limited life span, my old one's seal eventually started to fail, salty sweat started to get inside and caused a lot of corrosion and eventual complete failure. I didn't hesitate to buy the exact same model again though - I love this thing.
One area that Garmin could improve is the Garmin Training Center application. It's not very flexible and didn't meet my needs. I ended up purchasing another much better (IMHO) program (Sporttracks) and it works great with the Garmin.
Recommend? YES
83 viewers found this helpful.
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Mike
Prince Albert SK Canada
May 4, 2011
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EXTREMELY VERSATILE
Pros: works very well all around
Cons: battery life is a little short at 3-4 hours.
This is my second 305 - the first unit still works on the wrist but refuses to download after almost three years of flawless operation. This is a common problem it seems, and may relate to long-term flexing of the internal electronics. There is really not too much these units cannot do. Two hints:It will find satellites much faster if it is not moving when turned on. Set it outside and THEN turn it on while you tie your shoes. Then put it on. Second, buy the velro wristband and several bike mounts at time of purchase - you will appreciate them later on your mountain, road, and motorbike.
There are quite a few websites dedicated to using these devices - including some that will give you access to more detailed maps than the ones you get in the Garmin Training Software. These are usually charge sites - it would be nice if Garmin included an easy link to Google Earth or such. The included heartrate monitor works well - when it works. I really haven't found one from any company that is reliable though. Make sure you pre-dampen the contact pads.
Hint to Garmin - I do a lot of very backwoods travel with this unit, and would appreciate a one button GPS location display in case I have to call for help and need to descibe my location. I know it is in there already - but it is a pain to find.
Recommend? YES
79 viewers found this helpful.
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ken
bc
May 2, 2011
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ELEVATION GAIN SEEMS TOO MUCH
Pros: price
Cons: size and perhaps elevation graph errors
I am still checking but the elevation gain seems out 10- 20%, compaired to my previous 205 watch and some running partners with 405's.The 205 and 405 are much closer Is there some software , or firmware to make the elevation graph better?Like the heartrate feature.
Recommend? YES
80 viewers found this helpful.
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Berge
Toronto, ON
Apr 28, 2011
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GREAT RUNNING TRAINER GPS WATCH
Pros: light, great online system, fairly accurate
Cons: very large, takes a while to find satellites
This is a great GPS and heart rate monitor watch for training purposes. It can be used for running, biking, or any other activity that you can think of. I specifically used it for running and it has definitely allowed me to monitor my heart rate and improve my pace throughout my training for my runs.
Recommend? YES
88 viewers found this helpful.
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Roger
Moncton NB
Apr 26, 2011
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GREAT GPS VERY ACCURATE AND DEPENDABLE.
Pros: many features accurate tracking reasonable price
Cons: can't replace batteries.
My 2nd 305 GPS. The old ones battery gave up the ghost. Bought the exact same product.
Recommend? YES
80 viewers found this helpful.
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Fluffy the Cat
Salmon Arm BC
Apr 25, 2011
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NOT ALL IT IS CRACKED UP TO BE!
Pros: cheap for gps/hrm combo
Cons: sat acquisition, ergonomiccs, accuracy
There is a reason why this thing is on sale for almost 50% off. :( The 305 suffers from poor signal acquisition, inaccurate distance reporting and inadequate ergonomics. Compared to my Dakota 20 which will get a signal pretty much anywhere (under tree cover, indoors etc.) the 305 is highly temperamental. In addition, the time to locate the satellites is too long. As a result, pace, distance traveled etc all suffer from wild inaccuracies. In the ergonomics arena, the beeps are not sufficiently audible and the screen does not do well in certain light conditions. I also think the way it fits (wrap around) takes some getting used to compared, for instance, to my Polar HRM. Bundled software is poor: you will need to find alternate software.
I purchased this unit in the hopes it could be used for both biking and running, but it is barely adequate for running in open spaces, let alone trails. As for biking - forget it - I will bolt my Dakota 20 onto the handlebars. THAT unit rocks!
If you are in the market for a really cheap HRM/stopwatch that occasionally acts as a GPS in open areas, then by all means pick one up at the highly discounted price. Frankly, I wish I'd tried it out before my return period expired.
Recommend? NO
59 viewers found this helpful.
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KSIX
Stoney creek ON
Apr 25, 2011
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305 FORERUNNER
Pros: virtual partner, calculated distance and time
Cons: alarm too low and not distinct enough
This watch or trainer has help me in many ways, it is just close to a month since I got mine and it is great to see my total run of 47.84 km and 3654 calories burn summarized. I love this product, virtual partner makes training and pacing yourself easy. Great product. Ahmad S Stoney Creek ON
Recommend? YES
85 viewers found this helpful.
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James
Medicine Hat
Apr 21, 2011
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PERFECT BIKE COMPANION
Pros: price, features
Cons: software (not a deal breaker)
This works better than I expected for cycling. Easy to use, with great features. I don't use the software, but switched to Trailrunner software, which is free.
Gps city was also A+ for their quick shipping.
Recommend? YES
98 viewers found this helpful.
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martin
quebec
Apr 21, 2011
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WOW
very good product. Work good.
Recommend? YES
91 viewers found this helpful.
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John
Toronto, ON
Apr 21, 2011
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PERFECT FOR RUNNING
Bought this more as a gadget, but I'm finding the pace feature is really helping me to keep a steady pace as well as a motivator when I'm dragging. Great to view a route youve just finished on Google Earth as well. Customize your own workouts (eg 5K run) and view your entire history on the computer. Too clunky as anything other than a running watch.
