June 2, 2008 | sport
Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
Binding: Electronics
Manufacturer: Garmin
Amazon.com Review:Just when you thought Garmin had cornered the market on powerful, affordable, and effective wrist-mounted GPS devices, here comes the Forerunner 305. The release of this device is a major achievement from a design and technology perspective. This isn't just marketing-speak; the Forerunner 305 is the most accurate, most reliable wrist-mounted performance and GPS tracking tool we've ever tested. Yes, it's that good. While no device this compact can do everything (yet), the 305 pushes the boundaries of what is possible from something strapped around your wrist. The 305 model includes wireless heartrate monitoring and it can also be connected to Garmin's wireless bicycle speed and cadence sensor. If you don't need these features, consider the lower-priced Forerunner 205. View Garmin's Forerunner demonstration video. Choose from 12 data fields to display on the 305's screen. View larger. The design cleverly integrates the GPS antenna and aims it towards the sky when you're running or walking. View larger. The Virtual Partner function makes your workouts more competitive. View larger. Choose from three workout modes that help you target your training goals. View larger. The 305 features rudimentary mapping and location marking functions. View larger. Design The 305's design is a radical departure from Garmin's previous generation of wrist mounted GPS devices, which reached a pinnacle with the Garmin Forerunner 301. While the 301 delivered accurate heart rate monitoring, good performance tracking, and decent GPS reception, it didn't quite deliver in the design department. The form factor was bulky and wearing it wasn't much different than duct taping a full-sized GPS device to your wrist. Not so with the 305. Garmin's engineers obviously burned the midnight oil and have come up with a waterproof design that, while certainly not as small as a sports watch, feels just as comfortable. The curved casing allows the unit's antenna to face the sky when you're running, while the widescreen display is perfectly positioned for viewing when you need it. And the display certainly deserves a few kudos. While it's smaller than the display found on previous Forerunners, its resolution is far higher, offering incredible clarity and crispness. Garmin has smartly given the 305 a simple button layout and the buttons have a nice tactile feel with good pressure response. The right side houses the menu selection and enter buttons, while the left houses a power/backlight button and a mode button. This simple and elegant solution is a big improvement over the sometimes confusing button functionality of previous Forerunners. View button layout. The underside of the 305 is pretty nondescript, except for a row of contacts that interface with the included charging and data cradle. The cradle is small and unobtrusive and its single mini-USB port connects to either an included AC adapter, or a USB cable that connects to your PC. In addition to data transfer with the USB cable, you can also charge the 305's embedded lithium-ion battery via a powered USB connection from your computer. GPS Performance The big news about the Forerunner 305 is that it features an integrated, high-sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS receiver. What does this mean? It means that the 305's ability to both track, and maintain a lock on, your position is better than anything before it. After an intial battery charge, the tester had the 305 on his wrist and was tracking speed and distance with GPS satellites within 3 minutes. The next time we used the 305, satellite acquisition was nearly instantaneous. A run through dense trees didn't faze the unit either; tracking remained true and steady. Performance on a bike was equally impressive. Whatever witchcraft has been cooked up by the designers of the SiRF technology, we like it! The simple docking cradle makes charging and data connectivity a snap. While the Forerunner 305 isn't billed as a GPS navigation device, it does have some rudimentary mapping, waypoint marking, and routing capabilities. In addition to marking locations along your journey, you can zoom in or out of a simple map that displays your current direction and path. There's also a "go to location" feature that routes you back to your starting location, or to any location you have defined. Once you have defined several locations, you can save this information as a route, allowing you to travel the same path in the future. As you'll see below, the 305's new "Courses" feature gives you new levels of control over how you define your favorite runs and rides. Training Functions The 305 is first and foremost a training tool, and its ability to organize a ton of data types into a user experience that is intuitive and simple is no small feat. Whiz-bang technology aside, if you can't use it and make it a natural part of your exercise routine, it's worthless. When it comes to these factors -- and here's the take home message on the 305 -- this device is successful where many other devices fail. The heart and soul of the 305 can be found on the data screens, which give you real-time information about all aspects of your workout. In fact, the 305 can display a dizzying array of data, such as calories burned, distance, elevation, grade, and heading, as well as multiple lap and pace modes. The 305 adds the ability to track heartrate, lap heartrate, average heartrate, and heartrate zones via the included coded heartrate chest strap. With the purchase of a separate wireless cadence and speed meter, you can also track bike performance data. Thankfully, the device makes it easy to define how much or how little data you want to view during a workout. You can arrange the data that's most important to you and then make that data appear front and center on the device. ...
