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GPS City Q&A » Fitness GPS » Can the battery be replaced?

Fitness GPS (5 replies)

Item

Original Question

Can the battery be replaced?

› Garmin Refurbished Forerunner 305

Author

Reply

Bob
Shelton CT

Original question asked on May 26, 2012, 6:46am

The Forerunner 305 I have had for 4 years has stopped turning on. The first cost me $ to Garmin to exchange and now the replacement has entered into a comma.

Garmin again wants $80 to exchange. I find this disturbing that they put products like this on the street and use unsuspecting consumers to beta test them. Sealed batteries just do not sit well with me. I realize that all the major companies are doing it with all sorts of electronics these days. What is more disturbing is that the consumer keeps coughing up the $ to buy this stuff. The only way it will change is if the consumer wakes up one day and starts to pay attention and it starts hurting the companies in the pocketbook.

How can I change the battery and how can I obtain a new battery. That is what Garmin says is the issue. Apparently the battery does not have much lifespan when within 4 yrs I had to have two units.

What say you at GPS City regarding this situation. It has not provided what I would call a Best Experience.

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #1 on May 28, 2012, 7:43am

A lithium battery is only specified to last around three years. Sealing the battery in the unit keeps it smaller, rechargeable and water tight. Making it user replaceable would just cause problems if the battery is not installed or removed properly. Adding the ability to change the battery adds considerable bulk to a unit in most cases(Foretrex 401 vs forerunner 305). It is best to leave those special devices to the manufacturer to repair.

You may be happier with a handheld GPS that uses AA batteries and has the similar fitness features. The Dakota 20 and Etrex 30 are two smaller ones you make like. The foretrex 401 is wrist worn and uses AAA batteries. It has the ability to record data from a Heart rate monitor but is bulky on the wrist in comparison to the Forerunner 305.

Bob
Shelton CT

Reply #2 on May 29, 2012, 6:26am

JESSE,
Thank you the reply but it does not answer my issue.

Also, interesting that you edited the title of my Post to be to your liking.

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #3 on May 29, 2012, 7:42am

We edit all titles to posts so that they make more sense to other customers. It helps other people find the answer to their questions. We leave the content alone as long as it does not contain personal information that should not be public.

You will need to send your unit to Garmin for repair or purchase a newer model.

What is your question that was not answered?

Eric
New Orleans

Reply #4 on Aug 23, 2012, 12:02pm

My 305 is just over 4yrs old now and it looks like it's been dropped off a mountain a couple of times and is still running fine. I recently topped the 1000hrs that I've logged on it. It's gone into a comma twice so far, both times all I had to do was hook it up to the PC hit the 'on' button while cradled and it came back to life... the only thing I lost in both cases was the last workout, it was there and I could see the data on the watch, but I couldn't upload it. I'm part of a triathlon community and it's by far the most common GPS watch I see. My only gripe with the battery is that it will not allow me to be out there for more than 8-8.5hrs at a time...

Bob
Shelton

Reply #5 on Oct 19, 2012, 4:43pm

Yes it's an issue that Garmin has a good name and banks on unsuspecting consumers. I wouldn't be bitter if mine last like Erics. But in four years I have gone through two units. That enough for me.

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