Which Garmin to buy?

[Disfan11]

I'm looking for advice on which Garmin to buy.
I would like the GPS to keep track of my running routes, time, etc.
I currently am using Run Keeper on my phone and I love how it keeps track of everthing.
But I'm considering taking the next plunge in high tech gadgets.
So please give me your opinion.
thanks,
Disfan11

 

[jmasgat]

I've got a 305 and find it very useful--for running and biking. Form factor is clunky/big for my small wrist, but that's okay. 205 is like 305 but without the HR monitor (which I have yet to use). Best thing about 305---you can get them pretty cheap since it is now an older model. Amazon sells for $128.

Maura

 

[cewait]

305 user here. Bigger numbers than the others.

 

[John VN]

Another for 305.

Unlike many, I live by the HR when walking or biking. Very helpful and the big numbers are great. Just don't like the battery life when out biking long distances.

 

[geaux_half]

Another 305 fan here. I just ordered a backup from pc nation.... right under 125 with free 3 day shipping.

 

[johde]

I also have the Garmin 305. Like others have said, right now, the best place to start looking is at the 205/305. Everything else, at least in the Garmin lineup is more expensive. So, I would see if the other watches are worth the added expense.

Garmin 110/210; smaller more watch like, fewer features, newer chipset

Garmin 310; Fully waterproof (305 is water resistant), newer chipset, expensive

Garmin 405/410; More watch like sized between 110 and 305. feature rich, has touch bezel that people either love or hate.

 

[Duanerice]

305 fan here. I like the bigger face as my eyes are not what they used to be.
Duane

 

[crewmatt]

I have a 405CX. I like it quite a bit, and enjoy the smaller size. The touch bezel can be kind of annoying but kind of cool too - if you lock it while running you're good to go. I dont really need to have all the info displayed constantly when running, usually just pace, distance and time. And it can scroll through the screens automatically for you.

The other fun thing about it is it automatically syncs to your computer wirelessly.

 

[fashionista311]

I use the 405 - I'm looking to upgrade to the 410 (the bezel is more refined on the newer version) but my 405 is only about 2 years old...so I'm holding out for a bit.

I like the 405 - the bezel doesn't really bother me for the most part. I almost switched to the 110 (it's also on the newer side - it's the simplistic than the 405) but it doesn't take the foot pod. The foot pod is an optional chip that ties on your shoe, and measures via cadence instead of gps. I live in an area that is full of trees, so the satellites take 30 years to find...so I find the food pod to be very helpful and more much accurate.

If you aren't in a rush to buy, there's a new one coming out in the market soon - Nike is teaming up with Tom Tom. It will apparently utilize gps, and then the Nike plus ipod chip if the gps needs a backup. It's gotten a lot of hype so far...so I might wait and see what happens with that one when it hits the market

 

[faith-hope-joy]

305 user here. Have had it a year and love it. I used the HRM for quite a while, but now never do. I was a new runner and having those numbers really helped me learn to read my body's cues. For me, the deciding factor on what to buy was price. Amazon and Wal-Mart (deliver to store) had the cheapest prices. I'm 5'3" so the 305 does seem a bit bulky on me, but price over fashion won the battle.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm also on the 305 train and love having it. I don't really use the heart monior so I could have gone with the 205 but Amazon had the 305 for only a few bucks more so I figured why not get it just in case.

 

[ChloroFiend]

I'm a gadget freak and current RunKeeper user. I'm normally not one to dissuade people from buying cool shiny toys...however, what benefit are you going to get out of the Garmins that you don't from RunKeeper?

I can understand wanting the HR integration, but you can do that with RunKeeper as well....either manual input of average HR or using one of the Polar WearLink BlueTooth receivers. I do the latter, simply because I already own a FT40 and can't justify the additional funds for the new transmitter.

You do get a more compact form-factor (wrist mount vs. the armband requirement)...but if you're using your phone as a music player, you'll need to replace that with yet another device. If you're really trying to get stuff off your arm, i can see that too...going with the Garmin and something like an iPod nano or shuffle.

Just my $.02, of course. RunKeeper isn't perfect, but it's pretty excellent for a lot of things.

 

[Trudes]

I LOVE my Garmin 305!

 

[saysay]

I got the 305 for christmas LOVE IT! My wrists are small and the larger size was very easy to get used to. My eyes are starting to go, and its easy to read which I love!

 

[dismikki]

I am with the "keep using your phone camp". I too, love gadgets and I was shopping for a garmin. Just at that time cardiotrainer, the app I use started working with the polar bluetooth heart rate monitor. I love the set-up. My music, heartrate, pace, map, everything is on my phone. I did buy a new waistpack with a see through front so I could view the numbers while running. Love it!

 

[Duanerice]

I'd be worried taking my phone on a run. My Garmin is somewhat water resistant but my Blackberry is not. If my Garmin dies (which it just did) no biggie, if I kill my phone it is much more of a hassle and cost. I use it for business so I don't want to take the chance of ruining it just to save $100.

I just sweat too much and run in the rain because I hate the treadmill I also do not like wearing anything on my arm so that's why I use a Ipod shuffle.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[cewait]

Having ruined a couple iPods I too am a hesitant phone user. I did run with my iPhone Disney 2011 using RunKeeper. The app allowed the family to track me realtime. Really neat app. But the phone was in a baggie, in a water resistant arm band.

 

[faith-hope-joy]

cewait - that's pretty cool about runkeeper. I never knew it could do that. I also don't like to use my phone. I adore my iPhone, but using it for music while running is a hassle. I use a Shuffle too and it works fantastic. I bought myself one of the new models recently. I love that it now has playlists and voiceover. I have been keeping my phone in my spibelt in case of emergencies. I'd rather not carry it, but then again, I don't want to regret not having it. Especially on long runs. My kids also feel better knowing that I have my phone. They worry if I decide to run longer than I had planned. I try to tell them where I'm running at, but sometimes I go off route a bit since I run in neighborhoods. I'm going to check into runkeeper. Maybe that will give them some reassurance about where I'm at in a run.

 

[rubato]

Yet another 305 user. I have tiny wrists, but can get it to fit on the smallest hole. It's big, but, as others have said, that makes it easy to read. I am a sweater and run in the rain, and it's never gotten so wet that I fried it. My phone was in my fuel belt during the marathon and got so sweaty that it wouldn't work properly until I dried it out. I would never rely on it for my runs. I used my HR belt once and hated it because I had to tighten it so much to keep it on that I couldn't take a really deep breath. Not good when running.

 

[crewmatt]

I've accidentally showered with my 405 on. They're supposedly water resistant to 1m.