Which GPS

The 405 has had some *issues*.  Why it make look prettier and such, a lot of folks have trouble with the bezel if it gets sweaty at all. 

I upgraded my 301 (which died finally after a few years) to a 310 a few months ago and I couldn't be happier!

I've got the 305 and 310. If you're not looking to keep it on for the swim I'd be just as happy with the 305.
Okay, the 310 does pick up the sats a LOT quicker.

To me, the 310 offers little functionality for more than double the price. Amazon had (has) the FR305 for $140.

Just posted on another thread that my FR305 rarey takes more than 15-20 seconds to lock on the satellites, from inside my kitchen. Even if the 310 did so a lot faster it wouldn't be worth the $200+ extra.

If you have the money, the 310 definitely. It has twice the battery life (20 hours!) than the 305.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the 305, 310 and 405 from Garmin.

I have had said **issues** with my 405 that were mentioned earlier. My 405 does not have a "multisport" button either. Love everything else about it though.

If I may add another comment, I look at the 305v310 issue like buying a computer...if you don't buy the latest model you'll just have to upgrade sooner.

I had a 301 very early after it came out and was able to skip the 305 generation entirely.

And as lisa said, the battery on the 310 is AWESOME.   Unless I leave it on by accident (which can happen with the whole wireless transfer dealio) then it lasts for SO long.

Also, the 310 has the ANT+ technology...so if you are in the market for a power meter anytime soon it would be the definite choice.

Another thing you wife will say is a "want" but you will insist is a "need".

Edited by jldicarlo 2009-11-24 3:53 PM

No need to upgrade if that computer does what you need, as  it always will perform those functions. When it finally breaks or wears out, then you upgrade. No need to spend significantly more for marginal features.

Never needed more than ten hours of battery, don't need the ANT+ technology even though I have a PowerTap, the CPU that came with the PT works fine.

If you got the extra $200, by all means get the latest toy. For me, that's four or five more races i can do.

Wife gave me the 405 for Christmas last year when I was just biking for fun.  Only races I entered were road running.  Great watch for running as long as it stays dry.  I record my biking on it also, but have run out of battery on century rides.  No multi-sport mode on 405.  You have to click through multiple menus to change from bike to run, so not practical on the fly.  For triathlon, I use bike computer for bike and 405 for run.


Edited by cgchandler 2009-11-24 4:09 PM

in the identical position:

chose the 310xt for x-mas why....

1)  I have the fr50 with HRM / Foot Pod - very happy with it
2)  310 is newer technology although its $350 vs $150 for the 305, the 310 lets me use it for the full race without worry, has ANT+ for powertap which I will be buying later
3

read this blog post review VERY VERY COMPLETE
http://dcrainmaker.blogspot.com/2009/09/garmin-forerunner-310xt-in-depth-review.html

310, because my 305 died and after the 1yr warranty, it was $90 to get it fixed. I was just planning to pick up another 305 as it did exactly what I needed, but with the $50 rebate going on for the 310, the $274 was an easier pill to swallow.

Also, the bike mount quick release for the 310 now supports both horizontal and vertical bar placement, where you had to rig something to make the 305 one work. For a long distance person, the 310 is a better choice. But absolutely nothing wrong with the 305.

I have a 305 that refuses to pick up my HR correctly. I sent the unit back and was sent another one, have tried three different strapes and still have same issue and have called Garmin probably 20x.

I really would like HR to pick up...as it does with my power meter and my HRM so it seems odd.

Anyone have better luck with the 310 with picking up HR than 305?

I just got a 310XT for myself for Christmas, and I'm to excited to starting to use it.

Edited by audiojan 2009-11-25 11:59 PM

I just got the 310xt at the beginning of November and love it so far, especially for running. No issues with it not picking up heart rate. I decided on the 310xt because I signed up for IronMan Florida and need the extra battery life. If I were not racing a full distance IM I would choose the 305 and spend the money tou save on other Tri related gear.

This is what I do as well.  I don't use the HRM as much for biking as I do for running, so that works out fine for me.

If you do want to use it for tris, you'll want the 305 or the 310. 

My 310 was only $250 so it was only $100 more. That was worth it to me to be able to wear it in the water and for the extra battery life.

Races must be cheap where you are though. $200 would only buy me 1-3 races depending on the length. :D

Edited by MacMadame 2009-11-26 2:23 PM

If your 310 for $250 included a HR strap then it was a good buy indeed. But I still don't understand the need to wear it in the water (where it only keeps time) or for more than ten hours battery life (unless you're racing IMs). Neither is worth $1 extra to me. YMMV.

Most sprints around here are $35-$50.

Target (yep, the big red dot) has 305's with heart rate (WITH HEART RATE) for $160 ... which is only a little more than a good HR monitor.. I got one to replace the one I lost mountain biking last Winter...
http://www.target.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Receiver-Heart-Monitor/dp/B000CSWCQA

I don't have a problem with the HR on the 305.  I have two HR straps, and switch them out on occasion.  All I have to do is have the 305 scan for new HR strap and it picks it up.  Now, sometimes, when it is dry outside, which is not often in FL, I'll have to wet (spit) on the underside of the strap so that it will make better contact with the skin.   

My only problem is that I have gone through 4 305's.  They just stop working on me.  My last one came apart on me.  I mean literally the top separated from the bottom.   My next GPS will be the 310xt.  

My first GPS watch was that Timex one with the GPS strapped to your arm.  I hated that thing.  I think that was about 8yrs ago.   

i made a post nashbar had the 310 for 280 + garmin $50 rebate it will cost me $230.

although i could get the 305 for 140 after i considered it, the hassle, newer tech, water proof, ant+, power the 310 made more sense.

btw sprints in miami cheapest are $70, olympic $125-150...ouch!

I use a 305 and have had no issues with it.  It gets satellites quickly and always find my heart rate.  I hadn't thought about running out of battery life on an IM and will need to give this a thought before next November.  However, if anyone makes a GPS that can be used in the swim, just like with running and biking, reliable,  uploadable swim distance, heart rate patterns, etc., I will probably make the switch. 

My only issue is that I recently got the bike cadence sensor and am not clever enough to synch it to the device.  My Garmin screen and the one portrayed in the manual don't seem to resemble each other.  I am never thinking of this problem any time I am near a telephone and have the device and the manual and the bike. 

There is a Polar guy that is now posting here.  Why doesn't Garmin have someone do that?  Then I could ask him/her about my cadence sensor. 

I did not vote as you haven't said what distance.

If there's an IM in the future, then 310XT for sure. 
Anything shorter, 305 and save the extra money for shoes or something.

If you sleep on a bed of $20's then the 310XT as well. 

its only 4 more $20 if you bought it yesterday....