Reviews

I love it. I love it. I love it. I bought the 305 to replace my Nike+ Ipod running system. Garmin 305 blows the Nike+ away in every aspect. I became extremely annoyed with the NIKE+ sensor's inability to find the IPOD and the frequent loss of signal during a run. If you are a person who likes information during your run, the Garmin is for you. I set up the main screne to show distance, pace and total time. Took a few runs to decide which categories provided the most relevant information. Garmin has increased my speed, knowledge of my performance and analysis following a run. I am now more aware of my natural increases and decreases in pace during a run. For instance, my 2nd mile in a 5k is always the fastest, so now I have learned that I should pick up the pace when I get the 2nd mile beep. I also set the Garmin to beep at me if my pace falls below a certain level. Often I start daydreaming and slow down. Then I get the beep and kick the pace back up. I love it that I can check my pace at any moment and analyze overall performace after the run. My complaints about 305 primarily involve initial setup. It is a little tricky to manipulate/customize some of the features. However, spend an hour or 2 setting it up and you won't be disappointed in the results. For example, it should be a default setting that a lap is equal to 1 mile and that the watch will beep at each mile. I also think the Garmin's default ranges for classifications of slow jog, jog, slow run, run, sprint, etc are a little unrealistic for the average runner, but probably accurate for the above average runner. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the Garmin 305. Everything that I wanted to customize was relatively easy to accomplish after a few minutes of tinkering.

Too bad you can't swim with this thing! That's okay, if you know that going in you wont be disappointed. Havent found any problems just yet! For the price, I dont think you can beat it.

I really like the GPS for tracking my runs. I also like the pace zone alerts. If I drop below a certain pace (or above a certain pace) it'll beep at me. I believe it has lowered my long run times because of this feature. There are too many features to discuss but I also like exporting my workouts to Google earth and seeing exactly where I was. Neat stuff! GB

I absolutely love this watch. I was a little nervous about buying it after reading some bad reviews but I am soooo glad I bought it. It is true, it takes some time to acquire the satellite signal but I have not experienced a drop in the signal. The GPS is very accurate. I mapped my route before running and when the watch said I was done... I was done! You can set it to let you know when you reach certain distances. I have mine beep every mile and it helps my runs along. Also, I love breakdown it does, on the computer and the actual watch. Based on your settings it let's you know what your pace was for each interval, your average heart rate, and your max heart rate. Another plus is that it is very easy to load my runs from my Forerunner 305 to my [...] profile. And based on the information you can plot different parts of your runs against each other. I must say I just LOVE this watch and you should definitely get one!!!

I bought it about 3 years ago, and it's still kicking. Love to store all my runs on the Garmin Connect web site.( the maps are cool)I used it in all seasons with no worries. I just came back from a hike in cold, wet weather. still working . got my money worth and then some.

Reviews

I absolutely love this watch. I was a little nervous about buying it after reading some bad reviews but I am soooo glad I bought it. It is true, it takes some time to acquire the satellite signal but I have not experienced a drop in the signal. The GPS is very accurate. I mapped my route before running and when the watch said I was done... I was done! You can set it to let you know when you reach certain distances. I have mine beep every mile and it helps my runs along. Also, I love breakdown it does, on the computer and the actual watch. Based on your settings it let's you know what your pace was for each interval, your average heart rate, and your max heart rate. Another plus is that it is very easy to load my runs from my Forerunner 305 to my [...] profile. And based on the information you can plot different parts of your runs against each other. I must say I just LOVE this watch and you should definitely get one!!!

I purchased this product back in July right after I had begun training for a marathon. It was very helpful in my training and lasted right up through Marathon day. A few days after the marathon I started running again and when I got outside my watch wouldn't turn on. The watch now only turns on when it's plugged into the computer.

I use mine for cycling and running, the direct link to see your workouts mapped on GOOGLE EARTH is FANTASTIC!!!! (the included software is far more stable than the junk Polar included with their HRM's. Heart rate strap with replaceable battery is coded and comfortable. It's better in my opinion than the Polar products (of which I've owned three) This is much better than the Forerunner 201 which I previously owned (locks on satellites 10 times faster) and I'd avoid the 405 unless you really want to use this watch as a normal day to day wristwatch (check out the 405 reviews) One nice feature is being able to customize the display screens. Another review criticized the 305 for the numbers being too small to read while exercising. I don't have an issue but would point out that you can significantly increase the size of the display by simply displaying fewer fields. My only complaint is that it's easy to leave it on and run the battery down - which is a bummer if you're just about to work out. I wish there was an "auto off" feature which would shut it down if it detects no movement or heart rate within an hour or so. Fortunately, with Li-Ion batteries, as little as a 10 minute charge gives you enough juice for a 90 minute run. If you've found this review to be helpful, please let me know!

I normally prefer to buy from Amazon, but this item was way cheaper at Buy.com which also had an online discount code. After the $50 rebate that is floating around online, this thing was way less than the retail price that places like REI are asking for. Item works well. However the computer program that comes with the watch looks like something from the 1980s. Hello. Someone at Garmin really needs to hire a computer programmer that can make a user iterface that looks more upscale and modern befitting a top shelf watch sold in 2007. The watch is also ginormous. Seriously. It's a biggin.

If you bought this product with the intent of checking your heart rate during exercise sessions (biking, running, & etc.)the display for the heart rate is too small to see. I will be returning it.

Reviews

I just ran my first marathon and this little gadget was the perfect companion. It helped to track my runs and the notifications kept me motivated during my training runs and ultimately, the marathon. Also, you can create tracks on [...] and download them directly to the watch using the included software. Just awesome....

There are reviews for this all over Amazon and the web. The thing I like the most is that now when I run I know that this will put it in my face when I get home. I know I am being tracked from my speed, heart rate, etc. If I choose to slow down the graph will show it as plain as day. I love it! Also there is a free product out there that it much better than the out of the box software this comes with. It is called SportTracks...google it.

I use mine for cycling and running, the direct link to see your workouts mapped on GOOGLE EARTH is FANTASTIC!!!! (the included software is far more stable than the junk Polar included with their HRM's. Heart rate strap with replaceable battery is coded and comfortable. It's better in my opinion than the Polar products (of which I've owned three) This is much better than the Forerunner 201 which I previously owned (locks on satellites 10 times faster) and I'd avoid the 405 unless you really want to use this watch as a normal day to day wristwatch (check out the 405 reviews) One nice feature is being able to customize the display screens. Another review criticized the 305 for the numbers being too small to read while exercising. I don't have an issue but would point out that you can significantly increase the size of the display by simply displaying fewer fields. My only complaint is that it's easy to leave it on and run the battery down - which is a bummer if you're just about to work out. I wish there was an "auto off" feature which would shut it down if it detects no movement or heart rate within an hour or so. Fortunately, with Li-Ion batteries, as little as a 10 minute charge gives you enough juice for a 90 minute run. If you've found this review to be helpful, please let me know!

I have enjoyed using this product so far. I have not used the heart rate monitor attachment yet. I have found the Garmin to be very easy to use and it seems to be amazingly accurate. The instructions were very easy to follow and implement. I look forward to exploring more of the features as I become more familiar with the Garmin. The ordering process was very simple and efficient.