Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sport Watch with USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor (Black)
by Garmin
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sport Watch with USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor (Black)
Customer Review: It depends on how you use it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read the reviews here, and was really unsure about this garmin. But then I had an opportunity to pick one up barely used with HRM (on craigslist) for $200, I couldn't pass it up. As a disclaimer, I wouldn't spend $350 on a GPS, no matter how awesome it was- just too much. But thats me.
That being said, if you are looking for a GPS device that is comfortable (WAY more so than my old 205), elegant, has more features and works just as well this is a great device. But I should qualify this a bit, as I feel there are some people who would like this, and some who wouldn't:
People who would like it:
1. People like me, who sweat but not buckets and buckets. After doing six or seven miles, I'm pretty sloppy, but mostly -under- the watch, I don't sweat ON the bezel. My fingers are not dripping so the GPS is quite responsive to taps... which leads me to the next point.
2. People who are not twiddling with their GPS their entire run. I only use a small subset of features on any GPS. I want to know my pace, my distance, my time (which are all on the same screen), and with the HRM I want to see my heart rate. Heart rate is just one tap away from the main screen. No scrolling required. I start my run, I push 'Start'. I tap to check my heart rate a couple times, my run is over I push 'Stop'. Thats it.
3. People who forget to upload their data. Like me. I was always forgetting to upload my data, because mostly its inconvenient. The ANT technology is very, very cool (more on this).
People who would not like it:
1. People who sweat A LOT...
and
2. People who twiddle with their GPS a lot during the run. If you sweat, even moderately like me, I think you will indeed have a problem if you need to do more than tap the bezel. If you need to scroll for example, meaning you have to slide your finger on the bezel- forget it. If that thing is wet and you try to scroll, it beeps and chirps and does things you don't want it to do.
3. People who are not tech savvy. I really have to stress this one. If you cant figure out technology stay away from this thing. There is a learning curve. As a technophile, I happen to love that. I like to spend time to figure out how it works; the optimal way to tap, swipe and operate the thing under different conditions. If you don't dig this kind of stuff, I imagine you will feel frustrated and probably unhappy with the device. It is a complicated little thing with a huge amount of features packed into a simple interface- this means you have to learn to use it right.
So on the ANT technology. This is just simply great. Much much better than I was expecting. I walk into my house after my run, and my data has been downloaded to my computer (UPSTAIRS! the distance over which it will transfer data is amazing) before I have time to take off the watch. So all the old 205/305 process, where you gotta remember to plug it in, find the base to clip into, go to the site, wait for the upload, etc, etc- this is all over. I run, take off my watch wherever I want and forget about it. Next time I'm online, I go to garmin connect and the data is there. Super cool.
One little note on battery life too- the guy I bought this from said the battery life sucked, and that he had heard something about doing something with the GPS for better battery life, but the battery sucked, etc. Yes, you do indeed need to do something with the GPS when you are not using it, you have to turn it OFF. The battery life is better (as far as I can tell) than the 205, even using it correctly (meaning I shut the 205 down after a run). Charging is simple anyways, use any wall socket.
So all in all, I am very happy with this device! I don't believe it is for everyone, but others it is just perfect.
Customer Review: Garmin 405 vs. Suunto S4
Summary: 5 Stars
My last running watch was a Suunto S4 and now I'm using a Garmin 405. This review highlights my experience with both watches.
Suunto S4 experience (used for 2+ years):
I purchased a Suunto S4 a few years ago. It was cutting edge at the time. However, I had to return it to Suunto three different times because it stopped working each time I had to change the battery. My conclusion each time this happened was that the watch had great technology... but it was built with cheap material with poor quality testing. I didn't purchase the PC pod... so, I was unable to transfer my workout data to my computer. I did have a heart rate monitor and a foot pod. The watch worked good when I didn't have to replace the battery. I needed to read the manual several times before getting a good grasp of all the features. I felt that the built in Suunto Coach feature was pretty much useless... it consistently recommended a schedule that was too light for me. Overall feeling of the Suunto S4:
* Great watch for runners a few years ago
* Still good technology in the watch
* Made with cheap material (lifespan of watch was very short in my opinion)
* Worked well on a treadmill and outdoors.
