Garmin Forerunner 405 Heart Rate Monitor - Black

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

I started out with the 305 and thought the Motion Based site stated I needed a 405 to use it's services so I upgraded to the 405. The 405 has so many short falls I am going back to the 305. Randomly the touch bezel will become unresponsive even when unlocked. Other times I can't get it to go into the functional speed, heart rate and elapsed time screen that I use for all runs until I have fumbled around with the buttons, tapped the bezel, pressed and held down the bezel and threatend to throw it away then it responds!

Because of the touchy nature of the bezel they recommend you lock the bezel while you run by pressing both the buttons on the wrist side of the unit at the same time. Half the time I do this if both buttons are not pressed with the same force and timing exactly I end up either starting or stopping the timer when I dont want it to. The unit will log that as a separate run now! Good luck getting to a screen where you can delete that false reading in any kind of reasonable amount of time!

The 305 allowed up to 4 data fields at a time to show on the screen. the 405 only 3. The 305 would allow me to scroll through up to 3 screens each with up to 4 different data fields of information. The 405 only 1 with just 3 data fields yet you can choose between about 12 different data parameters that could be displayed in those 3 fields!

The unit seems to charge quickly but also discharges quickly. I downloaded and installed the software operating system upgrade offered on Garmins site but that did not help at all.

The charging clip is about as goofy in design and use as can be! Think of a an Alligator jaw clip with only 2 front bottom teeth that have to fit inside 2 holes in the underside of the watch body while a black plastic upper piece squeezes the bezal! There are no guiding grooves, clicks or any other features that tell you the charging prongs or teeth have found their mark. You either will notice the screen change to charging status or will have to flip the unit and move the wrist band out of the way in a good light to see if everything is in the proper holes.

I'm a Computer Pro and I found the set up of both the wrist unit, the desk top software and the syncing process stressful and not clearly defined as a set up process.

Like another poster here I thought the desk top version of the data would be much more elaborate and detailed. I thought like the data fields on the screen of the 305 the desk top would allow me to display most if not all of the areas of my run data collected in separate screens within one page or so so I could analyze and cross reference all the things measured to see how I responded to different parts of my run, grades, temps, HR zones, paces, stop lights (recovery) etc.

The desktop is very primative.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

The 405 is hands down the easiest to use Forerunner....I had a 301 and 305 previously. I have also used a Suunto T3 and a Polar RS800SD and much prefer the 405. It acquires a signal very fast, usually in 30 seconds or less, and has never lost a signal during a run.

I didn't give it 5 stars because the touch bezel can be a little fiddly. It doesn't always acknowledge a touch & it's a little tricky to use while running. Also, the Garmin Training Center software is pretty bad....as is the Garmin online site Garmin Connect. No Mac compatibility is another ding for the 405. Fortunately the 405 exports .tcx files to the PC when it downloads your workouts. You can easily upload those files to better software....such as Ascent for the Mac.

All in all, a great product.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

I really liked the looks of this compared to the 305. Tons of features in a small and good looking package.

However, the bezel is a frustrating and horrible user interface that in my opinion makes this a useless piece of equipment.

The menus were easy and intuitive to navigatge, but setting it up was frustrating because it would jump back and forth to uncommanded pages depending on what happened to touch the bezel at that particular time. I tried all bezel sensitivity settings and got the same results.

Also, if you get the bezel even slightly damp, it won't work. Having said that, it is possible to still use the watch if you sweat. You just have to set everything up prior to your run and lock the bezel and refrain from changing any display pages until you're done exercing.

I'm a computer savvy guy and I own several other Garmin products. But they definately missed the mark on this one.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

I found the 405 very disappointing. The product has one primary job - give an accurate read of the distance traveled. Unfortunately, I my unit did not perform this task well. I found that it was consistently 4% off of the actual distance while running. 4% may not seem like a lot, but it will report a 7 minute mile as about a 7:16 mile - a huge difference...

I tested it by driving the same route in my car, and found that while driving it was accurate against my car's odometer, but it did not give the same distance that it had reported on my run. I can only assume that something about the design made it lose the signal while my wrist was in the running motion. This had the corresponding effect of making the pace reading swing from 5 minutes per mile to 12 minutes per mile.

I returned the 405 (which REI took back without a question) and replaced it with a 305, which I found to be much more accurate. While the 305 is bigger, I actually found it to be more comfortable on my wrist. As other users have reported, the 405 has a hard plastic strap near the body of the watch that bothered my wrist. I don't find the same problem with the 305.

Maybe I just got a lemon, but it clearly didn't pay to be an early adopter of the 405...

