Multi Sport Watch

What features do you want?

Lots of folks here like the Garmin Forerunner series, I particularly like my Forerunner 305: watch, GPS, HRM, easy to use, uploads and downloads workouts to/from your computer, etc.

I am new to all of this and it seems every time I buy something i see something better. Right Now I use a cheap sportsline watch primarly for heart rate. I use a Nike + sport sensor for running, I have a Trek incite9 on my bike and I write my swim workouts on my hand with a sharpie and use my watch to time my swims. Then I input all my info into mapmytri.com. Now I might not be the smartest guy in the world, but I'm thinkin there has to be a better method.

I have the Forerunner 405. Love it. I can't find anything it doesn't do!

I had a 305 until this morning and thought it was great.  I might get another one because for the price you can get it at, I think it is the best feature/value combination out there.  I don't think I really need anything more than what it does...

until this morning???

As noted above, there are some great deals right now on the 305 and depending on the race length you're doing could be the only needed watch/timer.

yep, the vast majority of people seemed to have them at Timberman. Maybe not at shorter races though. I had a 305 and left it on and ready in my bike helmet and wore my HR strap during the swim. I just slapped it on my wrist and hit start as I ran over the timing mat for the bike start.Since it was stolen from me yesterday (out of my car), I bit the bullet and bought the 310. That one you can wear in the water too. The value isn't that much greater than the 305 IMO, but I'm contemplating going long and could use the extra battery life if I do a full ironman next year...There is so much other stuff people could be stealing from you...I would rate that low on my race day concerns list to be honest with you...

As above and other posts I have entered. The 305 is great bang for your buck, the quick release kit is well worth it. I felt like it was much more comfortable on my wrist. For a little bit more you can add cadence and work that into your training on the bike. It has helped me a good amount. The biggest complaint I have heard is the size. I got over that about the first run with the quick release wrist strap. I also swim with mine at races for the above comment. I have left it on my bike, but then wanted to start getting the full event. I just put it in a plastic ziplock, put it on the back/top of my head and then put on my swim cap. it sticks out of the water enough to get GPS and see my not so straight lines, yet stays dry due to the double lairs, and you can easily press start/stop and lap upon entry/exit. As I am running to transition i pull off my cap and pop it out of the bag and it goes right onto the bike. I also wear my wrist strap the whole race so I do not have to mess around with it. Have a little info up about the quick release kit on my blog, and will shortly have the 305 review posted.

jvanis - Wow, very creative with the garmin for swimming!  And thanks for the tip on the quick release kit.  I ordered a 305 from amazon and can't wait to get it!  I'll surely read your review.

acumenjay - Sorry to her about your garmin getting stolen from you car (at least not out of transition!).  But how nice to upgrade to a waterproof device.