Review Garmin Forerunner 305
Description Review Compare Garmin Forerunner Heart Rate Monitor Buyer Guide Compare Price
Pros :
- Great multisport heart rate monitor
- Good features for pacing yourself in a workout (VirtualPartner, Courses, Autolap)
- Accurate GPS receiver
Cons :
- No baromic altimeter
- Poor bundled software (Garmin Training Center)
- A little bit bulky on some wrists
The Bottom Line :
The Forerunner 305 heart rate monitor is an excellent multisport tool. It has survived the most rigorous of activities including mountain biking (crashes included!), running and swimming. The features which help you to pace yourself in a workout are most useful and worth every cent that you’ll pay for a Garmin heart rate monitor. The accuracy of the Forerunner 305’s GPS receiver, improved heart rate monitor, comfortable wrist strap and much more attractive looks makes it worthwhile to spend the money in upgrading from the older Forerunner 301’s. The worldwide network of activities available on MotionBased adds yet another dimension to your training and holidaying, making your purchase of a Forerunner 305 well worth it.
The Forerunner 305 has made great improvements on its predecessor, the Garmin Forerunner 301. Amongst these include a more accurate GPS chipset, more comfortable heart rate monitor strap, greater screen resolution and more effective waterproofing. The Forerunner 305 shares more or less the same functionality as the Garmin Edge 305, but comes in a much smaller unit designed to fit on your wrist. Footpods (running, walking and hiking) and cadence sensors (cycling) are available as optional extras. Unlike the Edge 305 which is aimed specifically at cyclists, the Forerunner 305 is aimed at multisport activities. Runners, cyclists, skiers, hikers, walkers, swimmers and kayakers have all put the Forerunner 305 to good use, heralding it as one of the best multisport heart rate monitors on the market.
Product Details
- Screen : LCD, 100 x 160 pixels, monochrome, backlit
- Battery : Rechargeable lithium iron (10 hour)
- Weight : 77g
- GPS-enabled : Yes, uses the SiRFstar III chipset
- Base maps : No
- Computer interface : USB
- Heart rate compatible : Yes
- Speed/cadence compatible : Yes
- Footpod compatible : Yes
- Power compatible : No
Product Features
- Easily change between bike mode, running mode, and one other activity-specific mode with the click of a button
- Auto Pause pauses activity automatically when the unit stops moving
- Auto Lap automatically triggers a lap every time you move past a specified point or set distance
- Virtual Partner allows you to race yourself against a digital athlete moving at a predetermined speed
- Improve your best race times by racing against your previous activities – two dots shown on a map represent your current position in relation to your previous activity’s position
- Up to four data fields can be selected for each of the three data screens (eg. distance, heart rate, calories burned, lap time, speed, time, stopwatch, total ascent, etc). This allows you to view up to twelve data fields while working out
- Breadcrumb route map and current position displayed to cyclist
- Elevation profile drawn as you ride
- ANT wireless heart rate strap reduces cross talk and interference
- Customizable heart rate zones and alarms
Computer Analysis
- The Garmin Forerunner 305 comes bundled with the Garmin Training Center
- The Forerunner 305 is compatible with the web-based analysis software, Motionbased
- The Forerunner 305 is also compatible with the freeware analysis software, SportsTracks
Performance
The Forerunner 305 performs excellently in a wide range of activities. It has succeeded in becoming a multisport heart rate monitor without compromising on many of the main features that we see in the larger, handlebar-mounted Edge 305. The improved waterproofing in the Forerunner 305 allows it to be used by kayakers, protecting it from circuitry-destroying salt water. The Forerunner 305 is multisport-friendly, allowing you to set up profiles for different activities and switch between them easily.
The Forerunner 305 is a solid unit and boasts undoubtedly more attractive looks than the Forerunner 301. The heart rate monitor strap has also been made more comfortable and less likely to fall off while working out. The Forerunner 305 loses the velcro strap of the Forerunner 301 and replaces it with a more comfortable rubber strap. This, together with a reduced size, makes the Forerunner 305 a lot more easy to exercise with especially when running.
Although the Forerunner 305 has reduced in size, people with small wrists may find the device a bit bulky. If this is the case, perhaps have a look at the Forerunner 405 which is built a lot sleeker.
The quick-release bike mount attaches the unit to the bicycle’s handlebars securely and allows fast changes between activities. Although there are no mounts made to hold the unit while kayaking, it is fairly easy, for example, to attach the heart rate monitor to your foot straps.
The screen is large for a wrist mounted unit, making it easy to read data at a glance. The menu structure on the Forerunner 305 may take a bit of getting used to, but to a large degree it is intuitive and simple. Tactile buttons ensure easy navigation while in the middle of a workout.
