Garmin Forerunner 205 vs 305

If you are serious about your workouts whether you are a runner, jogger, biker, walker, skier, or swimmer you understand the need for accurate monitoring. Garmin has a great workout companion and even if it looks like a "beam me up Scotty" device it provides important information that keeps a workout on track. How many calories were burned? Did I complete the entire 3 miles? Was that workout really as difficult as it feels? All that and much more important data - all available on a small wrist watch style device.

The Forerunner 205 is a GPS device that straps to your arm just like a wrist watch albeit larger. While strapped to your wrist it provides GPS positioning as well as workout data. Speaking of that, the improved curve design is not only more comfortable than the earlier models like the 301, but the improved design allows for better antenna positioning and viewing angle of the screen. I enjoy running in a light rain so the waterproof feature of the Garmin 205 is great. Waterproof is also great for swimmers. Changing between workouts is possible without resetting the unit.

Control of the Garmin Forerunner 205 is as simple as pushing a few buttons. The buttons on the right side of the unit are for the menu and enter functions while the left side houses the mode button and the very useful backlight for those of us who exercise by moonlight. Recharging the internal lithium battery and transferring data from the Garmin Forerunner 205 can be accomplished either while sitting in its cradle attached to the AC adapter or it can be connected to your computer via a USB cable. This is a good feature. I remember several gadgets that required 2 cables - one for charging and another for data transfer.

An out and back route is simple but what if you are in an unfamiliar neighborhood where the streets are winding and the houses all look alike? Easy - use the "go to location" feature and you will be routed back to your starting point. Reassurance can be had when you zoom in on the map displayed on your wrist. Your real time direction and your path will be displayed there for you. Another interesting feature called "course" lets you save several locations (waypoints) to form repeatable route. Choose a quick, interval or advanced workout. Compete against your own personal best or against the built in virtual partner.

The Garmin Forerunner 205 or the 305 combined with the Garmin Training Center software helps you plan future workouts using stored data from past workouts. MotionBased.com is web-based program used to analyze your workouts. You can even share your favorite routes with other users as well as trying theirs. Then TrainingPeaks.com helps you train for specific events.

Workout maniacs have probably noticed that I have not mentioned anything about monitoring your heart rate. That is because the Garmin Forerunner 205 does not offer that option - but do not despair. The Garmin Forerunner 305 does. The 305 connects wirelessly to a heart rate monitor that measures heart rate and speed.

The Garmin Forerunner also connects wirelessly to an optional FootPod. The FootPod attaches to your shoe and will report your distance and pace indoors, anyplace or anytime when GPS reception is not available.

Both the Garmin Forerunner 205 and the 305 records, displays and saves multiple workouts. Both can use software on and offline to analyze and plan future workouts based on past performances. Both give you options of which workout details will be displayed during a workout. Both are very accurate and can receive satellite signals near tall building and dense tree cover. Both offer you a virtual partner to motivate you.

So what are the differences? The Garmin Forerunner 305 adds the heart rate monitor, the FootPod accessory that lets you workout without the GPS.

At first neither could be used with a Mac because the Garmin Training Center Software was only supported by Windows. However, updates should be available as well as the MotionBase.com site offers a MAC plugin that will upload data from the Garmin Forerunner.

Overall, I think that the Garmin Forerunner 205 and the 305 would be fantastic for exercise enthusiasts. They are compact, easily operated and they provide valuable and fun information in real time that can be used for future workouts. Competing against yourself is the true way to improve your performance and the interactive features are motivating. Accuracy counts and user forums are full of chatter about what their experiences have been - most sounds positive.

If I could change anything about the design it would be to have a replaceable battery. I feel better as a user when I have more control when solving potential problems.