New Garmin 305!!!

Yeah, I find it operates best in absence of hyperbole!

Here's a tip: Don't spend so much time fooling around with your new gadget that you forget to go out and swim/bike/run!

Seriously though, I've noticed those bad boys going down in price. Hopefully going to get one soon!

Dude - I totally figured you'd be in this thread with your typical mantra. Guess I was wrong!

I just took advantage of the price drop as well.  I thought the size would be an issue for me but I have not been bothered by it one bit.  I have a couple of bike and run workouts on it and love it!  I am a complete n00b and love being able to track all my stats.  I understand most, if not all, of this can be done without my Garmin but I love it.

Using the Garmin has been really straightforward for me but I can't say I've really put it through all of it's paces yet.

Don't worry.

I got used to mine after a couple of weeks.

I REALLY like it for getting my splits and instantaneous pace on my runs.

Im pretty excited about it.  I am interested to see what i can learn by really starting to collect the data...

I did not realize that you had to charge this up... I am a little worried about that since I travel ALOT for work and, it ends up being another thing I have to keep up with...

Congrats on the 305.  I've got one myself, and I love it!  Here's a suggestion, though.

If you're doing a brick and you've finished the first segment, make sure to press start/stop, then press and hold reset.  This will save your data from the first leg of your workout.  Then press and hold the Mode button on the left side.  When the new screen comes up, use the up/down buttons and enter to select your new sport.  Then press start/stop when you're ready to begin.

If you don't press start/stop and perform a reset, your two workouts will end up in MultiSport land, and from there, you can't separate the two workouts without going through some major hassles.

Oh... and enjoy the TV sized white spot that you're no doubt going to get on your wrist.  The suntan your wrist gets is always up for a good laugh. 

-Joel

I just ordered one for myself as well, same deal from Costco... should get it this week... Gonna use a business trip next week to try and figure it out!

I think the monitoring to my training will be very useful, as i approach my first tri (training towards Oct. Miami Nice, but may do Tri Trilogy July...)

Mine just came in the mail today too...can't wait to start playing with it! am on call tomorrow at work, and will use the manual to send myself off to sleep in the call room if have trouble drifting off.....

So I've been thinking about picking one of those up from Costco...but had a couple of what might be stupid question for those of you that have one:

They sell a separate foot pod, correct?  Do you need it, or does it calculate your running distance/speed, etc based on the GPS? 

Same with the bike...they sell a speed/cadence sensor.  Beyond the cadence, why would you need that? 

I guess what I'm asking is...does it come out of the box ready to go, or do I need to spend another $150 to get it up and running as I would want it?  I would be upgrading from a Polar FT40 (basically just HR, max, avg, calories, etc).  Running speed and distance would be nice. 

You don't need the foot pod because it gets your speed, distance, etc. from the GPS - at least as long as you're running outside.  As for the speed/cadence sensor, besides cadence you will also be able to ride your bike on your trainer and track your speed/distance.  I'm not sure it's 100% accurate, but at least you'll have an approximate number.

Edited by kjboneham 2009-06-23 9:18 AM

Yeah, footpod is only useful for dreadmill runs.  For those runs, I just turn the Garmin to "inside mode" and use it as a simple HRM.

If you get a Garmin, definitely download SportsTracks.  It blows Garmin's software out of the water.

Make sure you update the system firmware to the most current level. Sometimes these things sit on the shelf for a while, and there's lots of available updates by the time you buy and bring it home.

This user's post has been ignored.

Look up LisaC957, she's small and I know she uses one. She could give you the low-down!

I LOVE my garmin. I am 5'3" and small framed. I've had it for over two years and aside from the garmin tan have no issues with the size. I close it one the second last loop.  I've heard a few ladies complain on these boards but of the many many female runners I know none would ever forgo the tool because of it's size! It rocks!! It's bigger than a watch but not bigger than a lot of cuffs or bracelet watches that women wear for style. Plus, it's not like a regular watch you'd use all time. Just for running/biking - the battery life isn't that long.

SNERK.  Yeah, I'm twelve.

My 305 finally died a few months ago...screen is blank...still WORKING but I can't see it while it's on.  I'm trying to hold out for the 310XT I think...just need to survive another month with crappy 305!!!!!

Get the cadence and speed add-on if you want to use it on the trainer. But if you already have a bike computer you use on the trainer, skip the extras.

I got two extras (cadence kit and bike mount) because I was purchasing this to use as my bike computer, as well as for runs.

The bike mount kit allows you to mount it on the stem, and then snap it off and stick it on your wrist in one motion in T2.

It's accurate on the trainer. In fact, if you have the cadence kit with the sensor on the wheel, go outside and ride once. It will calculate the RPM of the wheel and run that against the data from the GPS and automatically determine your wheel size!! Super cool!

I also got the Costco deal. (The 1st time, before they dropped it another $20.)

Same $149 costco deal here. I got it Friday and used it for my first tri on sunday. Once you figure out the settings, you cant beat it for the money

Anybody know if they carry it in stores...or do I have to wait for it?

The Costco deal is online only. At least that's what it says in the coupon book.