Garmin Users... Help!

[Urlea]

My husband and I will be celebrating our 1st anniversary next week and I am still contemplating what to get him. :D

Since we both compete in triathlons I was looking at some of the Garmin products, but am confused.

Will the Forerunner 305 track all three sports or am I stuck having to get an Edge too?

What do you use?

Thank you, thank you!

[OakLeaf]

I have a Forerunner 301 (predecessor to the 305) and just got an Edge 705.

The Forerunners will track all three sports. (They have settings for running, cycling and "other.") You can get an accessory cadence sensor for the Forerunner 305.

Edge models do not have integrated multi-sport capability. (Given a way to carry them, you can still use them for various sports and manually enter the correct sport for each, but you can't switch from one sport to another in a single workout, as a triathlete would want to.)

The advantage to the Edge models is the larger display, the barometric altimeter with correction against known GPS points (much more accurate than the triangulation method used by the Forerunners), compatibility with some power meters, and - for the latest series - street mapping capability.

I don't know too much about the new Forerunner 405, but just looking at the website, those don't have multi-sport capability either. Now that they're out, though, you should be able to get a great deal on a 305.

HTH.

[SadieKate]

Um, I don't think the Forerunner is intended for swimming (rather brilliant design effort from Garmin :rolleyes:).

I did find this handy tip once. Of course, it would make your transitions last an eternity.

http://dcrainmaker.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-swim-with-your-garmin-forerunner.html

[OakLeaf]

I've read about people just putting the units under their swim cap, no plastic bag. I don't think that much protection is necessary. They're intended to be used out in the rain, the company makes lots of marine units. I think the main reason why you'd put it under your swim cap rather than just wearing it on your wrist, is that there would be an awful lot of water resistance if it was on the wrist. Under a wetsuit it might be okay.

(disclaimer: I've never swum in mine. And I question whether the HRM would work in the water, since very heavy sweating is enough to make mine lose contact.)

[Urlea]

Thanks for the help! :)

I was looking at the wrong website when looking for a deal and it didn't have all of the accessories listed for the forerunner 305. Whoops!

I've heard of quite a few people putting the garmin in a small plastic bag under their swim cap, but I agree that it may be too much protection and add more time to transitions.

We'll see what I can do. I'm excited about it though he has wanted one since before we got married.

[katluvr]

Anyone with one???
I am looking at the one w/ the HR. Also noted you can buy "accesory" to add to bike for taking that training.
Since I don't "tri" (swim)--that part is not an issue.
My main "thing" is running and I need good accurate distance and pace.
Thoughts/input??