Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Pretty good price on Garmin 305

Thank goodness others feel like you do!

:)

Not only do I feel this is an incredible deal, I just ordered my own unit as a result of this conversation. It put me over the edge, no pun intended - plus a pal just bought one (for full price at REI I might add!) and he showed me what it can do via motionbased.com... wow!

Too bad the extra power supplies are on backorder - I would have ordered one of those too!

edit: By the way, placed order at 1:43 pm. Received confirmation of payment by 1:47 and shipment by 1:49 including a personal note from Jay. Lightning fast is right.

Not only do I feel this is an incredible deal, I just ordered my own unit as a result of this conversation. It put me over the edge, no pun intended - plus a pal just bought one (for full price at REI I might add!) and he showed me what it can do via motionbased.com... wow!

Too bad the extra power supplies are on backorder - I would have ordered one of those too!

edit: By the way, placed order at 1:43 pm. Received confirmation of payment by 1:47 and shipment by 1:49 including a personal note from Jay. Lightning fast is right.

We try and astonish!

Thanks!!!

Ok, this is all well and good. But do you want to pay $100 extra for that peace of mind? If so, you might be the type of person that actually purchases the extra warranty at Best Buy! :eek: I suppose your experience with the forerunner might be your guide, but for me even receiving a refurb for $269 before rebate plus shipping is a steal on this unit versus paying REI $379 or $369 at Performance http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22257&subcategory_ID=4110.

The 305 was under 300 at rei a couple of months ago with rebates included.
I never buy extended warranties but for something like this? absolutely. being able to get a new one in 10 years if I want? well worth it.

Free bump for ya, geoman. Great deal!

Free bump for ya, geoman. Great deal!

Thank you! Thank you!

The Garmin is a great tool for recording everything about a ride. If you use a Mac, you -must- check out "Ascent", 3rd party software that is much better than what Garmin provides on either Windows or Mac. It makes great plots of elevation profiles, with HR, cadence, grade, speed, HR zones, etc. It also connects to the net and plots our route on a virtual earth or USGS aerial or topo map. Your route can be color-coded to show HR or speed.

In my view, Ascent doubles the usefulness of the Garmin. The developer is very responsive and has already added user requested features. (Color code routes was a user suggestion.)

http://www.montebellosoftware.com/

I have no connection with these folks except as a satisfied customer. And, sorry, it's Mac only.

Wow, very nice find. Finally a Mac solution :beer:

Wow, very nice find. Finally a Mac solution :beer:

Yep, we hear great things about Ascent all the time.

My wife owns a Mac and I, unfortunately, own a windows pc. (My work requires it)

I had an opportunity to play around with Ascent, as I have been playing around with online and offline software for my new Garmin. Ascent is hands down the best there is!

Ascent has to port this over to windows..... they will own the third party software market for garmin fitness technology. Who cares if it is not free. I would gladly pay software like this.

the PC Nation price is free of delivery charge and free of sales tax. Also Garmin site leads you to get a $75.00 rebate as a promotion offered by Power Bar. The $ 75 rebate is for the Edge 305 with heart rate, cadence,etc. The Forerunner rebate is only $50.00

FWIW, I got the rebate check in the mail today.

Quick question for GeoMan. Is there a way to "piggyback" the usb battery extender on the Garmin Edge 305 mount and then mount the Garmin onto it. I know this puts it up in the air quite a bit but, would make it great for doing those double centuries etc, where the Garmin alone won't last.

For anyone worried about battery life and centuries, I just did a century in 7 1/2 hours. My Edge 305 had two battery bars remaining once I got home... this was running cadence, HRM and the unit set on SmartRecording.

http://www.tekkeon.com/site/products-mypowergo.php

About $20.

It holds 4 AA batteries and connects to the Garmin via a USB cable. I rode 11 hours on Triple Bypass (hey, it's 120 miles and 10,600 feet of climbing). The Garmin was essentially dead at about mile 62, but the Tekkeon allowed me to get the whole elevation profile. I put the battery pack in the underseat bag and run the USB cable along the top tube. Not a perfect arrangement, but it works.

With the right adapters/cables, the Tekkeon will also charge your iPod and cell phone. I always travel with it.

For extra power, I use the APC Mobile power pack, they can be found online or your local circuit city.. This works great for the Garmin as well as Ipods or Cell Phones.. This comes with both standard and mini usb connections..

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/APC-Mobile-Power-Pack-UPB10/sem/rpsm/oid/164356/catOid/-13023/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

It is very small and mine works from a topeak cell phone holder, just loop the cable under into the garmin and you are done..

http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/bags/pdaphonepack.php

http://www.tekkeon.com/site/products-mypowergo.php

About $20.

It holds 4 AA batteries and connects to the Garmin via a USB cable. I rode 11 hours on Triple Bypass (hey, it's 120 miles and 10,600 feet of climbing). The Garmin was essentially dead at about mile 62, but the Tekkeon allowed me to get the whole elevation profile. I put the battery pack in the underseat bag and run the USB cable along the top tube. Not a perfect arrangement, but it works.

With the right adapters/cables, the Tekkeon will also charge your iPod and cell phone. I always travel with it.

FWIW, we've sold dozens of the Tekkeon for Garmin Edge users ($15.99). They work perfectly and we've had nothing but good feedback.