 |
|
Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate MonitorUser Review: - Fantastic training watchPros: Mac and PC compatible (despite what the description says), excellent features, easy to configure if you read the manual, good user interface Cons: Mac users should run the software update, elevation tracking not perfect near sea level, watch battery is rechargeable but not replaceable, watch is big As a runner, I am thrilled with this watch after using it for a week now. In addition to heart rate, it accurately tracks pace, calories, distance, and multiple other data points. Its three data screens are totally customizable. The GPS signal is accurate as long as you're not between tall buildings or in a tunnel (I use it in NYC parks with no problems). The included Garmin Training Center (which IS fully Mac compatible on PPC and Intel, despite what you'll see in descriptions of the watch online) is decent, not great, but you can download a free web utility to upload your stats to motionbased.com to perform much more detailed analyses. (Mac users: be sure to also download the update to Garmin Training Center from Garmin's website.) The watch comes with built-in workouts in which it prompts you to speed up/slow down/etc. You can add your own custom workouts on your computer or (with a little patience) on the watch. You can also customize a workout easily on the fly. You can use its included heart rate zones (auto-calculated based on your age) and pace zones or customize your own (I'm totally happy with the built-ins). And of course you can just hit the "Start" button and start running, to let the watch track your time, distance, pace, heart rate, and plot your path. Plus, if you're exercising in an unfamiliar area, it even has a mode where it'll guide you back to your starting point. I was very reluctant to spend more than $50 on a watch of any sort -- I'm the type who shops at Filene's Basement and Costco -- but made the plunge after reading its nearly all positive reviews here. So totally happy that I did. Someone previously mentioned that negative reviewers had stated problems (e.g. small heart rate readout, difficulty customizing, etc) that could be resolved by reading the manual. This is absolutely true. This watch is the most customizable I've ever owned, including where and how large the heart rate readout should appear. With a little patience, it'll do exactly what you need. Don't be turned away by the negative reviewers. The only really accurate negative I've read about is its size. Yes, it's big. Think G-Shock, but larger. The two included straps help in finding the right size, but it's not going to fit like your Swatch does. But that's a small negative to a really excellent product. So a word to the wise: read the manual! The watch is easy to use if you read how first. It's not a simple heart rate monitor, though, and you may not figure it out on your own. Give it a little time and it'll be very good to you. I really can't recommend it highly enough! User Review: - better than previous modelThe Forerunner is great. Compared to model 301, this model has a better heart rate monitor, locks on to satellite quicker, and is more accurate in measuring location and speed. User Review: - great gadget for running and bikingWorks great. Great for showing your pace, distance, and heart rate, while you are running. Good to see where you went when you return. The included Software that you use to download the data is not that great and has poor export capabilities, if you want to share your runs with your friends. I think that this is available for and extra fee to upgrade. User Review: - AwesomeLove having the freedom to run anywhere that I want and not having to worry about distance,pace, time. It keeps up with everything for you. My favorite things is knowing the elevations, grades, and weather (including wind speeds, temps - highs, lows, avg). My only negative is that it's so big on my wrist that it hurts my wrist bone. However, bought a wrist band and I put the watch on top of it. No more problems. User Review: - Works great and makes running funThis is my first GPS watch and I couldn't be more pleased with it so far. The Forerunner 305 feels well made and doesn't lose signal even when I run through woods. The best part in my opinion is being able to easily download all of the data from your run when you get home and even overlay your path over Google maps and Earth using free 3rd party tools. It would be nice if the watch was smaller, but it is light enough. Other than that I wouldn't change a thing. |
GPS ReviewsReviews by BrandRelated
|
About: Home, Contact, Site map, Resources |