Recommend? YES
91 viewers found this helpful.
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Calroid
Kamloops, BC
Apr 20, 2011
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
Oh yeah, the software that comes with watch is not very good. Garmin Connect on-line works much better.
However the program that comes with the watch does have a few useful features (in the TOTAL TAB) that are not available with the Garmin Connect website.
Recommend? YES
92 viewers found this helpful.
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Calroid
Kamloops, BC
Apr 20, 2011
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
Very happy with this product. No problems at all. Fits great on the wrist and no problems with charge time of battery. After initial charge I used the watch for 12 1/2 hours before recharging. The only charging in-between was the 2-3 mins it charges each time I hooked up the watch to my usb port to transfer data. Even then the watch was showing full charge, I just charged it for an hour for the hell of it. Very easy to use and the price that this site sells it at makes it extremely good value. Nothing bad to say about this product. Highly recommend.
Recommend? YES
91 viewers found this helpful.
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Teri
Victoria, BC
Apr 10, 2011
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VERY PLEASED WITH THIS PRODUCT!
Pros: confortable, easy to use, very accurate
Cons: have to slow run to see heart rate
I am a new runner and after much research I chose the 305 due to the price and other reviews. I loved it immediately! It is very comfortable and all view windows, with the exception of the Heart Rate, are easy to read without slowing down. It was also very easy to set up and I ran with it within an hour of receiving the box at my door! The heart rate monitor is also very comfortable and easy to use.
Recommend? YES
97 viewers found this helpful.
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George
Pickering, ON
Mar 8, 2011
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REALITY CHECK
Pros: easy to read while running, lap feature
Cons: map with software is very basic.
have been using the 305 for about one month. Just running so far but also plan to use it on my bike. It has worked flawlessly so far and appears to be accurate. I plug it into my PC right after each run and it give my actual performance instead of my perceived performance. Sometimes the difference is surprising. The map that comes with the software is pretty crude, however, the program allows downloading onto Google map, Map My Run etc. and is so precise it even shows which side of the street I ran on. Great product and great price!
Recommend? YES
105 viewers found this helpful.
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Switepite
Quebec QC
Mar 2, 2011
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NUMBER 1!
Works perfect. Tracks cross-country rides, heart beat, speed etc and it interfaces with PC easily. Would recommend to anyone interested anytime!
Recommend? YES
107 viewers found this helpful.
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saphira
Wainfleet, ON
Feb 23, 2011
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GREAT WHEN IT WORKS
Pros: accurate, easy to use
Cons: reliability may be questionable
This is my 3rd 305 so I must like it. My first was great until it became my Siberian Husky's chew toy.Got another and loved it - worked perfectly for about a year and a half, then abruptly died. Tried various methods of resetting and was informed that my only solution was to send for repairs.Needed it right away, so bought another. My new one needs to be recharged every 3 or 4 (very short) uses.
Recommend? NO OPINION
118 viewers found this helpful.
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mike
outside
Feb 22, 2011
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AWESOME
awesome
Recommend? YES
114 viewers found this helpful.
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Jane
Canada
Feb 10, 2011
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
Pros: none
Cons: beep is almost silent. buttons hard to use.
Product is terrible. Warning beeps are almost SILENT ... I keep missing the intervals because it's so quiet. Sound cues are a critical element for this to be even mildly useful. That's a massive frustration. Also not a fan of the navigation or rigidness of the buttons, either. And the heart rate band is too big. I have it set at the extreme end and it STILL falls off.
Recommend? NO
118 viewers found this helpful.
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Mike B
Mississauga, ON
Feb 9, 2011
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MY MOST VALUED TRAINING AID
The Garmin 305 makes training so much simpler. I set my workout, put on the watch, heartrate monitor and run. I don't have to worry about anything except my pace and breathing.
The Heartrate monitor really helped me gain insite to how hard I was working and showed me the progress of my training by showing me the recovery rates between intervals.
Love it.
Get it.
Recommend? YES
117 viewers found this helpful.
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Ken
Vancouver Island, BC
Feb 8, 2011
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GARMIN 305 FORERUNNER
Great Unit. Easy to use. Easy to read. Way more bells and whistles than I need. Great reception even on the trails under tall trees and dense canopy. Heart Rate chest strap is comfortable. It does what it says it can do. Great price...fast delivery with tracking.
Recommend? YES
123 viewers found this helpful.
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Joey
Vista, CA
Feb 5, 2011
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GREAT TRAINING TOOL
Pros: many training options, very accurate, comfortable
Cons: battery life could be a little better
This gps watch has taken my training to a new level. By having my pace and distance within my view at all times, I am able to get the most of every run! Not to mention the calories, best pace, average pace, virtual runner, back to start option, etc. I have yet to use the heart rate monitor but I'm sure it is great as well! I would recommend this watch.
Recommend? YES
122 viewers found this helpful.
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New2Running
Ontario
Dec 17, 2010
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MY 2ND UNIT
Pros: easy to use, provides all important information
Cons: needs a mount for arrow bars on a road/tri bike
This is our second 305 in the family. These are terrific units no matter what you are doing. Very accurate, easy to use and a wealth of information available especially whan you make use of the tracking program on your PC. Best unit for the price. Spring for the quick release wrist mount and velcro strap. Next purchase will be the cadence sensor for the bike.
Recommend? YES
127 viewers found this helpful.
