571 of 577 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent workout tool
I like this thing quite a lot. I've had it for about three weeks, and have used it on 12 workouts so far. I use it primarily for running, with biking a secondary usage. The main reason I wanted it was for the instantaneous readout of distance, running pace and heart rate, the latter needed for the speed work I want to do this running season.
88 of 90 people found the following review helpful:
Great - when it actually works, HORRIBLE customer support
I got my first Garmin 305 about 2 months ago. The first day I got it the Enter button stopped working. I returned the Garmin 305 to the dealer and was quickly shipped a new one. I am currently using the second Garmin, however the heart rate monitor function on the watch stopped working about 2 weeks ago. I contacted customer support and they said they would ship me a new...
I like this thing quite a lot. I've had it for about three weeks, and have used it on 12 workouts so far. I use it primarily for running, with biking a secondary usage. The main reason I wanted it was for the instantaneous readout of distance, running pace and heart rate, the latter needed for the speed work I want to do this running season.
The core functionality (distance and heart rate monitoring) works perfectly. There's none of the signal drops I've had with other heart monitors. Once the satellites are initially acquired, I've only had one dropout when I was outside. The initial acquisition of the satellites can be quirky and can take some time. The accuracy (according to the readout) is +/- 25ft, depending on how many satellites can be found. I've compared the distance measurement on the GPS with a known, measured distance on one of the trails I run on (the Chicago lakefront path). The GPS always increments a mile when I'm within 5 or 10 feet of the mile marker sign on the path. Well, I guess that's the least I should expect from a $350 GPS unit! Of course it's bigger than a normal running stopwatch, but that hasn't bothered me at all. The heart rate strap is also very comfortable and well-designed.
The display is crisp and has one outstanding feature: The information presented on the various pages can be completely user-customized. The default screen layout is rather poor, but in just a few steps I could replace it with the information I wanted to see while I run. There are almost 40 different data fields you can choose from for display. Examples: current pace, average lap pace, average run pace, heartrate, distance.
The only disappointment is the point-in-time (instantaneous) pace measurement: It varies wildly during a run. I see swings as big as +/- 3 minutes/mile. I'm a marathoner and I know my pace is fairly consistent during a run. I just looked at my run today, and according to the data the first mile varied from 5:57/mile to 12:06 mile. I suspect the problem is either in the averaging algorithm (too short a distance?), or in the uncertainty that results from different satellites coming in and out of view. The variations seem to get worse under tree cover compared with an open area. Luckily there's a lap-average pace that can be presented, and at least that value is useful and more accurate. The bottom line is that you can't look at the watch and say "right now I'm running 9 mins/mile". There is the ability to specify a pace smoothing factor, but I have it maxed out and still see the variations. The elevation readout also seems inaccurate, but that isn't important to me.
Upload of workout data to the PC software (Training Center) is transparent. The PC software is very good for presenting time/distance/pace/heartrate/calorie data. However the maps it shows are very crude. I've worked a bit with one of the online, subscription services (MotionBased). That looks really good and provides some additional functionality beyond the included Training Center software, although I still haven't decided if it's worth the $$$ yet for long-term data storage. MotionBased allows export to Google Earth, and it's tremendously cool to see your running path superimposed on a satellite image. You can recharge the unit through the USB port on your computer, although it's slower than using the dedicated recharger.
I had hoped that owning this device would prove motivational for me, and indeed it has. I can't imagine running or biking without it. Updating my training log is trivial now: Plug this thing into my computer, and it's done. My hope is that a future software update will do something about the pace calculation (maybe a few additional levels of smoothing?). If so, the Forerunner 305 would earn 5 stars+++.
Positives:
Flawless heart rate sampling
Great distance measuring and lap-average pace calculation
Seamless integration with a PC
Fully-automatic training log update
User-customizable display
Negatives;
Wildly-varying pace readout.
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With a few one-star reviews, I was a bit hesitant to order this. Now, after two weeks of use (10 runs of 2 to 2.5 miles each), I have no regrets with the purchase whatsoever.
I haven't had any of the problems reported by any of the one-star reviewers. It syncs to the satellite in a reasonable* amount of time, seems to track my pace very well, tracks distance well, and the heart rate monitor seems WAY more accurate than the dedicated exercise machines at my local gym.
*by reasonable, it does take a minute or two to sync to the satellites each time. That's the only thing I could possibly think of improving, but it's not a big deal. Being the super-impatient person I am, I often turn on the watch, set it on my front porch, go back in and change into my running outfit, and by the time I come back out it's ready to go.
