Forerunner 305 GPS

The Ultimate GPS Watch


Compare Forerunner 305 and 405CX

Below you will find a chart comparing the Forerunner 305 and the 405CX. As you will see there are not very many changes in the newer 405CX. Some of the changes are improvements and some are not.

This may help you make decisions on the importance of the changes with the increased cost.

The smaller size of the Forerunner 405CX is nice, but overall, the Forerunner 305 is still a great GPS unit that is full of features.
 
 
Physical & Performance      Forerunner 405CX             Forerunner 305           

Unit dimensions, WxHxD: 2.1" x 2.7" x 0.7" (5.33 x 6.86 x 1.78 cm) 1.88" x 2.78" x 0.646" (4.8 x 7.1 x 1.6 cm)
Display size, WxH: 1.3" x 0.8" (3.3 x 2.0 cm) 1.06" (2.7 cm) diameter
Display resolution, WxH: 160 x 100 pixels 124 x 95 pixels
Touchscreen: no no
Weight:                2.72 oz (77 g) 2.11 oz (60 g)
Battery : rechargeable lithium-ion rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery life: 10 hours, typical 2 weeks in power save mode; 8 hours in training mode
Water resistant: yes (IPX7) yes (IPX7)
GPS-enabled: yes yes
High-sensitivity receiver: Yes yes
 

Maps & Memory                         
Basemap: no no
Ability to add maps: No no
Accepts data cards: No No
Lap history: 1000 laps 1000 laps
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 100 100
Routes: 50 0
                                                                                                                                               
         
                  
 
Features & Benefits                   
Heart rate monitor: yes yes
Bike speed/cadence sensor: yes (some versions) yes
Foot pod: yes (optional) yes (optional)
Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer):
 		 No yes
Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data): Yes yes
Garmin Training Center® software compatible: yes yes
Virtual Partner® (train against a digital person): yes yes
Virtual racer™ (compete against other activities): No no
Courses (compete against previous activities): Yes Yes
Auto Pause® (pauses and resumes timer based on speed): Yes yes
Auto Lap® (automatically starts a new lap): yes yes
Auto Scroll (cycles through data pages during workout): Yes yes
Multi-sport (changes sport mode with a press of a button): Yes no
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts): Yes yes
Simple workouts (input time, distance and calorie goals): Yes yes
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace): Yes yes (for advanced workouts only)
Time/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal): yes yes (for advanced workouts only)
Vibration alert: (choose between alert tones and/or vibration alert): No no
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals): Yes yes
Heart rate-based calorie computation: No yes
Training effect (measures impact of an activity on your aerobic fitness): No no
Customizable screen(s): Yes yes
                                               
Barometric altimeter: No no
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units): No yes
Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible 3rd party ANT+™-enabled power meters): No no
Temperature (displays and records temperature while you ride): No no
Sport watch: no Yes - Watch functions include dual time, date and alarm.
 
     
Additional   Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center are compatible with Windows® XP or newer and Intel-based Mac running OS 10.4 or later with Safari.
 
               
Some accessories available for the Forerunner  are: