Entered CNET Catalog: 02/18/2006
SKU: 100044700
Manufacturer: Garmin International
Manufacturer description
Form meets function with Garmin's next-generation, sleek and stylish line of personal trainers - the Forerunner 305. Don't let its good look fool you. This taskmaster will continually push you to do your personal best. The Forerunner 305 combines all of the popular features found in the 301 along with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, new courses feature, and robust wireless heart rate monitor for optimal performance. Designed for athletes of all levels, this running partner and personal trainer has one goal in mind - a better you. It continuously monitors your heart rate, speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter, more effectively. It tracks your every move with a super-sensitive GPS that even works on tree-covered trails and near tall buildings.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
User Rating: 
1/10
Forerunner 305 - beware
Pros: Love the features and user interface. Wriststrap allows unit to mount on handlebar nicely. Like the desktop software. HR monitor, speed, elev +/-, routefinding are all nice.
Cons: Some key features simply dont work or weren't thought out.
Also, cadence sensor will not fit on many bikes (mine is Orbea Opal) with angled chainstay. Not sure why a gps unit needs spoke sensor for speed, but cant use the cadence sensor b/c not enough clearance between spoke and chainstay.
If everything on this unit worked as it should, I would really like the product. Unfortunately, this isnt the case.
Garmin Connect (online fitness/route tool) doesn't work with Forerunner 305.
User Rating: 
5/10
At least be cautious.
Pros: Relatively compact, good battery life, and feature rich, to say the least.
Cons: The biggest problem is the GPS coverage. I was looking for reviews because I was just out today and after my 45 minute run was over I still didn't have sattelite lock. It was a cloudy day in the LA area, but not cloudy enough to rain.
The GPS performance of the Forerunner is in striking contrast to my Garmin Nuvi (Auto GPS system) which quickly locks in virtually all conditions. So it appears that Garmin has the technology they just don't want to package it for runners yet. Maybe I'll take my Nuvi jogging.
If you don't want to take my word for it then at least make sure that you have the right to return it (with a full refund) until you have a chance to try it out in some cloudy conditions.
User Rating: 
9/10
Excellent for bikers, kayakers, etc.
Pros: Great to analyze workout data
Cons: Variance in distance travelled
User Rating: 9/10
Great Product !!! The reason why I am running.
Pros: Everything about the product is great, I love it !!!
Cons: At times may be slow to find a signal
This is definitely a product you should buy. I made the best decision in buying this. I am running a marathon in October and I am already 8 weeks into my program running around 12-15 miles on my long runs. I was a smoker and could not run 5 miles! This is a great product, really motivates you because you can view your heartrate, distance traveled, speed and calories burned. GET THIS PRODUCT. IT IS WORTH IT!!!
User Rating: 
10/10
Dont Belive everything you read !! the forerunner 305 is the best
Pros: The best interface ..Super Userfriendly..Super GPS . Easy to read while running
Cons: mmmmm let me seeee ...um a bit bulky but if can save your life ....what the heck !!
User Rating: 9/10
This Thing is Awesome.
Pros: Works very well.
Cons: Included software not great.
Unlike other reviewers, I have had no problem with the 305 aquiring a GPS signal quickly. I have also had no problems with trees/buildings affecting the signal.
The included software works well, but has limited functions. This doesn't matter that much because you can download your data to Motionbased.com which has excellent functions analyzing your run.
Overall, I am very happy with the Forerunner 305.
User Rating: 
8/10
Compact, accurate plenty of bells & whistles
Pros: Size, accuracy, functionality
Cons: Battery life, sync up time
User Rating: 
6/10
Triathletes Need Not Apply
Pros: Mapping, Elevation
Cons: Funky Fit On My Wrist, Can't Swim With It
User Rating: 9/10
Fantastic!!!
Pros: easy to use / good software
Cons: a little bulky
User Rating: 9/10
Will improve your workouts...guaranteed!
Pros: Everything about it is great...should have bought it sooner
Cons: None yet as far as I can tell
User Rating: 9/10
if your retarded do not buy
Pros: only people with half a brain should buy
Cons: way to simple for stupid people
User Rating: 
3/10
Might work great in, oh, a desert
Pros: Not entirely hideous
Cons: Clunky, rarely gets a signal it can hold
I live in Los Angeles, and I'm used to a little fuzziness and dropped calls when I'm going through some of the hills or canyons, but this was ridiculous. I lost my signal in all the expected places, but I also dropped it (twice) on Sunset Boulevard in downtown LA without a cloud in the sky or a tree on the horizon. I actually watched it recalibrate my distance traveled in real-time. 6.2 miles. Wait--no! 7.8. Oops. back to 5.9. This thing is useless. Thank you, Sportmart, for accepting returns. I'll just premap my runs on Google Maps and use a stopwatch and some 3rd-grade division.
User Rating: 10/10
greatest running tool ever invented for the beginner or advanced runner
Pros: ease of use; quick satellite acquisition; great data tracker
Cons: none. this product is perfect
User Rating: 3/10
Poor choice
Pros: several options for screens, lots of workout options. When it's actaully recieving a signal it's fantastic.
Cons: Only works 50% of the time b/c it cannot recieve a signal. It takes anywhere from 3-10 min to recieve signal so don't be in a hurry to show up and run somewhere.
User Rating: 9/10
Fantastic!
Pros: distance,time,pace,elevation,h eartrate, etc....
Cons: waiting for satellites, speed in question
User Rating: 9/10
A great way to improve workouts
Pros: Great reception, compact, allows use of a Heart Monitor
Cons: 4 datafield page a little hard to read while exercising
User Rating: 9/10
Most problems w/ F.Runner 301 addressed in a smaller unit.
Pros: Much more sensitive - works under tree cover in compact unit.
Cons: Few - still takes a long time to acquire a signal.
Altimeter is a questionable, but I imagine it's difficult to accurately measure altitude from satellites that are miles overhead!
Most incredible training device I have ever used. The ability to program multi-step speed workouts is amazing.
A bit pricey but well worth it compared to its multi-part competitors, like Timex which uses 3 devices to accomplish the same functions : a receiver watch; a separate GPS receiver, the size of a pack of cards; and a separate data recorder.
User Rating: 3/10
Anyone want to buy mine?
Pros: When you can get a signal to works very well.
Cons: No ready for prime time in an urban environment.
The one time I got it to work, in Central Park of all places, it seemed to work fine though the ?pace? on two different screens did not agree with each other. Since the unit is collecting dust in my drawer, I have not spent the time trying to figure out if they are telling me two different things. No comment on the HR monitor for the same reason, I never use the thing.
I am no scientist but it does seem like Garmin is asking for trouble by putting contacts for the recharger underneath the unit where it will spend a good portion of its life on a sweaty wrist. Isn?t warm, salt, moisture, and metal a recipe for corrosion?
Too bad, I had high hopes for this unit. I?ll try again a couple more times but suspect will soon give up as it is very distracting constantly looking at my watch to see if it is working. Seems to me I should drop this all together, map out my distances with Google Earth and just use a $5 stopwatch! Anyone want to but an almost new FR 305??
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