Garmin 405 experience (after 1 month):
I've had the Garmin 405 for a month now. It rocks! It took me one run to get used to the Garmin 405. After one more run I had it configured just right for my needs. I know there are features I still have not taken advantage of... but it works just the way I want it to with the right information displayed during my run. I occasionally use the Heart Rate Monitor to get a feel for my average heart rate on different types of runs. I never installed the software to track my running on my computer. Instead I setup an account with Garmin Connect and it is excellent!!!!! The ability to track my exact course on the map, elevation, distance, heart rate, peaks and low points for each measurement, etc. is incredible. Plus, it's there on the web for me to pull up anytime and anywhere. I've run against the virtual trainer on a few occasions. However, I prefer to monitor my running time, speed and distance (or current HR if I'm wearing the Heart Rate monitor). There is a ton of data you can use to monitor when you run. I can't comment on the longevity of the watch since mine is only a month old (I hope it lasts for at least 2 years). I sometimes wear the watch when I'm not running. Often I'll just snap on the charging clip after a run and leave it until my next run. The ant technology has worked perfect for me to load my runs online. I just snapped in the ant stick this evening and 6 runs loaded off my watch to the internet for my review. One tip that has worked well for me is to lock the watch after I start the run and set the training screen to my preferred view. This will prevent me from changing something by accident and is something I learned to do after running in the rain once. I have not tested the 405 on a treadmill since I have not purchased the footpod. Regarding the GPS signal, it seems to work very well... even with trees overhead. It's cool when the watch tells me there's a sharp turn ahead... and it's right. Also, I like how the watch tells me when my run is half over. In both of these cases, it tells you with a message box and a little sound that prompts me to look at my watch since I wear an IPod when I run. I always strive to complete my workout goal because I get a nice success message at the end with an sound indicating my workout has completed.
Overall recommendation: Buy the Garmin 405 and use it with Garmin Connect. If you are a runner that likes to analyze the details of your runs... you will love it.
Customer Review: Everything but the kitchen sink!
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, I now own both the 305 and now the 405. I really liked my 305 but what I couldn't stand was how extremely large and bulky it was. I am a petite female 5 feet tall and 115 lbs so running with the 305 was like running with a brick tied around my wrist, . . so obviously when they came out with the 405 I was excited. I first saw it advertised on one of my women's fitness magazine, on a woman, and I thought "Of course they come out with a sleeker version only months after I dished out some serious $$$money$$$ for the 305." Well, all compalining aside. I got this as a present from my wonderful husband who has now adopted my old 305. Okay so the good
This one has a few more features than the 305 the obvious, . . counts calories, has a compass that can help you navigate around new roads or trails, goes into power save mode, has a face light. You have the option to program the watch to stop when you do, great for when you have to stop and tie your shoe or wait for a light. It also has a virtual racing partner which helps to increase your speed time. It also automatically transmits your information to your computer once you get within a certain range. With an optional foot pod you can take your workouts indoors on the treadmill. Now I know that this thing can do more than just what I've listed. These were just the obvious features that I have played around with since I got the watch only a few days ago. Now the bad. The touch bezel is nice but I prefer buttons, . . .I just prefer buttons. I would prefer them on my IPOD too but I guess it just wouldn't be cool enough. I just find that putzing around with a touch bezel while running is not exactly the easiest thing to do. Luckily I pretty much just push start and run. This biggest con to me is the weight and the comfort of this watch. I guess it is really hard to make a watch that fits comfortably around a man and a woman's wrist while still having the capability of GPS. I'm sure that as I type this review Garmin is designing a new generation watch that will be the size of a IPOD shuttle that can withstand wind, rain, jungles, wild animals and has a hidden army knife and voice activated options, and fits so comfortably around your wrist no matter what size you are. All joking aside for a woman this watch is bulky. Big and bulky and down right uncomfortable. The photo ad's with women wearing it are very misleading! Heck at least it looks like a watch and not a 5 lb brick. Overall, I'm happy with it. Do I reccomend it, . . . yeah I would have to say yes. I love to trail run, and run around my small little Napa country side. I'm no super duper marathoner, heck I never run more than 20 miles a week. I run because I love it and having my Garmin 405 makes running all that more enjoyable.
Update****okay, I ended up returning my 405 what exactly does that mean, . . well I gave up trying to figure it out. The user manual is small and pretty self explanatory-their website is better but I've used it for 2 weeks now 6 times and every single time the watch would stop on me. Yes, I've checked my settings. This is truly irritating since it sure as heck defeats the point of measuring my distance and time. I also noticed that it would happen when I was in a really wooded area or when my ipod would get to close. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but heck I wore it on all my usual runs and if I can't use it during those runs then this $400 toy pretty much defeats the purpose. Hey, if you can get it to work it is a very nice watch with a heck of a lot of features. It IS possible I just got a defective one but exchanging it is just not worth the head ache.
Customer Review: Outsanding features
Summary: 5 Stars
My sport is trekking and nearby my city I've from rather small hills to over 20,000 feet high mountains. I wanted a device that could keep track of my trekking activities during weekends and also the training (running and biking) needed during the week to prepare for long mountain journeys. The outdoor GPS aren't designed for running or biking especially because they lack heart rate monitors. So I bought the Garmin 405 with high expectations.