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May 28, 2008 | sport
GolfLogix GPS by Garmin (2008 Model)
Binding: Sports
Manufacturer: GolfLogix
Product Description: Garmin GolfLogix GPS-8 features: Large LCD screen (1.25"W x 2.25"H) User friendly software and hardware Auto-advances to each target on the course for completely hands-free use Large number displays are easy to read for all ages and eye-visions Personalized name on main screens for security and anti-theft Excellent visibility in direct sunlight with adjustable screen contrasts Backlight screen setting for dark playing conditions Completely waterproof case Shock-proof and impact resistant for rugged outdoor use Displays in yards or meters Includes multi-use belt or bag clip Up to 22-hour battery life Instant distances to greens and hazards Holds up to 20 courses Minimum System Requirements* PC with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP 500 MHz Pentium class processor or better 256 MB of RAM 2X or higher CD-ROM drive USB Connection or RS232 Serial Port Internet connection Amazon.com Product Description:Enjoy the advantage of GPS mapping on the golf course with the GolfLogix GPS-8 handheld unit, which calculates and displays distances to the front, center and back of every green along with hazards. The most precise, durable and user-friendly golf GPS on the market, this new version of the GolfLogix now recognizes what course you are playing automatically. You get the distance to the front/center/back of green for each hole. The GolfLogix GPS-8 includes Garmin's high sensitivity, 12-channel GPS receiver which ensures faster satellite acquisition time and superior accuracy. Nicely compact in your hand, it weighs 5.3 ounces with batteries and measures 1.2 inches thin. The case is 100 percent waterproof (submersible in water per IPX7 standard tests) and is shock-proof and impact-resistant for rugged outdoor use. The large LCD screen (1.25 by 2.25 inches) has a 64 x 128 pixel resolution and features excellent visibility in direct sunlight with adjustable screen contrasts and backlight screen setting for dark playing conditions. Wherever you are on the course, GolfLogix displays the key distances to hazards and the green in big bold numbers all on a sleek black palm-sized device. The screen advances automatically to all of the targets on the golf course so there are no buttons to push or lasers to point during your round. The GolfLogix GPS-8 can store the following data on each hole: front/center/back of green; hazards; bunkers; water; lay-ups; and carries. Easily download course data using the GolfLogix software, and store up to 20 courses in the GPS-8 at one time. The included, simple-to-use software lets you download up to 20 golf course maps on your unit at one time. Simply connect your GolfLogix GPS to your personal computer, and the software walks you through a few easy steps to download golf course maps from the GolfLogix database of more than 15,000 golf courses. The software is compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista as well as Mac OS X (Tiger/Leopard). Download your favorite course for free or become a member for a low annual subscription fee and gain access to the entire worldwide database. Other features include: Distance of last shot feature Large number displays that are easy to read for all ages and eye-visions Personalized name on main screens for security and anti-theft Displays in yards or meters Includes multi-use belt or bag clip GolfLogix Course Manager software with USB drivers 1-year warranty What are the advantages of GolfLogix GPS versus other yardage devices? A handheld GPS device, such as GolfLogix GPS, offers more flexibility during a typical round of golf. You can bring the GPS to the ball and get more accurate distance data. Unlike other laser devices, there is no need to point and aim or have a direct line of sight to the hazard or hole. How do I get golf course maps on my GolfLogix GPS? Included with your initial purchase is access to download a single golf course map of your choice. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions in the Quick Start Guide located in the box to download the Course Manager Software from the GolfLogix Web site. Then follow the registration and activation screens on your computer to obtain your free golf course map. With a .95 annual membership, you can download an unlimited amount of golf courses worldwide (currently more than 15,000 in the database) and have access to GolfLogix product enhancements and upgrades. Is using a GPS distance device allowed under USGA regulations? The USGA and R&A both recently sanctioned the use of satellite-based yardage measuring devices during competition. Specifically, decision 14-3/0.5 allows a committee to permit the use of distance measuring devices by Local Rule. Golfers should check with their golf professional prior to use in a USGA sanctioned event. GPS devices have always been permitted in handicap scoring in recreational rounds. What's in the Box? GolfLogix GPS, USB cable, belt/bag clip, 2 AA alkaline batteries, printed instructions
List Price: USD 299.95Lowest New Price: USD 254.99Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
Average Rating:
Features:
User-friendly, golf-oriented GPS unit for displaying key yardage distances on the course
Calculates instant, precise distances to the front, center, and back of greens, plus hazards; unit holds up to 20 courses with more than 21,800 available
1.25-by-2.25-inch LCD offers excellent visibility in direct sunlight; waterproof and shockproof
Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 and Mac OS X; up to 22 hours of battery life
Includes belt/bag clip, USB-serial cable, and AA batteries; measures 2 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches (W x H x D)
Customer ReviewsAs AdvertisedI have had the Garmin for a few months now - it performs very well with the exception of one hole on my home course where the distances are off. Ease of use is ...
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