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New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by keithchan on 8. April 2009 - 10:08.
Garmin has introduced two new models of Forerunner series: Forerunner 310XT (right) and Forerunner 405CX
Forerunner® 310XT GPS-enabled personal trainer swim-proof, heart rate-based calorie computation, automatic sync, wireless heart rate monitor, multisport, high-sensitivity receiver, courses feature, advanced workouts, rechargeable lithium-ion battery https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=27335 Forerunner® 405CX GPS-enabled sport watch heart rate-based calorie computation, automatic sync, wireless data sharing, high-sensitivity receiver, courses feature, advanced workouts, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Available with or without wireless heart rate monitor https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=31859 The 310XT looks so pretty, and is said to be waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, which should at least enable us to use it under heavy rain. And no more stupid bezel! Comparison chart of the two new models PS: Sorry Kevin, I know you just bought a 405, but by the time the 310XT arrives Hong Kong, you will probably need to buy another one :)
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by csrunner on 8. April 2009 - 16:03.
sigh... 405CX is nothing new but only upgrading the calorie calculation by taking heart rate into account. 310XT seems a 305 upgrade with longer battery and 50m underwater... Why don't Garmin simply remove the 'stupid bezel' from 405???
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by keithchan on 8. April 2009 - 16:50.
Hi csrunner Good to see comments from a Garmin/GPS expert! Yes both 305 and 310XT have the same display size, but 310XT is a little wider and thicker, and a little lighter. The comparison chart shows it has twice the battery life of 305 (too good to be true!) although it has no mention of the battery capacity. But 310XT is US$50 more expensive than 305 even for the version without the heart rate monitor. Comparing 305 and 310XT For the 405 and its upgraded version, the good thing remains that it looks more like an ordinary Casio watch despite it's relatively short battery life.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by csrunner on 8. April 2009 - 20:29.
Here is the video in the Garmin Blog. Garmin Blog Judging from the buttons and screens, no doubt the 310XT is a upgraded 205/305. Well, maybe they have too many complaints on the IPX7 'water resistant' (including me), they made the 310XT, and, at least you can use it in the fish tank. The 405CX has two more wristband in the box.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by mikec on 8. April 2009 - 22:54.
http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/dmc7779 I think the swim proof is great . I am always worried when I go out in the hong kong heavy rain and even as I sweat a lot that my 305 with get affected , I suspect that is what happened to my old 205 which suddenly gave up working after a summer of running ! swim proof also means washable :-)
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by robertov on 9. April 2009 - 12:17.
A personal warning to all those wishing to buy a 405: the bezel goes "out of control" when is raining or heavy sweating. The watch keep scrolling between different screens and is impossible to stop it unless you dry it. Overall I found the watch a very well packaged product in a very poor Human-machine interface, the bezel really sucks...
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by memoryjog on 9. April 2009 - 13:41.
I suppose you could try altering the sensitivity, but I always lock the bezel when it rains.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by csrunner on 9. April 2009 - 14:31.
The change in sensitivity doesn't help at all. The rain (even not heavy) or sweat can make it crazy. So my practice is the same... lock the bezel and just read one screen with 3 readings. In the sports ground, I use the lap time/pacing. On the street, I use total time/pacing/distance, etc.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by Big John on 9. April 2009 - 20:52.
Sorry, question for the old 305. I have never been able to use the heart rate monitor. It seems that there is no detection. I tried new battery and other methods. Is there any common Q&A or problem solving related to this? Thanks in advance.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by bakhwee on 9. April 2009 - 21:55.
If you have remove or change battery from your heart monitor strap, you need to "re-pair" it with the F305. Resolve to enjoy running and life!
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by jl on 10. April 2009 - 10:38.
I thought I was the unfortunate one with the crazy bezel but it seems that this is a common complaint... It's a great improvement over the 305 but the sensitivity of the bezel is really annoying and it frequently jumps around. I found it difficult to read the 3 reading screens when running and have to toggle between 2 screens of heart beat, lap pace and distance/time.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by memoryjog on 11. April 2009 - 13:03.
If you want to view different datafield screens with the bezel locked, have you tried 'Autoscroll' under 'menu'/'Training'/'Options'?
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by ah zhai on 21. May 2009 - 11:15.
Does anyone know when will this new Forerunner 310XT be available in Hong Kong? and where can I get it?
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by keithchan on 21. May 2009 - 11:38.
No idea, but the good news is that it has started appearing on ebay (with buy-it-now price of around US$330), so those who can't wait can grasp it right away! Or you can find out the launch day from the Hong Kong distributor: http://www.gpsasialink.com/Contact.htm
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by ah zhai on 21. May 2009 - 14:29.
Thank you Keith :)
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by gcklo on 22. May 2009 - 10:06.
The 310x looks good. I have 201 and 205. 201 is not very good but 205 has been working very well for me. But may be I will upgrade some time next year.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by fab on 5. June 2009 - 18:43.
Hi everybody, I am looking for a watch and I was almost ready to buy a Polar once a friend of mine suggested to buy a Garmin, precisely the new 310xt which is about to be available in Italy this week (my friend is Italian as I am). Here in HK nobody knows when the 310 is available that's why I told my self buy the 305. Then I read most of your comments that have completely destroyed the 305 claiming not just with heavy rain but also sweating the watch can be in trouble. Is it possible that a rain/sweat can make those troubles???? Honestly lost! If anybody knows when the 310 is available in HK and if the 305 is really crap..... Thanks for your help.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by robertov on 6. June 2009 - 11:38.
fellow italian, I own both a Polar Rs800sd and a Garmin 405 (with HR monitor). I believe that you should define first the real purpose for having a "running watch". If the target is to get the most information about your training (including the overall training intensity, recovery, etc) and also have a real "instant" speed, then the Polar rs800 is definetely the best. You have the manage the hassle of the foot pod, but once calibrated is 99,5% precise and only Polar has the SW to manage different HR zones for different sports or to give the actual recovery status of the body, etc, etc, etc Garmin does not come even close on that. Garmin 305 is a very honest distance and HR monitor and you can program your workouts. The measured speed is never the real actual one because of the limitation of GPS,, but the average speed of each split is fairly accurate. Because both the 305 and 405 are very sensitive to rain/sweat, it would be better to go for the 310xt and probably the best way is to buy it online from USA. (good to see that the number of italian runners is growing...)
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by mikec on 6. June 2009 - 12:02.
http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/dmc7779 I have the 305 and polar 800cx . Both are very good . I sweat a lot and run in heavy rain with no problem . I think it is only 405 that is a problem . Each watch is different . For hills i like 305 as it gives me gps map . For flat i like polar as it works everywhere, no need to worry about buildings and can use in gym .
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Garmin Repair Centre

