Garmin Forerunner 305

HTA

So roll up ladies and Gents anyone ordered one yet - anyone received their's yet.

Where's the best place to buy, and who's going to give us the first review?

I saw Sweatshop were taking preorders, but they are genrally expensive arent they.

[Deleted User]

mmmmmmmm, message number 2 appears to have been zapped by RW, wonder why.....

[Deleted User]

What did it say?

[Deleted User]

I'm not allowed to post links to my site hence the disappearance of message 2...

I think Sporttek are offering the best deals at the minute.

205 is £194.94
305 is £251.96

[Deleted User]

Ahh, that's £15.72 cheaper than Wiggle. Is there a more accurate ETA than 'February'?

[Deleted User]

Sorry, I mean specific rather than accurate.

[Deleted User]

Typical !!

I've just ordered a 301 today, and now they bring out a newer/dearer/better/more confusing one.

No doubt it will take me a while to get the most out of the 301 anyway.

[Deleted User]

301 prices are probably dropping now the 305 has be announced. The 305 is newer - yes, dearer - yes, better - apparently yes (more accurate?, more reliable?), more confusing - probably not because it has mostly the same features as the 301.

HTA

Time will tell RA. If the coverage under tree's is indeed as good as they say I will be very very happy.

Fingers crossed.

[Deleted User]

Garmin will say no more than just 'February' at the mo.

mike_a

Thanks for the info, that Sporttek price looks very tempting!

HTA

Well thats mine ordered. Gone for the Sportek one...

HTA

think it was the begining of Feb last year for the 301??

[Deleted User]

I'm still not convinced about the shape. I have very thin wrists. The old Forerunner is fine, as it lies along the back of the wrist. But surely the new design will be awkward on a thin wrist? I suspect the bit that comes over the front of your wrist will be too big, and result in a big gap between the strap and my wrist. I have yet to see it actually on a real wrist. I want one (well, a 205, not 305, unless they do a soft HRM strap like Polar do), but it'll definitely be one I have to try on before I buy one.

RunningCommentary

Who are Sporttek? I've never heard of them, and they look like a one-man band.

Can anyone vouch for them?

mike_a

The size thing is the only concern I have about it. I don't have thin wrists but found the Polar 625 quite bulky compared to the Forerunner. But I figure I'll get used to it pretty quick.

RunningCommentary

Boing to ask again: has anyone used Sporttek? Are they reliable?

[Deleted User]

RC I spotted the Sport-Tek price earlier in the week and like you, having never heard of them before, can't help having some reservations. I tried to contact them by phone but without any success - just kept getting an answer machine and despite leaving a message I didn't get any call back. I tried emailing them the following day, however, and did get a helpful response that day. They confirmed that Garmin are still unable to give a firm delivery date other than "expected February" and that the "no obligation" pre-order means just that - ie you can cancel your order prior to dispatch if you want with no forfeit. Sport-Tek also promised to give me any updates on delivery that they receive from Garmin. On that basis I took the plunge and placed a pre-order. I'd say I've had reasonable pre-sales service from thenm so far (no-one at the end of a phone concerns me)but what the after sales service might be like is anyones guess. So to echo your request - has anyone else got any experience dealing with Sport-Tek??

RunningCommentary

Thanks VS, I've also pre-ordered with them.

[Deleted User]

I bought a 301 early last year from them. Think they were one of the first to get them it. Have had no problems so have not needed any after sales advice so can't comment on that.

I was reassured when I did some research because they are listed on Garmin site under dealers.

My 301 still works perfectly so can't at the moment justify spending the extra money unless I win the euro millions lottery.

[Deleted User]

Really thinking of getting one of these, but one question -

The only HRM's I've ever used are Polar (with the WearLink chest strap), so how does the chest strap compare? Is the Garmin (for those who have tried the 301) comfortable?

I was considering the Suunto.. but I love my Garmin FR201 more than my Polar s625x, so would prefer a GPS system.

HTA

I managed to get thru to Sport Tek very easily and had a great chat with them about the 305. So would recommend them.

Joe the strap on the new 305 is supposed to be even better and softer than the one on the 301 which i thought was very comfy.

[Deleted User]

got my 301 from sport tek.... would recomend them.

specially as i have a £10 off e-voucher from them for a 305 ;-)

shame i dont have the funds for it at the moment.

[Deleted User]

Hi All!
305 coming out soon, must be a good time to buy a 301, prices will be falling.
The 305 is supposed to have a faster satellite aquire time and less signal loss due to trees and tall buildings. How much faster? How much better? Anyone out there read any reviews?

[Deleted User]

look for reviews of the edge 305 bike computer which has the same chipset.

HTA

ANyone going to point us in the genral direction of a reviewof the Edge 305 then?

[Deleted User]

www.bollar.org/edge305.htm

[Deleted User]

Hmm, after looking at the pics in the current RW issue, I think I shall be placing a pre-order for the 305 with sporttek shortly...

[Deleted User]

ahem, www.redlionsports.co.uk - 305 - £249.99

[Deleted User]

Ooh, thanks PL!

I'd love to be able to order from HeartRateMonitor but they don't seem to have them available for preorder yet... I like them because they deliver so quickly!

[Deleted User]

Ugh... don't know how I feel about being charged before dispatch though: Red Lion Sports