GPS Watches

If cost is that big of an issue you might also consider the 205. It does pretty much what the 305 does less the heart rate monitor. I've tried the 305, 405, 310xt, and 410. I still keep coming back to my 205 because the others have not proven to me they do any more for me. I'm a pretty bread and butter user though so additional features beyond pace and distance are not important for me. I have not found the accuracy of any of the others to be superior.

does anyone know the battery life of the timex ironman watch? the battery is the main attraction of the 310xt vs the timex

The single biggest advantage I found was that I no longer had to spend time mapping out my runs before or after I was finished. I knew how far I went, and how long it took me.

I don't use HR, so that was unnecessary for me. I don't look at all the numbers it could provide me during or after, because I don't really get into that sort of thing.

What you get depends on how you train, and where your interests lie. If you like having a lot of data to look at and charts to play with, then it gives you a fair amount of capability. If you train by heart rate, then you want to make sure that's part of the deal.

If all you really want is a timing device that you can wear anywhere, anytime, then Garmin may not meet your needs.

I had one that ran for something like 3 years without changing the battery. The strap broke before the battery ran out.

This may be helpful


http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/my-2010-athletic-gps-device.html

I think the 305 is the best deal on the market right now for a sports training watch, aside from a simple ironman watch (which I also use).

Mainly I use it for running, monitor distance and pace.  It logs all my runs, and I can go back and see what I did lap by lap on different days. It gives you calories burned, elevation, etc as well.

Also it has a cool mapping feature that I can use on trail runs if I don't know where I'm going (I can run back based on the map to my original start point).

I have the heart rate monitor but only used it a few times.

works good for biking too. I recommend the quick release kit, which gives you a nice velcro wristband and a bike mount for a small price ( < than $20 ).

Can work for swimming but you need to put it in a ziplock bag underneath your swim cap.  I don't use it for swim training however.

overall the 305 is very good. It seems to hold the satellite tracking really well even in places you'd think it wouldn't work well.

There are a few models from Garmin, each with their own pros and cons, but if you want the lowest price and highest functionality- then just get the 305.

Firstly- the biggest training benefit to me to my GPS watch, is the HR monitor.  So, I'd disagree with the above recommendation of the 205, and definitely get the HR monitor.

1.  always knowing exactly how far you ran.  Without consulting a map or worrying about if your nike+ was accurate.
2.  works just fine on the bike as well.
3.  pace, distance, time, HR, map- all easily displayed and recorded on the garmin web site.
4.  the ability to show many different user selectable parameters.  Basically it will tell you anything you want to know.  Very cool.
5.  Custom workouts.  you want to do varying intervals at varying pedetermined paces or heart rate zones with specific rest times in between... no problem.  you watch will take you through each steap.  Very very cool.
6.  Virtual partner.  neat, but it's a if the run gets hilly- as the partner won't slow down while you're running up hills.
7.  relationship between pace and HR (or HR zone).  essential

This is assuming the OP uses HR. Otherwise it's not really necessary.

On amazon.com there is a $17 difference between the 205 and the 305, so it may be worth it to you to get the HR even if it's only a novelty feature. But wow, $138 shipped for the 305.

That's a steal!!

I got my 305 from drugstore.com for $127 and free shipping.

I love my Garmin 305 watch.  I love the freedom it gives you while still knowing how far you ran.  You can make your running route as you do it.  If you get lost it will help you find your way home.  I also like how it tells you basicly what your current pace as well as what your last lap was which I always set at the mile mark. 

Plus in a race I like to know exactly how far I have gone and helps me figure out when the next rest stop is coming.  Yes  your personal mile markers will not line up with the course perfectly but it lines up in enough.  When your like me and your racing cut offs it helps you know if your going to make it easy or if your not going to make it at all.

I've had my Ironman watch for over 2 years- they're so cheap I just throw them out when the batteries die.  Last one I had for almost 3 years.  Great watch and they look cool, too. 

i meant more the life inbetween charges

I just recently acquired a Garmin 205 off CL's for $75.  Works great for me.