Garmin Forerunner 305 Review (part 1) - What’s in the box?
I’ve always been a Polar heart rate monitor user before but having not been best pleased that the strap broke on my RS400sd after less than a year, I decided to buy a Garmin Forerunner 305.
I carried out a lot of research online before buying my Polar RS400sd last year - and on the whole every comparison I saw was Polar vs Garmin. And it boiled down to one thing - footpod technology vs GPS technology.
For those that don’t know, footpods are small devices that attach to your trainers and have some cunning technology inside that somehow manage to work out how far your feet are moving when running. GPS however, means that your location is constantly monitored by satellites in order to work out the distance (and therefore speed) of your run. Footpods are the option if you go with Polar, whereas Garmin use GPS.
In the past I was really put off by many posts and discussions I read that said that in cloudy conditions or built up areas it was really difficult to get satellite receptions. However, two things changed my mind on buying a Garmin Forerunner 305…. Firstly, most of the negative posts I read were posted a good couple of years ago, and from what I could see the chip inside the Garmin had been updated quite recently. And secondly, my Dad got a Garmin Edge (for cycling) at Christmas and having seen it pick up lots of satellites whilst sitting in my living room, I assumed that things had indeed moved on!
There’s probably a third reason too… I’m now a Mac user, and Polar offers absolutely no support whatsoever for Mac users. I find this absolutely unbelievable. I therefore don’t want to spend time using a gadget that produces stacks of data that I can’t review on my computer of choice!
So anyway, having the tendency to make the odd impulse buy I decided to buy a Garmin Forerunner 305…. and now it has arrived.
What comes with the Garmin Forerunner 305?
Now, I know that first impressions shouldn’t be everything, but I was quite impressed by the packaging of the Garmin…
Nice box, eh?
Right, let’s open her up…
- The wrist unit
First impressions are good. One of the other reasons I wasn’t keen on the Garmin Forerunner 305 in the past was the perceived size of the wrist unit. Now it’s here it’s a pleasant surprise. It’s no way near as big as I thought it would be. Don’t get me wrong, you would be a bit mad to wear it as a normal watch, but I don’t think it looks as stupid on your wrist as a footpod looks on your trainer! - Interchangeable watch strap
Now, this is a nice touch Garmin include a watchstrap just in case the one included as standard doesn’t fit your wrist! - Screwdriver
An even nicer touch.. a screwdriver in case you do indeed want to change the watch straps! - The Heart Rate Monitor chest strap
This is the strap that goes round your chest (on top of your sternum) to send your heart rate details to the wrist unit. It has the look of an earlier Polar model I used, but it’s much more comfortable. And it’s certainly better than the strap that comes with the Polar RS400sd. The Garmin type is much easier to put on and take off. - USB cable
For attaching the unit to your PC (or in my case my Mac). - The docking cradle
This is what the wrist unit needs to be attached to when you transfer data to and from your PC/Mac. - Charging unit
Needed if you want to charge the unit using a standard wall socket. - Plug
Not much explanation needed for this bit! - 2 pin adapter
- User guides and software
It’s nice that there are two guides - a quick start-up and a full manual. Obviously being a male I decided to scan read the quick start guide!
Right, time to charge the Garmin Forerunner 305 up so it’s ready to use…
Update: Should I now upgrade to a Garmin Forerunner 405?
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(This entry was posted on January 11th, 2008.)
Posted by: Ross Kidd
on September 14th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Thanks for this review. Helped me make up my mind and am very happy with the purchase.
I was worried about the “perceived size” of the watch. It looks huge on the official Garmin shots but is not that big.
Now all I need is the speed/cadence sensor for my bike.
Posted by: Mark Gee
on September 21st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Have done the same upgrade. I have to say the stats and functionality in the Garmin software are vastly INferior to the Polar.
With my footpod I managed to get a 5k race to show 5005m with my Polar but the Garmin showed 5050m. And Idon’t think I was 50m off the shortest line. I imagine of course that I was more than 5m off course with the polar.