I haven't seen the pacing issues others have reported. I'm a beginning runner... but if I keep a solid pace... it reports about 10mins/mile... if I push a little harder... about 9mins/mile... if I let up... about 11mins/mile. It seems very consistent over my entire 2-2.5 mile run.
I have a 2.1 mile run where I've done the same exact route about 6 times... and when I compare the maps of each run... they overlap almost exactly.
I have thyroid and heart issues, and this watch gives me the confidence to know I'm not exceeding my max hr for too long (I can easily get into the 180's) and gives me the feedback and stats to keep me motivated.
Last but not least, I've bought dozens and dozens of items from Amazon over the years, and this is the first review I've taken the time to write - hope that gives you an indication of how happy I am with this product. ;-)
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This is a definite improvement over the 301. I had several complaints with the 301:
(1) The heart rate monitor did not track well, and would often jump up to 240, which was a problem when looking at average heart rate later;
(2) The tracking was bad sometimes in the woods, where I run (it could vary half a mile on a four-mile course, and even worse, the elevation could spike 1,200 feet at times and completely change the profile of the run);
(3) The unit was not ergonomic, the buttons were difficult to push, and the screen was hard to see; and
(4) It took forever to acquire the satellites.
The heart rate monitor comes with a new sensor that is more flexible, comfortable, and offers more reliable data. The tracking is much better and more consistent. The unit is much more like a watch, the display is great, and the buttons are much easier to push while on the go. However, it still takes a while to acquire the satellite signal. It is a bit improved, and is not dissimilar from other Garmin products, so I'd have to say that it's OK.
The BIGGEST improvement is that this model is more like a typical GPS in that it offers many different modes and screens to track various types of information (one can toggle between three different screens). For example, on one screen, I have the current time, sunrise, sunset, and running time. On another screen I have the grade, altitude, average pace, and current pace. On yet another screen I have heart rate, calories, distance traveled, and heading. It is totally cool.
I use this thing for running, biking, rollerblading, mountaineering, skiing, and just about everything else outside. I am really happy that I spent the money for the upgraded version.
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I got my first Garmin 305 about 2 months ago. The first day I got it the Enter button stopped working. I returned the Garmin 305 to the dealer and was quickly shipped a new one. I am currently using the second Garmin, however the heart rate monitor function on the watch stopped working about 2 weeks ago. I contacted customer support and they said they would ship me a new one, however they only shipped a new chest monitor instead of the watch. Needless to say I still have the problem. Calling customer service is EXTREMELY painful. The wait time is 30-35 minutes just to talk to someone. I have tried to call morning and afternoons and it does not change the wait time. (I am actually on hold right now as I type and am going on 25 minutes.) I should have known not to give my old Polar to my wife.
The 305 functionality, when it works, is very cool. Mine locks in on satellites within 1-2 minutes and does a good job measuring average pace per lap. I love the auto lap function which I have set at 1 mile. The instant pace is off due to the delay in tracking with the satellites. It is actually showing my pace delayed about 10-15 seconds. I have gone to just using the average lap pace and it gives me what I really need to know. The only problem I have besides the heart rate not working at all, is the distance tracking on one particular trail I run. The trail has a lot of tight switchbacks and the area is covered with trees. The distance registers about 1.5 miles short on a 12 mile loop. It does work well everywhere else I run.
New update: I finally got through to customer support and they are making me send my watch in for service. Maybe I'll enjoy just running with no data for a while, yeah right!
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I have had the 305 for about 6 weeks and am very pleased with it. It is my first GPS watch and has exceeded my expectations. I had read the concerns with the altimeter and agree, it does not provide useful or accurate information so no surprises there. The real issue for me was how well it would measure distance. I have found it to be very accurate and reliable. I have several runs that I have clocked with the car and measuring tools on Google Earth; the Garmin hit my mile split expectations anywhere from spot on to 20-30 feet from what I believed the true splits to be. At the end of the 10 mile run I was also within 20 feet of expectation. So maybe one mile measures a few feet long, another a few feet short, but cumulatively it was right on my prior expectations.
The heart rate monitor does jump around a bit on pulse rate but once I settle into a run it seems more reliable and is certainly useful. I have found that if I put the chest strap on a few minutes before running I don't get the wild initial readings when I start running.
