Garmin Edge vs Forerunner

[blumensh]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread. I'm looking for a computer and was leaning toward a forerunner 305 or 310 with a cadence sensor so I can use it for running and cycling. What's the advantage of an edge over a forerunner just in terms of it's use for cycling?

[OakLeaf]

The two advantages to the Edge series are the bigger screen and the barometric altimeter.

I used my old Forerunner 301 for both cycling and running until I got my 705, which I wanted solely for the mapping ability. I wouldn't have bothered with a non-mapping Edge. I continued to use the 301 for running until its USB port gave up the ghost, and now I have a 310XT.

If you don't need mapping, and if you can live without the accuracy of a barometric altimeter, I wouldn't hesitate to use the Forerunner for whatever sports you do. Especially if you're younger and don't have trouble with the smaller screen size.

Between the Forerunner 305 and the 310XT, I'm not sure the feature differences are enough to justify the price difference, especially if you don't really need a swim watch and don't use a power meter. Pretty much the only reason I got the 310 is because I have small wrists and there's no way I could wear a 305. (Plus, I'm a gadget w**** :rolleyes:.)

[zoom-zoom]

Between the Forerunner 305 and the 310XT, I'm not sure the feature differences are enough to justify the price difference, especially if you don't really need a swim watch. Pretty much the only reason I got the 310 is because I have small wrists and there's no way I could wear a 305. (Plus, I'm a gadget w**** :rolleyes:.)

Yeah...part of me wants the 310XT when my 305 croaks...but mostly it's just because the orange would match my bike. :o Really, the 305 is perfect, since I don't swim. I thought I had heard that the 310XT was easier to use during multi-sport races...something about switching between sports and transitions being more automatic (though it's pretty easy with the 305, too).

[blumensh]

For a newbie I'm having a hard time justifying the price difference between a 305 and 310. I'd love the have the 310 for swimming but I'm okay using the lap clock at the pool.

[GLC1968]

In my experience, the FR305 beats the Edge305 hands down. But that's just me...my Edge 305 lasted *maybe* 8 months before it went totally wonky on me and I don't use it all that much. It was also bulky for running. My FR operates MUCH more smoothly and so far, I haven't had one ounce of trouble with it (I've had it 2 months).

It is quite big on my wrist, but it doesn't bother me. I only wear it when running/cycling...so it's not like I use it for a regular watch or anything. I find it is also plenty accurate in terms of altitude for my uses. At $125 (from an Amazon deal), it's totally worth every penny and I was highly skeptical when I ordered it due to my Edge issues.

Now, if anyone can make a device that accurately tracks HR in the water, then I'll worry about wearing it on the swim. Other than that, I really don't care all that much. When I practice, I wear a timex watch or my lap counter. When I'm racing, I don't care about my speed, only my exertion and no watch can give me that right now.

[Veronica]

I would have gone with the 310 if it could accurately track my swim. I know I don't swim in a straight line and I'd love to know how much extra distance I'm doing in a race. It's a got a software update now to estimate your swim distance, which is an improvement from when it first came out.

Veronica

[sarahkonamojo]

Just bumming because my FR 305 is getting old. the battery life has diminished to less than 4 hours of run time. Kind of a bummer on a long ride... replacement battery is $200. Technology can be so senseless.
Loved the FR when the battery could last all day.
Sarah

[zoom-zoom]

Just bumming because my FR 305 is getting old. the battery life has diminished to less than 4 hours of run time. Kind of a bummer on a long ride... replacement battery is $200. Technology can be so senseless.
Loved the FR when the battery could last all day.
Sarah

How old is your FR? Mine is going on 3 and the battery life still seems great...though I also leave it on the charger pretty much any time I'm not wearing it, so it's getting a full charge nearly every day. My hubby has found that his cell phone batteries last a lot longer than mine--he charges his every night and I charge mine maybe every 3-4 days and only once it gets down to 1 bar. Apparently a lot of rechargeable batteries lose their ability fully charge if they are run down too often.

[sarahkonamojo]

My FR is 4 years old.
I get different advice regarding battery management. Whatever my management style, it is NOT consistent. Battery has definitely lost its ability to hold a charge. But the battery rarely has run down to no charge until recently.

Sarah

[zoom-zoom]

You can buy a new FR for $140, from what I hear...so you'd be further ahead just replacing the unit, rather than have the battery replaced.

[SadieKate]

Resurrecting this thread because of the comparison discussions between the FR 305 and the 310.

How about the volume difference?

I finally called Garmin about the lack of volume on my 305 and would have to pay $80 for the repair (plus shipping). Considering the cost of a new FR, it doesn't seem worth it. Everything else is just fine.

The vibrate on the 310 would solve any lack of volume issues, but the Garmin rep also said the volume on the XT is louder. What say you all?

I have a feeling the poor retailer from whom I buy whatever is just going to love me when I insist that we test the volume first.

[marni]

Just bumming because my FR 305 is getting old. the battery life has diminished to less than 4 hours of run time. Kind of a bummer on a long ride... replacement battery is $200. Technology can be so senseless.
Loved the FR when the battery could last all day.
Sarah

when I became concerned about the decreasing battery life before a couple of long rides which Iknew would take at least 10 hours with stopping time, rest breaks,etc. I bought a small rechargeable battery that I can plug into the garmin through the usb while riding by strapping it to my aerobar.

Not that I am trying to talk anybody out of upgrading through desire or necessity. Just a thought.

[OakLeaf]

I paid attention yesterday when I was running a few strides on the highway. I could not hear my 310 when a truck went by. As you say, the vibration makes that less important, but it does eat battery.

[zoom-zoom]

One FYI on the 305 volume...I know quite a few people who have had the speakers gradually go quiet and have attributed it to the speaker holes becoming clogged with sweat and sunscreen and gunk. I have always worn my 305 over a wristband when I run to protect it from sweat and make it fit comfier on my wrist. It's 3 years old and the sound is still as loud as when it was new.

[SadieKate]

Nope, gunk is not the problem!

[kelownagirl]

I had an Edge 305 for cycling and it lasted 3 years, my hubby's has lasted almost 4. Now have a 310xt and love it. I bought the fast switch strap so I can easily switch it from wrist to bike. The old Edge I had to carry in my hand. And the 310xt shows run pace as well as bike speed. The Edge didn't show me run pace, only miles per hour. If you're not a triathlete then you probably don't care that you can wear the HRM strap in water which is nice for a race.

The wrist band and the run pace option are the two main advantages of the 310 over the Edge.