For those who currently train with a Garmin HRM, they are coming out with a waterproof upgrade version of the popular Forerunner 305 called 310XT that will be waterproof up to 50 meters.
Its supposed to be out in July 2009 but it costs a bunch too!
You can check it out here... http://tinyurl.com/cl7vrr
Submitted by kamamakakaua on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:11pm
I just hope my canoe doesnt take me on a 50 meter dive any time soon.
I,ve been using the 305 now for over a year. The thing works great with the exception of a few screen blips in the begining. My only complaint is you cant print the information out from the cumputer program.
Marara
#1 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:55pm
I have a couple of Garmins, but i believe this one outputs data in xml format - what data do you need outputted?
Let me take a look at the data output and software Garmin provides and see how difficult it would be to perhaps export to excel or create a simple app to print the data.
Every so often, you can download an update to their software - they just recently released an update.
#2 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 1:13pm
Marara, i've been using the free SportTrack software for 3 years, does much more than Garmin training center, including printing.
Download from here http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/
Cheers Rambo</br/>
#3 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 1:58pm
Rambo, it looks like a great software with much better mapping view and calendar/training interface.
Do you know the limitations of the free version versus pay?
The website says its "free to try" but it doesn't mention whether its free but for a limited time or free but with limited features.
#4 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 2:56pm
It's always been free, no limitations. It's constantly being upgraded as users request more features.
There is no pay version, If people like it they can donate toward development, but it's been miles ahead of anything else out there for years. I still use an older version because it does everything i want.
That race record above, Maui - Molokai , i did in 2006 with the older software version and it still did everything back then.
It's interesting to note i "bonked" at the 3 hrs mark when i moved out of the channel and into shallow water, a mistake a lot of people make first time they do this race.
Cheers Rambo
#5 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 3:18pm
Thanks Rambo, it works great - the gpx filetypes don't seem to import too well but the tcx filetype works like a charm.
The route views are amazing - from street view to satellite to topo!
Mahalo nui!
#6 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 3:34pm
Yes, you will be amazed at some of the features you find as you play around with the menus, quite often you stumble on it weeks later. The user Forum is big help too if you have time to check it out.
Cheers Rambo
#7 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 3:56pm
Thanks Rambo!
I can't wait to try it.
Marara
#8 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 4:23pm
My 301 is dead, just received my 305. Can't wait to try it, but miss C has some other projects for the week-end.
I read on another forum that it's good to seal the beeper holes with silicon. Also they advice to isolate the electrodes from seawater with silicon grease while paddling.
How do you guys take care of your garmins ?
#9 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:07pm
Hiro C,
i have a Garmin 305 and have only used it on the sea since i bought it 3 years ago.
I have had no problems with my unit although the alarm sound has gone on it and i suspect it was water entering the beeper holes.
I think filling the beeper holes with silicon would be a waste of time and render your warranty and alarms useless. Also doing the same to the electrodes would probably stop it from charging and uploading in the caddie.
Basically at the end of each session i give it a wash in fresh water, dry it off with a towel and upload what i've just done to Motionbase (free online website) and then to Google Earth to map the course/Race/training i've just completed
Hopefully that helps.
#10 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:47pm
for the electrodes, they said silicon GREASE, after workout, you wipe it away to charge the unit, it's no sealant.
About the alarm sound gone, the guy had the same problem tough he never used it at sea. He's a runner, and the beeper corroded because of the sweat entering trough the holes...
#11 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:50pm
I gave up wearing my 305 on my wrist preferring to strap it to my boat, i found that putting it on your wrist gave an incorrect speed reading i.e speed was faster on wrist than 305 strapped to boat.
Ok then sillicon grease will probably work fine.
#12 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:00pm
Hiro, you are right about sealing the unit. I initially had some sort of malfunction (several times), probably due to moisture. The screen would go blue even though the 305 continued to monitor my progress. I nowuse coconut oil on it when finished, wipe off the excess and haven’t had a problem in over a year.
Ciao!
Marara
#13 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:34pm
Eh! Rambo, it looks like you ran a perfect course. Can't tell where you entered shallow water? Probably at the finish, where you had no choice?
#14 Fri, 05/29/2009 - 12:41am
Nay, it was shallow and still water. All the lead canoes stayed out wide all the way then cut in at the last minute. Donny Mehling has since given me the secret land-mark to aim for.
R
#15 Fri, 05/29/2009 - 1:07am
I looked at the 305 a few months back and didn't make a play on it. I like to mount my GPS in front of me w/ velcro (between my feet). The 305 seemed to have an odd shape. I notice there is a "quick release kit". Anybody tried this? Also, is the heart rate monitor reliable with the twisting we do?
#16 Fri, 05/29/2009 - 2:19am
Drew,
305 is an odd shape but works great for me. I use the HRM on it also without too much trouble (a skip here and there but nothing all other HRM's don't do).
I mount the 305 on front iaku. I put a 3" piece of pipe insulation foam over the iaku and added a wrap of PVC tape to keep it snug. Using the short wrist strap that comes with 305 works fine, I wouldn't use a quick release. I'm a few feet back of course but no problems with HRM pickup. Just wet the inside of HRM strap well before paddling off to ensure good connectivity with skin and with above software you can get course, speed, HR, distance, etc...
With introduction of 310xt, you might now be able to get a good price on the 305.
#17 Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:07am
There is a comprehensive review of Garmin on Surfski.info.
forum.
http://www.surfski.info/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=254
#18 Fri, 05/29/2009 - 1:57pm