The Portable Garmin Forerunner 305

With many embedded interesting features, the Garmin Forerunner 305 is not only a GPS Personal Trainer, but also a user friendly instrument for both runners and cyclist little wonder having it was described as having "Ahnold" as your fitness coach.

With an embedded Garmin's Training Software, it has the ability to do many interesting things which range from the ability to compete against one by simply loading performance data into it, to the ability to track heart rate, pace, time and distance. The Garmin 305 sports a wireless heart-rate monitor as well as an optional Foot Pod that attaches to your shoe and measures pace and distance if the GPS signal is not available. The Foot Pod is especially useful when you use an indoor treadmill on those rainy days. You can give it a target heart-rate range and it will keep you on track.

The device does not need any lesson for it setup, it is very quick to set up and it is always almost ready to use all you need do is to just open it up, charge it and turn it on and there you are ready to take a trip. The display too is quite nice with large numbers and fonts affording its easi readability without straining the eyes.

Garmin's new "high-sensitivity" GPS receiver in the 305 is a big improvement over the Forerunner 201. It acquires satellites faster and seems to maintain lock better than the 201 when running through woods and around buildings.

Although, it looks somewhat big at first sight, it is fairly light and would not pose any problem at all for its usage.

This tool described as Virtual partner can after all be addictive, once you get use to it, you wouldn't want to let go. The key Specifications are given below:

Size: 2.1" x 2.7" x .7"
Weight: 2.72 ounces
Display: 1.3" x .8". 160 x 100 pixels
Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion. 10 hours typical.
Environmental: Waterproof to IPX7 standard.
Lap history: 1,000 laps.
Routes: 50

Street price: $215-250.