Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor

404 Comments

1. Charles B says:

   March 20, 2010 at 7:59 pm

   As long-time user and fan of the Garmin-305, was the Garmin 405 are on the product I was happy for months, I look forward to the next generation of the 305 that I have seen many joy.

   I was not disappointed with the outcome.

   The Garmin 405 is going for a classic example of a good product concept and design intelligent horribly wrong as the Garmin team brought to the form () looks clearly worried that the winner in men over the function. The clock looks good (see for an ideal / HRM GPS, it shows a commonplace), but regarding the real purpose of building functionality is horrible. There are several reasons for this statement which I cover below.

   (1) useless when wet (yes, that includes sweat). Have caused the fact that we should not switch between screens or nothing to do with the opening, while the device is wet, designers take advantage of this new touch-sensitive approach and keep what works. Instead, they decided, with the elegant design concept that works very well when the seller, you go into the store, but to provide endless hours of frustration when you are off track and just want your heart rate. This is my first point, because it uses the best example of the type of design errors that should be a terrible device.

   (2) built-in functions / screens – makers about the capabilities of the Garmin 305 and conducted a functional virtual training partner, but the display is the only way three areas at once and the fields themselves are too small for good visibility while driving (eg race). Cycling between the display is easy to do when you’re sitting on a sofa, also be fun if you run your finger along the bezel, but if you walk quickly realize that it is very difficult to achieve anything with either device. With 305 of receipt, if you want to change fields on the fly, you can do with reasonable pace. With the 405, you must press the button and move your fingers on the bezel to switch fields – again on a couch, almost impossible to escape.

   (3) GPS accuracy. I exchanged messages with people who disagree, and say that I sometimes very accurately, but they also have several experiments in which the accuracy of the device is turned off to exercise as much as speed and distance benefits of a GPS useless. The best example is the implementation, a measured mile with street trees typical of the area and the device to show that I was a total of 0. 70 miles (the 305 on the same segment 1 to 01). I had this happen several times in different places and have therefore ceased to see the race, if I my true pace and distance information (I use the 305 again.
   
   (4) Silly) things that may (or crazy not to) take you – There are two buttons on the Garmin 405 – both on the right side of the face, as you pay attention to him. These buttons lead some useful features, including the bezel lock so that the device can not wear a GPS mode to avoid battery discharge and unnecessarily with the device as a clock. The problem is that if, like me, you can actually watch every day and wear when you travel you prefer to put the 405 in your pocket or bag your own after the two buttons at the same side means that, if it is everything you press the shutter button and unlock the GPS start running) try (or. The result is an empty battery when one pulls from his pocket. It may be small, but the 405 out of pocket once you want to come and go for a race, only to see that he is dead and over again is boring. The positive offset is that the duty clock speeds actually pretty decent. Oh yes, and when the battery is, indeed, need to go through all the screens Intro to go there again, sometimes to freeze (you see the message boards for a solution to this, as some have written). < , br /> < br /> Overall, this product is terrible and if you really want to get a compatible GPS device is not working, I would recommend you buy the Garmin 305th It is much cheaper and if it does not look so good, c is that size does not bother you after a few takes, and it will work for you flawlessy. I think they will eventually offset the weaknesses of the Garmin 405, but until they are not a good use your money.
   Rating: 1 / 5
2. David Okeefe says:

   March 20, 2010 at 9:37 pm

   I trained with the Garmin 405 for a year and I love it. Given the opinion is mixed, I was, they fear, but it is really a great training device.

   Out of the box, it’s quite good. After configuration, and is just the way it works is used, it is much better. For example, I set to Auto Lap each mile, and I use a custom view with the pace of the first round, heart rate and reach a whole. Set interval training is also very handy and easy. The possibilities are endless.

   The bezel takes some getting used to, but if you have configured the views you can rest easy during the race or the center tap of your finger (works better than a fingertip for some reason) to change views on. You can lock the view by the two side buttons simultaneously. She believes that change of perspective and crazy beeps when wet or shock your shirt sleeves.

