Does anyone have a Garmin 305?

[Iwasgoodonce]

I really don't know why I'm asking this questio as they aren't cheap and unemployment=not a lot of dosh. But, I'm also on a major downer with Polar. Lance Armstrong I know loves them but he must have more clout with customer services than I do! All I want to know is how much to put a new battery in and why should I buy new software when I get a new PC!?
Assuming I carry on with my strop, are the Garmins any good? What further features do they offer over a Polar?

Thanks.

 

[nplusone]

I have a Garmin 305 Forerunner. I'm not familiar withe Polar products to compare. I use the 305 for running and mountain biking. It can display up to 4 values in one screen such as HR, speed, distance, pace, etc. It's a size of a larger wrist watch but I don't notice it on the run. There's an adapter where you can mount it to your h-bars. The battery life ranges from 6-10 hours before it goes low.

 

[Russell]

Oooh, good topic!

I've had to stop using my Polar because I've upgraded my PC and now have Vista which isn't supported for my model of Polar HRM. £250 worth of HRM made utterly useless just because I've got a new computer! Rubbish.

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

nplusone: So the battery is rechargeable? How long to recharge? Is there a problem if the battery dies entirely?

Russell: I changed years ago from 98 to XP. My monitor is a S610 which I was always impressed with. Polar just want me to send it off to do the work but don't seem keen to give me a price. Looking on the interweb, it seems to be a bit of a theme. You send it off to Polar who change the battery AND something else that you didn't know needed doing but apparently it is vital work!