Comments on Shut Up + Run: Get a Battery Life

I have a 305. It is my second one and I chose it ...

2012-01-30T03:47:13.972-08:00

I have a 305. It is my second one and I chose it over the newer ones that have come out since I got my first one. My first one died after about 3 years because the seal on the face had developed a small opening that let in moisture gradually over the course of a long run in steady drizzle. My husband's has lasted more than 3 years and can still hold a charge of at least 3 hours.

As the daughter of an electrical engineer, yes, I ...

2012-01-28T23:40:56.405-08:00

As the daughter of an electrical engineer, yes, I was aware the batteries die slow deaths and it's never as good as the first time you charge it.

Therefore, I religiously allow my electronics to die completely before I recharge them and I am always aware that each charge is shortening their lives.

Why the hell does nothing last anymore!?!?!? You ...

2012-01-28T10:45:41.952-08:00

Why the hell does nothing last anymore!?!?!? You just talked me out of buying one. I'm really not fast enough to warrant the expense, but damn, I do not want to buy something that expensive more than once every ten years.

I have the 205. Have had it for six years. Still h...

2012-01-28T07:20:02.378-08:00

I have the 205. Have had it for six years. Still holding its charge. I am a marathoner and IM triathlete, so long training sessions. Luck of the draw??

I have the 205. Have had it for six years. Still h...

2012-01-28T07:18:03.308-08:00

I have the 205. Have had it for six years. Still holding its charge. I am a marathoner and IM triathlete, so long training sessions. Luck of the draw??

I haven't had time to read the comments, but I...

2012-01-27T15:33:37.230-08:00

I haven't had time to read the comments, but I did a quick search on Bing and found much better prices...this one is on sale for $120.95. http://www.sell.com/27MVB3 it is on sell.com. Just an FYI for you.

Garmin, shmarmin. :) I use a normal watch (okay ...

2012-01-27T12:56:46.838-08:00

Garmin, shmarmin. :) I use a normal watch (okay it is a digital watch) for running. I've been considering going totally crazy and not even using it lately.

I'd have to have one of my kids to accompany me to manipulate the watch if I ever got a Garmin. That thing looks like a computer! :)

Speaking of learning new things, that's probab...

2012-01-27T12:50:53.176-08:00

Speaking of learning new things, that's probably going to be te worst new thing I learn today! In on my second 305 and so far haven't had any battery issues though I've had frozen or won't turn on issues. I hope draining it helps!

Garmin is on my speed dial, I have contacted them ...

2012-01-27T10:00:17.007-08:00

Garmin is on my speed dial, I have contacted them about 20 times over the past 6 months, one of them being the battery life. They told me it was a problem with the software and they gave me a refurbished one for $39 after I threw a fit about the $69 - ha. Now my Garmin seems to think I live at sea level and only realizes I don't about mile 2 and thus my elevation data becomes one big straight line. On the phone with them about 6 times for this issue and they said it's a garmin connect issue, which is absurd. I have 1 more day until my refurbished Garmin's warranty is out so guess I'll be on the phone with them AGAIN today!

I've had my Garmin 305 for about a year, and I...

2012-01-27T09:12:33.436-08:00

I've had my Garmin 305 for about a year, and I love it. Boo on Garmin for not making them so you can replace a battery. It is the nature of rechargeable batteries for them to slowly lose the ability to hold a charge, so it's not just Garmin, but that's why you need to be able to replace batteries--ridiculous to have to send it in to have them do it!

By the way are you referring to Die Hard with the ...

2012-01-27T07:49:05.110-08:00

By the way are you referring to Die Hard with the HeyZeus reference?

I learned I'm no longer a running geek because...

2012-01-27T07:48:47.614-08:00

I learned I'm no longer a running geek because I found my regular watch and no longer wear my IRONMAN TIMEX everywhere.

Unfortunately with the batteries they use, they dr...

2012-01-27T07:02:06.195-08:00

Unfortunately with the batteries they use, they drain-just like your computer battery or your cell phone battery. Best thing to do is to not charge it until you absolutely have to (yeah that's a design flaw right there, since you have to charge it to upload your data).
My friend has the 410 and loves it! The 410 seems to be the lets get rid of it since the 910 came out... Hmmm?

