Garmin HRM question...

[Jstyle]

I bought a Forerunner 305 a while ago. I was wondering if I wore the HRM section only during the swim and put on the watch once I got out of the water. Would that mess up the chest band HRM peice?

[chrisesposito]

No. That's what I do and I've not had a problem.

[Jstyle]

Cool, good deal cuz I was worried I didn't want to trash my new set up. Thanks

[Fonk]

Is the watch waterproof? It'd be nice to record the whole tri. I'm debating computer setups right now (I'm a cyclist new to tri). I currently have a Polar S520, but I don't think that's great for recording continuous multi-sport workouts (aside from HR, that is), as I believe the avg speed for the bike will be thrown off by the clock still running on the run and swim legs if I have the cycling function turned on (as you can't turn it on/off in the middle of a workout to my knowledge). That's where I was thinking the Garmin would be nice, as you can record the whole workout/race continuously (speed, distance, and HR). The other option I'm considering is using my S520 throughout the race just for HR, and using a seperate cycle computer on the bike for recording speed/distance/cadence. I wouldn't get my pacing on the swim or run that way, but it'd be a lot cheaper...

What do you all do?

[chrisesposito]

Is the watch waterproof? It'd be nice to record the whole tri. I'm debating computer setups right now (I'm a cyclist new to tri). I currently have a Polar S520, but I don't think that's great for recording continuous multi-sport workouts (aside from HR, that is), as I believe the avg speed for the bike will be thrown off by the clock still running on the run and swim legs if I have the cycling function turned on (as you can't turn it on/off in the middle of a workout to my knowledge). That's where I was thinking the Garmin would be nice, as you can record the whole workout/race continuously (speed, distance, and HR). The other option I'm considering is using my S520 throughout the race just for HR, and using a seperate cycle computer on the bike for recording speed/distance/cadence. I wouldn't get my pacing on the swim or run that way, but it'd be a lot cheaper...

What do you all do?
The 305 is not waterproof enough to allow you to swim with it on your wrist. The stories I have read (on the Yahoo GarminF email list) from those that have tried this usually end with the watch going back to Garmin to be repaired. What does work along these lines is to put the 305 in a zip-loc sandwich bag and put the bag under your swim cap. This protects the watch and will get you time, distance, and speed but I don't get heart rate when I have done this.

[Fonk]

That's a novel approach. Thanks!