My doubts were not only the mixed reports I saw, but also if it would perform reasonably for the trekking activities.
My experience has been:
1.Accuracy: The GPS is very accurate, both in the city and mountains when you see afterwards the tracks in Google Earth it shows perfectly the streets, routes were you have been. Also compared to other devices the coordinates and altitude have been within a reasonable margin (difference below 5 meters). Also I have tested the heart rate monitor accuracy comparing it with other devices and also with a simple watch and always had precise measures.
2.Bezel: Takes some time to getting use to it. You have to attempt different pressures, changing finger can help too. Also try with different sensitivity settings until you find the way through. However, is not easy to maneuver while running or biking, but also in my opinion not necessary. Most of what you need can be set previously. I put the scroll feature in slow and set the information I needed in the screens using 2 fields (so they are easier to read). In training 1 I set actual time and timer time, training 2 I put distance and elevation, in HR I set heart and average lap heart rate and in training 3 I set it off, but there are multiple fields still to choose from. Also I set the watch with autolap every 500 meters. While actually doing my sport activity I manage the bezel locked to prevent unwanted view switching, and can watch all my relevant data while it scrolls. I highly recommend taking time at home in the setup stage of the device to avoid maneuvers during the activity.
3.Battery life: This has been an issue for me. The Garmin has performed exactly as it was advertised, about one week if used as a common watch (energy saving); 8 hours with GPS and heart monitor on. While this is O.K. for most biking and running activities as long as you remember to charge it completely after the activities is not enough for trekking activities, since many mountain journeys can be up to 10 or 12 hours. Could be better, but you get what is advertised.
4.Size: Great, is a big watch men can wear all the time. For women the same is not quite true.
5.Connection: I needed some patience, it took a few attempts until I had the devices paired and working and not any trouble after that.
6.Software: The Training Center works has the basic features to view your results, set workout and route. If you want a detailed comparison of the performance and hopefully your progress in you training I have found that exporting the track from Training Center as a .TCX file and then read it from excel. It brings all the necessary fields and then you have all the excel tools to analyze the files, draw your own, compute correlation ratios between variables, etcetera.
Ease of use is matter of finding the way though, features you either have them or not, I think the garmin 405 has the right features for all my sport activities.
Customer Review: In Defense of Garmin
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on user reviews (on Amazon and other blogs, web pages, forums, etc) I was extremely hesitant to purchase a Garmin 405. Many of the reviews outlined possible pitfalls and headaches that I was not prepared to deal with on a daily basis just to keep a log of my training. Prior to receiving a Garmin 405 this past Christmas, I had used plenty of their products in the past with little or no worries. I was a little dismayed by what I read about the 405 based on my past experiences with Garmin. I was content to believe the reviews and discard the hype and abandon the idea of using a 405 altogether. Let me tell you what ultimately changed my mind.
In November I ran a marathon in San Antonio. I had all but completely talked myself out of ever getting a 405 and was looking around the expo at other heart rate monitors and gadgets that could help me track my training progress. As I was making my rounds, I realized that Garmin was there. I expected to see only sales people but was pleasantly surprised that the company had also sent several of their engineers and designers. Not wanting to miss an opportunity, I walked up to their table and challenged them with all of the problems and issues that I read about. I'm not going to refute the other reviews on this page on a line-by-line account, but I can tell you this with reasonable certainty: 95% of the people that are discontent with this product didn't do their research before buying a Garmin. The technical manual on this product is available for download for free on Garmin's site. So is their software (just in case you want to poke around and see what it looks like, obviously you can't really do anything with it without a Garmin). Many of the "bugs" they're experiencing aren't bugs at all, but user errors. There is definitely a learning curve associated with using this device. Isn't that always the case any time you introduce a new element into your training? The good part is that the curve isn't that steep. I had mine up and running in less than 15 minutes after opening the box. It found a satellite signal within seconds and I've never had acquiring one ever since. I've run with this watch in several states and in urban and rural environments. It's been on the road and off-road with me and I've had no problems. It's accurate and very easy to use. The touch bezel works like a charm and I've never had an issue getting the data I need from it (even while on a 20+ mile run). The battery life seems to be good and I love all of the functions. I've even used it with the foot pod and bike cadence sensor with no problems. Garmin really did do a good job with this product.
I will only offer this final thought as a word of caution on any training device. Judging by the reviews, some people are looking for something that will catalog everything with 100% accuracy, 100% of the time. There is no such device in the world, but Garmin comes really close. The gadgets and gizmos that are out there for fitness and training today are simply tools. No serious athlete would stake their entire training plan on one device or gadget. Still, I think that Garmin has created one of the most reliable products out there for the functions you get. There are more accurate tools for measuring pace, power, etc., but if you're looking for the GPS functionality, Garmin is the smart choice.