gamin forerunner 305 dies after an hour?

ruthk · Postby **ruthk** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:39 pm

hey, anyone else have this problem? even though I charge it, it only lasts for an hour or so.. not sure how old it is.. must be about 10 years old! guess that's why, eh..hehe!

ruthk · Postby **ruthk** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:49 pm

k.. so, just contacted garmin, i reset everything and will see if that works! sure hope so!!

if not, it'll cost $84 to exchange.. he said it should hold a charge for 7 hours! not sure if it ever did that..

La · Postby La » Fri Jun 14, 2013 7:42 am

I find that if I leave my 305 on the charger after it shows that "charging is complete," or if I leave it plugged in after my laptop shuts down, it actually drains the battery. I make sure to take it off ASAP. Though now I'm using a 610, so it's moot.

Joe Dwarf · Postby **Joe Dwarf** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:05 am

Batteries do have a life span. 10 years is a good run.

Doonst · Postby **Doonst** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:38 am

For the record 205/305 series came out just over 7 years ago.
March 2006
http://runningmania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4997

Jwolf · Postby **Jwolf** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:51 pm

Ruth- maybe that's the problem! It came from another time continuum.

Seriously- another possibility- is it showing full charge when you take it off the cradle? I had the problem with mine that it wouldn't hold the connection on the cradle therefore it wasn't charging completely. Tried some of the tricks people suggested but it never worked- ended up getting it replaced. But it was only a couple years old.

Eta: sorry I just noticed that you said it shows full charge, so different problem!

Postby **turd ferguson** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 1:14 pm

I love my 305 and I'm still getting lots of hours of charge on it, so I don't have any specific advice.

If my battery ever fails, I'd replace it in a second - between the bike mounts and wrist straps I've bought, $84 would be cheaper than a new device plus all the new stuff to go with it.

timc · Postby **timc** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:49 am

I had troubles with the battery life in my 305 starting last fall, and it gradually got to the point where it would only hold a charge for about an hour. I found a guy on eBay who replaces batteries, and it cost less than $84. I think I ended up paying about $50, but that also included service to clean up some corrosion on the contacts inside the watch, as well as shipping costs. It's been running fine for a few months now.

ruthk · Postby **ruthk** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:49 pm

thanks all..

so, i tried resetting it and draining the battery before charging and it still only lasted an hour or so. One interesting thing I noticed when i was draining the battery is that it would say battery is low and to press enter, so I would, then it would be working fine again for awhile. It took so long to drain the battery, i'd have to keep going back and would see that same screen (battery is low, press enter.

anyhow, I do like it, and would definitely do what you did Timc. Would you happen to have the contact information to where you sent it?

I was looking a the forerunners at MEC, they sure do look alot smaller and sleeker!

oh, and i believe i got it from Costco.. someone suggested taking it back there and that they might exchange it.. wouldn't that be great??!!

i'm gonna look for the receipt and see what they say!

timc · Postby **timc** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 4:49 pm

You know, it's funny. I got up this morning to run a 10K race, and my Garmin seems to be dead right now. So, I think this discussion may have jinxed things. :-)

ruthk · Postby **ruthk** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:43 pm

uh oh! sorry Tim! ;P i went on ebay and found someone that replaces the batteries.. my watch will be in dartmouth ns tomorrow!

thanks for the idea!!