Which Garmin, if any.

[Marvin]

So you only buy things you NEED and not WANT

I don't NEED one but I really enjoy using mine, plus the fact that it easily logs all of my runs and mileage, it keeps me motivated which is worth the money in my book! I'm quite happy using a map and compass, I did a long event a couple of weeks ago but still wore the garmin for the HRM and analysis (mainly or where I got "mislocated" and had to get back on track !)

I'm with you there in most respects, but I've come to NEED my GPS after a passionate affair over a number of years.

[RichT]

What is wrong with ................ a map, a compass and if you want to get really high tech. a watch??

I've never seen the need for these market created gizmos. You don't really need them. You can now get a decent compass which doubles as a fire lighter in an emergency, a map which you can use to sit on or wipe your arse on at a pinch and a watch, all for under £20.

Fell running is essentially a siimple pastime - let's not over complicate it. And while I'm on me obby orse, lets keep the rules of the game simple aswell.

Fudge, don't forget that you also need a nice piece of thin, slightly stretchy string to measure on the map how far you have run.

[Pilgrim]

Fudge, don't forget that you also need a nice piece of thin, slightly stretchy string to measure on the map how far you have run.

Stretchy string makes it look as though you've not run very far! I use very thin copper wire - flexible enough to get the intricacies of the route and doesn't stretch.

[RichT]

Stretchy string makes it look as though you've not run very far! I use very thin copper wire - flexible enough to get the intricacies of the route and doesn't stretch.

It depends how you use it! I follow the intricacies as close as possible then lay said string across the grids to measure total distance, stretching it as much as I feel the need to!

[RobW]

What is wrong with ................ a map, a compass and if you want to get really high tech. a watch??

Sussing out ydt's Meirionnydd Round in Snowdonia finally converted me to gizmoism. You need far more detail than OS or Harveys will give you, to get a reasonably efficient line. Plus the sheep trods... Yiannis of course can remember every rock and sheep trod . Brilliant info SteveS -thanks a lot. 305 sounds good to me.

[Brummy John]

I've got a 305 and a 405, so no axe to grind either way.

The 405 is my favourite because its a proper watch, not a wrist-bound TV. You can use it with GPS off and then the batteries last ages. The wrist strap snapped recently when I fell and a new one costs £20. May be a coincidence but I know someone else whose 405 wrist strap has also broke.

Functionally the 305 is superior. It has better battery life with GPS on, it is directly compatible with more software and you can use it for navigation.

At the Rossendale way in a day last weekend, I needed a watch that (a) could last 9.5 hours; and (b) can provide a 'bread crumb' trail of the 42 mile route so we wouldn't get lost at the front of the pack. The 305 ticked both boxes, the 405 ticked neither. The 305 was perfect for the job.

But if you don't need the long GPS battery life and bread crumb trail navigation, don't muck about much on the computer, and can afford the hefty 405 price tag, thats the one to go for.

[abd]

I have a F405; never use it to navigate with and in my experience battery life is 5 hours max with HR and GPS on, but it is a fantastic bit of kit for keeping tally of time / distance / height gain / HR on runs, plus it is brilliant for my training. I have a fairly scientific training plan from my coach that will include HR zones, plus tempo runs at different target paces. With the 405, I can programme in the session (on the PC) upload it to the watch and off I go.

I don't use the Garmin "Training Centre" software as my training / race diary, but upload all the data into Sportstrack. I also have a Garmin Edge 305 for the bike which has pretty much the same functionality but a much better battery life.

I do also tend to wear it as a watch at weekends.

[sjedwardz]

I've got a 305 and a 405, so no axe to grind either way.

The 405 is my favourite because its a proper watch, not a wrist-bound TV. You can use it with GPS off and then the batteries last ages. The wrist strap snapped recently when I fell and a new one costs £20. May be a coincidence but I know someone else whose 405 wrist strap has also broke.

Functionally the 305 is superior. It has better battery life with GPS on, it is directly compatible with more software and you can use it for navigation.

At the Rossendale way in a day last weekend, I needed a watch that (a) could last 9.5 hours; and (b) can provide a 'bread crumb' trail of the 42 mile route so we wouldn't get lost at the front of the pack. The 305 ticked both boxes, the 405 ticked neither. The 305 was perfect for the job.

But if you don't need the long GPS battery life and bread crumb trail navigation, don't muck about much on the computer, and can afford the hefty 405 price tag, thats the one to go for.

Nice comparison, those were the main reasons I chose the 305. yeah its bigger but it has a much bigger screen so its bound to be! If it fails and is out of warranty I'd get the new 310xt which is even better

More money though so would wait for the prices to fall a bit.

[Fat Bloke]

...and it seems like it gives GB OS rid refs as well!....

Providing the navigation qualities are the same or better as a 305 it looks good to me.

fb

[Al Fowler]

Im going for the Garmin 305

Ive looked on ebay but with the postage i cant seem to find anything that cheap.

After a quick google ive found this one so far for £135 with free postage.
http://www.bitesizedeals.co.uk/index...FZkA4wodfyBx_Q

If anybody knows/can find any for less that 135 inc. postage please tell me.