   I as starters – first marathon in 2008, 3:52 am 41 – I I tried a variety of watches have made progress. First, a Timex Ironman, which I loved, but no cardiac monitor. Then a Timex Heart Monitor, I) with the Ironman (for the 100 lap memory. Timex watches were stolen so on, a Nike Heart Monitor with the Nike + SportBand and Foot Pod, which looks cool but not very accurately calibrated itself. The change of speed, hills, etc. will be placed on the accuracy of Foot Pod system. After calibration, it would affect approximately 3-5%.

   Well, the Garmin-405. I:

   1 Normal Size – Unlike the 305, I would not wear the 405 can be observed regularly. I wear it all the time.

   2 all in one device – HR, pace, distance, altitude, laps.

   3 Pace – I thought that all GPS, maybe a little too high tech for a guy who likes the simple design, but it is very, very pleasing to your own pace, as you know, run. I use training calendar Hal Higdon, who appealed to all types of facilities, with warm-up exercises, intervals, tempo intervals, segments of tempo, etc. The function of speed while these meetings possible training without a coach at your side.

   4 GPS, frees you to map your route. Suffice it to run until it displays the track desired is made. The Garmin Connect site, you will see your card. That does not sound so surprising, but it’s very liberating. You run to where you want to explore the surroundings, either. He heads the city .

   5 Car Tours. Great feature. Considering all of your data (time, human resources, pace) for each round automatically. You can check the clock to Connect or Garmin.

   6 Garmin Connect site is very good and improving steadily, with new features every few months.

   7th data seem fairly accurate based on a training course. In a race of 10 kilometers in recent years, she recorded 10th 2K, but some of this variation is certainly due to my weaving through the crowd. All GPS devices have a failure rate.

   Dislikes:

   1 Battery – enabled with GPS it needs a charge every few days to prevent the battery ‘dreaded low “warning in the middle of a workout.

   2 USB key wireless transmission. It works, but Nike makes better. The Nike + pop-up USB key is a much easier to transfer data to your computer and do a much better way to lose the USB part.
   ;
   3 It may take a few minutes to find satellites and loses accuracy by bad weather. This is probably true of all GPS equipment.

   4 You need the foot pod to add padding. Another piece of equipment (not cheap). I do not buy it. It would be great to manually add the distance training on Garmin Connect.
   
   Overall, the Garmin 405 is an incredible training tool. This is the best place on the market. Nothing comes close to him. 5 stars.
   < ; br /> I hope you find this useful.

   Rating: 5 / 5
3. P. H. says:

   March 20, 2010 at 11:38 pm

   I use the clock for about a month now, almost every day. The clock itself is great. Great functionality, information very, very helpful. But – and there’s always a but – the watch basically freezes when it gets wet. I sweat more than average and iPod-like bezel does not respond when wet. I read a bit about it and made the purchase anyway. Big mistake. I am now again, because after about six miles, it is unnecessary. Some comments:
   – strap is comfortable, but if you have a larger chest (I’m 44 “) and you are obliged to exercise, and you plan to buy lots of $ 10 wristband. Mine is already first signs of streatching. I had a fleece with a nylon front and this is not a problem
   – There are always some negative impact on the clock for synchronization with your PC . I am a fairly technical guy, and he Savy lasted more than one attempt. the online instructions are not the best.

   Takeway if you are a rider who is lean not sweating this one five clock. Otherwise, you should avoid.
   Rating: 1 / 5
4. T. Mullins says:

   March 21, 2010 at 12:31 am

   I had to redeem myself on the Forerunner 405 for a while, but hesitated because of all the bad reviews here. I had the Nike +, which was terribly wrong, and stop working after a few months. I went ahead and bought the clock, without the bad reviews.

