Garmin 305

[Pumbaa80]

I'm considering purchasing a Garmin 305 (switching from a Polar F6). I think it will be helpful with the running intervals and the GPS sounds great (less running on the track!)!

What I'm a bit confused about is the calorie counter. I know all of the calorie counters are going to be less than perfect, but I've been reading that Garmin 305 doesn't factor the HR and only uses time and distance. Wouldn't that mean that two people at two totally diffrerent fitness levels walking or running together would get the same calories burned (according to the watch)? That just doesn't seem like it even attempts to be accurate. Maybe I'm not understanding something? Thanks in advance!

 

[verticalchaos]

I'm not sure about the 305. I have the FR60W and it tracks calories via the chest-strap HRM. But it doesn't have the GPS.

 

[cewait]

I'm considering purchasing a Garmin 305 (switching from a Polar F6). I think it will be helpful with the running intervals and the GPS sounds great (less running on the track!)!

What I'm a bit confused about is the calorie counter. I know all of the calorie counters are going to be less than perfect, but I've been reading that Garmin 305 doesn't factor the HR and only uses time and distance. Wouldn't that mean that two people at two totally diffrerent fitness levels walking or running together would get the same calories burned (according to the watch)? That just doesn't seem like it even attempts to be accurate. Maybe I'm not understanding something? Thanks in advance!

I am not sure what algorithm Garmin uses.... It is not HR based. One thing that I think IS really neat is that Garmin and New Leaf have teamed up so that you can upload metabolic test results from a metabolic map. That way you know what your Kcal burn rate really is…or at least from the last assessment. Many health clubs offer Green Leaf metabolic assessments.

Without this direct tie to your body's condition, most any fitness 'watch' Kcal readout should be used as a relative comparision between your workouts.

 

[lisah0711]

I knew that you would get some good answers on this side of the WISH boards!

 

[cewait]

I knew that you would get some good answers on this side of the WISH boards!

I think it off-timing, also. Many runners were out of town this weekend.

 

[Pumbaa80]

Thanks for all the replies!! I am really happy with my Polar, but we've taken wrong turns on some trails lately making the GPS sound great for milage tracking.
Is the distance tracking pretty accurate with Garmin?

Thanks again!