Discussion: Garmin 305 Forerunner stopped uploading data

My Garmin 305 Forerunner is no longer recognized by either the Garmin Training Center or Sportstracks. It used to beep when I placed it in the cradle that connects to the computer via USB port, but now it doesn't even do that. I've checked the cable connections, and they seem to be OK. Did I accidentally push the wrong button, or did it just die? It still seems to record stuff OK. I just can't get it to upload the data. The Garmin website is worhtless. I've sent an e-mail message to their support, but have not heard back from them. Has anyone else had this problem, or any suggestions of how to cure it?

Push mode and lap buttons at the same time (so called soft reset) and try again.

The 305 is a brilliant piece of hardware, with one flaw - the serial connectors on the back. The Garmin software (training center) is the worst thing ever made by anyone ever. It's like they set out one day with the intention of just making the most convoluted useless and unreliable software in the whole world - and they succeeded!

When my Garmin refuses to transmit, this is my checklist of things to try:

-Scratch away at the contacts (finger nails and cloth) to remove any layer of crap that might have settled there.
-Try connecting the unit to the cradle when it is off, when it is on, then once when it is off and turn it on while mounted.
-Check that the connectors on the cradle are all sticking out right and do not have any deposits on them themselves.
-Repeat the second step but apply pressure to the unit in the cradle the whole time.
-Restart the host computer.
-Try different USB ports. (one port on my laptop NEVER works)
-Reinstall USB drivers that garmin have on their page (this has worked at least once, and I still have no idea why the drivers would suddenly stop working)
-Try with training center closed, and then with it open.

By this point if it isn't working I usually break down and cry.

-Wait till the next day (yes, yes that has actually worked once =/ )
-Try another computer

I think that's as far as I have had to go and at some point it has started to work. If it still doesn't work after all that... I really don't know =)

[ I never knew about the soft reset option, so I never tried it... I would have though it would be destructive to your history... if not - how is it different to turning the power on and off? ]

If the soft reset doesn't help, try making first soft reset and then hard reset (mode + power). But make it only if there is nothing else you can do, it will clear everything, history and settings and all.

It also happened to me. Later though, when trying to download some photos from a camera, I realised my device detector was disabled. When I fixed that, the Garmin worked too!

Did the soft reset by pushing the lap and mode buttons simultaneously. Works now. Thanks.

leper- any advice for when Training center decided to lose 14months training? Thanks heaven for sporttracks!

Nope no tips sorry :(

I've lost months of history because of training center. Started backing up and exporting my history every day. Saved me many times!

I´ve had similar experience with Training Center.
Not everything has disappeared, but some of the regular info, like the time and distance spent in the different heart rate zones.

The .gpx-files are definitely still on my computer and can be viewed as .xml - and all the data seems to be still there...

Any explanations? (except the fact that TC is bad soft-ware...)

I can't offer any tips on getting it to communicate. I'm new to using the Garmin 305 and it's worked very well so far. However, I've found these sites which might help:

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/garminf/
http://gpsrunner.net/

When this happened to my 205, I simply cleaned the contacts on the back with a damp cloth and it was fine. Accumulated sweat was my diagnosis.

My 305 stops comunicating with Training Center all the time. But it will always upload to MotionBased even if Training Center isn't working. I often park my history at MotionBased just so I don't lose it.

And on the plus side, motionbased can export your trace in GPX format, which I use for archiving.

I am using SportTracks and I am pretty satisfied with it. It stores your data on your PC so no internet required, and is free.

That's great thanks nikolay!!

I'm changing, right NOW

Motionbased is the biggest rip off ever imo!

Of course it is Garmin owned. That's why they intentionaly made the Training Center that comes with the watch complete garbage so that you can use MB.

Wow - I didn't know that MotionBased was owned by Garmin. I have just been using the free services. I'll definetly check out SportsTracks. Thanks

This is getting way off topic, but I downloaded SportTracks and checked it out. It's probably me, but it doesn't seem all that easy to use. I can't figure out how to get it to show my splits, for one thing, or to show an elevation profile of a workout.

Also, with the Garmin software, it seems like all I need to do is plug the Forerunner into the computer and it automatically downloads the new workout to its software. I haven't been able to find out if there is a way to get SportTracks to do that or not.

Since others like it, I'm sure it's that I'm missing some obvious features. And I have to confess that I didn't spend a whole lot of time on it, but probably close to an hour exploring it. Any words of wisdom from you SportTracks users?

I can't figure out how to get it to show my splits, for one thing, or to show an elevation profile of a workout

In the default view click on the top part on the excercise you want to look at. On the lower left part Click on the down point ing arrow next to Summary and all the details for the excercise are there.

Also, with the Garmin software, it seems like all I need to do is plug the Forerunner into the computer and it automatically downloads the new workout to its software. I haven't been able to find out if there is a way to get SportTracks to do that or not.

No way to do it automatically. On the Import Data link Add device to find your Garmin watch and then just click Next to download your workouts.

Clicking on Settings and then the arrow next to Athlete gives you access to all the hmmmm... Settings :)

I like the automatic satellite image downloads for my workouts. Here in Seattle the images are very high res. I can even recognize my car in front of my driveway. Other good feature is that you can upload your own image map and see your Orienteering route on the actual map and course instead of on a image of a green forest background. (Similar to the RouteGadget view, but without the replay functionality)

And the SportTracks work on the next release which is in beta version now that will have some new features and improvements.
I'll stop now. This started to look more and more as a sales pitch :). But since the product is free and I am not associated with these guys I guess I'm of the hook. :)

Nikolay - Thank you! I had not found the splits, though I have preferred it to the Garmin software and seldom use the G.