Who's Got A Garmin??

I've got the 305 and love it.  Best investment I have ever made.  I can not imagine doing the training I've been doing without it.

Love being able to track my workouts over time and being able to store them indefinetly on the lap top is awesome.

I have the 205 which is pretty much the 305 without the HR monitor.  I have been happy with it as it does everything that I need it too.  If I could upgrade to the 405 I would but I am completely happy with the 205.

I have both the Garmin Forerunner 50 and the Garmin 310 XT.   I can wear the Forerunner 50 as a regular watch but the 310 XT is just too big AND you have to recharge the battery every few days.   I got the 310 XT so I could register power on my bike.  I was sponsored by Quarq and the 310XT and the more expensive 400 series were the only units that worked with it.   The 310XT i**** and miss with the power readings, mostly because I refuse to mount it on my bike, but all the other settings are dead on.  My workouts are automatically uploaded when I get home via a wireless link.  My coach views the workouts almost immediately to offer critique and suggestions on a daily basis so I like that aspect of it.   The only downside...  it's so damn big.  :)

I do triathlons so I took a hard look at the 310xt but since I'm not using a power meter and since the 310xt HRM doesn't work in water it didn't seem worth all the extra $$$.  I got the 305 for $139 and love it.  I got the cadence meter for my bike and it has really helped with my training and since winter is coming up and I'll be doing more indoor running I'll probably get the foot pod so I can get distance data inside (because the GPS won't work inside).  I also got the bike quick release kit as well so it can go from bike to wrist for running easily.  All the data can be uploaded to the training programs easily it's just not wireless like the 310xt.

I'm looking forward to a Garmin or other brand that will be a true 3 sport trainer that will measure distance and HR in the water as well as on land but the 310xt isn't really there.  For me the key reason to get the xt would be if you are using a power meter for training.

Also FYI you can import any music purchased or downloaded from anywhere into the itunes player to load on your iPod so you don't have to purchase only through itunes.

Thanks for all the input, guys! It sounds like Garmin makes a good product. I will look around for the 205 or 305--whichever I can get the best deal on! Thanks again!

Thank you all for your input on the Garmin.  I just ordered my Garmin 305.  I can't wait to get it.  I decided it was time to start challenging myself for I signed up for my first 10k...I'll be walking it but that is fine with me for now.