   First, I read the review, said the telescope is difficult to use. No, it does not. You sit there and learn to play with him how to use them. If it goes into standby, it stops responding, you have to hit one of the buttons beside a number of times to wake her. Not a big deal. Personally, I sweat a lot and I have no problem with the telescope does not respond when I run. It has never been locked up on me either. You can adjust the sensitivity of the telescope. It is inevitable in the middle and I have no problem with this setting. People complain that the bezel is easy to hit accidentally, and they can discharge the battery, or what they complain. You can lock the bezel, if it is not the case. If you lock the opening and it still happens, so do not throw in a gym bag or wherever it may strike anywhere. Personally, I would not throw my $ 300 GPS-enabled sports watch anyway.

   For people who say that this is not true, I have no problem with him accurately. In fact, I think it’s very close. I was certainly a pick-up satellites, because if I’m worried about satellite radio in my car, he would often lose the signal on a path that I walk. The Garmin has never faded during my race, and I live in WV and my way is very close to the mountains and trees. For those who are on the way it displays information that can make a complaint during your run, you can set up what you want to show, and you can disable the automatic scrolling so that it remains on display. If you want to see the next page, simply tap on the glass. It is really easy. I thought it was with 3 elements on the page too crowded and small to read, so I have to show that there are only 2 entries. I must show him on my speed and distance.

   For those on the time it takes to get sued a satellite signal, yes, it may take a few minutes. Doing some light exercise, while it receives the signal. For those who complain about the battery life, I ran 14 miles with him within a week, and it increased to 38%, so I threw back the accusation in case. It is easy to check the battery, then go here and there, and if only a small fee. As you free your phone every night or every other night. Someone Make sure the GPS off after each use, the battery save.

   Complains they do not show a constant speed / pace all the time. No, he does not read that you run a 10:30 pace, just run the whole 5 miles. Of course, you will speed up or slow down and not realize it, and lets face it is a small electronic device, GPS and can not be 100% compatible with all stages. Mine is usually about 15-20 seconds over or bounce under my pace. What is important for me that I know within 15-20 seconds, which is exactly my speed, if I do I run, and end it gives me a very accurate average pace for each mile. I had no problem with the transfer of data on my computer. The ANT Stick links quickly to the clock, and it may take a few minutes, ready for download. The software does what you need to do. If you need something farmers there more software available. Finally, this clock is great. For men who could not be a problem. I am a woman and I found this great clock, and I am a small person. This is not a clock that can carry only one female fancy. If you think this is a small sports watch, it is not. But several notches strap for adaptation to almost any wrist size.

   I am sorry to complain about the experiences of others with the clock, but I do not understand how they are with these issues, and I am not. The issues that some complain too easy to be solved simply by becoming more accustomed to the clock and the outlook a little. This is not a clock, you can start and run just to the right of the box and do it perfectly. It is very individual, and each is different. If you customize the way you like it is a very accurate tool and very useful to help you in your training. I am sad that negative reviews are almost prevented me from buying this product if they are the best purchase I made long ago. I love this clock and recommend. If you’re not good with electronics, so maybe the clock is not for you.
   Rating: 5 / 5
5. J. Berger says:

   March 21, 2010 at 12:48 am

   I recommend purchasing the Garmin Forerunner 405, so that you do not sweat if you / cycling / training. However you do if you’re like me and sweat when you participate in these activities: DO NOT BUY THIS WATCH! Yes, one would think that Garmin would have its clock rider tested true, but apparently not. When you sweat, the clock starts “freaked out”. It beeps constantly without reason. You can not switch between screens, because it completely blocked. This is not an isolated incident either. I took my first new Forerunner 405 for the same reason, and mad attempt to another. Same result. Also, I’m not sure it always reaches very carefully. I have a number of marked hiking trails and even pieces, and the clock still run 5-10%. At least the clock looks cool and works very well when you’re sitting on the couch. Overall, I am very disappointed, Garmin and wonder how they look in the mirror when they charge $ 350 for a clock that does not work.
   Rating: 1 / 5
6. Boyce Babat says:

   May 21, 2010 at 6:14 am

   I think this is a real great article.Really thank you! Cool.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

1. How to change my garmin forerunner 205 watch from biiking to running? | Garmin Forerunner 305