Garmin Forerunner 205 VS. 305 and garmin 405. these three gamin gps models have differenct funtions. The 205 and 305 have been out longer. Compared to the 205, the 305 adds a heart monitor, and is also compatible with an optional foot pod (for indoor use) and cadence sensor (for bicycling). If you shop right this time of year, you can actually find the higher end 305 for the same price or cheaper than the 205, since it’s the most popular model and has been for awhile. You can’t add its features later to the 205.

The 405 came out this year as an alternative — not direct replacement — to the 305. It’s round and a touch smaller, but it can only display 3 data fields rather than 4 at once. That’s a deal breaker for a lot of people. It also has a rotating touch bezel to scroll through its menus and commands, and that’s been a source of great frustration for people. It adds a couple things like ability to download data wirelessly to your computer, but given it needs to be regularly docked for charging anyway, that only counts for so much. The 405 comes in versions both with and without a heart monitor, and you can add one later if you want. The model number doesn’t vary. You have a choice of colors with the 405 — a faded green or black. I believe the 405 also lacks the ability to track multi-sport workouts and the like, unlike the other models. I’ve read a couple reports of the 405 acquiring satellites a bit faster than the others.

If you want the latest thing and it matters to you more than anything else to get the size as far down as you can, the 405 is for you. If you want what’s been the most enduring model for the last couple years now, the 305 is your ideal — you’re also not looking at any feature loss with it. In addition, if you shop right, it can indeed be found priced very competitively with the 205 right now (look at Costco.com for example). If you’ll absolutely positively never use a heart monitor, never ever want indoor use like on a treadmill or indoor track, etc., etc., you’re fine with the 205.

Though there are some people plenty happy with the 405, it’s seen a *lot* more complaints than the other models, you’re generally losing features to gain slightly in physical appearance, and many out there would probably say that the latest doesn’t mean greatest, especially when price is factored in. I’d personally suggest doing some good shopping for the 305 this time of year–it’s an excellent value right now.

Tags: Garmin Forerunner 205, Garmin Forerunner 305, Garmin Forerunner GPS