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Garmin Forerunner 305
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Garmin Forerunner 305

Item # 735450

$190.00

Item qualifies for annual
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This compact wrist-top GPS utilizes a highly sensitive tracker AND heart rate monitor to advance your training to new heights.

  • Easy-to-use right out of the box, no pace-setting calibrations necessary; GPS satellites calculate speed, distance and pace information
  • SiRFstar® receiver provides rapid first fix and is sensitive enough to acquire signals in urban canyons and under dense foliage
  • Compact wristband monitor has an easy-to-read display
  • Wireless heart rate transmitting chest strap has a soft, comfortable strap; digitally transmits to the wrist unit
  • Navigation capabilities let you mark locations, find locations or navigate back to the starting point
  • Calculates calorie consumption based on user's weight, distance traveled and hills climbed
  • Records lap history by day and week, stores up to 200 workouts in its memory
  • Online training log, interactive mapping and performance analysis at www.MotionBased.com , available with paid subscription
  • Pace alarm sounds if you're running either faster or slower than your programmed pace
  • Time/distance alarm alerts when you've reached a desired time or distance
  • Display is backlit for easy viewing in low light
  • Water-resistant construction meets IPX7 standards (submersible 1-meter for 30 minutes)
  • Operates approximately 10 hours on its rechargeable lithium ion battery; A/C charger included
  • Includes: GPS unit, heart rate monitor, wristband, PC USB interface cable, charger, CD-ROM, manual and quick-start guide

Imported.

Item 735450

Garmin Forerunner 305 Specs

Specification

Description

Weight2.75 ounces
Dimensions2.7 x 2.1 x 0.7 inches

Garmin Forerunner 305 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Garmin Forerunner 305
 
4.1

(based on 43 reviews)

95%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Accurate (23)
  • Gives A quick reading (19)
  • Versatile (19)
  • Easy to use (16)
  • Easy to read (15)

Cons

  • Bulky design (10)
  • Bulky (6)
  • Not durable (3)

Best Uses

  • Running (32)
  • Biking (8)
  • Cycling (7)
  • Hiking (6)
  • Spinning (5)
  • Primary use:
  • Personal (16)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Frequent exerciser (13), Outdoor enthusiast (10), Gearhead (9), Competitive athlete (8), Enthusiast (3)

Reviewed by 43 customers

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May

5

2008

(10 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

Takes Watery Licking & Keeps on Ticking

By Marbleless

from Ventura, CA

About Me Competitive Athlete

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Water Resistance

Cons

  • Bulky Design
  • Software Limitations

Best Uses

  • Airline Flight Tracking
  • Kiteboarding
  • Mountain Biking
  • Stand-Up Paddleboarding
  • Surfing

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

You will not believe how much abuse this thing will take in the water. Have been held down under 10-foot waves, crashes after 30-foot kiteboarding airs, 20-knot firehosing wipeouts and this thing will not take on water. Very impressive.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(10 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

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Oct

9

2008

(8 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

Died after a rainy marathon

By msw

from Salt Lake City, UT

About Me Conditioning Exerciser

Site Member

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Compact Design
  • Easy To Use
  • Gives A Quick Reading

Cons

  • Breaks Easily

Best Uses

  • Running

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

I've had the forerunner 305 for almost 1 1/2 years. I wore it for the St. George, UT marathon last weekend. It rained during the race, water got under the face, and at mile 17 the watch started getting flakey. It is now unfortunately no longer working. Before this I was very satisfied with the watch.

(8 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

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Jul

20

2008

(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

Only LOOKS Bulky!

By Jess T

from San Diego, Tri Capital of the World

About Me Gym Rat

Site Member

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Slow to acquire satellite
  • Small HR Reading

Best Uses

  • Running
  • Spinning

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

After realizing my nike+ wasn't very accurate and a pain to use...saw this on sale, I resisted at first due to it's size, but in reality it isn't heavy at all. Fits comfortably (designed to cradle wrist), love the heart rate chest monitor... I use if for running and cycling to work. It really helped me get over the annoyance of not knowing how fast I was going and where. I do agree with the director guy...for the price, I could use an overhaul: color screen, bigger HR display, Garmin training software could be a bit more functional...and complete waterproofing would have been AMAZING! I do ocean swim as well; the directions explicitly state to not take it...experiences with others: losing it in the ocean and damage. Otherwise...I really, really do recommend the 305. Really good buy especially to get serious.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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May

22

2008

(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

I love my Forerunner!

By heatherslc

from Chantilly, VA

About Me Gym Rat

Site Member

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Easy To Use
  • Gives A Quick Reading
  • Versatile

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Running

    Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

    I was not expecting great things from my Forerunner as I'd read so many mixed reviews. After using it on about 9 runs, I couldn't be happier. It does take a few minutes to get a satellite but I turn it on while getting my shoes on and it will finish even inside. I’ve used in it the woods and in the rain with no trouble. I find the mileage to be very accurate and I like that I can download each run onto my computer. I was afraid it was going to feel too bulky but it doesn’t bother me at all. I live near many wooded trails that I was unable to track my mileage on before so I love the freedom the Forerunner gives me. I no longer have to plan my runs in advance and I just go wherever I feel like. I can’t imagine running without it now.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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    Dec

    6

    2007

    (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Good from all angles

    By Hike n Surf Girl

    from Huntington Beach, CA.