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chinawhite
Vancouver, BC
Dec 14, 2010
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WORKS GREAT
Cons: a bit large
Great training tool. Works as advertised. This is my 2nd one. I brought one when they first came out but it broke when I dropped it on the side walk. I found this new one works even better. The GPS is much quicker in acquiring the satellites & can get signals in areas that the old one couldn't.
Recommend? YES
124 viewers found this helpful.
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John Rehab
Toronto, ON
Dec 10, 2010
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HELPFUL FOR CARDIO REHAB
Pros: readable face, good gps, stores lots of data.
Cons: supplied pc software disappointing.
Works as advertised. Takes some time to work through user manual and understand full functionality. GPS takes up to two minutes to connect, but once done will work through winter coat sleeves etc. The Wireless Heart Rate Monitor is excellent and also works through heavy coats. Unit recharges quickly in USB cradle while downloading data to your computer and/or uploading to Garmin online. The Garmin Training Centre software enclosed with the device is pretty lame but it works and collects basic data. The Garmin Connect online software is excellent, and shows lots of colored graphics of your route, and allows you to replay your trip like a video. Have received good value for the money and makes your workouts more interesting. Recommend this unit.
Recommend? YES
127 viewers found this helpful.
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Michel
Val-d'Or, QC
Nov 16, 2010
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VERY GOOD FOR RUNNER/BIKER
Pros: a lot of info, weel design
Nice sport watch, with all the tools needed. When splited to 4 windows, you really have what you need in 1 look. Go with the extra "Forerunner 205 and 305 Quick Release Bike Wrist Mount Kit" for the velcro wrist band.
Recommend? YES
123 viewers found this helpful.
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Alphasports
Montreal CAN
Nov 9, 2010
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GREAT REPLACEMENT FOR POLAR
Pros: solid design, no external gps puck, great price!
Cons: can take a few mins to lock satellites
I bought this unit as a replacement for a Polar S710 that while still perfectly functional has been rendered prematurely obsolete by Polar, who refuse to update the software drivers so the device can communicate with Windows 7 x64, so after 20-odd years with several Polar products I have finally had enough of their nonsense and switched to Garmin. Despite the FR305 model being a few years old now, it kicks the pants off any Polar model out there: it simply works. Its highly flexible configurability plus numerous aftermarket software apps allow any user from beginner to technogeek to extract exactly what they need from the data.
I bought aftermarket software (SportTracks, $35) which works great and overcomes the weaknesses of the included Garmin Training Center application, which is a bit limited for serious training analysis. SportTracks allows me to import all my old Polar files, or even to export my SportTracks files back to Polar in case I get homesick for Polar's clunky software...
No looking back, absolutely happy with this product. Considered the 310XT but it has only marginally better features for twice the price so I'll hold off for now.
Recommend? YES
120 viewers found this helpful.
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Jean-Philippe
Drummondville, Québec
Nov 3, 2010
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BEST MONITOR
Very good. Best training watch. Très bonne montre d'ebtrainement. Je recommande à tous le monde. Énormément de fonction. Possibilité de programmer des entrainemens directement sur la montre ou via un pc. Enregistrer des way point et des trajets. Peut-être utilisé comme une bousole pour la randonnée. Indique et enregistre toout. Le temps, la distance la fréquence cardiaque, l'altitude, la vitesse etc. Indique la vitesse en temps réel soin en Km/h ou en minute par kilomètre. Excellent pour otute activité plein air. Moi je l'utilise pour la course à pied et la randonnée.
Fonctionne à la merveille. j'aurais dû acheter avant. excellent produit.
Recommend? YES
124 viewers found this helpful.
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senior runner
Vancouver, BC
Sep 20, 2010
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FORRUNNER 305
Pros: good for minute/ mile , calories count.
Cons: no water proofing. very bad on a rainny day
My Forerunner 305 died after 2 years and several wet long runs. You can see the water get inside the watch and the dial stopped. HR thing is a waste of time. Who wants to put bra strap to his chest? I paid over $300 2 years ago. It is not worth it. I now bought a Timex Ironman global trainer and its more user friendly.
Recommend? NO
131 viewers found this helpful.
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McBain
NS
Aug 9, 2010
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VERY USEFUL
Pros: great value for price/ shipped quickly
Cons: accuracy a little off when sprinting (50m)
Basic features work very well and accurate (except short distances when sprinting - think it must have some lag) Size is not an issue (which was a concern) and actually beneficial HR accuarate,strap comfortable and does not slip Autolap very useful Software great tracking tool
Recommend? YES
121 viewers found this helpful.
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Jane Smith
Canada
Aug 7, 2010
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GREAT PRODUCT
Love the Garmin Forerunner 305. Takes a little while for the satellite connection to load, but everything else is great. Multiple sport features & not too bulky. The add on for loading the information onto the computer is the best part. Data can easily be analyzed.
Recommend? YES
130 viewers found this helpful.
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André Ricardo
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Jul 22, 2010
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EXCELLENT VALUE AND BENEFIT!!!
Pros: all functions are the pros. value and benefit.
Cons: do not know
A complete kit for any beginner or professional athlete. All functions that allow the athlete to monitor their training and their proofs.GPS tracking that shows real-time speed and distance of your workout or race.The accompanying software excellent registration of training and creation of training. Interfaces with Garmin's web site, which allows sending and sharing of training with other athletes. It also allows the sending of the training for their teacher. interfaces with the popular Google Earth, which shows all of your trajectory and speed and heart rate. It has several charts showing your performance. Despite the size of equipment is a very lightweight and comfortable to use.