As to my headline that it has changed the way I run, because the distance measurements are so accurate the Forerunner has freed me from the old measured courses I have run for years. Instead I just take off wherever I feel like going with complete comfort as to splits, pace and distance (and yes, I am one of those who really cares whether I ran 5.00 versus 5.25 miles when calculating my pace). I set the watch to ring at each mile so I can simply glance down and figure my pace. It is also great when traveling as you can run any distance accurately without any planning effort.
I also enjoy downloading data to Sporttracks (third party free software) to see my runs overlayed on a map. Often it maps so accurately it will clearly show which side of the street I ran on and where I crossed from one side to the other. Running has never stopped being fun, but the freedom this device has afforded me has added a new element of enjoyment.
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I have had my Forerunner 305 for almost 3 weeks now. Previous to this I used a Polar S150 (wired bike mount) for several years and a entry level Polar before that, so I am used to basic heart rate monitor but not advance data recording or GPS.
I have tested the Forerunner 305 running, biking and swimming and have been generally very impressed.
General: The concept of acquiring satellites before I get going took a little getting used to. After the first couple of times I generally get satellite acquisition within about 30 seconds as long as I am outside or in my enclosed front porch. I set the unit down so that it is completely stationary while acquiring satellites. I get spotty to no reception indoors. The heart rate monitor functions well in comparison to my Polars. I have only had erratic heart readings at the end of one bike ride (fixed by adjusting the strap), which is better performance than I generally would get with the Polars (Except for Swimming, see below). The grade measurements are so erratic as to be totally useless. I have had the grade measurement vary from 8% to 25% back down to 5% within one minute of sustained climbing on the bike. I believe this is due to a poor averaging algorithm (2 point average as opposed to smoother averages involving more points). This is something I intended to test once I figure out how to access the raw data. Data recording is interesting, but is highly dependent on the software used to analyze it. Training center software is decent but unsophisticated (lack of user configurable option is disappointing in a $300+ product). Motion Based has been fun to use, especially the map player. As noted in a previous post of mine errors in distance calculations arise due to Motion Based insistence on connecting erratic track points recorded when you are standing still.
Running: To this point I have done about half a dozen runs of 3-3.5 miles each on a couple of different courses. Mostly I run on trails with trees (no real leaves as of yet) with some street and open field running mixed in. Generally in the trees I average an accuracy of about 25 ft, which I consider to be pretty good. The tracks and distances are both reproducible to within this approximate 25 ft range. I have found the "instantaneous" pace to be somewhat erratic but generally within approximately 5% of the short term mean. The auto stop feature (I have it set to stop if pace falls below 30 min mile) working decently on the run but occasionally does not register that I am stopped. Overall I am very excited to easily track my running distance and have a pretty good idea of my pace.
Biking: Used for approximately 10 bike rides both on and off road. Despite some concerns that the antenna faces the wrong way when mounted on the handlebars (I mount mine by wrapping the monitor around a piece of foam) I generally get great GPS reception on the bike. Accuracy is generally about 15 ft on open road and 25-30 ft.on trails. The speed and distance seems to be very accurate and the precision (reproducibility) is within 1%. The auto stop feature works extremely well on the bike, starting and stopping the unit within 1 second. The one down side is that the buttons you are most likely to use for cycling are on the side of the unit (the up/down and occasionally the mode button).
Swimming: I have only tested in an indoor swimming pool, hoping to be able to record my heart rate. Unfortunately, unlike my Polar S150 the heart rate signal cannot be measured in the water. I did these tests with the receiver under my swim cap, which was pretty comfortable and I could access the buttons easily. There may be more utility for swimming in open water.
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I bought this product with some trepidation, after reading the mixed reviews on Amazon.com, so I made sure that my supplier had a good return policy. However, I have to say that it is an amazing piece of equipment, and kudos to the people that developed it. Sure it has some kinks that I am prepared to put up with, bearing in mind that this technology is in its infancy (especially at this size). I am training for my first marathon and I have found the forerunner to be great for logging and keeping track of my runs and my overall progress. Sure the real-time pace is not hugely accurate, but I feel very confident that it keeps very good track of my distances and overall pace for each of my runs (if I do an out-and-back run, the plotted course and calculated distances are very close). As I do most of my weekday running in boring suburban DC neighborhoods, it is liberating that I don't have to do the same measured route every time to keep track of my pace. I can wander at will, and head towards home when I am getting close to my desired number of miles. The virtual running partner is a great motivator. How else can you get a running partner to start the run at the same time and place as you and to run at a constant pre-set pace? It was a little annoying when I was ahead of him/her and needed to wait to cross the road; meanwhile I watched him/her passing me out!! I tried the auto-stop function for the first time this weekend, it worked ok, but did have some kinks...maybe it was because of very heavy rain and lightening we were having. The heart rate monitor seems to work fine. I have found signal strength to be no problem (I live in DC area, not sure it that makes any difference). My neighborhood has plenty of trees and the parks that I run in are heavily forested (its summer here). As I drove into the park this weekend during the storm my satellite radio kept losing signal under the (very wet) tree cover, but the forerunner seemed to work fine (except for the autostop). I wish their maps were more detailed, they just have the major streets, I guess Garmin chose to provide a stripped down version.....they should have done a better job there. Overall, as a technophile, I love this piece of equipment, and look forward to seeing how they improve it in the future. You do need to understand the limitations of this device though (e.g. somewhat accurate real-time pace information, undercounting overly twisty routes). I guess I am lucky that I have had no problems with it so far (it has only been a month), but I will update this if I need to call their customer service.
