Garmin 305 vs. 405

[Gretta]

Hello All!

I was wondering if someone could help me. I have begun an excercise program this past July and have now registered to run the Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon. I will need to keep track of my heart rate with a monitor. I have a heart condition but have been cleared to participate by my Dr. Anyways, I see that the Garmin 305 is $155.00 at Amazon and the 405 is on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods for 249.00 and I have a $20.00 off coupon so it would be $229.00. Is there a reason that one would be better than the other? Does anyone have any experience with both and could point me in a direction or, is the 305 enough and I should take advanatge of the fact that it is $80.00 less?

Any help would be graetly appreciated!

Thanks,
Gretta

 

[thndrmatt]

Coming from a 305 user, it will more than suit your needs, and that $80 can go towards something else, like a race registration?

 

[jbucci]

Both the 305 and 405 work well and would do what you need.

The main difference between them is largely the style of watch. The 305 is more "solid" and functional than a fashion statement. It has a large display and buttons you press to change modes and screens.

The 405 is more sleek looking and a bit smaller and lighter. It could pass for a large mens watch. Instead of buttons the main interface of this watch is a bezel-- the silver part around the watch face. You tap this bezel to change screens and modes and adjust the watch. I personally found the bezel to be a bit annoying as it is easy to accidentally bump while running (or have a sleeve bump into it) and wind up in a strange unintended mode. The screen is also smaller so a bit harder to read. The 405 that I have also does not do too well in the rain-- if it gets wet (no problem for runs less than an hour but if it is in the rain longer) it starts to become unresponsive and unreliable.

Both watches pair easily with a HR monitor.

I would vote for the 305 personally and save the money. The 405 looks pretty but does not really give any extra function for the added price.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I vote for the 305 - actually, I did vote for my 305 when I chose to buy it last year and save the money over the 405.

There is a reason that they have not been phased out yet, despite the fact that the 405 has been out for a couple years. They fit the niche for the person who wants something functional at a lower cost point, and isn't concerned with wearing something large and unwieldy on their wrist. I am a small woman with very small hands and wrists (ring size 4!), but the 305's size doesn't bother me, and it provides all the functionality I could ever imagine needing.

 

[Gretta]

Thanks so much!

I appreciate all of the help. I knew there would be experienced people here to help me! I will go ahead and order the 305 and save my money. I just wasn't sure if I was missing something important that the 405 had that I might need.

Again, I appreciate all of your helping me.

Gretta