Recommend? YES
127 viewers found this helpful.
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Frenchy
Massey Drive, Newfoundland
Jul 8, 2010
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ULTIMATE TRAING TOOL!
Pros: easy to use
Awesome training instrument! I finally know how fast and how far I run. The 305 at first seems bulky on the wrist, but I quickly got use to it. Battery life seems to be good, and charges very quickly. The screens are large and easy to read when running. The screens can be changed to display the data you need when you are running or biking. Post run, Garmin’s Training Centre can provide a plot of your run where you can analyze speed, elevation, heart rate, etc. The advanced workouts that are included with the 305 can be easily modified to suit your training program. Needless to say I am very happy with this product. So much so I have just bought other one for my wife!
Recommend? YES
126 viewers found this helpful.
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crichtonrd
Red Deer, Alberta
Jul 7, 2010
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VERY USEFUL TOOL
Pros: great training tool
Cons: the unit is large
If have found the Forerunner to be very easy to use and provides me with the right amount of data for training. The heart monitor is quite large and I was hesitant to wear it during my runs but it is quite comfortable and seems to be quite accurate. Great tool to use to ensure you are getting the most out of your workout. The downside is the size of the Forerunner when you first put it on but it is comfortable to wear.
Recommend? YES
129 viewers found this helpful.
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Niel
Vancouver BC
Jul 5, 2010
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FORERUNNER 305
Delivers what I wanted from this technology. Easy to learn, understand and upload to Training Centre softwear. Glad this is the model I chose.
Recommend? YES
133 viewers found this helpful.
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Runner-hiker
Calgary AB
Jun 30, 2010
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FORERUNNER 305
Great product - bought this as a replacement for a Forerunner 305 in which the battery went kaput after just under 3 years of use. I would like to see some additional info available for "other" display screens, like cum. elevation change for hiking for instance.
Recommend? YES
133 viewers found this helpful.
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TroyG
Englefeld, SK
Jun 28, 2010
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CAN'T TRAIN WITHOUT THIS!
Pros: easy to use, accurate speed and distance
I am new to running and debated for a while whether or not I needed a GPS watch. I am so glad my tech-geek side took over. This device has helped me stay on track for heart rate and pace times. It is also a great motivator because after the run I can upload all the data to Garmin Connect and see the run play out on a Google Map. I share my runs with my other runner friends and it keeps us all motivated to not be out-done.
I found the watch to be easy to use and customize. The display is nice and large and you can set it up to show as much or as little data as you want. I couldn't believe how accurate the speed and distance from the GPS was.
The watch is a little bulky, but it doesn't look out of place on your wrist and you aren't buying this to wear for everyday use, so it serves the purpose well.
Of all the GPS watches I researched, I think this one gives the best bang for your buck.
Recommend? YES
130 viewers found this helpful.
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Glyn
Calgary, AB
Jun 17, 2010
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COULDNT EXCERCISE WITHOUT IT
Pros: software, build, workout sheduling.
Cons: gps satellite lock time a bit slow.
I was hesitant to buy a GPS training watch being that they were quite expensive but considering GPSCity had the best price I could find anywhere this was hard to resist. I am a TOTAL beginner to exercise and am training for my first Sprint distance Triathlon and I can honestly say that without this thing my biking and especially my running would not be ready in time. This thing makes training so easy ANYONE can do it! I sat down the first day I bought it and within about an hour I had 3 months worth of training schedule preprogrammed into the unit. I have had my unit for about a month now and have not had a single problem with it (knock on wood). I am in IT and the provided software is fairly intuitive and easy to figure out for me. The heart rate zones make this thing invaluable for training long distance endurance. I have taken this out on many runs and bike rides and literally every time I do I notice a difference in my results when I plug it back into the computer. I have never owned a GPS training watch before so I have nothing to compare it to but I find very few things to complain about. As I had read in a few posts online regarding this unit, it can take a minute or two to lock onto the satellites but that is not a big deal for me as I am usually doing a quick warmup walk anyways and by the time I am ready for my workout it is ready to go.
Recommend? YES
130 viewers found this helpful.
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Mark
Ontario, Canada
Jun 17, 2010
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GOOD VALUE
Pros: accurate (compared to my bb)
Cons: big, not an intuitive interface, software
For the price this is a great deal. It does a good job recording GPS and heart rate data. I think they could make significant improvements to the interface, yes it can do a lot of things which rules out having a 'simple' interface but it could be more intuitive. Software wise the desktop software is pretty bad ... the web software is better but in comparison to some other offerings (even some free ones) it still has a long way to go. Nice to see they are making frequent updates to it so it may get there some day ) Would be nice to see them support Linux ... not for the desktop software but just the interface to get data onto the website.
Recommend? YES
130 viewers found this helpful.
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gooner
Moncton, N.B.
Jun 14, 2010
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DOESN'T LAST
I should have returned this as soon as I received it - I charged the Forerunner for the 10 hours required, and then had to do a soft reset on it to power on. After little more than a month's usage, it won't power on at all unless it's on the charging cradle, which makes it useless. Since it's past the 30 day return period, I'll be dealing with the hassle of dealing with Garmin's returns department.
Save yourself the pain, and buy something else.
Recommend? NO
136 viewers found this helpful.
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Serge
quebec canada
Jun 1, 2010
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BEST FITNESS GPS BUT NOT VERY GOOD FOR SPINNING
Cons: no good for spinning bike,calories wont work
Nice and easy set up very friendly, good software.
