Garmin FR60 v 305

The 305..

Frankly, I must be missing the point of the FR60: no GPS, no multi-sport function, no cheaper. Only benefit I can see is you can wear it as an everyday watch...

The advantage of the FR60 is it's smaller, so it would be easier to wear as total beginning to end triathlon solution.  If you are just interested in HR and running pace, it does that.  And during a race, isn't that really all you need?  It's all I need anyway...  I love my 305, and wear it on every bike and run I do, but won't wear it in a race.  It's just too bulky to have on for the swim (and perhaps not waterproof enough?) and I don't want to take time in transition to put it on when all I really need is a HR monitor. 

You also don't have to worry about constantly recharging the FR60's battery.

So, imho, 305 rocks for training, but I'd take a FR60 on raceday.  In my case, I have an old Polar HRM that I'll wear on raceday.  It doesn't do cadence or log any data, but all I personally desire is a real time HRM during a race.

I bought the FR60 over the 305 because I wanted run cadence, and the footpod is just as accurate as the 305's GPS when calibrated.  It also works fine as a cycling computer with the 3 line display, and no worries about charging it up or battery life.  I know it's probably against the rules here to say this, but GPS isn't the be-all-end all of training.  If I had the money I would have gone with the Polar 800CX with footpod, but for now the FR60 does what I need.

Given I have both...

I'd go with the 305 for the money.  They're basically the same price given current pricing.  The 305 is a far more flexible training tool for triathlons than the FR60.  Especially when you take into account data fields displayed and the ability to manage multiple data streams effectively (i.e. cadence, speed, HR, distance, etc...).

Where I think the FR60 really shines is as an everday watch.  I use it in the pool, can use it on runs to get simple distance/HR/cadence, etc... and with the battery lasting a year (really, it's 1 year), I never have to worry about charging or being left in a situation without battery.

But when it comes down to it, for me, my primary training tool is the 305/310XT - not the FR60.  My day to day watch though is the FR60.

Note, someone above pointed out run/bike cadence on the FR60 - this is offered on the 305 as well (for run with the foot pod, and bike with the speed/cadence sensor, same as the FR60).  Just wanted to clarify that.

I have a pretty thorough review of the 305 on my blog, and will be getting an FR60 review published here pretty shortly, but I can probably answer any questions you have in the meantime.

I had the same decision and went with the FR60. I love it.
It's certainly difficult to pick the FR60 over the 305 based on specs. All the obvious differences have been pointed-out here.
For me, I wanted a low-profile, everyday watch w/ HR and the FR60 has really fit the bill.

305....hands down IMHO.

If you really want you can get a footpod for it to use it indoors/get run cadence but I think you'll find not having to calibrate it every 5 minutes will be of great value.

Not having to charge it is a big one for me. I have a 310XT but I wear the FR60 as an everyday watch and as an HR monitor quite often. The HR strap works with multiple garmin devices.

have the 310xt, similar to 305 only exception being swimming.

still have fr50 with all the pods. 

the fr50 is a nice watch but doesn't come close when you compare to 300 series.  GPS > pods any day.  if i run inside i am on a treadmill anyways so only function to use is HR.

the 305 is bulky but you get used to it.  so 305 all the way for the price.

Am I to understand that you can use a 305 with a footpod so it can be used indoors? 

Correct.  No issues there at all.  You can use it indoors with the foodpod and get speed/distance/cadence, or outdoors with GPS on and get cadence.

You can choose from any of the different Garmin foot pods out there, there's roughly three different styles ranging from old school to new school.  The newest ones are the nicest though, about the size of a quarter.

Sweet!  However, are there any problems with uploading your footpod data to your computer?  I  read in an Amazon discussion thread that there could be issues.

Nope, no issues.  I use mine every other day, and have been for a few years now.  Data always comes through without issues.   I upload to Training Peaks and Garmin Connect (used to be Motion Based), and also place the data locally in Garmin Training Center and Sports Tracks.

I talk about the foot pods pretty in depth in my review (the 310XT review has the most detailed photos on it, but it applies to the 305 as well).  Of course, I'm always happy to answer questions here.

P.S. - Your profile picture catches me offguard each time...funny stuff.

Just to circle back on this one - I posted the FR60 review last night, for those who are interested: http://dcrainmaker.blogspot.com/2010/02/garmin-fr60-review-in-depth.html

I think when comparing the 305 to the FR60 - I'd have to go 305 if prettyness isn't a factor.  If it is, well you can't beat the FR60.

Note that both watches work on a bike.  The FR60 simply uses the speed/cadence sensor- which is just as accurate as GPS in a bike situation (actually, usually more accurate because it's simply measuring an exact wheel distance, whereas GPS sometimes gets confused).