Has anyone bought and tried this thing yet? I’m really interested in a some opinions, and if it’s worth purchasing. The big question, can it survive during a swim.
I am also interested and would like to know if the GPS really works in the trees.
Two of my friends have them, and I’m VERY impressed by what I’ve seen. I can’t speak to the durability because we’ve only done a few rides with them, but the data is fantastic. Downloadable HR data, GPS and barometric altimeter, GPS tracking data, wireless cadence… all really good stuff. The 305 even calibrated the wheel diameter automatically based on the GPS/speed data. The next time I need to buy a cyclecomputer or an HRM, I will probably upgrade all the way to a 305. If you knew what a tightwad I am with my $, you would understand what a positive endorsement that is :-). The only thing I want to see in the 305 is the ability to do “normal” GPS stuff like load maps and put in your own waypoints for stuff like geocaching, but I already have another GPS which can do those functions.
You can view the output from some of our rides at http://sprocketrocket.motionbased.com/ . If I had a 305 and a powermeter, I can’t imagine what other data I would need while riding.
Did your friends have any problems with the HRM part of the Forerunner 305? I have the 301 and, in my opinion, the HRM part is for shit. The thing is always all over the place, even with the electrode gel. I had heard that they were supposed to be upgrading this part in the 305. Any issues?
Can you use the HR function at the same time as the wireless cadence? I had heard it was one or the other.
Dave
On the Miller’s gap climb, was your heart rate really 240? Or is the HRM just flaky just like most HRM’s.
Two of my friends have them, and I’m VERY impressed by what I’ve seen. I can’t speak to the durability because we’ve only done a few rides with them, but the data is fantastic. Downloadable HR data, GPS and barometric altimeter, GPS tracking data, wireless cadence… all really good stuff. The 305 even calibrated the wheel diameter automatically based on the GPS/speed data. The next time I need to buy a cyclecomputer or an HRM, I will probably upgrade all the way to a 305. If you knew what a tightwad I am with my $, you would understand what a positive endorsement that is :-). The only thing I want to see in the 305 is the ability to do “normal” GPS stuff like load maps and put in your own waypoints for stuff like geocaching, but I already have another GPS which can do those functions.
You can view the output from some of our rides at http://sprocketrocket.motionbased.com/ . If I had a 305 and a powermeter, I can’t imagine what other data I would need while riding.
Actually, yes, my friend has been getting spotty HRM readings. But we thought it was because he hasn’t found the proper placement yet, and he has a low sweat rate.
He has a high HR by nature, but (for instance) the 305’s HRM starts to read crazy stuff like 250+ when he’s going downhill. When he was working hard and going slow the HR seemed to give stronger readings.
I’m replying to two previous posts at once here…
Can you use the HR function at the same time as the wireless cadence?
Yep! They sell different packages, though. HR, Cadence, and HR + Cadence. Same receiver unit with each, so if you buy the HR unit you can add the cadence unit later, or vice versa. You can definitely use all of the functions at once.
On the Miller’s gap climb, was your heart rate really 240? Or is the HRM just flaky just like most HRM’s.
His real HR maxes out somewhere in the 190’s, so the 200+ readings were clearly wrong. But the 305’s HRM is, apparently, flakier than most. It would shoot up to 200+ every time we went downhill. It was being flaky on a ride last weekend, too. We aren’t sure if the issue is strap placement, his low sweat rate, or the 305 itself.
I’ll point him to this thread and ask him to post more. I don’t want to mispeak for him.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/GarminF/
Check out this yahoo group. There are several 205 and 302 owners on here, even a few that are tech guru’s.
Where did they find them? I ordered from Amazon in January and the delivery date has been pushed back 3 times, now listed as May 7 
A number of folks on the Yahoo garmin list have recently reported getting them from various REI stores, which as soon as the store is named, sell out. It is also repeatedly reported by resellers (like MegaGPS, where I ordered mine) that Garmin is having production problems, and that some of the units shipped have been “pulled back”. So many different ship dates have now been reported that it’s hard to tell which, if any, are real. Amazon’s dates seem to be among the most conservative (i.e., farthest out).
I have used the 301 for the last 4 months and have never had a problem with the HR function. Jill
MEgaGPS told me yesterday that 205/305 units were being “pulled back” due to packaging problems. Apparently the way they were packaged pulled off buttons when the units were unpacked. HE seemed to think we’d be back on track next week. My 205 is on order there…
I am also interested and would like to know if the GPS really works in the trees.
GPS doesn’t really work in the trees. Your receiver needs to have “direct line of sight” in order to make accurate calculations on your position. If the signals are bouncing off of things like trees, the accuracy is diminished.
Here is a good thread on sci.geo.satellite-nav - http://groups.google.com/group/sci.geo.satellite-nav/browse_frm/thread/23fd10508b009084/47a5454069712508?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3Dd73c3a81.0302131932.5a99a916%2540posting.google.com#47a5454069712508
So I’ll butt in here… I’m the guy Markrebuck mentioned above as having one. My personal opinion of this thing, is that it is by far the coolest cyclocomputer that is on the market. I used to use a HAC4 from ciclosport, but in my mind, there is no comparison. The 305 is far superior. The only problems I’ve had with it, as seen above are with the HRM functions, though I think I have this solved. I applied a little liquid hand soap to the sensors, tightened the strap, and lowered the strap on my body a little. Today’s ride had a much more “under control” graph. You can see it at http://sprocketrocket.motionbased.com Its listed as Quick Lunch Time Loop. The only difference here though, as that the weather is 70 degrees out, which meant I also sweat more… so we’ll see.
As far is it working under tree cover, I think it will, but I can’t be for certain yet, as I’ve only ridden roads, and where I live, there aren’t any trees with leaves, so where there have been trees, the cover is still somewhat open. I have feeling it will be fine though, since I can get satellite reception in my house not standing near any windows.
We have 9 in stock. 4 Delux (hr+cad), 3 HR (cad available seperately), and 2 205’s (no HR, CAD, or total altitude).
I’ve had mine for a couple of months and I also used the HAC4 before this and this KILLS it. KILLS anything POLAR has to offer, and just all around the best toy out there. Since i’ve had them in the shop I can’t keep them in. I actually sold my first one practically right off of my bike.
I’ll sell through the website or you can contact me directly.
PM sent
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FOR ALL TO SEE:
I made a mistake on my last post. I didn’t realize that we were talking about the FORERUNNER (I guess I could read the subject line). We have the EDGE in stock but not the FORERUNNER. SORRY about the confusion.
Jeff
I have the 305 on backorder from REI. I am told my ship date is March 31. We’ll see. I think the 305 appears to be a huge improvement in size over the 301 which is obscenly large on the wrist especially for women. The cadence feature and improved satelite coverage is what sold me on the new unit.
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