Recommend? YES
145 viewers found this helpful.
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Mike
Fredericton, NB
Jun 1, 2010
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FORERUNNER 305
Pros: easy
Cons: slow to pick up sattelites at times
Works great, easy use,
Recommend? YES
132 viewers found this helpful.
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Al
Belle river , ont.,canada
May 17, 2010
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EXCELLENT
Many features.Works good.
Recommend? YES
142 viewers found this helpful.
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Chris in Edmonton
Edmonton, AB
May 10, 2010
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VERY FUNCTIONAL
Pros: functional, straight-forward
Cons: heart-rate monitor is a bit bulky
When it comes to low-end GPS watches, really the only options are the Forerunner 205 and the 305. I went with the 305. It's a great product. Functional and easy to use. I like tracking my heart rate, though the heart rate monitor is a bit bulky. The watch itself is large, but I was surprised that it does not feel bulky when worn.
The software is a little old-school, but it's fine for what it does.
Overall, it does everything I hoped it would do, and does it fairly well.
Recommend? YES
151 viewers found this helpful.
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Sharon
Boston MA
Apr 19, 2010
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FORERUNNER 305
Pros: more accurate information on your training
Cons: battery life and not enough info in manual
I have a heart rate monitor that I have always used for my runs but the Forerunner 305 just adds so much more. I like that I can track my runs and all of the info that goes along with it. I like that I can download the information and can compare the different runs and compete against myself. I know this piece of equipment does a lot more than I have been able to figure out as of right now. The Garmin folks have been very helpful with any questions that I have had. There is definitely a difference between downloading it to a PC and a Mac. I wish the manual came with more details to using the equipment. I don't like the "short" battery life. I have a two day event coming up with no place to recharge the watch. I am a little disappointed with that. It does lose satelite when doing trail running.
Recommend? YES
143 viewers found this helpful.
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Daryl
Ontario
Apr 15, 2010
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GREAT PRODUCT
I use this gps for triathlon training and i love it. I have had no problems with the unit and it was very easy to use.
Recommend? YES
147 viewers found this helpful.
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Lorne
Vancouver, BC
Apr 15, 2010
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CLUNKY BUT COOL
Pros: superb collection & display of exercise data
Cons: display hard to read indoors
The Forerunner 305 is way cool. My initial impression that it was too clunky for a wristwatch was quickly dispelled. Okay, you wouldn't want to wear it to your daughter's formal wedding. But the data collection, and the way those data are displayed on the Garmin Connect website? Wow! I love it.
Recommend? YES
149 viewers found this helpful.
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Robert
Zionsville, in
Apr 1, 2010
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310XT WITH HRM
Pros: 4 fields
Cons: start button text gone, enclosed cd out of date
excellent tool for tracking fitness effort, excellent value
Recommend? YES
151 viewers found this helpful.
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Rod
Kanata, ON
Mar 30, 2010
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GREAT RUNNING TOOL
Pros: pace, heart rate monitor, training center stats
Cons: big learning curve to figure out all the options
Really enjoying the Forerunner. It is allowing me to do structured workouts with an unstructured route. It is giving information I just did not have before like heart rate and actual pace.
I find that the free Training Center software from Garmin is a must for me to get the most out of the watch. I just scheduled my next 9 weeks of training with it.
There is also SportsTracks available if Training Center is not to your liking. I am currently experimenting with both.
Overall, great product!
Recommend? YES
148 viewers found this helpful.
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Nik
Montreal, QC
Mar 26, 2010
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GREAT FOR RUNNING AND BIKING
Pros: most of its features are amazing
Cons: sometimes long to locate satellite
It does it all. Light on the wrist, it gives all the info you need while training. The Garmin Connect website is also a good addition. A great product!!!
Recommend? YES
147 viewers found this helpful.
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Steven
Long Island NY
Mar 22, 2010
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GARMIN FORERUNNER
everything is great with this monitor. The only thing that is bad is the heart rate is so small it is impossible to see on the run. There is no way to enlarge it. So if you are using this as a hr monitor I would look elsewhere.The GPS is outstanding.
Recommend? YES
142 viewers found this helpful.
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A
Canada
Feb 15, 2010
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GOOD AND GEEKY
Pros: very customizable, excellent data
Cons: really bulky, not for swimming
Works great, doesn't skip around and give bogus instantaneous speeds or weird heart rates.
The data available while you are running and to analyse afterwards provides inspiration to go running more. It has different alarms for too fast/too slow, so you don't have to look at it all the time when you're running.
It is a giant awkward thing on your wrist, and if you put it on the right wrist (because presumably you already have a normal watch on your left wrist) it's awkward to reach the display change buttons. But you can customize it to show what you want without having to change screens, or to change screens automatically, and we don't go running to make a fashion statement. It also works if you put it on a table next to the treadmill or in your jacket pocket: it doesn't have to be on your wrist, just on you and close to the heart rate monitor.
Recommend? YES
160 viewers found this helpful.
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Graham
Waterloo, ON
Dec 30, 2009
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EXCELLENT PRICE/PERFORMANCE RATIO
Pros: display is very customizable
Cons: slightly chunky on the wrist
Will track everything you want it to, especially with the cadence/speed add-on.
Recommend? YES
173 viewers found this helpful.
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Steve
Montreal, Quebec
Dec 28, 2009
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GARMIN 305
works great, and really easy to use and download info to computer.
Recommend? YES
161 viewers found this helpful.
