Structural problems Forerunner 305 and Garmin Express

Hello Onlinerunner,

I used a FR305 for years with no problems. You cannot use Garmin Express with the FR305 or the FR310XT.

You must uninstall Express completely. It cannot be on your computer because it screws up the ANT Agent.
You do not need Express with these older devices that will never be updated anymore.

Download and install a fresh copy of Ant Agent v2.3.4. Follow the directions to pair the 305.

In the ANT Device Settings check the box for "Transfer to Connect". Do NOT check the box for Auto Erase.
Clear the 305 and 310 manually after you are sure the files are transferred.

I am currently using several FR310XT's with this exact setup on a Win7 box with no problems at all.

Download and install a fresh copy of Garmin Training Center v3.6.5. You do not have to use TC but it will store your files on your computer for easy access and at the same time transfer the same files to Connect. You will have your files in 2 places.

Download and install a fresh copy of Ant Agent v2.3.4. Follow the directions to pair the 305.

You can't use the Ant Agent with the Forerunner 305. You have to use the charging cradle (with usb cable connection to pc) for this specific model.

For the record, my FR 305 has been solid with Express. However, I am careful to follow a certain sequence.

1. If Express isn't open, I make sure the 305 isn't attached when I start Express.
2. I attach the FR305 with the clip NOT attached to the USB cable. This is because, a number of times, the 305 would not click into the clip securely and fall off in mid-sync.
3. With the 305 attached to the clip, I connect the clip to the usb cable.

Doing it this way, I sync perfectly first time 95 times out of 100. If the sync should happen to fail, I remove the clip from the USB cable and reconnect it. It's the equivalent of pressing a sync button.

For the record, my FR 305 has been solid with Express. However, I am careful to follow a certain sequence.

What operating system and version are you using?

Your sequence tip is also mentioned in several threads. Unfortunately for the most of us this is not the solution to
the problem. Especially on Windows 10 things seem very unreliable and random. With way more misses than hits.

The idea behind this thread is to point out to Garmin that this isn't just a problem which incidentally occurs. A
big percentage of users is experiencing problems with Forerunners in combination with connectivity with PC/Garming
Express/Windows 10(and 7?).

A bit off-topic but regarding your solution: for a consumer product I find it quite dissatisfying to have to follow a
strict sequence to just get the product to work. I mean: it should not really matter what sequence you use when
connecting a usb device. As a consumer you want things to work. Aka connect and play! This specific sequence is just
adding to a bad user experience imho.

I do this sequence on 2 different computers - Both Win 7 64Bit. One is Pro on my laptop and the other Home on my desktop. My version of Express is 4.1.5.

To be honest, based on what I've read here and elsewhere, I've been intimidated by Windows 10 and the possible incompatibilities I may have to deal with including Express but also my accounting program, my video driver, and who knows what else. I even recently changed my 10 year old version of Microsoft Money to one that was listed as working Win 10. One day soon, I will do the upgrade to 10 but not until I'm confident that it's not likely to give me too many headaches.

Based on all the threads I've read, it's no secret that Express can be shaky. I used to have a heart attack every time I tried to update my GPS maps. This time about a week ago, I found even that went smoothly.

If you consider the sequence I posted, there is really only one hint that you really need to follow - Don't start Express with the FR305 attached. The rest is simply because I often screw up attaching it the clip. I don't think that's too restrictive even for a consumer device.

The fact is USB can also be shaky. I often have issues with USB devices not being recognized by my computers but I just haven't had that happen with my FR305.

I do this sequence on 2 different computers - Both Win 7 64Bit. One is Pro on my laptop and the other Home on my desktop. My version of Express is 4.1.5.

I had better results with Win 7 64Bit as well. Still hit and miss, but more hits than misses.

To be honest, based on what I've read here and elsewhere, I've been intimidated by Windows 10 and the possible incompatibilities I may have to deal with including Express but also my accounting program, my video driver, and who knows what else. I even recently changed my 10 year old version of Microsoft Money to one that was listed as working Win 10. One day soon, I will do the upgrade to 10 but not until I'm confident that it's not likely to give me too many headaches.

Good point!

Based on all the threads I've read, it's no secret that Express can be shaky. I used to have a heart attack every time I tried to update my GPS maps. This time about a week ago, I found even that went smoothly.

If you consider the sequence I posted, there is really only one hint that you really need to follow - Don't start Express with the FR305 attached. The rest is simply because I often screw up attaching it the clip. I don't think that's too restrictive even for a consumer device.

The fact is USB can also be shaky. I often have issues with USB devices not being recognized by my computers but I just haven't had that happen with my FR305.

Agree.

Guess the usb drivers are causing troubles in combination with Windows 10. Tried today on older Windows XP (not Garmin Express, but Training Center) and had no problems whatsoever.

One other point.

Since this is a user-to-user forum, I doubt that anyone from Garmin will really take notice of this thread and do anything about it especially since the FR305 is a legacy product. I'm sure we'll never see another update for it. However, at least it isn't a complete orphan and we can get some help here from our peers.

All

I would like to point out that we are looking into connection problems and USB issues and the like. That being said, I have no idea if device software updates are going to happen, or what all is going to come of it as I am not part of that team. I just wanted to point out that we understand that frustration, and are looking into what we can do about it.

Albert

All

I would like to point out that we are looking into connection problems and USB issues and the like. That being said, I have no idea if device software updates are going to happen, or what all is going to come of it as I am not part of that team. I just wanted to point out that we understand that frustration, and are looking into what we can do about it.

Albert

Apparently Garmin tried to fix 305 problems earlier with an USB drivers update:

Changes made from version 2.3 to 2.3.1:
Updated driver to be compatible with Windows 8
Fixed issue that was being seen with ForeRunner 305.

source

Hopefully a usb drivers update will be sufficient for this Windows 10 related problem.