Garmin Forerunner 305

Expensive and now dead! – Purchased in July 2011 when RRP was >$400 and died in August 2013, I really expected a longer life. The Support Centre was helpful but could not resolve the problem. I passed on their offer of a reconditioned one with 3 month warranty for $130. Back to my old Polar. Great features and download to PC via Garmin Training Centre Major failure after 25 months

The best available – I've had my Forrunner for 4 years and its been a fantastic training partner. I Liv that I can set up multiple screens with info that I want to see so I am not forced into default information. After 4 years the enter button caved in and the back up service from Garmin was great. The only negative I have is the TrainingCentre Sofware which could off better map detail. However, this is minor and doesn't affect how the 305 works on my runs or on my bike. Multiple user defined screens Map software in the training centre.

Fantastic - wouldn't be without it and would replace with the same model in a heartbeat – I absolutely adore my Garmin Forerunner 305 and would replace it with the same model if anything ever happened to it (god forbid!). I chose this over the touchscreen bezel design because as a runner I just found the big buttons easy to find and use while on the go. I was originally concerned about the size but as a very small woman I can honestly say that it isn't heavy, cumbersome or uncomfortable on the wrist so I can't see the general population having an issue with it.

I am pretty much lost without it and it has changed the way I run. I have owned mine now for about 18 months and generally run around 70km a week with it. It is incredibly robust and has never missed a beat - even running through heavy rain has not ever caused a problem. I've tested both the heart rate monitor and the GPS and it's incredibly accurate.

I probably don't use all the features but I do love the big display that can be customised to your own preferences. I have used some of the more advanced training but generally find that what I'm after is just to track heart rate, pace, distance and time. Being able to compare that data over time has been great and I have thoroughly enjoyed tracking the data to see how I've improved in the 18 months I have owned it.

Would highly recommend. It does just what it says it will do and does it all accurately and easily! Reliable, robust, accurate, easy to use You do have to plug it in to upload your data and another colour option would have been nice