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Sandy
Omaha, Nebraska
Dec 26, 2009
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FORERUNNER 305
Cons: see above
For a small woman's wrist this item is way toooooooo large. We will be returning it to try to find something that "fits" her size. I don't know if anything exists that also offers what the Forerunner 305 does. Guess we shall see.
Recommend? NO
167 viewers found this helpful.
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Biker
Ontario
Dec 14, 2009
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THE GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
Pros: everything
Cons: nothing so far
Does everything it say's great. Easy to change screens to your personal preferance. Finds satellites easily.
Recommend? YES
165 viewers found this helpful.
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Graeme
Calgary, AB
Dec 7, 2009
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FORERUNNER 305
Excellent purchase, exactly what I wanted in a GPS watch.
Recommend? YES
164 viewers found this helpful.
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Luber
Barrie, ON, Canada
Dec 6, 2009
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GREAT PIECE OF KIT
Pros: endless, endless features. everything works.
Cons: fairly steep learning curve.
Amazing. This wrist tool does EVERYTHING! Literally. I cannot think of one single feature I could possibly add. Not yet anyway. It's amazing what Garmin has packed into this tiny device (OK it's not really TINY). And how configurable can you get? At $180CAN it was a big jump up from my Nike iPod sensor, but there is no comparison. Even the web site is great. Not fantastic but great. Give it a little attitude, Garmin. Runners are energetic people.
Recommend? YES
175 viewers found this helpful.
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Devin
PE, Canada
Nov 19, 2009
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
Pros: 4 way split screen so you can see multiple items
I've only had the chance to use my new Garmin a few times, but from what i've seen I like it. I ran my first half- marathon without any GPS, just a stopwatch, so I bought this Garmin for my next big race. I think it's going to come in very useful in my training, so that I can reach my new goal time, and get a new PB in my next half-marathon.
I was a little concerned about it's size from reading reviews before I bought my new Garmin, but i'm happy to say that it's not too big at all. It looks to about the same size as other GPS products that i've seen.
Recommend? YES
188 viewers found this helpful.
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Paul
Kincardine, Ont
Nov 2, 2009
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
A great running aid. Used it last month for Toronto marathon and dead accurate, ie, 42.2 km logged. Allows impartial and objective instant feedback as to how one is running. Now I can monitor both my engine rpms,(HR) as well as speedometer.
Recommend? YES
175 viewers found this helpful.
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Vic
Blainville
Nov 2, 2009
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RELIABLE AND GREAT VALUE GPS WATCH
Pros: great price and reliable gps reception
Cons: none
This product has great GPS reception within forests and around high buildings. The watch is simple to use and many customizable data fields. Looks big but feels light. Love the software by garmin for post race autoevaluation.
Recommend? YES
185 viewers found this helpful.
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MCGYVER
Tacoma,WA
Sep 20, 2009
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BEST RUNNING GPS IN MY OPINION
Pros: very easy to use
Cons: it is bulky if you have very small wrists
have been using this model for over a year and am very happy with the performance of it. I also have the 205 as a back up for when we want to run a very long ultra. I have never had a problem with this or my 205. I even bought my wife a 305 and she uses it alot. we average about 11 hours out of the 305 and about 7 hours from the 205. I would recomend either one.
Recommend? YES
190 viewers found this helpful.
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MRComment
N/A
Jun 30, 2009
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HIGHER MODEL OF FORERUNNER 305
Starting with the Forerunner 305. Garmin finally started producing GPS-enabled watches that didn't make you look like a total goof while tracking your pace and vitals, but these still weren't timepieces you'd be comfortable wearing to the office or even a bar. Then came the Forerunner 50, which had the perfect watch-like form factor, but unfortunately, no GPS. So fans of this line will be pleased to learn that Garmin has somehow been able to shoehorn a satellite receiver into a casing not much bigger than the 50's and dubbed it the Forerunner 405. Besides monitoring and logging speed, distance, heart rate and location, the 405 also features a touch-sensitive bezel for controlling its various functions, as well as the same proprietary ANT+Sport wireless syncing technology as the GPS-less 50. Available in either black or green. To read heart rate monitor buyer guide, please visit http://www.coolcheapest.com/HeartRateMonitors.aspx
Recommend? YES
272 viewers found this helpful.
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Warren
Ottawa
Jun 26, 2009
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GARMIN FR305 - AWESOME
Pros: east to use and an excellent training aid
Cons: heavier then 405
I love my Garmin 305FR!! I debated bewtween the 305 and 405 and I am "Totally" pleased with my decision. It is easy to use and has a big display of up to four readings per page and it can rotate between display pages automatically. I look forward to each and every run with my Garmin Coach, cause that what it is to me. The watch as many functions, too many to list here....buy it and you will love it!!
Recommend? YES
268 viewers found this helpful.
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Adam
Toronto
Jun 17, 2009
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FORERUNNER 305
Pros: good unit, flexible and nice software.
Cons: tricky downtown to initially get a lock.
The forerunner 305 is a very versatile companion for anyone training in multisport. Many feature include the use of routes, virtual training partner and customizable workouts. Well thought features also include Auto Pause which stops timing your workout when you are forced to wait at red lights and therefore won't affect your overall pace times.
Recommend? YES
278 viewers found this helpful.
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Vanessa
Timmins, ON
Jun 10, 2009
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VERY USEFUL RUNNING TOOL
Pros: good price, lots of informatio
Cons: large, but isn't cumbersome.
After each workout I can review my workout on my Mac, with speed, elevation and distance. Very user friendly.
Recommend? YES
289 viewers found this helpful.
