Tell me about the Garmin...

[mrsschlep]

Hi... I want to buy my husband a garmin for xmas but there are so many different models that i am unsure which one to go with. I am currently looking at the 305 on amazon but it looks kinda bulky... any suggestions? Do you like it? Is it worth it? He is an avid runner... currently training for the Disney Full Marathon in a few weeks. I know he would love something like this but I want to make sure I get the right one! Thanks

Jessi

 

[Cindylou]

I love my Garmin. I have the 205 which is similarly bulky to the 305 I believe. I have gotten used to the bulk so it's not a problem. I think some people run just to run for the exercise or experience and others run to try to improve their fitness and their race times. If your DH falls in the second category the Garmin is a great piece of training equipment.

As far as figuring out which one to buy I don't know how much I can help. The 305 is supposed to be a little more reliable finding and keeping the satellite signal than the 205, so I think the 305 would be a better idea than the 205. The 405 is much less bulky, but costs an extra $100. I have heard a few complaints of getting used to the way it operates (no buttons).

Some come with a heart rate monitor some don't. I think the 305 comes automatically with it, but for the 405 there is a difference in price of ~$50 for the ones with the HR monitor. I know I don't use that info at all to train, but some people do and find it quite useful. They also make a 310 model which is water proof incase your DH is into Triathlons. That one also is a lot more money than the 305. I think because the 305 is an older model you can find better deals than on the 405.

After typing all of this I'm thinking the 305 is a pretty good way to go. It has the HR monitor if he wants it, it's reasonable priced and personally I think the bulk is not much of an issue.

Good luck to you in deciding. Your husband is fortunate to be getting such a nice gift for the holidays.

Cindy

 

[mandac]

I have the 305 and I love it! LOVE IT! I started out not much of a runner, but I really enjoyed tracking my data. It tracks on the computer. I have the heart rate monitor which is nice. It is a little bulky, more than a standard watch, but I am used to it now. I use it every time I go out, even if I am staying inside!

I just convinced my aunt to get a 305 for her husband. I know the price on Amazon is awesome right now, so I would say go for that one.

 

[SamSam]

I love my Garmin 205! Yes, it's bulky but I'm used to it. I'm a walker, but I still like to track my speed (keeps me from slowing down) and I love downloading the data to my computer to keep track of my miles over the weeks. I call mine Garmie ....not too original!

 

[mrsschlep]

Thanks so much for your replies... I just ordered the 305 from amazon!!! For $170 (and FREE shipping to boot) i couldn't pass it up! He is going to LOVE it!!I honestly don't think he knows it exists. Right now he uses a cheapie watch from target that he uses as a stop watch and heart rate monitor (not sure how acurate it is though?) Now if only he would take the hints that I want a Bodybugg
Thanks again!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Another one who loves her Garmin (205) and feels so much more free with it. I like the bigger (bulk) b/c I can actually see it w/o putting on my granny glasses.

When your DH is getting used to his, have him be aware that there are multiple screens and that there is one to customize wich I love most. I hope he finds that he doesn't know how he ever went without it.

Hope you get your BodyBugg. I think making a list to prominently display is a good "hint" and quite helpful.

 

[cewait]

Just want to clear something up...

The 205 and 305 are the same unit with two exceptions. The 305 has a heart rate monitoring and the units are different colors. They perform exactly the same otherwise.

By far these are the best bang for the buck Garmies at this time.

Upgrading, the 405 is the next generation. I like Lily would never use this as I cannot see the numbers as well. Plus you do not get as much data on one screen.

Upgrading even further, the 310 looks like a 305, kind of BUT is water proof. Great for a triathlete.

If you really want to go on a budget, the 201/301 units are still out there.... They do not load stellites as well as the later series but are dirt cheap. AND they are even more bulky that the 205/305.

 

[airtime247]

Hi Jessi,

Your husband is going to love his Garmin. I love my 305. I have mine automatically toggle between two screens (of four fields each) so I can have a lot of information available while I run like current pace, average pace, speed, distance, heart rate, and time. For trail runs and races, I include elevation and % grade. There are so many fields to choose from and features to try, he'll never get bored with it.

The software it comes with is pretty limited but there are some free sites out there where he can upload his data and it will display his course on a Google or Microsoft map and give a lot more performance data.

-steve

 

[lolafrances]

I also love, love, love my 205. My DH got it for me for Mother's Day two years ago. We got it right when the 405 came out and it was on sale so it was a great deal. I didn't need a heart monitor or whatever else the 405 had (a color screen, I think??). It is bulky but when you fasten it comfortably it doesn't move around at all. The feel doesn't bother me in the least and I have a very small wrist.

Also, make sure he takes advantage of the Garmin's ability to download the run data automatically to the computer. He can use the Garmin software that comes with it or, even better, the Running Ahead website. You can google it. It is a free site that also downloads the data automatically and tracks your running with charts and graphs.

Your husband will love it. It is definitely the single best gift I have ever gotten!!! I am happy every time I use it and I'm sure he will enjoy it as well.

