GARMIN Forerunner 405 Black GPS Enabled Sports Watch/ HRM
List Price: $373.32 Our Price: $349.99 You Save: $23.33 (6.2%) Availability: | Usually ships in 24 hours (as of 11:20 PM CT - detail) |
Black GPS Enabled Sports Watch/ HRMCan be Used for Running and Cycling /Outdoors or Indoors w/Optional SensorTraining and Motivational Features: Virtual Partner, Courses, Workouts, GoalsGPS Features Mark Waypoints / Back to Start1.0 Lbs (WxLxH) 1.5" x 5.0" x 0.5"
Product Description
Garmin International is pleased to announce the Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled sport watch. During a run, this slim, sleek watch accurately tracks distance, pace, calories, and displays it all on the easy-to-read screen. Tap or slide a finger around the innovative touch bezel to change information without fumbling for a button. The optional foot pod can also be used to gather speed and distance information indoors. ANT+Sport wireless technology automatically transfers workout data to and from your computer when your device is within range. No cables, no hookups, the data's just there. Users can upload data to Garmin Connect, a web-based application that lets them analyze, share and store workouts. Zone training, heart rate zone training, supports 5 heart rate zones Compatible with GSC 10 speed/cadence bike sensor - monitor pedaling cadence and wheel speed Compatible with foot pod - measures speed and distance and runners cadence when indoors Watch features - time of day (12/24h), dual time zone, (day/date), daily alarm Training and motivational features - Virtual Partner, courses, workouts, goals GPS features - mark waypoints, back to start, save location ANT+Sport wireless technology lets you automatically transfer information back and forth between the watch and the PC Unit-to-unit - transfer workouts and locations to other Forerunner 405's Dimensions - 45.75mm x 70.5mm x 16.4mm Weight - 2.11 ounces (60 grams)
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
garmin 405
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Comment:
gps works great on trails where I live in San Diego. pace/distance are quite accurate. only a few complaints are that I the time is set two hours ahead. i haven't been able to figure out if I can reset that and there are no troubleshooting directions for that problem. still need to contact customer support to see if they can fix it. also the watch looks smaller online so the watch is still quite big for a small wrist. i only wear the watch while running b/c its still big. can't wait til garmin comes up with a smaller womans version.
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Summary:
Put about 20 runs on it
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Comment:
I've found it to be an absolute delight. I do most of my running on the Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle which is heavily covered with a tree canopy and have had zero problem with satellite connectivity. I have my watch do its sync up routine, with the satellites, when I'm stretching before hand and the watch is off, it goes much quicker when the watch is still and not on your wrist moving about. When I'm done stretching I pop it on and take off.
When I'm done with my workout I normally plug in the ANT stick and leave the watch next to my computer to download the data while I take a shower. The total transfer time is probably 2 minutes tops. I really do love the ability to plug the workout into google earth and let your friends see your work out, exactly how you ran it.
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Summary:
Does everything I was expecting
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Comment:
I've had my 405 for about a week now. It was fairly easy to setup. When you get the unit, you need to charge it up - that takes about 3 hours. Once it has charged, it walks you through the initial configuration. At that point, I put on the HR monitor, it detected the unit, and I was ready for a run.
When I got back from the run, I booted my computer, downloaded the software from the link in the quickstart manual, plugged in the ANT unit. It found the 405 and uploaded my data so that I could look at my stats.
The watch has a virtual running companion that you can enable. I've set this for the pace I want to stay below, so at a glance I can tell how far off I am.
So far, I am very happy with the 405. I am the type of person who likes stats, so the info collected on each run is a good motivator.
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Summary:
A great training tool
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Comment:
As a triathlete, I am always looking to improve my skills and my tracking of my progress. This tool is ideal for that.
Before I bought the Forerunner 405, I was using a Timex Ironman Heart Rate Monitor and a Sport Brain pedometer to track various data. While I really like both products, I found they didn't track enough of what I needed and the pedometer, while I did calibrate it, wasn't super accurate in tracking my mileage or pace. Thus, I wanted something that would do everything my existing two gadgets did, only more accurately and with more functionality. The Forerunner 405 is that training tool!
