Garmin Forerunner 305
3337
Member
1325 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
I have the 301 - and very happy with it. The 305 is a nice upgrade. Like the new look and additional customizations available. I was happy to see that there is now a cadence monitor for the bike (GSC 10). Have to see if it is an option for the 301. I also like that Garmin interfaces with TrainingPeaks. I also got the optional mounting kit. With that it uses a normal watchband in place of the velcro strap and it also has a easy mount for the bike - makes it more convient to see when riding. It unclips from the watchband and clips onto the bike mount with a simple twist.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
4212
Member
1557 days
kylie posted 2 years ago.
The 305 is pretty neat (my training partner has been using one for a few months as a beta tester). However, I don't see the need to upgrade from my 301.
(1) Yes faster reception would be nice, but I don't mind the minute to stretch/warm up.
(2) The new shape is nice - especially since then you can wear it easier on the bike and not have to take it off to transition to the run. But at the same time, then you have to twist your hand to see any of the data while biking.
(3) Smaller screen = harder to read
(4) More customizing available in the screen is nice, but my single "custom" view for each sport works just fine.
Maybe if I was rich...
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Bigun posted 2 years ago.
When they make it water proof - so that I can wear it to swim, that's the upgrade that makes it worth it. I have a 301 and really like it. I never have any real reception problems, and I used to have the Timex 1st generation Time and Distance - that was slow to connect and a nice big reciever to lug around. A cadence feature would be great for training - it's good to see that Garmin is heading in the right direction there. Come up with a good Power function, add the water proofing, keep the cadence, and make it more comfortable to wear (which it looks like they did), and that's the one I'll upgrade to. I'll start saving now - it'll probably cost a grand....
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1245 days
Will Murphy posted 51 weeks ago.
Pros -- good signal acquisition. Fairly easy to use. Durable so far. Good display.
Cons -- the training software is, in my opinion, wholly inadequate. There is so much information, that could be so useful -- it is very frustrating that there does not seem to be a good way to automate analyzing and displaying it. A device that costs $300 or more ought to come with capable software, in my opinion. For adventure racers, the 5 hour battery life could be somewhat restrictive. I backlight that could be activated without risk of turning the unit off midworkout would be useful and an option to have it stay on or come on periodically would be nice.
4212
Member
1557 days
kylie posted 51 weeks ago.
On the 301 my light comes on when it is dark out and any of my alarms go off so that I can see why it is beeping. I think it knows it is dark out by if I have used the light or not at any other point in that workout.
motionbased.com (with a free account) does take care of most my datageek needs
5 hour battery life??? The 301 is 14 (now down to about 11 I think since mine is almost 3 years old) and the 305 I thought started at 9 or 10 hours...
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RV posted 51 weeks ago.
Hmmmm, now you have me thinking whether the light comes on automagically or not at night... Guess I need to go run in the dark!
My battery has held 13+ hours since I've had it.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
485
Member
397 days
TryScott posted 51 weeks ago.
I've never timed the battery of my 305 exactly, but I know I've used it more than 5 hrs without a recharge.
Once I use the light once, then everything I do for the rest of the workout turns the light back on. I've never accidently turned it off when trying to use the light, but I have turned the light on when trying to turn the unit off.
When I first got my 305 I thought that there should be more information, but I don't think it would help me analyze my workout, I just wanted to be able to see more statistics.
So what does everyone think about the new Garmin 305?
Think the updates will be worth upgrading from a 301?
http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner305/
v/r
NiCK III