Which Garmin, if any.

[Al Fowler]

Its my birthday soon...and well, i thought id have a think about what i'd fancy.

Ive always wanted to get a nice snazzy garmin so i know how far ive run/got left to go and the climb.
I was tempted to ask for one at christmas but since my knees started i thought sod it im never going to run again for god knows how long and it'll never get used.

I know every man and his dog seems to have one so there should be plenty of advise.

Is the 405 still the most up-to-date?



Flippin expensive bit of kit though



Or, is there anything else on the market that does the same job.

[noel]

I've been very happy with my 305. I've yet to be persuaded of the benefits of the 405, other that they look more like a watch.

You can get a 305 for about £110 if you get it from the US via ebay.

[skennaugh]

Is it the 305 i have? Big with red bits? If so, thats the one you want Al. Good for the bike too.

[southernsoftie]

Is it the 305 i have? Big with red bits? If so, thats the one you want Al. Good for the bike too.

Spoken like a true expert

I got the 305, and from what I can remember from the half dozen times or so I used it before my knees gave in again, it was just the ticket. Comes with HR strap too.

[skennaugh]

Spoken like a true expert

I got the 305, and from what I can remember from the half dozen times or so I used it before my knees gave in again, it was just the ticket. Comes with HR strap too.

I usually forget to turn the bloody thing on!

[melbas]

The 405 has a lower battery life, quoted as up to 8 hours. My 205 (the 305 without the heartrate monitor) lasted for 12 and a half hours on a long rainy race last December. So if you like long distance challenges you should perhaps consider that. I find it great for checking your pace and uploading details after training.

[sjedwardz]

I've got the 305 (the block red one!) and chose it over the 405 (the trendier black one!) due to price,bigger display and buttons rather than the touch bezel. The touch bezel on the 405 has caused quite a lot of people issues when either it or you are wet - which lets face it is pretty often, either down to rain or sweat.

Bear in mind the 205 is cheaper and dosent come with a heart rate monitor but you can't add one at a later date so if you defo need one or think you might later go with the 305.

[dominion]

If they ever actually get round to releasing the new 310XT I'll probably buy one and have a 305 to sell on a a bargain price.

Although, the beeper no longer beeps, so if you want a beep then it's not for you.

[Feet in the Cowclaps]

The touch bezel on the 405 has caused quite a lot of people issues when either it or you are wet - which lets face it is pretty often, either down to rain or sweat.

This really is not a problem. The bezel only starts going silly when it's raining hard. You can then lock it by pushing the two buttons on the right.

I'm really pleased with the 405. The battery life is fine.....why would anyone want to be out running for more than eight hours?

[Ady In Accy]

The 305 is a good bit of kit in tandem with Memory Maps. OK on the bike for retrospective analysis but not the same as a wired cycle computer for instant speed data. It is a little bulky compared to the 405 but not too over the top.