I have a Garmin 305 and the battery life has defin...

2012-01-27T06:04:10.515-08:00

I have a Garmin 305 and the battery life has definitely decreased over the years, now it is down to about 3 hours. That is just what batteries do, it's not the Garmin. It stinks that the battery isn't replaceable though.

Wow I'm shocked to read so many people did not...

2012-01-27T05:59:52.050-08:00

Wow I'm shocked to read so many people did not know this.

It has nothing to do with Garmin. It's a rechargeable battery. The EXACT same thing happens to your iPod or cordless phone or cell phone.

Some people will go 5 years w/o problems. Others will go only 2. It's the luck of the draw.

DC Rainmaker rode about extending battery time for...

2012-01-27T05:57:32.161-08:00

DC Rainmaker rode about extending battery time for the 305 - wonder if it would work for the 205? http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/07/going-really-really-really-long-with.html

That sucks about the Garmin... I don't use th...

2012-01-27T05:38:29.458-08:00

That sucks about the Garmin... I don't use the Garmin but would sure be bothered by that! Hopefully they improved the batteries on the newer versions.

Does that UK woman's husband have 2 penises? J...

2012-01-27T02:38:32.378-08:00

Does that UK woman's husband have 2 penises? Just asking.

This sucks. I have a Garmin, a 305. I never let ...

2012-01-26T21:12:45.602-08:00

This sucks. I have a Garmin, a 305. I never let the battery empty..I charge it after every run, maybe I should not do that now. I have no idea how long it can last right now..what is left...

I have had both a 405 and now a 410. (I think I bo...

2012-01-26T20:28:53.162-08:00

I have had both a 405 and now a 410. (I think I bought one of the very first 405s and then it got long in tooth and I just couldn't deal any more so I bought the 410 when it came out.). They are both fine devices with their advantages and minuses. I chronicled my love/hate relationship with them on my blog, as my Garin is part of my running life. The 410 is better than the 405 in that the touch bezel works when it gets wet. But, it isn't perfect and there are days when it just gets frustrating. The battery just dies. Runs timeout. Wireless transfer is always a roll of the dice. But most of the time, it works great.

And I second the reference to dcrainmaker's reviews. His reviews of the 405 and 410 are spot on, and I could not imagine a more thorough review.

The whole battery life thing is freaking ridiculou...

2012-01-26T18:59:05.512-08:00

The whole battery life thing is freaking ridiculous. We shell out A LOT of money for these things and to know that they'll only last a few years sucks. My Garmin 305 no longer has any sound....which I use when I coach. I got the same song and dance....we'll send you a refurbished model for $79. If I'm spending that much...and the battery probably won't last...I'm better off buying a new version.

The whole battery life thing is freaking ridiculou...

2012-01-26T18:58:49.575-08:00

I just had the same outcome with the garmin folks,...

2012-01-26T18:44:17.980-08:00

I just had the same outcome with the garmin folks, except I paid $75 for a refurb 305 and mine was ony 2 1/2 years old. Still, looking at it as a cost of about 60 per year to be completely obsessed with splits and other stats which then encourages activity which then means I can eat more snickers and so I find it a pretty good deal"

I must be a running nerd then, since I wear my Gar...

2012-01-26T18:21:41.551-08:00

I must be a running nerd then, since I wear my Garmin everyday....that or I'm too cheap to buy a regular watch. Check out DC Rainmaker's blog....http://www.dcrainmaker.com/p/product-reviews.html

totally in depth reviews of all the Garmin watches out there. I have the 210 and love it. Good luck!

I have never run with a watch, let alone a garmin....

2012-01-26T18:00:03.499-08:00

I have never run with a watch, let alone a garmin. I do trace my runs with running ahead. I do note my times/distances on a TM .. but no garmin. I know my OCD side, and it's ugly. I must not feed the monster, or it will suck the joy right out.

Did I learn something new today? Hmmm.... I learned that my algebra students are off the charts hilarious, and after they spill their family secrets, I start to wonder what horrors my own children spill in class.