Garmin Forerunner 305 Waterproof Running GPS (English & French)

• Made By: GARMIN USA INC
• Model Number: 010-00467-02

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!

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It does take long to acquire satellites...sometimes as long as 2 minutes...not understandable when I am outside in Denver, Colorado on a clear sky with no trees anywhere around me. Keep in mind that Denver is 1 mile elevation, so less atmosphere for satelites to send signals through.

Also, worth mentioning. The merchant is WRONG in calling this water-proof. It is water-resistant. Only the XT version is waterproof.

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I have owned one of these GPS watches now for 3 years... and it still works like a champ. I travel all over the U.S. with it, and it has always worked for me... It can take about 5 minutes to sync with the satellites, when you are in a new place (hundreds of mile away)... I just go outside and stretch, while it does it''s thing. Battery still works good... i can usually use it for 16+ hours, before I ever see a low battery warning. I''ve even seen the low battery warning while I was on 1.5 hour run, and it didn''t run out of juice (30 minutes into run it displayed low battery). the software leaves little to be desired, but all-in-all, I love this thing. My wife is training for a marathon, and asked to use my watch... i use it too much, so I just bought a new one for her.

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As a distance runner, I find that this watch is a great tool for capturing items like distance, time and pace. It is also neat to be able to see a rough map of the run route. That''s about it. The rest of the functions are poorly designed, difficult to set up and mostly undocumented. Unless you are a serious geek, you probably won''t have the time to figure them out. That''s okay. I still use the watch every time I run.

The big disappointment is the heart rate monitor. Mine has never worked properly, and Garmin''s tech support is no help at all. As a quick Google search will reveal, this is a widely encountered complaint. If you are looking at buying this product, maybe consider getting the package that doesn''t have the heart rate monitor.

I have had my Garmin 305 for about 3 months now, and I can say it is the single best workout peripheral I have ever purchased. I NEVER used to run outside, and now that''s all I do. I love the fact that I can see the distance I''ve traveled, monitor my HR and even check my pace all just by glancing at my wrist. I also love tracking my workouts in Garmin Connect and seeing the super cool graphs and maps of my runs.

A few points to anyone thinking about purchasing:

1. The software that comes with the product is marginal, at best. You must go their Garmin Connect website if you want the cool graphs/maps. The cool thing about Garmin Connect is that you can then share your workouts with others via email, Facebook, etc. You have to connect the 305 via USB (included) to download data, whereas some of the newer models connect wirelessly.

2. I bought the quick release kit as well. You need this if you plan to use the device on your bike as well. . Basically, you remove the rubber straps that the device comes with, but leave the little bars that connect the strap to the watch. Those bars then snap into the bike mount & wrist strap. IMO, the wrist strap that comes with the quick release kit is MUCH more comfortable anyway, especially on long runs where your wrist can get sweaty. As far as the kit, I love it and have used it in 3 triathlons so far this year. Very easy to swap from bike to wrist.

3. The accuracy of the GPS is amazing to me. I will literally run around a big pothole, and then see a little "bump" on the map line when I get home. Also, if I run on one side of my neighborhood road on the way down, and then the other on the way back, I get 2 distinct lines. Awesome!

4. I really wanted the 310xt, and ended up settling on the 305 based on the MUCH lower price. I made the right choice. Friends with the 310xt say the swimming function hardly works (I''ve seen the choppy graphs) and the rest of the features hardly seem worth the extra money.

5. Finally, I am a female with a VERY small wrist (~5.5inches). I have never had an issue with the size of the watch. Granted, I¡¦m not planning on wearing it out on the town anytime soon, but it¡¦s definitely not too big for a run. Between the watch, my ipod, and my BodyBugg, I look like robo-runner anyway. Maybe that''s why I''m so slow. :)