So the GPS is not as good as its cracked up to be (yes obviously your stride length changes with fitness and it is a pain in the B to recalibrate the polar)
Posted by: mossy
on October 19th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Hi,i’m new to the gps thing but have had hrm for a while,does anyone know if you can use any chest strap with the garmin’s or does it have to be their own?
many thanks
Mossy
Posted by: mart
on October 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hi Mossy,
You have to use the Garmin chest strap with the Forerunner. It does come with one though.
I don’t think you can buy a Forerunner without the chest strap, can you?
Regards,
mart
Posted by: nick
on November 13th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Hi Mossy, If you were thinking you could use an existing strap with the cheaper Forerunner 205 it won’t work. The 205 not only comes without a HR strap but also without the ability to connect to one.
Posted by: mog
on November 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Does this Garmin show a map of where you’ve been? If so, how useful is it, and is it easy to read on the screen/follow when running?
Posted by: mart
on November 24th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Hi Mog and welcome to the site!
The Garmin Forerunner 305 does have a map available on the display, but the term ‘map’ is very generous to say the least! There’s no way that you would be able to use it to navigate.
However, once you download your exercise data you can view all of your routes on plenty of mapping sites.
Mart
Posted by: Simon
on November 28th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
The navigation tool is an invaluable function. Don’t think of it as a map but use it to point your back to your origin when exploring a strange city or a new part of the country. Or download a track from your pc and navigate from the waypoints. Long sunday runs without it would not work.
Posted by: lorna
on November 30th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hi
I am considering buying a 305, but as a women with slim wrists I am concerned it will be too bulky for my wrist, are there any women out there that have purchased the 305
Posted by: Ken
on December 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Interested in the potential responses to Lorna as I’m thinking of buying my partner one for Xmas and she has v. slim wrists. Also does this have the function of benchmarling known routes or circuits and “beeping” at you when your pace slackens. i’m told this is a useful slavedriver tool.
Ken
Posted by: fletcher
on December 6th, 2008 at 8:48 am
will the heart stap work with a large individual six foot two 270 pounds without being unconfortable
Posted by: melanie
on January 6th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
where can u get a candence sensor separately from for the 305 i havent used mine yet but it promises to put my training in to action but i do triathlons and would like to use my 305 for the cycle and run, however are these waterproof for the swim section?
Posted by: Mandie
on January 11th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Hi, if its not too late - the 205 or 305 is just as great for a woman. I have slim wrists also and its absolutely fine! I have had the 205 for couple of years -and its brilliant. You soon get used to the size of the watch and hardly notice it! (apart from wanting to look at it all the time -to see how you are keeping up with your virtual partner!!!!) The strap fits fine and tightens up well enough for slim wrists - enjoy!
Buy one - you won’t regret it!
Posted by: Joan
on January 13th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Hi lorna: I have really slim wrists, and no problem with the Garmin. It looks a bit strange, but the functionality makes up for this. It fits perfectly and is tight enough even for very slim wrists.
Posted by: Bob
on January 13th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I’ve been agonizing over getting a Forerunner 305 vs the Edge 305 for a while. I bought my wife the Edge 305 for cycling and she loves it. I was considering getting one for myself for cycling and running, but prefer the Forerunner (I think). I just could not get past how big it looked in all the pictures I have seen.
I found a local store that carries the Forerunner 305 and went there to see it in person. It really isnt that huge looking (suprisingly). I’d say I have a medium sized wrist for a guy, and it seemed to fit and feel fine. I mentioned that it might be too big for small wrists but a female customer at the store said she had one and loves it.
Posted by: mike
on January 19th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Im considering buying a garmin fitness product…such as a 305 to help with my running and the orienteering I take part it, but I have had no experience with these products so I was wondering if someone could answer a question - I am also a keen mountain walker and was wondering if this product also gives a grid reference?? if it does I think I will go out a buy one tommorow!!
Posted by: Teresita
on March 21st, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hello,
You wrote a very good description of the Garmin 305. I bought one recently and so far, I’m a little disappointed. I bought it for walking, primarily, but I don’t think it is designed for walkers. Do you think the Garmin 305 is a good device for walkers? The directions are a bit complicated for me and I’m thinking about returning the Garmin 305 to the store. I was hoping to use the garmin to track how far I walk and how many calories are burned.
T