Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

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2011-08-09 4:13 PM

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

I have a Garmin 305 and I like it fine except for the short battery life.  I really don't need the 310XT (I think that's it) because I have no plans at this point to use power... and so I'm paying for something I wouldn't use.  I also don't mind that the 305 is only water "resistant".

So, my question is, is there any way to extend the battery life of the 305?  I think mine is around 6 hours....  If not, which watch would you recommend for Ironman training/racing?

Thanks!

Andi

2011-08-09 4:22 PM
in reply to: #3636537

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Alpharetta, Georgia
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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

Do you use the heart rate monitor function? If so, turning that off will probably extend it a bit. But I believe that battery life is only listed at 8 hours on the spec sheet.

I always recommend the 310XT for IM training/racing... mostly due to the 20-hour battery life (not at all due to training with power). It's just a great watch for the long sessions and races.

I haven't researched, but Timex and Nike both have new GPS watches on the market... might be worth investigating those battery lifes?

2011-08-09 4:29 PM
in reply to: #3636554

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

Thanks!  I heard someone say there was a way to "jury rig" more battery life in the 305 by replacing some parts but couldn't find anything on it w/a web search.  At the time I bought the 305 I had no plans for long racing again.  Famous last words.

In the end I'll probably get the 310XT because of the battery life and the fact that I can swim with it (secondarily speaking).  In a race it would be nice to see my total time on ONE watch. lol

Andi

2011-08-09 4:38 PM
in reply to: #3636537

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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

There's also some external battery hookup, bt that always seemed like too much work.

In addition to turning off HR, I have heard (have not tried) that if you turn off the GPS, the battery life is extended.  Don't really need GPS for long course racing.

2011-08-09 5:51 PM
in reply to: #3636537

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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
The battery life is the whole reason I went to the 310. I was training for a full, and the garmin would quit before my long rides were finished. I don't know about the nike, but the Timex watch is at least as expensive as the garmin.
2011-08-10 12:15 PM
in reply to: #3636537

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Expert
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Savannah
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

If you REALLY want to...here's a way to extend the life of the battery during a race:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/07/going-really-really-really-long-with.html

2011-08-10 2:56 PM
in reply to: #3637772

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
mktoson - 2011-08-10 1:15 PM

If you REALLY want to...here's a way to extend the life of the battery during a race:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/07/going-really-really-really-long-with.html

This is it... I'm actually going to do this until I can find a 310XT at a cheap price... I'll use it for riding/running (long bricks) because my Garmin 305 battery currently only works for about 6 hours!

Thx!

Andi



Edited by Anditrigirl 2011-08-10 2:57 PM
2011-08-10 3:15 PM
in reply to: #3636674

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Master
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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

kenb - 2011-08-09 6:51 PM The battery life is the whole reason I went to the 310. I was training for a full, and the garmin would quit before my long rides were finished. I don't know about the nike, but the Timex watch is at least as expensive as the garmin.

Yeah, I didn't get the 310 for power either - it was both the fact that its waterproof (and can be worn through all legs of a tri) and the longer battery life. 

2011-08-10 9:32 PM
in reply to: #3636537

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Master
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
I've used similar technique with Garmin Edge 305 during endurance (>10hr) road cycling events. I zipp-tied the external battery pack below my stem & ran the small mini-USB cable to the Edge.  Fortunately, Edge has mini-USB plug so no ForeRunner-style cradle is needed.
2011-08-11 12:36 PM
in reply to: #3636537

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
Yeah the shortened battery life sucks.

My boyfriend and I both borrowed the other one's Garmin for our IM's. So we had two to take us through our races.

2011-08-11 4:05 PM
in reply to: #3639533

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Master
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

KSH - 2011-08-11 1:36 PM Yeah the shortened battery life sucks. My boyfriend and I both borrowed the other one's Garmin for our IM's. So we had two to take us through our races.

So maybe I'm not crazy for owning BOTH an Edge & a Forerunner Cool

2011-08-12 11:52 AM
in reply to: #3636537

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Expert
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Tulsa
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
Have you tried looking at what the recording options are that you have set?  There is a "smart recording" option that only takes a gps signal every 1 second vs the other option that is multiple times a second.  It specifically says that if you want more batter life then use the smart recording option.  Thats the option i use and my 5 year old garmin 305 lasted me for 11 hours during my 50 mile run.
2011-08-12 3:08 PM
in reply to: #3636537

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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
When I did IMWI in 2009 I turned off the gps for the bike, the cadence censor and wheel magnent gave me all the same information. About 10 miles from T2 I turned the GPS back on and the battery lasted for the entire run.

All that said, I do like the external battery idea....




2011-08-13 7:07 AM
in reply to: #3641310

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
bertgwen - 2011-08-12 4:08 PM When I did IMWI in 2009 I turned off the gps for the bike, the cadence censor and wheel magnent gave me all the same information. About 10 miles from T2 I turned the GPS back on and the battery lasted for the entire run. All that said, I do like the external battery idea....


I've done the same thing. 

I don't think you need a 310 for long course.
2011-08-13 7:42 AM
in reply to: #3641026

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

ballyard7 - 2011-08-12 12:52 PM Have you tried looking at what the recording options are that you have set?  There is a "smart recording" option that only takes a gps signal every 1 second vs the other option that is multiple times a second.  It specifically says that if you want more batter life then use the smart recording option.  Thats the option i use and my 5 year old garmin 305 lasted me for 11 hours during my 50 mile run.

I will check this, thanks!!

Andi

2011-08-13 7:43 AM
in reply to: #3641310

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

bertgwen - 2011-08-12 4:08 PM When I did IMWI in 2009 I turned off the gps for the bike, the cadence censor and wheel magnent gave me all the same information. About 10 miles from T2 I turned the GPS back on and the battery lasted for the entire run. All that said, I do like the external battery idea....

Nice!  I will do this too.  I'm glad I asked instead of plopping down $350 on a new watch... looks like this one will work!

 

Andi

2011-08-13 9:20 AM
in reply to: #3641870

Master
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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
Anditrigirl - 2011-08-13 7:42 AM

ballyard7 - 2011-08-12 12:52 PM Have you tried looking at what the recording options are that you have set?  There is a "smart recording" option that only takes a gps signal every 1 second vs the other option that is multiple times a second.  It specifically says that if you want more batter life then use the smart recording option.  Thats the option i use and my 5 year old garmin 305 lasted me for 11 hours during my 50 mile run.

I will check this, thanks!!

Andi

Think it's the other way around with 1 sec being the more standard, and Smart Recording being every few seconds.  Smart Recording still extends the battery life because it's taking readings less often.

2011-08-13 10:02 AM
in reply to: #3636537

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Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help
I used my 305 for IMLP. I too turned off the GPS for the bike since I have the speed/candence sensor. Turned GPS back on for the run. I messed with the thing too much in T1 & T2. Could have turned it on and scrolled through the settings while riding. My T1 was 11 minutes but I had plenty of battery life.
2011-08-15 5:12 AM
in reply to: #3636537

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Master
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Muskego, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Garmin 305 Battery Life too Short - Help

Only 6 hours?  I've used my 305 in 4 IM's, 11:11 was the fastest all the way to my 12:50 IMLP fiasco, take out the swim and that still is almost 12 hours in LP and I never had an issue with the battery and I kept my gps on the entire time because I like to look at pretty maps when I'm done.

I'll check my settings but I have never messed with any of them, I went with the settings it came with.

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