Garmin 305 users - a couple of questions

[Eddie]

So I'm seriously looking at picking one of these up, but don't know much about them.

For those that have them - do you like them? Would you buy them again?

Is the HR monitor a separate chest strap, or does it take HR from your wrist?

I really like that it wears like a watch, but it looks rather large and bulky. Anyone find that the size or weight bothers them when running?

I don't do much biking, but do some now and then. I see they have bike mounts, but couldn't I just continue wearing it on my wrist if I'm primarily interested in time, distance, and HR?

Thanks for any responses!

[Coach McGuirk]

So I'm seriously looking at picking one of these up, but don't know much about them.

For those that have them - do you like them? Would you buy them again?

Without hesitation, yes to both questions.

Is the HR monitor a separate chest strap, or does it take HR from your wrist?

It is a separate chest strap.

I really like that it wears like a watch, but it looks rather large and bulky. Anyone find that the size or weight bothers them when running?

It is big, no doubt about it. I haven't noticed it bothering me other that visual but YMMV.

I don't do much biking, but do some now and then. I see they have bike mounts, but couldn't I just continue wearing it on my wrist if I'm primarily interested in time, distance, and HR?

Yep. you just wont get cadence or manual mileage, were you to lose satellite signal.

Thanks for any responses!

no problem.

[Pheidippides]

So I'm seriously looking at picking one of these up, but don't know much about them.

For those that have them - do you like them? Would you buy them again?

Is the HR monitor a separate chest strap, or does it take HR from your wrist?

I really like that it wears like a watch, but it looks rather large and bulky. Anyone find that the size or weight bothers them when running?

I don't do much biking, but do some now and then. I see they have bike mounts, but couldn't I just continue wearing it on my wrist if I'm primarily interested in time, distance, and HR?

Thanks for any responses!

What Coach says. If my garmin were to die right now (I have over 1000 miles of crazy humid Houston running on it), I would immediately buy another. I love it, especially when I am doing interval training.

[bluegoose]

I agree with what Coach says - its a great computer and I would recommend it without hesitation.

I use mine for both running and biking. I had an old Polar mount on my bike that works fairly well with my Garmin. Lebowski has a clip-in bike mount for his that he seems to like.

They are a bit bulky, but you really don't notice it.

[beelzebabette]

I really like that it wears like a watch, but it looks rather large and bulky. Anyone find that the size or weight bothers them when running?

YES! to this. I've seriously considered buying the extender so I can wrap it around my upper arm instead.

Other than that, I love it and would definitely buy one again.

[SteelBlue]

Best piece of fitness related equipment I've ever purchased. If it died today I would buy a new one before the day was over.

[BigPiney]

It looks like a mainframe on your arm, but I love it. I have to ride without mine today and only use my bike computer and I will be sad to not have it.

It has been great to have.

[Eddie]

Looks unanimous.

I've been looking at these off and on for a while. My wife wants to buy me one for a gift. As long as we've been marrried she's learned that there are certain gizmos that she doesn't buy for me as a surprise - as I'll probably have an opinion on it.

I appreciate all of the input - and I'm certainly looking forward to trying it out.

[bluegoose]

YES! to this. I've seriously considered buying the extender so I can wrap it around my upper arm instead.

Other than that, I love it and would definitely buy one again.

Time to hit the weight room I guess, eh Beez?

My wife has little wrists and she doesn't mind it for the shorter runs, but would rather not lug it around for anything more than an hour or 90 minutes.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Best piece of fitness related equipment I've ever purchased. If it died today I would buy a new one before the day was over.

Ditto.

[Pheidippides]

Time to hit the weight room I guess, eh Beez?

My wife has little wrists and she doesn't mind it for the shorter runs, but would rather not lug it around for anything more than an hour or 90 minutes.

I honestly don't notice it at all anymore, and I've had it on for up to four hours at a time. Never feels too bulky, and I have a hard time living without the instant pacing feedback I can get. It really shines on long runs because I have a tendency to go out way too fast - with the 305, I can see how fast I'm going and scale back.

[Eddie]

I honestly don't notice it at all anymore, and I've had it on for up to four hours at a time. Never feels too bulky, and I have a hard time living without the instant pacing feedback I can get. It really shines on long runs because I have a tendency to go out way too fast - with the 305, I can see how fast I'm going and scale back.

Long runs is my primary motivation. My first marathon is one month from now and I'd really like to have that pacing feedback you mention. I tend to go out fast too, and I'd rather be able to coast along knowing what my pace is from minute to minute rather than from mile to mile.