Garmin's here, Garmins there!

Hey,

I'm looking to purchase myself a brand spanking new Garmin... a present for being a good girl

So far I've established that the 305 speakers go, and people take them back so I'm ruling that out!

Budget is about 200/250. Would like a heart rate monitor but not essential!

The key thing is the GPS/or whatever it is for mileage purely as I'm crap at it, ill run for 45 min think I've done enough and well i haven't even came close!

So my limited research says I'm looking at a 405? Anyone concur? Is there another one that is more basic but does the job?

Alot of questions eh...last one...

Who killed Kennedy?

310xt  £215 with HRM from handtec.co.uk.

Really easy to read and use.

I should have maybe said that...the easier to use the better...i have a hard enough time trying to breath and run at the same time that throwing in a Garmin to the mix is likely to end in Disaster!

Will check it out cheers Madlot

ohh well you never mentioned that Madlot......

SOLD!

I have a 310xt with heart rate monitor and foot pod and although I really really like it, it is designed for trialthons rather than specifically running as such it misses out on some of the desirable features of GPS devices made specifically for running such as pacing alarms.
It is also not the wisest buy in terms of value for money imho

Its a great product but overkill for most people imho unless you use the cycle kit and swim with it  you miss out on many of its features. You can get devices with similar runing fuctions for far less money imho

I personally advise the 405 for running, its a great bit of kit.

Having said that if you have money to burn and do not want a pacing alarm the 310xt is great imho

Get the 310XT!  I love mine.  There's a thread that I started about a month or so ago debating which Garmin to go for.  Got mine from Sweatshop when they had 10% off so cost me £242 ish.  Amazon have them for £230.  Its another £40 for the HR monitor, but I decided against that as I'm sure to become aware of it, if my heart stops beating .

Try a few on in shops and you'll get an idea for what you like best

Ive got the Garmin forerunner 205, perfect for me, just use the quick setting tell it what distance and pace i want to do and off i go, the distance counts down and i just keep glancing at the pace to reassure myself im on track, i does do audable alarms but i dont bother. Dont use any of the other features, it has lots. Was a bit unsure when buying it as its quite big and my wrists are small about 6 inchs but it does up tight enough and is fine. Highly recommended.

My friend has a 205 and doesn't have any problems with it.  Sweatshop, Amazon and play have it for ~£125.  I think you can get two different size straps with it too.  The only negatives I can come up with are that it is only a 10 hour battery (310 - 20 hours) and I didn't find the curved back a good fit for my skinny wrists.  Like I said though, you're best trying a few on.  If you're happy with the fit then get the 205 and save yourself £115 and get some new trainers / running gear as well

Also don't think the 205 can wireless connect to your laptop whereas the 310 can.  Not a deal breaker tho

Cheers guys!

 Im liking the sound of the 205 especially on the price front £125 is really good! I have skinny wrists though so might give it a try first!

Maybe get myself a waterprooft jacket with the extra cash, rain is pretty common occurence in my nect of the woods!

 Wireles is not an issue! 10 hours battery not an issue...got the long sunday run but unless this Garmin weighs alot it should never be 10 hours!

I have just got the 305 for £98 on amazon  and the footpod for £20 off ebay  

    loving it,

 came with hrm and 2 sized straps

dead easy to use  battery life not a problem as i connect to the pc to transfer data and charge after each run

Hezybaby wrote (see)

So far I've established that the 305 speakers go, and people take them back so I'm ruling that out!

 yet you like the 205 which is the poorer relation to the 305

 the watch was released in 2006, out of 275 reviews on amazon, 177 gave full marks and only 33 people gave it 3 stars or less.  most of which were complaints about software (and no linux support)

ive had mine for 3 years, rocked up 1000s of miles in sun, rain and snow. Cant praise it highly enough  

People were taking the 305 back when it was new to the market and there seemed to be a few production glitches. All resolved years ago, by the look of things.

It's now a mature product that's cheaper than its newer siblings but no worse, just a bit bigger.

The 305 is a safe bet.