The improved GPS chipset used in the Forerunner 305, together with the antenna being wrapped around the wrist strap, has made the device a lot more accurate. I’ve had no problem with reception while mountain biking under tree canopies, whereas the Forerunner 301 often could not cope.
It must be noted however that there is not a baromic altimeter in the Forerunner 305 whereas there is one in the Edge 305. The Forerunner 305 uses GPS to measure and record altitude which while is adequate for most purposes, is not as accurate as the baromic altimeter used in the Edge 305.
I have found the VirtualParter and Courses features of the Forerunner 305 very useful in pacing myself. The VirtualPartner is very good for timetrials – you set an average speed you need to run at and on the screen you are shown a dot representing your current position and a dot representing where you should be to run at the average speed you have specified. The Courses feature is similar except it allows you to race against a route you might have run previously, showing again a dot representing your current position and one showing you previous time.
The bundled analysis software, the Garmin Training Center, is rather disappointing. It is lacking in functionality and frustrating to use – in my experience the connection between computer and device often just does not work. You will also have to buy maps from Garmin if you want to see any detail apart from the rough outline of your continent. Garmin’s recent acquisition of Motionbased, renamed Garmin Connect, seems to be acknowledgement of this fault. Motionbased is an online analysis tool, as well as a global network of activities. It is good to see the Forerunner 305 is Garmin Connect compatible.
Compare Garmin Forerunner for Athletes
Description Review Compare Garmin Forerunner Heart Rate Monitor Buyer Guide Compare Price
Starting with the Forerunner
305 Garmin finally started producing GPS-enabled watches that
didn't make you look like a total goof while tracking your pace and
vitals, but these still weren't timepieces you'd be comfortable
wearing to the office or even a bar. Then came the Forerunner
50, which had the perfect watch-like form factor, but
unfortunately, no GPS. So fans of this line will be pleased to learn
that Garmin has somehow been able to shoehorn a satellite receiver
into a casing not much bigger than the 50's and dubbed it the
Forerunner
405. Besides monitoring and logging speed, distance, heart rate
and location, the 405 also features a touch-sensitive bezel for
controlling its various functions, as well as the same proprietary
ANT+Sport wireless syncing technology as the GPS-less 50. Available
in either black or green. However, Calorie computation of Forerunner
405 is based on speed and distance. The new Forerunner
405CX has an improved method of calorie computation based on your
heart rate that is more accurate than previous.
Garmin enhances Forerunner
305 to Forerunner
310XT by improving waterproof to 50m and compute calories based
on your heart rate like Forerunner
405. However, It looks like Forerunner
305 so that it is more suitable for swimmer.
Take the highly popular Forerunner
50 and make it better. The Forerunner
60 is a fitness watch with automatic PC sync, gym equipment
compatible (ANT + compatible devices), wireless heart rate monitor,
coin cell battery, Virtual Partner
|
Features
|
Forerunner
305
|
Forerunner
50
|
Forerunner
405
|
Forerunner
405CX
|
Forerunner
310XT
|
Forerunner
60
|
|
Color Option:
|
No
Option
|
No
Option
|
Black,
Green
|
No
Option
|
No
Option
|
Male: Black,
Red
Female: Black,
Lilac
|
|
Unit dimensions, WxHxD:
|
2.1" x 2.7" x 0.7"
(5.33 x 6.86 x 1.78 cm)
|
1.7" x 2.3" x 0.8"
(4.2 x 5.8 x 2.0 cm)
|
1.88" x 2.78" x 0.646"
(4.8 x 7.1 x 1.6 cm)
|
1.88" x 2.78" x 0.646"
(4.8 x 7.1 x 1.6 cm)
|
2.1" x 2.2" x 0.8"
(5.4 x 5.6 x 1.9 cm)
|
Men's:2.2" x 1.5" x 0.5"
(5.6 x 3.8 x 1.3
cm)
Women's:2.0" x 0.5" x 0.6"
(5.2 x 3.8 x 1.4
cm)
|
|
Display size, WxH:
|
1.3" x 0.8" (3.3 x 2.0 cm)
|
0.9" x 0.7" (2.4 x 1.8 cm)
|
1.06"(2.7 cm) diameter
|
1.06"
(2.7 cm) diameter
|
1.3" x 0.8"
(3.3 x 2.0 cm)
|
0.8" x 1.1" (2.0 x 2.8 cm)
|
|
Display resolution, WxH:
|
160 x 100 pixels
|
NA
|
124 x 95 pixels
|
124 x 95 pixels
|
160 x 100 pixels
|
56 x 31 pixels
|
|
Weight:
|
2.72 oz (77 g)
|
1.5 oz (42.5 g)
|
2.11 oz (60 g)
|
2.11 oz (60 g)
|
2.5 oz (72 g)
|
men's: 1.6 oz (44 g);
women's: 1.4 oz (41 g)
|
|
Battery:
|
rechargeable lithium-ion
|
coin cell battery (CR2032)
|
rechargeable lithium-ion
|
rechargeable lithium-ion
|
rechargeable lithium-ion
|
coin cell battery (CR2032)
|
|
Battery life:
|
10 hours, typical
|
12 months
|
2 weeks in power save mode; 8 hours in training mode
|
2 weeks in power save mode; 8 hours in training mode
|
20 hours training, typical
|
12 months
|
|
Water resistant:
|
yes(IPX7)
|
yes(IPX7)
|
yes(IPX7)
|
yes(IPX7) 1m for short time
|
yes(50m)
|
yes(50m)
|
|
GPS-enabled:
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
|
High-sensitivity receiver (search for GPS signals very quickly)
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
|
RoHS version available (environmentally material):
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Basemap: world map or country map