 

[cewait]

Hi Jessi,

Your husband is going to love his Garmin. I love my 305. I have mine automatically toggle between two screens (of four fields each) so I can have a lot of information available while I run like current pace, average pace, speed, distance, heart rate, and time. For trail runs and races, I include elevation and % grade. There are so many fields to choose from and features to try, he'll never get bored with it.

The software it comes with is pretty limited but there are some free sites out there where he can upload his data and it will display his course on a Google or Microsoft map and give a lot more performance data.

-steve

Steve - I never though of putting grade on the running mode. Great idea!Thoough that maybe too much for this flatlander. I just want to get up the danged hill and see the vista once up there.

 

[suzannews]

Just wanted to add that I love my Garmin and I'm sure your husband will also. I did all my training and my first race, the Minnie 15K, without it. I did most of the race with a girl who I met near the start who had a Garmin and I knew from the start line that I would be buying one. Can't imagine a walk, run or race without it!

 

[DLchick]

I love my 305. Sometimes I train using Heartrate. Sometimes I do intervals. Sometimes I just keep checking it to make sure I stay on pace. I can't even tell you how thrilled I am with being able to just start running in any direction and know exactly how far I've traveled without getting out a map of some kind and trying to figure out distance.

Your hub is going to LOVE it and you are going to score serious spouse points this holiday season!

 

[fashionista311]

I have the 405 with heart rate and cannot live without it. i generally have no problems with the receiver - the worst complaint i've had that it sometimes take longer than i would like to find a signal when i'm in the busiest parts of nyc. i know some people have complained that it doesn't have the split screens, but really, it doesn't bother me to have the rotating screens. if i glance down and it doesn't have the info i want (usually i want to know how much longer i have to suffer for ha) i just wait a few seconds glance down and i'm good to go. never have any issues reading the numbers. not to mention i'm a tiny girl with tiny wrists, so i think any of the older models would be too bulky for me. but regardless with whatever model you go with, it will be the best gift a runner could receive!

 

[mrsschlep]

Thanks so much... for all the great reviews!! I think i mentioned that i went with the 305... it came in the mail today and i cannot wait to give it to him. i feel like i'm in those target commercials where the mom tells her kids what all their gifts are at midnight before they even want to wake up and open them, lol...
i must say that i opened the box up to check out all the contents and the watch is not as big and bulky as i thought it was going to be... he's going to LOVE it...

Thanks again for all your help... I knew I would find answers here! I posted something similar on facebook and everyone kept telling me about their gps systems for their cars, lol... guess none of my friends are runners, lol

~Jessi

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Yay! I am glad you've got it. I'm excited for you too!

 

[lolafrances]

How exciting! Report back to us at 12:01am on Christmas Eve night and let us know what your husband thinks!

 

[mrsschlep]

HI guys... Merry Christmas! So... hubby LOVES his garmin! But we can't figure out how the heart rate monitor works? is the display for it the teeny tiny numbers in the top right hand corner? Does it automatically turn on and sync together? Thanks so much for your help!
Oh and I got my bodybugg... YAY! Love it!

 

[airtime247]

HI guys... Merry Christmas! So... hubby LOVES his garmin! But we can't figure out how the heart rate monitor works? is the display for it the teeny tiny numbers in the top right hand corner? Does it automatically turn on and sync together? Thanks so much for your help!
Oh and I got my bodybugg... YAY! Love it!

I'm glad he loves his Garmin. The Heart Rate Monitor can be turned on by pressing Mode and going into Settings...General...Accessories...Heart Rate Monitor.

It really helps to wet the heart rate monitor before he puts it on. I turn on the sink to a very light stream and wet the two ridged areas next to where the straps connect.

The easist way to tell if the Heart Rate Monitor is working is if you press the Mode button. On the bottom right below the menus, you will see a little icon with a heart. If there is an X flashing over it, it's not detecting it.

I also have Heart Rate showing on my main display screen so I can tell if it's registering right away without having to go through the menus. If I put my monitor on before I turn the Garmin on, it always detects it right away.

One more thing, to help get an accurate reading, be sure he sets up his profile under Settings...General...User Profile.

I hope he has fun with it and you enjoy your BodyBugg!

-steve

 

[cewait]

HI guys... Merry Christmas! So... hubby LOVES his garmin! But we can't figure out how the heart rate monitor works? is the display for it the teeny tiny numbers in the top right hand corner? Does it automatically turn on and sync together? Thanks so much for your help!
Oh and I got my bodybugg... YAY! Love it!

The Garmin has customizable screens. Add HR to one of the boxes on a screen and then the HR will be legible. It will automatically sync and start once you turn the Garmie on.
Like mentioned you may need to wet the strap first. We use Aloe Gel at the club for testing since is seems a little gross to just wet the strap. Also, wash and dry the strap after using to get the salts off.

 

[Nparrotte]

I have had the 205 for some time and I love it. For those of you that have the 305 what other features does it have other than the HR monitor and do you think those features make it worth purchasing since I already have the 205?