    About Me Competitive Athlete

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Accurate
    • Create your own workout
    • Download to your PC
    • Easy To Use
    • Gives A Quick Reading
    • Interval Training
    • Journals for you
    • Pick a screen
    • Share your workout
    • Try new routes
    • Versatile
    • Waterproof

    Cons

    • Bulky Design
    • NOT submergable in water

    Best Uses

    • Cycling
    • Running
    • Walking

    Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

    I use this almost every day. Now that I have it, I don't know how I lived without it. I can schedule interval workouts and it will keep track of my number of sprints, distance, heart rate, everything. I purchased the multisport package so my Forerunner 305 also has cycling hookups for cadence and a wheel pickup.
    My only dissapointment is when I took this hiking in Yosemite, the Sequoia's really interfere with the GPS capability. To navigate back to the car, it kept switching whether to move forward to turn around and go backward. I don't recommend this item for backcountry use in valley's or areas with tall trees or highrises.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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    Jan

    29

    2008

    (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Great...when it works.

    By ericty

    from Guam

    About Me Weekend Warrior

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Accurate

    Cons

    • Bulky Design
    • HR display too small

    Best Uses

    • Multisport

    Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

    As a race director, I find the 305 great for mapping out courses with the distances and then uploading the GPS file for others to use. When working out, I wish that there was a display setting to make the heart rate bigger. Maybe there is, but I haven't figured it out. My biggest gripe? My device must be the lemon of the bunch as it takes a while to find a satellite signal and most recently, the power just keeps shutting off. Just my luck, I can't find my receipt so I can't get warranty work or a replacement. I'm willing to give it another try and order another one. If it is problem free then I will amend my review to 5 stars.

    (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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    Oct

    21

    2007

    (7 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

     
    3.0

    Not 100% happy

    By sherpagirl

    from Denver, CO

    About Me Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast, Technically Savvy

    Pros

    • Easy To Read
    • Easy To Set Up

    Cons

    • Bad Satellite Reception
    • Bulky
    • Short Battery Life

    Best Uses

    • Biking
    • Hiking
    • Running

    Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

    This is my second forerunner. The 101 just died one day. [...]I upgraded to the 305. I like that I can easily switch sports. The Garmin software is pretty glitchy. I have been using the Motion based web site for about a year and I love it. I can't wait for the beta player to finally be ready. I do a lot of distance running in pretty remote areas. I have had problems with getting a satellite connection. I even had the mileage go backwards during a race in Houston. The battery life is also a problem. I get about 11 hours before it dies. The nice thing about the 101 is you could replace batteries on the fly. I would recommend this to someone only because its the best thing out there. It still has a long way to go.

    • How long have you owned it:
    • More than six months
    • Primary use:
    • Personal

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (7 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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    Jan

    26

    2008

    (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    love it, love it, love it

    By georgiegirl

    from Napa, CA

    About Me Weekend Warrior

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact Design
    • Easy To Use
    • Gives A Quick Reading
    • Versatile

    Cons

    • Bulky Design
    • Can't modify waypoints

    Best Uses

    • Hiking
    • Inline skating
    • Mt biking
    • Road biking

    Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

    This gives me incentive to work out more, longer, faster and in different ways. I use it for inline skating mostly, then for mt. and road biking. Used it on several hikes and kayak trips as well. NEVER had a problem acquiring satellites since I learned to set it on the ground as it powered on, which also made elevation more accurate. I can even acquire satellites in the house and car w/accurate speed. Distance, speed, elevation, grade and heart rate are accurate. The only cons are that calories burned uses a crude calculation that over-estimates by 25-50% and I often accidentally stop/start the timer when changing displays. In any case, this is by far the most fun and useful workout toy I've ever had.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

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    Sep

    13

    2007

    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    wonderful...with reservations

    By md runner

    from Eagan MN

    About Me Outdoor Enthusiast

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Easy To Read

    Cons

    • Iffy product support

    Best Uses

    • Running biking skiing

    Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

    I got my forerunner last December. The user's manual is not all that well written. I learned for about the features by spending time pushing buttons to figure out the functions. It finds locations quickly and I've never lost a signal except when going into a tunnel. I like the ability to download and save workouts on my pc. My one beef is with the Garmin product support. The unit inexplicably died when I had it for 8 months. I received a replacement with little hassle, but when the new unit was not recognized by my computer to download workouts I became frustrated. You see, product support is available only on weekdays 8-5 and I don't have the kind of job where I can sit on hold for 20 minutes and then spend another half hour troubleshooting with a techie. Eventually I got it figured out with a combination of emails with their staff and a brief phone conversation with a techie. If you aren't prepared to dink around with your own computer it could be difficult. Other than that speed bump, the device has been a joy to use.

    • Primary use:
    • Personal

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

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    Aug

    20

    2008

    (5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Love it! Very accurate!

    By Love to hike

    from Port Angeles, WA

    About Me Competitive Athlete

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Accurate
    • Easy To Use
    • Gives A Quick Reading
    • Versatile

    Cons

    • Bulky Design

    Best Uses

    • Inline skating
    • Running

    Comments about Garmin Forerunner 305:

    Wouldn't run w/o it. Can watch my pace and can even run against a virtual partner to see if you are ahead or behind your set time or pace. Can also run against yourself on a course you've run previously! Next best thing to having a workout buddy. Set it for intervals, or more complicated workouts. Don't have to map out my run before I go now. Love it!

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

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