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

I've been using the watch for about a month now, almost daily. The watch itself is great. Great functionality, great specs, very usefull. BUT - and there's always a but - the watch basically freezes up when it becomes wet. I sweat more than average and the iPod-like bezel does not respond when wet. I read a bit about this and made the purchase anyway. Big mistake. I am now returning because after about six miles, it is useless. A few other comments:- Strap is comfortable but if you have a larger chest (I'm 44"), and you are forced to wear it tight, plan on buying lots of the [$] straps. Mine is already showing signs of streatching. I had a polar before with a nylon strap and this wasn't an issue- There is some negative play on getting the watch to sync with PC. I'm a fairly technically savy guy and it took more than one try. The instructions online aren't the best.Takeway, if you are a skinny runner who doesn't sweat, this watch is a five. Otherwise, you may want to avoid.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

I have read many reviews on other sites which were pretty critical of the 405. But I have found them to be not true. In general the 405 is a pretty good watch, and does what it advertises. It is not a product you can take out of the box and start running with it, meaning you have to read the instructions (they are not long). You have to set it up for use and download the software if you want to synch it with your computer. Navigating the screens was a little tricky at first but the more I used it the easier it got. I did have problems synching it with my computer at first but after forcing the download I have not had any problem since. As advertised it starts to synch as soon as I put it near my computer. The GPS is accurate and acquires the satellites quickly. I have not experienced any “time drift” when the watch is inside as others have reported. Some people have complained the time accuracy slips the longer it does not have a clear view of the sky. The heart rate monitor quickly synchs with the watch and I have not experienced any problems with it either inside or outside. The only problem is the strap is small. All in all I am very happy with the 405 and glad I did not listen to the negative reviews.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

I have been very impressed with the 405 right out of the box. Its smaller than I was expecting, and I don't agree with other reviews that call it bulky. I have been wearing it as my regular watch, and have been very happy with its size. Menus are more intuitive than the the 305, e.g. turning the GPS off is just two clicks away - not buried in the 305s menus. Touch bezel is good, and scrolling though the training pages during a run is not awkward - maybe a bit better than the 305. Wireless is good, but its a bit slow to get going - once the connection is established, it more than fast enough. Also GPS link up was fast - even in NYC with tall buildings all around.

My biggest complaint is with the charging system. I travel a lot, and I like devices that play nice with universal charging system like USB. Garmin had it right in the 301 which had a USB interface in the watch. All I had to bring with me was a short USB dongle and I was good to go. The 305 was a step backwards in that it used a proprietary cradle (probably to save space in the watch). The 405 uses a bulky clip with a long cable. I understand Garmin is trying to reduce the watch size, but its a pain when I have to carry additional hardware to travel.

Also a point of caution about wrist size. My wrist is 2 5/8 inches across (measured as if you put your palm flat on a table and looked down at your wrist) and 7.5 inches in circumference. The design of the band causes the watch and band to be "C" shaped. If my wrist were any bigger it would not have fit comfortably. Also, I wear the watch on the 3rd and 4th to last strap holes, with the band holder on the last strap hole.

That said, Garmin has put out an amazing watch which I have no regrets buying and look forward to using extensively this summer for training. I only wonder how they plan to out do themselves with the 505 - whenever that shows up.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

I found this product to be great for about the first month. It is not the most intuitive interface but I thought that was minor given what all this it can do.But after a month or so I started having problems. This is the most unreliable piece of junk I have ever seen. It will work perfect for a week and then I can't get it to work for the life of me. Then it just starts working again. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it either. Some times it just won't charge. Sometimes it just stops working in the middle of a run. Sometimes it will not start working and I have to leave it at home. Sometimes it will not download data to my computer. I bought a bike sensor and I have not been able to get it to work yet. It is amazing just how unpredictable this thing is. It is really a shame too. Because when it works I love it. But it seems like it has some sort of problem about 1 out of every 10 times I try to use.I am taking his [...] back! I would recomend waiting until Garmin figures out how to improve this product. It obviously was not ready to be brought to the market yet.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

This is my first GPS training device and it works great. The heart rate monitor is also a great feature because it can help you pace yourself when it is really hot outside. It is also great because before hand I had to map out my long runs, and I would not be sure where the mile markers were. Now I can just start a loop and don't have to worry about guessing my pace or my distance. The only problem I have with the watch is the touch interface. When the touch bezel gets wet it has a tendency to freak out and change screens. Also if your finger is wet (which often happens during a 20 mile run) the touch bezel won't work. Typically I just try to dry my hand as best as I can and put it on the screen I want (usually the HR screen or virtual partner) then I lock the touch bezel so it won't change until I unlock it. Also sometimes I have trouble getting the watch to sync to the computer, but if i just unplug the USB stick and restart the software the watch syncs up instantly every time (sounds like a lot but it only takes 15 seconds).

Another feature that is great is the workouts. You can setup a workout and include specific speed or heart rate zones. If you exit the zones the watch will tell you to either speed up or slow down.

Overall if you run a lot, especially long distances, this watch is a great training tool. You will have to deal with the quirky touch bezel, but if you just lock the bezel when you aren't switching between screens you shouldn't have a problem. I love this watch.

Comments about Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM - Black:

Just got mine. Have used it for a run and a bike ride. Fairly easy to set up and learn to use (many features, not a master of all yet). Syncs with the pc easily. NEAT graphics to help analyze your work outs. Fits well (watch and also the HRM chest strap). Signal (for GPS) not lost under highway overpasses or under trees (have not done any deep woods mountain biking yet). Virtual partner feature is neat (and easy to adjust on the fly so you can always beat your buddy).