I absolutely love the Forerunner 405 and feel it is the best value on the market for what it does (as some of the other similarly priced products don't have near the capabilities and functionality and some of the more expensive products don't offer enough added capabilities to justify the much higher price.) I also love that the GPS is in the watch unit...not a separate gadget you have to hook onto your waist like most other products with similar capabilities.
What I love about this product is how many things you can program it to track and how you can customize it for your specific needs (and you can change those custom features as your needs change.) For example, I do a lot of hill running. I know the hills I run are fairly steep, but never knew how steep and really wanted and needed to know that. The Forerunner can be programmed to include grade that tells me just that. Now I know the exact grades of those hills. I also love that you can program up to 9 things it tracks while you are on the bike or run (up to 3 items in each of 3 fields) but you don't have to program it to its maximum potential. I don't have the foot pod or the GSC 10 for the bike like another reviewer as I have a computer on my bike already. However, the Forerunner and my bike computer are identical in their data, which just tells me how truly accurate this unit really is. Granted, because I don't have the GSC 10, I don't know my speed by looking at my Forerunner until after I sync up with the ANT stick, but since I have the bike computer, it's not an issue. Another really cool custom feature is that you can program your specific heart rate zones into the Forerunner (which sends that data to the ANT stick and the software programs). I know some other reviewers mentioned it was a bit complex to program. Yes, it takes some time if you're going to really use all its functionality, but if you read the owners manual (the bigger one, not the quick start one) and follow the directions, it's really very easy. Also, if you have questions or problems with anything, the Garmin customer service representatives are super helpful and can help you do or fix whatever you need (I know this as I've called them twice and they were great!)
As for the ANT stick and the tracking software that you download to sync to the Forerunner, it's awesome. The Garmin Training Center shows you line graphs of your heart rate and which zones you were in for each workout, which is very helpful. The Garmin Connect software has much more detail, including pace, mileage, average speed, average heart rate, max heart rate and so much more. I know another reviewer said he wished it was USB vs. the ANT stick, but if you are like me and you only use one computer to upload your data from the unit, this won't be an issue.
Another cool feature is that the Connect software links with Google maps, so you can see where you went on your bike or run, which is kind of fun, but not really a training tool necessity.
My only complaint is that this product is not supposed to be used in the water. So, you can't use it to tell the distance you swam in open water. But, since this is something I don't do that often, it's not that big of a deal.
So, if you're looking for a great training tool that is highly accurate and customizable, I think you will love the Forerunner 405 and feel it is a great value.
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Summary:
A Lot to Like
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Comment:
The Garmin 405 is not my first HRM watch, but it is my first that has integrated GPS functionality. This watch is slightly complex as mentioned in an earlier review, but not too complex to get used to, and once you work out your process for using the watch it is not complex at all. What makes it initially seem complex is that it has so much functionality you can use it can be overwhelming. To turn on the light simply requires you to touch the bezel with 2 fingers rather than one, same motion for turning it off. They are attempting to match the user friendliness of the iTouch/iPhone with the touch bezel interface.
I have probably the most complex setup for this watch that is possible. I have the HRM, footpod (so I can use it on a treadmill indoors) and the GSC-10 for my bike (a carryover from when I had the Forerunner 50 which does not have GPS). So far pairing and using the various ANT devices including the USB connection to the PC for data downloading has worked very well with no problems.
This watch does not currently work well with Macs. I have many computers at home, including 3 Macs, my main computer being a Al iMac. I just use Parallels and XP for data transfer and analysis for the 405 currently. My hope is that Garmin meets their promise of Mac compatibility in 2008, but the workaround with Parallels works OK for now.
If you are a gadget person and run/bike and love to review and collect data this is the product for you. I definitely fit that segment and love the 405. Only Mac compatibility and the somewhat complex menu system keep this from being rated 5 stars by me. If you prefer simplicity of operation and do not like gadgets much, my recommendation would be to choose a less complex watch with HRM.
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