Garmin’s Forerunner 305 and 205 are wristwatch GPS personal trainers having almost identical specifications. Both units are attractive yet with a sports like look.

Both Forerunners have a SiRF III GPS receiver which has high sensitivity for locking and holding onto GPS satellite signals in weak reception areas under foliage and in built-up areas. To maximize signal reception Garmin have wrapped the antenna around part of the wrist band.

Both the Forerunner 305 and 205 are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a healthy 10 hour charge life. As they are likely to be worn in wet weather and subjected to considerable perspiration the units are waterproof.

To provide flexibility in setting up customized training programs the Forerunner 305 and 205 have numerous training support functionalities including:

• Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts):
• Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals):
• Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace):
• Time/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal):

Training is all about feedback and both Forerunners allow you to collect performance data as each training session is stored in memory to review or analyze at a later time. Training goals can be set using accurate data on your past performances. The Forerunner 305 and Forerunner 205 both have three main display screens including some twelve data fields for instant feedback while training.

For analysis and review after exercise Garmin provide their free Garmin Training Center software. It’s possible to analyze data with interactive graphs that chart your pace, time, distance and heart rate. Your training runs can be overlayed on a map to match performance with terrain. Other software analysis options include motionbased.com, Garmin’s web based training analysis application and training peaks.com which provides help with training for events.

The primary difference between the two Forerunner models is inclusion with the Forerunner 305 of a robust ANT wireless heart rate monitor embedded in a comfortable chest strap. The monitor has been designed to eliminate cross-talk with devices other runners might be wearing and to reliably measure heart rate data. The addition of a heart rate monitor allows you to train safely below your maximum heart rate (220 + your age) and within your selected heart rate zone.

The customized interval training program listed above refers to alternating intervals of steady aerobic (oxygen from lungs converts carbohydrates into energy) and high intensity anaerobic (glycogen stored in muscles also used for energy) exercise. During the steady anaerobic intervals the body pays back the oxygen deficit accumulated during the anaerobic intervals. Interval training is a training strategy that has proved to be more effective for improving performance weight loss. Having a heart rate monitor can help monitor more accurately the anaerobic and aerobic training zones.

The Garmin Forerunner 305 provides the option to train indoors and still track performance using an optional Foot Pod accessory. The Foot Pod sensor is designed to attach to your running shoe and transmit distance and pace data to your Forerunner 305 so you can still use it when GPS reception is unavailable.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Garmin 010-00466-00 Forerunner 205 Wrist-Mounted GPS Fitness Computer

Garmin Forerunner 305 Wrist-Mounted GPS Fitness Computer with Heart Rate Monitor

Garmin Indoor Foot Pod Accessory for Forerunner 305 and Forerunner 350

Garmin GSC 10 Speed Cadence Sensor for Edge and Forerunner Series (010-10644-00)

GPS, FORERUNNER 305, HEART RATE

Garmin Forerunner 205 Portable Navigator – 12 Channels – Hot Start 1 Second(s)

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Personal Trainer

GARMIN Forerunner 205 1.5″ Handheld GPS Receiver

GARMIN Forerunner 305 1.5″ Handheld GPS Receiver

Specification for Garmin Forerunner 305 and 205

Physical & Performance
Unit dimensions, WxHxD	2.1″ x 2.7″ x 0.7″ (5.33 x 6.86 x 1.78 cm)
Display size, WxH:	1.3″ x 0.8″ (3.3 x 2.0 cm)
Display resolution, WxH:	160 x 100 pixels
Weight:	2.72 oz (77 g)
Battery:	rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery life:	10 hours, typical
Waterproof:	yes (IPX7)
GPS-enabled:	yes
High-sensitivity receiver:	yes
RoHS version available:	yes
Maps & Memory:
Basemap:	no
Ability to add maps	no
Accepts data cards:	no
Lap history:	1000 laps
Waypoints:	100
Routes:	50
Features:
Heart rate monitor:	305: yes 205: no
Bike speed/cadence sensor (measures bicycle crank speed):	305: yes (some versions) 205: no
Foot pod:	305: yes (optional) 205: no
Automatic sync (automatically transfers workouts to your computer):	no
Garmin Connectâ„¢ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data):	yes (coming in January 2008)
Garmin Training Centerâ„¢ software compatible:	yes
Virtual Partner® (train against a digital person):	yes
Courses (compete against previous workouts):	yes
Auto Pause® (pauses and resumes timer based on speed):	yes
Auto Lap® (automatically starts a new lap):	yes
Auto Scroll (cycles through data pages during workout):	yes
Multi-sport (automatically changes sport mode with a press of a button):	yes
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts):	yes
Quick workouts (input time, distance and pace goals):	yes
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace):	yes
Time/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal):	yes
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals):	yes
Customizable screen(s):	yes
Barometric altimeter:	no
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units):	no
Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible 3rd party ANTâ„¢ + Sport power meters):	no

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