I just got a Garmin Forerunner 305 with a heart rate monitor. I read through some of the owner's manual and it has many, many features. I feel kind of overwhelmed by all it can do. Any comments about your favorite feature of this GPS unit?

I'm still overwhelmed! I use it basically to tell me my distance running and calories burned. I then record it into a journal. Have not gotten to the computer download thing...Let me know if you figure it out. I feel like I need a personal class with an actual garmin rep....Push this button here and then push this button etc....

Kree-Kree-
I read a little bit of the manual and I think I will probably use it the same way you do. I'd like to use the heart rate alarms but we'll see. Anything new that I learn I'll put in this thread. (It will probably become a ghost town and end up on page 3!:lol:)

bmac,

I got the 205 (which i think basically only lacks the HRM part)

I've been d/ling the data onto my pc, and it's pretty cool to look at my routes and pace at any given moment (tho i doubt its accuracy second by second). One thing that I haven't figured out on the graphs is how to tell what time it was when I went a certain distance, which is a little frustrating since it seems like an obvious graph to me (distance vs time).

Oh well, so far I really enjoy it. Looking forward to anything you find that might be usable by a 205!

I'm going to pick up a 305 in a little while, just so I can have it figured out by March.:spaz:

The 305 has a LOT of features like you've stated.
If you're an elite runner, or someone who's training - marathon, 10K's, triathlon, etc, then the features will really help you.

However, if you're a "recreational" athlete who runs 4-5 times/week and trying to improve speed/endurance - all you really need is HR monitor, distance, time, and pace. At the end of your run, download it to your PC/Mac and you can see your progress over several weeks. There's a nice little chart/graph of your HR/speed.

I use it more for motivational tool and to make sure i'm progressing. Otherwise, it's just a fancy toy for most of us.

For those of you interested in the 305, make sure you check out the promotions on the Garmin website. I downloaded a $50 rebate, however, it is only good for a certain period of time.

For those in the military, AAFES offers the 305 online for $229 (if my memory serves me correctly), plus I was able to use a 10% discount coupon code that was on my Military Star card monthly statement for a one-time online purchase. So long story short, I got the 305 for the price of a 205.