Submitted by bakhwee on 30. June 2009 - 14:55.
My F305 needs servicing as the buttons apart from on/off do not seemed to work and it has also stopped detecting satellites. Could someone advise me if there is a service centre for Garmin here in Hong Kong? Thank you. Live life in earnest, work hard, play harder!
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by Encore on 1. July 2009 - 23:25.
The repair has to go through the agent Asialink at 12/F., Sunbeam Centre, Shing Yip street, Kwun Tong. Tel : 28152022.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by bakhwee on 3. July 2009 - 11:03.
Thank you Encore. I have made contact with Garmin Taiwan and shall send it there directly.
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Re: New Garmin Forerunner Models

Submitted by keithchan on 3. July 2009 - 11:23.
Taiwan?
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Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by bakhwee on 20. July 2009 - 15:38.
In case anyone needed the information, I sent my Garmin F305 to Taiwan for repair. It came back within a week looking like brand new. The cost was US$111 including shipping. Live life in earnest, work hard, play harder!
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by fwlam on 21. July 2009 - 13:00.
Keith Chan posted on 21 May 2009 above that the new version 310XT costs US$330 on eBay, i.e. you are paying 1/3 of a new watch and new version cost. Worth??
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by bakhwee on 22. July 2009 - 17:21.
The 310XT did not add a lot of features. Its selling points seemed to be the waterproof feature, easy transitioning for triathletes and the sync feature. I would consider a new Garmin if they start to add features like temperature and humidity measures which is available in Polar. For 1/3 the cost, I get a new casing, the speaker now works loudly, the contacts (the four copper points on the back) are new, and a new strap. I think ok lah. Live life in earnest, work hard, play harder!
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by stroller on 24. July 2009 - 16:14.
Hi Bakhwee, My friend sent his to Taiwan for repair as well. It came back with a brand new look. They probably changed the casing and reset everything inside. It will now switch on and GPS seems ok, haven't tested it thoroughly yet. But the problem now is the unit can't detect the heart rate monitor (HRM). Not sure the cause of the problem. Do you have to tweek something for it to detect the HRM again. Thanks
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by bakhwee on 27. July 2009 - 9:58.
Dear Stroller: Unlike Polar, you need to "pair" the heart rate monitor to the watch. Look under Settings. Live life in earnest, work hard, play harder!
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by stroller on 28. July 2009 - 13:41.
Thanks bakhwee. I will try that.
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by stroller on 16. October 2009 - 15:31.
Hi Bakhwee, Can you give me the Garmin contact in Taiwan. My 305 decides to turn off itself at random and the down scroll button stops working as well. When it doesn't turn itself off, everything seems fine and accurate. Anyone else has similar problem. I no longer have warranty on the watch. Thanks Stroller
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by PW on 16. October 2009 - 19:21.
hi Stroller, My FR305 also having similar problem. Recently, I find it's scroll buttons depreciated a lot after over 2 Yrs usage. The down button even broken and got a hole outside. As chk w Asia Link,they can still help us to send to Taiwan for repair / replace , provided w HK$850 maintenance fee for 3 months warranty. But u can chk whether it's worthy or not as just for 3 months warrant.
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Re: Garmin Watch Repair - Update

Submitted by jenaestorgio on 9. December 2009 - 0:09.

Hi!

Hope this site helps, http://www8.garmin.com/support/warranty.html

i cannot find exact location for you. You may contact their representative or might as well bring it back to where you bought it :)

Also, you may enjoy some features by reading reviews from http://www.garminforerunnerblog.com/. The explanation is not technical so you don't have to read your manual every now and then

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