Is anyone's Garmin 305 working correctly?

Mine works great.  Never a problem.  Sometimes it doesn't connect to the computer, but after a reboot of my home machine, it works fine.

But I'm not selling it.

I just recieved mine for Xmas but I have yet to have any issues with 10 runs.

Now I just need to figure out where my HR should be for the best training.

What is DD?

Good explanation of the elevation inaccuracy, biggor.  This has come up a few times and I have been too lazy to type out the reason in previous threads.

To add to your comments, in general, the quality of the geometry in what would be called the 'z' axis (elevation) is not so good because the GPS satellites are approximately 12,000 miles above the earth's surface broadcasting synchronized time signals the 305 receives and processes to more or less triangulate it's position.  As you would imagine, lateral movement can be resolved quite well and with reasonably good accuracy since the 305 picks up several satellites at once at different positions in the sky.  However, moving the 305 up and down results in very slight variations in the triangulation calculation because you are simply moving the unit closer or farther away from many of the satellites and it doesn't have the capability to resolve the minute elevation change.  Keep in mind, we are asking for it to identify a 20' or 100' elevation change by tracking a satellite(s) that is 12,000 miles away at its closest point directly overhead.

Basically, without WAAS (that's another discussion), the elevation calculations and the % grade calculations are pretty inaccurate if a GPS signal is the only source of elevation change. 

Greg

yaqui,

If it hasn't been on for a few weeks or if you have moved it a significant distance since it was last turned off, it takes longer for it to 'find itself'.   This happened to me in college a number of times before GPS was invented.  I would wake up in a new place that I couldn't remember going to the night before and it took me a while to find myself.

Also, make sure it has a clear view of the sky.  Move away from your house or any large buildings so it can recieve as many satellites as possible.  The GPS antenna is under the 'Garmin' logo below the screen, so make sure nothing is covering it up or blocking it from receiving the microwave signals.

FWIW,

Greg