Although this running watch, the Garmin Forerunner 305, is available already for a few years, it is still one of the most trusted GPS Running Watches out there. This is the Nr. 1 GPS watch that is used in marathons today – and the one with the least complaints. This might be due to the fact that is already on the market for a few years, and all flaws are corrected. (Which you can’t say for sure from newer GPS running watch models!) But anyway, Garmin is known for their high-quality and high-performance sport watches. If you buy a Garmin, you will never regret it. As far as I know, it is the market leader for GPS watches – and that already for at least the last 5 years. By the way, if you look for example on Amazon, you see for this model more than 2,100 positive user reviews. Read more about other Garmin models here.
So What Makes the Garmin Forerunner 305 Stand Out?
The Garmin Forerunner 305 is a GPS Running Watch paired with a reliable Heart Rate Monitor. Both are excellent on their own and together a very powerful combination. When you use the Garmin 305 you are always up-to-date with Heart Rate, Heart Rate Target Zones, Speed, Distance, Pace, Calories Burned, Elevation, Laps, Grade & Heading. You can customize your watch screen with the data you want to have displayed – and how big you want it displayed. This is maximum user friendliness in a mid-sized package. By the way, the Garmin 305 display measures 1.3″ x 0.8″ – which is obviously not the size of a regular wrist watch, but still very comfortable to wear. In fact, once you start training with it, you won’t even notice your Garmin 305.
Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Functionality
The Garmin 305 includes the very powerful SiRFstar III GPS Receiver – which gives you maximum performance in all kind of conditions, where other GPS training watches were known to have failed: You have maximum 
coverage under dense tree area as well as close to tall city buildings. The GPS antenna is hidden – but this GPS watch still has one of the fastest satellite acquisition time. (By the way the initial setup took under 2 minutes!) Besides Speed and Distance you have basic mapping, routing and waypoint capabilities.
Other Cool Features Of The Garmin Forerunner 305
The Garmin Forerunner 305 is Water Resistant (IPX7) in 1 meter deep water for up to 30 minutes. This makes this training watch ideal for a duathlon or triathlon. You could use it for example for Running, Biking and Swimming – without resetting your Garmin 305. You can select multiple sports workouts just with the press of a button. Besides this great feature, you also can train with a virtual training partner. Athletes are known to perform better when they are challenged. And with the Garmin 305 you don’t even need to find someone to run with you… The battery life of the Garmin Forerunner 305 is about 10 hours and is charged via a USB connection. By the way, even if your Garmin watch is completely empty, a 10 minute charge gives you enough power for a 90 minute workout. The batteries of the chest strap are user replaceable as well.
Garmin Forerunner 305 Technical Specifications:
- Display size: 1.3″ x 0.8″; Weight: 2.72 oz (77 g)
- Heart Rate Monitor, Heart Rate Target Zones, Maximum Heart Rate Alarm, Lap Heart Rate, Calorie Counter
- Distance, Pace, Speed, Elevation
- GPS – SiRFstar III GPS Receiver
- Auto-Pause
- Auto-Lap
- Pace-Alert
- Multi-Sport: Running, Biking, Swimming, Windsurfing
- Distance and Time Alert
- Interval Training, Basic Training & Advance Training
- Customize Screen with Data you Need
- 1000 Laps History
- 50 Routes
- 100 Waypoints
- 1m Water-Resistant (IPX7) for 30 Minutes
- 10 Hour Battery Life – Rechargeable
Video about Garmin Forerunner 305
List Price: $ 299.00 USD
You just read the Garmin Forerunner 305 review, read about the Garmin Forerunner 310XT here.
Is it true that forerunner’s battery life is limited in time and the device will become useless because the battery can not be replaced?
I have my garmin since Jan 2011 and I use it for runs, approx 3 times a week (35 km/week approx). This is the first time I can not use my Garmin. It goes off as soon as the welcome message on the display disappears. Is it a sign that the battery’s life is going off? What can I do?
Would somebody help me with this issue?
Thank you so much!
Hi Adriana,
It is difficult to diagnose the exact problem, but I think you should talk with the Garmin US Support.
From what I know, the battery should last you at least a few years. But even if the battery dies, you can still send in your watch to your local Garmin repair facility. Here is the link for the official Garmin Repair Center.
Hope that this helps you and you get your watch back to normal.