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Cali
Toronto, ON
May 25, 2009
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305 REVIEW
Pros: really motivating, helpful for safety
Cons: bulky, slow satellite loading time (city)
The Garmin is a great running tool for those who want to run longer distances. I bought it so I could run around without planning my route on the internet (on a site such as mapmyrun.com) and so I could run by the lake and on paths (these places can't really be tracked).
Recommend? YES
293 viewers found this helpful.
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Dany
Rougemont, QC
May 22, 2009
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FORERUNNER 305
Exactly what I was looking for. Easy to use. Good accuracy on distance, confortable, large display. Excellent product.
Recommend? YES
270 viewers found this helpful.
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Mike
Suffolk, GB
May 4, 2009
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EVERYTHING PROMISED
Pros: ease of use, comfort on wrist.
Cons: difficult to push side buttons.
Great product! I've been using it for a couple weeks now and so far it hasn't let me down. Satellite acquisition is quick and reliable. I don't think I've ever waited more than 45 seconds for a signal, usually it takes around 10 seconds. This watch has really re-invigorated my exercise program!
Recommend? YES
276 viewers found this helpful.
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Richard
Toronto, ON
Apr 30, 2009
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GOOD PRICE / EXCELLENT PRODUCT
Pros: a wide array of features a big screen
Cons: a little bit large but ok
Got this device for my workout. Compared to the newer / higher end model, the price was quite attractive for all the features it comes with. Some reviews indicated that it may take a while to pick up GPS sats, so I was a bit concerned, but I found it to be quite fast. Maybe the newer firmware helped. Mine shipped with the latest firmware, etc, and I am very happy with the device.
Recommend? YES
282 viewers found this helpful.
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molongneck
Poplar Bluff, Mo
Apr 27, 2009
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305
Pros: everything
Cons: a little big
Excellent product. I wish I would have purchased one sooner. Being able to see improvement is another motivator for me. This is a good item for beginner to advanced runner.
Recommend? YES
281 viewers found this helpful.
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Jim
Kingston On
Mar 29, 2009
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GREAT PRODUCT
Very impressed with the forerunner 305. Light, comfortable, and large display. This is my first GPS and I found it very user friendly and easy to learn the menus.
Recommend? YES
285 viewers found this helpful.
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Dave S
Calgary, AB
Jan 24, 2009
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A GREAT BUY AT AT GREAT PRICE..
Pros: versatility in programming display, ease of use
Cons: inadequate battery life indicator
The 305 has more than met my expectations.
In reviews from other people on the web, I was looking for the rare negative comments. But when I actually got the 305, I didn't see what they were talking about. Comments like the heart rate value wasn't readable at the top right-hand corner of the display (preset display), or another was that you couldn't use it like a watch (not sure why you'd want to but..). However, if you read the manual and understand how to adjust the display, you can set from 1 to 4 items to display at one time, with any combination of measurements (including the time). It is completely self tailoring a wonderful surprise I was not expecting. I have the preset display set to just time, and then can cycle through preset displays for outdoor running (GPS enabled) or indoor running with the heart rate monitor (no GPS).
The heart rate monitor works well, no issues so far with interference. The wrist device is comfortable but may be an issue on a smaller frame. The availability of a foot pod for indoor running or treadmill as well as a cadence kit for biking was an unexpected surprise and I have interest in purchasing later on.
Finally, the software allows easy graphing of all measured parameters and ability to view GPS information in google earth a wonderful idea. Would like to have seen better integration with other existing training software (PC Coach).
Recommend? YES
285 viewers found this helpful.
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Mig
Charlottetown, PE
Jan 9, 2009
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305..GREAT ASSET TO TRAINING
Cons: none so far
Great product! I had used one for a race before I bought it(got it from a friend). I was hooked after that. If it could help me that much in a race imagine how much for my training! So much information can be taken from these little things, never lost signal yet! REcommended 100%
Recommend? YES
328 viewers found this helpful.
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Jules G
Quebec City
Jan 5, 2009
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A NICE EXERCISE MONITOR AT A REASONABLE PRICE
The Forerunner 305 does a lot for a reasonable price. It is rather small and comfortable considering what it does. The heart rate monitor works perfectly. The GPS is OK - it takes way too long to locate the satellites but doesn't seem to loose track once started. The software that comes with it is not very good but I don't mind since the free SPORTTRACKS available on the Web is extremely good - don't miss it. The cadence option is nice and works well. The Bike mount is useless - don't bother - you need to remove the arm band each time you want to use it - stupid!
On the weak side, I would have liked an easier to read display and an option to make the timer count down at will. The battery is a major weakness: it is not replaceable - when it goes bad (and it will), you must buy another unit or send it back to the factory - also a charge doesn't last very long, not long enough for some endurance bike rides or treks. The 4 side buttons are difficult to push, impossible with gloves. The elevation data is not accurate but Sporttracks is able to correct that. The memory capacity is not very big but ok for my needs if I don't keep too much history.
A great product priced right ! Highly recommended.
Recommend? YES
314 viewers found this helpful.
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Mike
Iowa
Dec 26, 2008
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VERY IMPRESSED... EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
This unit does everything I expected and the unit software is quick to download and easy to use. I fortunately have MapSource from another GPS unit, so I have a good set of maps. The included maps, I agree are almost useless. I just bought the cadence/ speed sensor and am looking forward to using that on my indoor trainer to track my winter workouts. I might even get the foot pod as well.