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
|
Ability to add maps:
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
|
Accepts basemap data cards:
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
|
Lap history in memory: such as lap time, lap distance, and
average pace
|
1000 laps
|
100 laps or up to 7 hours of data
|
1000 laps
|
1000 laps
|
1000 laps
|
100 laps or up to 15 hours of data
|
|
Number of waypoints / favorites / locations in memory:
|
100
|
0(sports watch is not GPS-enabled)
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
0(sports watch is not GPS-enabled)
|
|
Heart rate monitor:
|
yes
|
yes
(some versions)
|
yes(some versions)
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Bike
speed/cadence sensor:
|
yes (some versions)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
|
Foot
pod: to give speed, pace, distance, and calories burnt while
running
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (optional)
|
yes (some
versions)
|
|
Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer):
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you
analyze, categorize and share data):
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Garmin Training Center® software compatible:
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Virtual Partner® (train against a digital person to see if
you are ahead or behind your goal :
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Courses (compete against previous workouts):
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Auto Pause® (pauses and resumes timer based on speed):
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Auto Lap® (automatically starts a new lap): The default lap
distance is 1.00 mile but can customize it
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Auto Scroll (cycles through data pages during workout):
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Multi-sport (changes sport mode with a press of a button):
|
yes
|
no
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts):
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
|
Simple workouts (input time, distance and calorie goals):
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
no
|
|
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace):
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes (for advanced workouts only)
|
yes (for advanced workouts only)
|
yes (for advanced workouts only)
|
yes
|
|
Time/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal):
|
yes
|
no
|
yes (for advanced workouts only)
|
yes (for advanced workouts only)
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals):
|
yes
|
yes (alarms only)
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Heart rate-based calorie computation (compute calories based on
your heart rate which is better than based on speed and distance)
|
no (calories based on speed / dist)
|
no (calories based on speed / dist)
|
no (calories based on speed / dist)
|
yes
|
yes
|
no (calories based on speed / dist)
|
|
Customizable screen(s):
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
|
Barometric altimeter : measures the atmospheric pressure
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
|
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar
units):
|
no
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
no
|
|
Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible 3rd
party ANT+Sport™-enabled power meters):
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
no
|
|
Sport Watch look like:
|
no
|
yes
|
yes
|
yes
|
no
|
yes
|
|
Additional:
|
NA
|
Watch functions include time of day (12/24h), dual time zone,
calendar (day/date), daily alarm.
Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center are currently
compatible with Windows® 2000 or later. Mac® compatibility
coming 3rd Quarter, 2008.
|
Watch functions include dual time, date and alarm.
Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center are currently
compatible with Windows® 2000 or later. Mac® compatibility
coming 3rd Quarter, 2008.
|
Watch functions include dual time, date and alarm.
Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center are compatible with
Windows® 2000 or later and Intel-based Mac running OS 10.4 or
later with Safari.
|
NA
|
Watch functions include time of day (12/24h), dual time zone,
calendar (day/date), daily alarm.
Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center are compatible with
Windows® 2000 or later and Intel-based Mac running OS 10.4.11
or later with Safari.
|
Heart Rate Monitor Buyer Guide
Description Review Compare Garmin Forerunner Heart Rate Monitor Buyer Guide Compare Price
If you're trying to lose weight and get in shape, a heart rate
monitor (HRM) is a great way to monitor your intensity and make sure
you're working in your target heart rate zone. Many monitors not only
provide a continuous heart rate reading but also tell you if you're
working in your zone and how many calories you're burning.
With the variety of HRMs out there, it's hard to know how to
choose the right one for you. Before you spend your money, check out
the factors you want to consider when buying a heart rate monitor.
