My Experiences with the Garmin 305 Forerunner Heart Monitor [Part 2]

GPS Technology

Garmin 305 Forerunner

When I first took the Garmin 305 on the road, there was a lot of expectation from my side. As I mentioned earlier, the Garmin 305 is not a pretty heart rate monitor to look at. In terms of features and functions, I will talk about the GPS capabilities on this monitor. The Garmin 305 uses a high-sensitivity feature known as the SiRFstar III GPS receiver. In simple terms, this is the tool that the 305 uses to track and put a lock on your position. This technology is far better than anything before it.

Within the first couple minutes of my run, my Garmin Forerunner was tracking my speed and distance through its satellite technology. Over the next couple of runs, the GPS connection with satellites was instantaneous. Now I will explain why the screen is quite large and out there. The main reason for this design is to do with the GPS function.

With a wider face, it allows for the antennas to hook onto satellites for tracking even when you are around trees and large buildings. On previous models, GPS functions would not work well if the user was running where there are a lot of trees. For instance, in a park. From my side, the GPS capabilities work far beyond my expectations. However, the built-in altimeter leaves a little to be desired.

Training Features – What Does the Forerunner 305 have to Offer?

Before GPS and altimeters and all these fancy other tools, the main purpose of a heart rate monitor was for training. Therefore, I was more concerned about the training capabilities of the Garmin 305 than anything else. After a couple of runs, I was fairly impressed. In actual fact, I was amazed at the amount of real time data the Garmin 305 is able to display.

During my runs (averaging 2 to 2.5 miles a session), this Garmin heart rate monitor was showing me the calories that were being burnt up, distance of my run, the elevation (through the built-in altimeter), pace and a few other figures that I still haven’t got a round to finding out. But I am pretty sure they are important. Don’t worry though, our friends down at Garmin have made this monitor so user friendly that you can arrange the data that you want to see. That is another big plus in my books, the user friendly nature of the Garmin 305.

Connectivity to a PC

With the Training Center Software that comes with this monitor, you will be able to download all your workout data and analyze your workout. Something that I have yet to try but I heard from Bill that is really cools is that you can use Google Earth and the Garmin 305 Software to see map routes of where you may have run or cycled.

Whether you are a professional athlete or an average Joe like me, the Garmin 305 Forerunner would be the best heart rate monitor for working out with. Of all the heart rate monitors I’ve come across or used, the Garmin 305 has to be the most accurate and reliable performance tool out there.