I'll also note the antenna strength is very good and the heart rate monitor seems to have a higher refresh rate or uses a shorter rolling average than my Polar units.
The best feature is the ability to correlate speed to heart rate. Training by pace instead of time or distance is great with the flexibility of not having to be on a running track. This is the best way to determine efficiency and fitness level.
Drawbacks: 1) I would like to have 6 fields on the display at a time. Then I could put the instantanoueos values on 1 page and the average values on the next. I'm a nerd, I'd like to have more info displayed at one time without having ot change pages.
2) I'd like to see a "Total Altitude Climbed". Also the grade and altitude calculation could use some data point smoothing. Meaning, it's too sensitive for the accuracy of the calculation being done. Just making the value more of a rolling average value. I think the elevation data is good, when some type of linear regression is used to smooth the data. I'd say that when figured over a 200 foot distance, the data is good, but over a 50-100 foot distance it varies too much.
I'll have to use it more to make my judgement about the memory issues and battery life. For longer bicycle rides, I might extend the distance on the waypoints.
Overall pretty good product for the price I paid $165 @ Walmart on a 1 day special (Sorry GPS City...you were very close. I did buy the cadence sensor from you).
Of course in 5 years with advances in flash memory and increased screen resolution, we'll have the mapping capability of the Edge 705 or even a Nuvi in a unit only slightly larger than the Forerunner 405.
Recommend? YES
337 viewers found this helpful.
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john winterdyk
Dec 8, 2008
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My 405 is very good except the HR font is so small that the only way I can view it is to stop running! Did I miss something in the instructions....? I find this an invaluable function but am essentially unable to use while running. Only able to access avg HR after the run.... very frustrating.
John
Recommend? YES
332 viewers found this helpful.
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Warren
Nov 24, 2008
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GOOD BUT...
I've owned this product for about a year. It is acceptable but has a few tragic flaws:
1. The battery life leaves much to be desired.
The battery discharges quite a bit when the unit is not used. Now matter how small your runs are if you do not charge the unit between runs you risk having the unit shut off unexpectedly.
2. The unit requires more memory.
I have the optional cadence sensor and cycle with it on smart recording. I get a maximum of about 80-100 km of stored information on smart recording when I cycle. That's not acceptable. I can ride upwards of 250 km in one day. The unit is completely useless for 2 day treks where electricity is not available as the memory is quickly filled up and battery will surely die after a few hours of use.
3. The software and maps that come with the unit are crap and basically unusable. I personally use "sportracks" - it maps data on google maps and provides much analytical graphs etc (for free - donations are accepted). If it wasn't for this software offering I would have probably returned the unit. That's how bad the software is that is shipped with the unit.
4. The elevation and grade data is way off. The data is unreliable and therefore unusable.
Summary - The unit is ok for running but it suffers from a limited battery and not enough memory for most cycling pursuits. A software work around is available and should pose a problem. If your buying this unit with the intention of using elevation and/or grade data - forget it.
Cheers
Recommend? YES
318 viewers found this helpful.
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Michael
Jul 13, 2008
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FORERUNNER 305 - EXCELLENT
I bought the 305 for my wife as she has taken up Nordic walking and wanted to keep better track of her distance and pace - so far she has needed to pry it off my wrist to use it herself. The features, display and amazing GPS signal acquisition has really impressed me. I was worried she might find it heavy and large on her wrist but it seems to be very comfortable. I’m still playing with both the Garmin training Center software and the free SportTracks software to decide which the best is. I suspect we will use SportsTracks to store and view the history but use GTC to build routes and courses (at least until SportTracks improves this set of features). My only complaint is the 305 does not allow for multiple profiles so we can both use it under our own profiles – or maybe this is just a good reason to get my own!
I'll add that the price, availability and fast shipping from GPScity was exceptional.
Recommend? YES
324 viewers found this helpful.
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Mike
KS
Jul 12, 2007
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DOESN'T DISAPPOINT
Let's face it...I'm a 'Garmin Geek'...and have several models. One for my car, one for my truck, one for my bike, and now...one for my running! I love the Forerunner. It really is like having a training assistant. I ran against myself again tonight (and got beat)...so I'm ready to race myself again tomorrow. And don't forget you can upload your workouts to Motionbased for archival and comparison to other runners (or bikers or walkers) around the country!
Recommend? YES
316 viewers found this helpful.
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Chris Chapman
ON
Jan 4, 2007
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First thing to do with this unit is download the firmware updates. Out of the box the unit may behave erratically with inconsistent pace alerts, lost signals, misreported distances and calorie burn, among other things.
Make sure you get at least v 2.50 for the unit software and 2.90 for the chipset and things should be ok.
Recommend? YES
347 viewers found this helpful.
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Tom
IN
Prior to 2008
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I have had my Forerunner 305 for two weeks now and it is amazing. I used to run carrying my Garmin E-Map, which lost its signal reception at five points along my route. The 305 has NEVER lost its reception.
The information like heart rate and pace are great tools for conditioning. The screens are easy to customize and even easy to read while running.
Downloading the data to a PC is a snap; even my 75 year old mother-in-law likes to look at my screens to see what route I took, my speed at certain hills, and my heart rate.
The heart monitor took a couple of times to get used to (a band around your chest), but now I forget that I even have it on. The size and weight of the 305 itself has never been an issue; I actually expected it to be larger and heavier.
If my 305 was stolen or lost, I would re-order one immediately, even at twice the price.
Recommend? YES
305 viewers found this helpful.
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(4.5/5.0 based on 111 ratings)
