Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

If you've ever seen a Forerunner 201 or the Foretrex units, the 305 went back to using this solution with a cradle. So there are 4 metal contacts on the bottom of the unit that connect when the cradle is snapped into place. Then you plug a mini usb cable into the cradle and into the computer.

I haven't had any trouble with the connections and water or sweat, but the velcro strap does tend to protect the connections from direct contact with my skin. Some people I know use a small strip of electrical tape when in use to protect the connections. I don't know if that's strictly necessary or not and I don't do that.

Pictures are on my blog at :
http://endurancerider.blogspot.com/2007/02/forerunner-305-cradle-connections.html

April
Nashville, TN
http://www.tracetribute.com April 7, 2007
http://endurancerider.blogspot.com

On 2/27/07, JQ Baker <jqbaker@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I too, have small wrist so I suppose plenty of overlap would be the key. One other thing, on the 301, when April mentioned the charging style. The 301 charges via a USB connection that has an attached rubber plug when not charging. I'm not real crazy about the way the plug fits and worry about water seeping in when riding in heavy rain or running down my hand when cooling my horse. 

 

 April, what protects the charging connection on the 305 from any possible water damage?

 

Jackie Baker 

 

On 2/26/07, April <endurancerider@xxxxxxxxx > wrote:

This is a good idea for the 301-style body.

This won't work for the 305 with the velcro wrist band because you have to be able to sit the watch in the charging/PC cradle.

The 305 comes with a standard watch band. I bought the velcro one because I have smaller wrists than most and the velcro is more comfortable for me.

I've never lost a unit because it came off my wrist. I did have a 301 come loose on one pin like Jackie had happen, but I noticed it quickly and was able to stuff the watch in a pocket.

My 305 did the same thing this last ride at a vet check. This time I noticed it immediately and didn't even lose the pin.

This happened only twice in the 3+ years I've had these types of units and it's probably much less likely to happen with the regular watch band.

I've not had the issue of the band coming off my wrist altogether, but that might be because I have such small wrists, the velcro overlaps a lot.

April
Nashville, TN
http://www.tracetribute.com April 7, 2007
http://endurancerider.blogspot.com

On 2/26/07, JQ Baker <jqbaker@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I had a similar situation. On my 301, the pin that holds the watch to the band came off. It was hanging by the other pin when I noticed it. I used industrial velcro under the watch to keep it on the band and replaced the pin. So far so good.

-- 
"It doesn't matter how slowly you go - as long as you don't stop!" - Confucius