Southern California - Garmin 305 GPS computers on sale

The Garmin 305 is on sale at Costco until the end of May or the supply runs out. This comes with the Heart Rate Kit. The cost is 179.00, I paid over 300 a year ago.. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11467635&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1

How do you like your Garmin? Is it reliable? I have a VDO which has to be the most unreliable, loose your data, piece of crap ever.

How do you like your Garmin? Is it reliable? I have a VDO which has to be the most unreliable, loose your data, piece of crap ever.

Good price for the 305 w/HR which you can add cadence, I have one and its been great!
I have some VDO computers while some have had trouble I have had good luck with them, they do need fresh strong batteries to be reliable especially in colder weather like in the 40's above 58 deg. seems fine.

The old man showed me this in the little coupon booklet he gets mailed from costco a few weeks ago. I really want one now. :notamused:

I'm wondering if this is the last hurrah for the 305 and then it's discontinued.

I got mine online at Walmart about 2 years ago for 256.00 and then I got a rebate of 75 dollars from Gatorade...or someone like that, I forget. So my end cost was 181 dollars and that was with the heart rate monitor and the cadence unit. It still works great.

My 305 did well for the first year. It developed power problems, It would turn off when I hit a bump on the bike. I split the cases and rebent the the tabs that connect the battery to the mother board. I got so used to all the functions and data, It's hard to train without it. It is so easy to use, you can track your heart rate, speed, elevation gains, or decents. It has a virtual training partner mode, and good gps function.

My 305 did well for the first year. It developed power problems, It would turn off when I hit a bump on the bike. I split the cases and rebent the the tabs that connect the battery to the mother board. I got so used to all the functions and data, It's hard to ride without it. It is so easy to use, you can track your heart rate, speed, elevation gains, or decents. It has a virtual training partner mode, and good gps function.

No kidding...I forgot to charge mine and it was DOA for my ride tonight. We of course rode faster than we have for a long time and I have no record of it...not to mention looking down at a blank screen!:cry:

My 305 did well for the first year. It developed power problems, It would turn off when I hit a bump on the bike. I split the cases and rebent the the tabs that connect the battery to the mother board. I got so used to all the functions and data, It's hard to train without it. It is so easy to use, you can track your heart rate, speed, elevation gains, or decents. It has a virtual training partner mode, and good gps function.

Mine shows exactly that behavior.

Mind if I ask how you went about "splitting the cases" without damaging something irreparably?

I might like to try the same nifty bit of surgery on mine.

Mine shows exactly that behavior.

Mind if I ask how you went about "splitting the cases" without damaging something irreparably?

I might like to try the same nifty bit of surgery on mine.

This might help:
http://blog.mtbguru.com/2008/11/06/surgery-on-the-garmin-edge-305/

I have the same problem BUT Garmin is going to send a replacement once I send my unit back......I hate to ride without it so have been delaying sending it back for replacement........

This might help:
http://blog.mtbguru.com/2008/11/06/surgery-on-the-garmin-edge-305/

I have the same problem BUT Garmin is going to send a replacement once I send my unit back......I hate to ride without it so have been delaying sending it back for replacement........

Thanks, I bookmarked those pages...for that day.

This might help:
http://blog.mtbguru.com/2008/11/06/surgery-on-the-garmin-edge-305/

I have the same problem BUT Garmin is going to send a replacement once I send my unit back......I hate to ride without it so have been delaying sending it back for replacement........

Holy mackerel. That page looks mind blowingly helpful.

I had seen that Garmin would exchange a busted unit for a reconditioned one at a relatively reasonable price, but I've been living in Central Japan and the shipping back and forth is enough of a hassle that I haven't messed with it. And without any idea how to go about fixing the problem, it never would have entered my mind to crack open the case and have a go at a repair.

A thousand thanks for that.

b.h.

Well, the question for me is:

are there still major problems with the 305? The 705 looks very cool however much more $$. I guess I don't really need the full on mapping however this battery issue has been around for a while.

Well, the question for me is:

are there still major problems with the 305? The 705 looks very cool however much more $$. I guess I don't really need the full on mapping however this battery issue has been around for a while.

My understanding is the problem is resolved with the 605/705. I don't know that the current 305 units have been "retrofitted" to solve the issue. I don't believe that they have as I've heard that some of the replacement units display the same problems as the new units......surprising that Garmin wouldn't fix this.....