Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Garmin Edge 305 vs Cateye V3

WWBFD? (What Would Bike Forums Do?)

Looking for a wireless HRM, Speed, and Cadence computer and these are my two choices I narrowed down to. Not sure what to go with. Dont really need the GPS of the garmin but I like the fact it uploads rides to the computer.

I have a bunch of questions on the 305. Garmin is switching software to GarminConnect I think. Is that compatible with the 305? How bad is the battery on the garmin? Do you leave it on the charger all the time and then put it on the bike to ride?

As far as the V3. How reliable is the wireless signal?

Is the ability to upload rides worth it? If it is Ill get the 305 if not ill get the cateye most likely as that is the main difference for me.

went with the cateye v3

Hi Jynx, I'm in the process of figuring out what bike computer to buy for my new and first road bike!! and your criteria are somewhat similar to mine so would you mind sharing why you decided to go with the v3?

the function I need:

- bike computer with cadence
- ability to upload
- big screen
- decent battery life
- I'm thinking that wired is the way to go, based on all the problems I've read about wireless

I already have an old and basic HRM, so I'm trying to figure out whether to just use the one I've got and get a relatively cheap computer. The problem is that I want it mounted on the bike and there isnt a bracket avail so I'll have to jerry rig one and it'll look crappy.

Plus I want to get some kind of computer to use when I go running. I dont think i'm going to be able to get one that does both though.

Your thoughts?

Thanks!




went with the cateye v3

For you it seems the Garmin Forerunner 305 should be a good model. It can be used for running or cycling and has the ability to upload to a computer I believe.

I didn't get the edge 305 because i have heard battery life is not the greatest. I dont want to have to worry about charging it all the time. The cateye may need the batteries replaced yearly if that. Also I dont need the GPS and the ability to upload to the computer is nice but its not necesary. It doesnt really have much data i would need to analyze like a power meter would.

REI has the FR305 on sale for $169 for the next day or so.

Thanks Jynx. I am thinking of the Forerunner, but it doesnt seem to have a bike mount and I'd prefer not to have to look at my wrist when I'm riding

Thanks speedlever, I'm going to REI tomorrow. The sale ends Sunday so I might just pick it up and not use it till I've had time to do more research.


REI has the FR305 on sale for $169 for the next day or so.

Just bought it last night

They do make a bike mount for the Forerunner 305. It comes with the mount and a different wrist strap. I am undecided if I am going to buy it or just keep it on my wrist.

voting in this poll was decidedly in favor of the garmin model, that's for sure.

I went for the cateye. Bit surprised though with the HRM feature and calories burnt estimation. There is no customization settings for sex/weight/age which kind of applies the same formula to everyone which is a bit weird for an HRM I find. Maybe I just expect to much as my previous HRM did this.

Why should I have to use a webpage to calculate this when it should be a pretty basic feature of the HRM. At least IMO.

For you it seems the Garmin Forerunner 305 should be a good model. It can be used for running or cycling and has the ability to upload to a computer I believe.

I didn't get the edge 305 because i have heard battery life is not the greatest. I dont want to have to worry about charging it all the time. The cateye may need the batteries replaced yearly if that. Also I dont need the GPS and the ability to upload to the computer is nice but its not necesary. It doesnt really have much data i would need to analyze like a power meter would.


I have a edge 305HR+ and I can say that I have experienced no battery life problems. I've had it about 9 months now and use it daily (I commute 14 miles round trip 2-3x per week, plus ride for fun on the weekend).

I charge it like 1x per week... is that really so hard? When you connect it to the PC to download data, you're also charging it (like an IPOD).

I even use the backlight probably 3 hrs a week...

The people complaining are either lazy or unrealistic or got defective units.

Thanks Jynx. I am thinking of the Forerunner, but it doesnt seem to have a bike mount and I'd prefer not to have to look at my wrist when I'm riding

Thanks speedlever, I'm going to REI tomorrow. The sale ends Sunday so I might just pick it up and not use it till I've had time to do more research.


You can easily make a bike mount: get a piece of foam pipe insulation and tape it around the handlebar. Strap the FR305 around it. I have this setup on my bikes and tandems and swap the FR305 around several times per week.

You can easily make a bike mount: get a piece of foam pipe insulation and tape it around the handlebar. Strap the FR305 around it. I have this setup on my bikes and tandems and swap the FR305 around several times per week.

Thanks Artmo, that sounds like a great idea. So do you have to untape it every time? Can you post a pic?

Thanks Artmo, that sounds like a great idea. So do you have to untape it every time? Can you post a pic?
Can't post a pic at moment. I'm out of town, but no, you put a thick piece of insulation, about the width of the FR around the bars, wrap it a couple times with some black electrical tape and it's fixed. You simply put the FR on and off the "bike mount" as if it were on your wrist, using the wrist strap. This is for a FR not the Edge.