Garmin Forerunner 305

Jelly Tots
Reviewed: 20 April 2011

Brilliant GPS watch, lots of features, easy to use.

Connectable to Garmin connect website, this I find gives out more detailed reports than the latest version of the training centre. Easy to use menus on the watch itself, only takes a minute or two to locate satellites, fairly accurate distance measurements (tested it out in the car a few times), pace is fairly accurate.

Can take a few mins to locate satellites if in a very rural or built up area, although once connected has never once lost it.
Pace has a few seconds delay whilst moving due to satellite delay.

Wouldn't go running or cycling without it.

Bonty
Reviewed: 20 April 2011

Great piece of kit that I wouldn't be without now.

Easy to set up. Easy to use. Large sreen makes it easy to read at a glace even on the run. No problem with it finding a signal (1-2 minutes, ready while you get changed) Bought mine off Amazon for £103 in January (bargain!) after shopping around and reading reviews. Simple to get information off the watch onto your computer, just plug it in and it does the rest, even able to download to websites, (I use runningahead.com).

Bit large on small wrists but once you get running you don't know its there. No other problems with this watch.

Great watch. Great price if you shop around. A must for any serious runner.

M.r Zuvai
Reviewed: 22 March 2011

Great Value (£100 at present) Current pace can be a little inaccurate but it's overall it brilliant

Shadwell
Reviewed: 29 January 2011

Buy one,especially at Amazon prices (£105 review Jan 2011).Good to track where, when and how with your running

Great data stored via connect Garmin (not sure about packed software I don't use that) and links well with Dailymile. The elevation, average speed and mapping is extremely useful to improve training runs and to plan new routes
Knowing the remaining distance was really helpful when timing that last kick to the finish. No more "wishing" for the mile markers to appear to check progress

About a minute to connect to satellite signal although I just leave this on the windowsill to pick up while putting my trainers on, so not really a major problem.
Slight variance in mile markers in a recent race (about 50 -100 feet, but both could be at error) but overall pretty much on distance overall.

I wouldn't be without mine on my runs and really look forward to seeing the results after each one.
The price makes it a must buy for those thinking of buying, especially at Amazon prices.
Personally I have small wrists but the watch size is not a problem and although bigger than a standard watches it's not heavy to wear so don't be fooled by the size, you won't know it's there.
I personally won't be spending £2-300 on a similar new model as this does everything I need. I'm never going to be a professional after all.
Entry level price with more functions than you can shake a stick at. Spending more just buys you something a bit more fashion conscious.

Phil_H
Reviewed: 26 January 2011

Mostly marvellous, but by no means perfect

Large display that those of us with less-than-perfect-vision can actually read.
Comprehensive PC software utility.
Web-based software sorts out the altitude accuracy from map-based altitudes.

Crap strap that has to be thermo-formed to get it to sit properly on your wrist.
Poor Heart Rate accuracy going slowly up hills on default 'smart' capture setting.
Terrible cumulative altitude gain accuracy - it can be three times too high !

I wouldnt be without it now, but you mustnt treat all its data as perfect !