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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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I upgraded from my old timex to a 301 unit. Then to the 305. I run with 4 other marathoners who use the 301. Overall they are pleased with the units. This weekend I ran a marathon up in Ogden, UT. At mile 21 my unit froze up and never regained signal. Even after finishing the race. I upgraded to the most recent software using the garmin web update prior to the race & full charged unit. Here is my experience of the G305.
(Unit fully charged before long runs)
Pros
-Consistent heart rate over the 301 unit
-No elevation spikes like the 301 unit
-Motion Based software works great
Cons
-Signal dropped on three long runs different locations
Note: Other runners w/ 301 did not drop signal
-Takes a long time to get signal
-Unconfortable compared to 301 unit on wrist
After the unit freezing up during a marathon I'm going to return it and buy the G301 again for $200 less than the G305. In my opinion the signal does not work better than older garmin units. When my unit drops signal my friends w/ the 301 just laugh and say how much did you pay for the unit... Do you homework before paying $350 for this unit.
Good luck!
5/21/08
I think Garmin has made improvments since this unit first came out. I've had my third unit for a couple of years now and updated the firmware. The unit has not locked during long runs or several marathons in the canyons or downtown in cities. The price has also dropped significantly. I would recommend at the lower price. Happy running.
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I have been using the Forerunner 305 for the past five months and can't imagine how I got along without it.
I primarily use the unit for my running, which has improved dramatically. This is because the unit allows me to easily monitor a wide variety of items on three screens that can be customized to each show four items.
My first screen shows total time elapsed, speed in MPH, total distance and heart rate. My second screen shows the time for my current lap, the time for my last lap, the lap distance covered so far (I set a lap to equal one mile), and again heart rate. My third screen shows calories burned, time of day, paused time and sunset time. There are many other combinations available.
For me these settings have enabled me to improve my running by giving me an accurate picture of how I am doing. I can then download each run onto my computer and compare my progress from week to week. The Garmin software is primitive, but is suitable for my needs. There are more sophisticated software alternatives that you can read about in other reviews.
I have been able to get a GPS signal even on completely cloudy days, and have not lost it when running through paths with lots of trees.
The heart rate monitor readings do not "bounce around" like they do on many execise monitors, but rather are always steady. This enables accurate heart rate monitoring instead of bouncing around 10 or 20 beats at a time.
As a separate accessory you can purchase a footpod, which is a transmitter that attaches to your sneaker so that you can use the 305 indoors on a treadmill, which I do very often during the winter months.
The unit itself is not bulky to wear, and feels pretty much the same as wearing a watch, though of course it is somewhat larger.
When running I especially like the auto pause feature, which stops the time being recorded for laps and records the time standing still, such as a rest stop or waiting for a traffic light to change. This is far superior to manually stopping the timer, because many times you resume running and forget to turn the timer back on.
My one minor gripe is that there is no auto off feature, so that if you forget to turn the unit off, you will drain the batteries.
Overall I highly recommend this unit and have not had any problems with downloading my data or installing software updates.
UPDATE Sept. 23,2008: If you own a Mac, the Garmin Training Center software is even more primitive than the PC version. I highly recommend a Mac software program called Ascent. It is highly customizable and terrific for organizing your data and training. I wish they made a version for the PC as well.
UPDATE July 4, 2009: A few weeks ago I bought the Forerunner 405cx (which I have reviewed on Amazon) to replace my 305 and am very happy with my decision. But since the 305 costs less than half of the price for the 405cx, you have to decide whether the new features are worth the extra money to you.
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