Comments on: Mini Review of Garmin Forerunner 305

By: Forerunner 910xt

Forerunner 910xt — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:06:53 +0000

I had no problems with the battery and I use it like an everyday watch too!

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 21:57:55 +0000

Those who want to see time and heart rate in larger type should check out instructions on changing the display. One can view anything! Very helpful for me, as I run without my reading glasses.

https://buy.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={158ff8c0-1b76-11dc-eb67-000000000000}

By: Theo

Theo — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 05:53:36 +0000

On my first run I also noticed that it doesn't give me a clearly visible heart rate! As far as I could tell my heart rate was in extremely small numbers on the upper right hand corner of the main running screen. The time of day could only be seen in the same size ridiculously small numbers on another screen!
Well, that's a big difference from all other running watches I've used so far. I did my first run with my Garmin on my left and a normal time watch on the right!!!!!
After running I checked out the History log and was impressed with the meticulous log of my heart rate and my pace and distance. It even had my calories expended!!!!!

By the way how does it compute calories? Does it factor in heart rate, age, duration and distance? Or is age doesn't matter? or possibly distance doesn't matter either?
Would it compute my calories during my yoga session where I stick to my floor mat?

By: Theo

Theo — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:57:21 +0000

Hi Scott I just got my brand new 305 today and started playing with it. Tomorrow I'll take it for a test run.
One quick question: All my running watches to date also showed the normal time (i.e. time of day) and some even gave me the date! I could not find any info about this feature!!! it seems you are only supposed to wear it for running? Even then it might be useful to know what the real time is!
Did I miss some option somewhere? I would be very amazed if such a fancy gadget can't just give you the normal time of day and date!

By: Mac Bundle

Mac Bundle — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:16:52 +0000

Just like Lauren wrote. My own Forerunner 305 stopped his runs after 4 years.

By: Larry Lay

Larry Lay — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:28:23 +0000

I am a techno dinosaur. I can use the basic features but have not been able to access the elevation feature. How do you make it work?
Thanks,
Larry

By: Scott Gruby

Scott Gruby — Mon, 31 May 2010 04:14:07 +0000

The 305 is a bit big to wear on a day to day basis and the battery isn't going to last long. The 405, however, can be used as an everyday watch (still a bit big, but more usable). In addition, the 405 doesn't always have to be in GPS mode whereas the 305 can only tell time when the GPS is on thereby reducing the battery life.

As for the chest size for the heart rate monitor, I'm not sure. It fits me, but I'm not particularly large.

By: Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott — Mon, 31 May 2010 04:00:19 +0000

Hi there, can I ask if the Forerunner 305 can be used as a day-to-day watch as well (telling the time) and what chest size can the heart monitor go up to?

Thanks for your time on this one!

Take care,
Andrew

By: Buy Garmin Forerunner 305

Buy Garmin Forerunner 305 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:07:12 +0000

I purchased the Garmin Forerunner 505 just last week and have had a chance to use it everyday this week. It is exactly what I expected and more. For starters, let me tell you I am a beginner so I can not verify that all of the data collected (pace, distance, hr) are accurate, but they seem pretty close to me. I jog around a lake and I did a google map point to point search and found the Garmin distance was within .2 miles of what Google maps told me. As stated earlier, I am not a beginner. My short term goal is to work my way up to running nonstop for half an hour and work my way up from there. I hope to accomplish this through interval training doing the run/walk method. Guess what?.... You can actually set the Garmin to beep after certain distances or time to let you know you are now in the next interval. I don't even have to look at the watch... just wait for the beeps. Its incredible. The heart rate monitor seems pretty accurate. Sometimes, I will stop to check pulse and it seems like the Garmin is always within 5 beats of my physical check. Just make sure you have the strap on right side up. One day I had it on upside down and my numbers seemed a little skewed. I love the fact that I can customize what information needs to be displayed on each of the screens. Since I use the interval feature, the first screen will contain information about the lap...number and remaining time. The second screen, I have customized to include additional information about that lap, and the last screen has info about the overall total. I have a whole other screed which I don't use! Overall, I think its a great product which will give you a wealth of information whether your the beginner or ultra marathoner.

By: Scott Gruby

Scott Gruby — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:23:48 +0000

I don't name my devices as I'd never be able to keep them straight! I went with the 405 for a number of reasons that I'll eventually write a review about. In short, the wireless connection for downloading is great, I like how it charges better (a clip that doesn't pop off), it has a battery charging gauge, I wore it while walking around San Francisco and didn't look too much like a dork, and I like the side buttons for starting/stopping and resetting it. However, so far, the bezel is bit of a pain. I'll try to write my review soon.