The type of HRM you buy will often depend on your fitness level,
needs and goals:
For Basic Model: Look for a basic model and
functionality that offers your heart rate monitoring like the Omron
Heart Rate Monitor HR-100C, Timex
T5G941 Heart Rate Monitor, Polar
FS1
- Omron
Heart Rate Monitor HR-100C is basic heart rate monitor that
is inexpensive, easy to use and doesn't require hours of time spent
reading a manual to figure it out. You get a continuous reading of
your heart rate, an alarm that tells you when you're in your heart
rate zone, time of day display and a daily reminder alarm. At around
$30-$50, this is a great price for what you get and users will be
pleased with how easy this is to use.
- Timex
T5G941 Heart Rate Monitor is basic model that's easy to use,
offers basic heart rate and workout information and is a favorite
among exercisers. The display is large, so you can easily see the
numbers and it includes an activity timer to rack exercise time as
well as information about minimum, average and maximum heart rate
for each workout. Most exercisers like the fact that you can change
the battery yourself (something you can't do with all HRMs) and that
you can figure out how to set it up without spending hours reading
the manual. At around $30-$60, this HRM is perfect for people who
want the basics for a great price.
- Polar
FS1 is the perfect choice for the exerciser who doesn't want
to fool with a lot of buttons during their workouts. The extra large
display and the one-button functionality make this monitor easy to
use and easy to see. The basic features include your heart rate, a
visual and audible alarm that lets you know if you're in your target
heart rate zone, a stop watch and, of course, a clock. At around
$50-$60, this monitor will give you what you need without all the
bells and whistles. There are the higher models of Polar
FS1 which are Polar
FS2 and Polar
FS3.
|
Features of basic model
|
Omron
HR-100C
|
Timex
T5G941
|
Polar
FS1
|
Polar
FS2
|
Polar
FS3
|
|
Continuous Heart Rate Monitoring (see what your current
heart rate is on your wrist watch and how it fluctuates while you
are exercising )
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Heart Rate Training Zone with Alarms (manually set your
heart rate alarm zone, lower and upper heart rate limits in which
you will be doing your exercise)
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Duration of Exercise Session (tells you how long you
have been exercising)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Average Heart Rate of Exercise Session
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Maximum Heart Rate of Exercise Session
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Basic Time Keeping (for example, won't let you set the
date and a wake up alarm)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Backlight
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
The aged-based automatic setting of heart rate training
zone (Max Heart Rate = 220 - Your Age)
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
For Weight Loss: Try a HRM that tracks time spent in
your heart rate zone and calories burned such as the Polar
F6. Polar
F6 does more than just display your heart rate, but isn't so
high-end that you'd have to get an engineering degree to figure it
out, the Polar
F6 is an excellent choice. The F6 has a variety of functions,
from tracking heart rate and workout intensity to calculating
calories burned and time spent in each zone. It also provides a
weekly summary of your workouts that can help you stay motivated and
set new goals. There is the lower model which is Polar
F4. The higher models are Polar
F7, Polar
F11 and Polar
F55.
For General Fitness: Try one that helps you improve
fitness with information about intensity and training zones, like
the Polar
FT60. If you're into fitness and want to improve your workouts
and/or lose weight, the FT 60 offers personalized workouts that
adapt according to your workout habits and goals. The FT 60 gives
you weekly targets (such as to workout a certain number of minutes)
based on your goals and tracks how you did. Aside from your heart
rate, the FT 60 also offers a fitness test, calories burned and it
keeps track of all your workouts. The FT 60 is also compatible with
the Polar GPS Unit (which is Polar
FT60G1) and FlowLink which allows you to transfer data to your
computers. At around $197, this is a pricey heart rate monitor but
offers great motivation for people who have specific goals. The
lower model is Polar
FT40 and the higher model are Polar
FT 80 and Polar
FT 80 w/ G1 GPS.
For Athletes: Consider a HRM, like the Garmin
Forerunner 405 HRM, that offers multi-sport support, workout
feedback and advanced features such as GPS and downloadable data. If
you're a multi-sport athlete, you may want a more serious heart rate
monitor like the Garmin
Forerunner 405 HRM. You get a heart rate monitor, GPS tracking
and the ability to create your own workouts as well as analyze
everything from your pace and distance to calories burned. One
stand-out feature is the courses, which lets you compete against
your previous workout by comparing heart rate and pace - a great way
to see if you're improving from workout to workout. This is also a
good one for triathletes because you can transition between sports
without resetting it. The lower model is Garmin
Forerunner 305 HRM and The higher model is Garmin
Forerunner 405CX HRM.
Description Review Compare Garmin Forerunner Heart Rate Monitor Buyer Guide Compare Price