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Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS
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Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS

Item # 790321

$249.95

Item qualifies for annual
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With a powerful new high-sensitivity receiver, compass, altimeter and a smaller design than its predecessor, the wrist-top Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS is ideal for hands-free navigation.

  • Newly updated industrial design offers a smaller, lighter unit than previous models for increased comfort and mobility
  • Easy, single-handed operational system features 5 ergonomically situated buttons that intuitively guide you through functions
  • High-sensitivity receiver delivers fast signal acquisition and lock for reception in narrow valleys, dense tree cover and urban jungles
  • High-contrast 64 x 100 pixel screen with bright LED backlight for use in low light; dual-position display allows convenient horizontal or vertical viewing
  • Built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter provide additional navigational aid
  • Enjoy effortless sharing of waypoints, tracks and routes between Garmin GPS units with ANT wireless communication function
  • For the mariner, sail race feature allows you to configure the start countdown sequence with audible alerts at each start phase
  • View route and follow it back with Garmin's exclusive TracBack® feature
  • Navigate 20 reversible routes; stores 500 waypoints with name and graphic symbols, and 10,000 trackpoints
  • Trip computer calculates current, average and maximum speed; plus, it tracks trip time and calculates distance
  • Computer-compatible design allows you to load waypoints and routes directly from your computer via USB
  • The Garmin Foretrex 401GPS features waterproof construction, rated IPX7 to withstand immersion in 1m of water for up to 30 min.
  • 2 AAA batteries (sold separately) typically provide up to 15 hours of use

Imported.

Item 790321

Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS Specs

Specification

Description

Position accuracyWAAS-enabled 3 meters
Routes20
Waypoints (total)500
MemoryUnavailable
PC CompatibleYes
CompassYes
AltimeterYes
Color screenNo
Compact antennaYes
Display size1.4 x 0.92 inches
Battery life at 70 degrees15 hours
Screen Pixels64 x 100
Dimensions2.9 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches
Weight2.26 ounces
Battery type2 AAA

Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS
 
3.6

(based on 5 reviews)

60%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Compact (5)
  • Strong construction (4)
  • Waterproof (4)
  • Accurate (3)
  • Reliable (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backcountry camping (5)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Outdoor enthusiast (3)

    Reviewed by 5 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-5

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    Nov

    13

    2009

     
    4.0

    Another excellent Garmin product

    By dirtymike

    from Minneapolis MN

    About Me Bad With Directions, Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Accurate
    • Compact
    • Easy To Set Up
    • Reliable Performance
    • Simple Controls
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backcountry Camping
      • Campgrounds
      • River Trips

      Comments about Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS:

      Replaced a Foretrex 101 with this upgrade model to get the heart monitor. With typical Garmin "out of the box" simplicity the unit was up and running within minutes. Not at all surprised that the MapSource software uploaded all my waypoints and tracks without difficulty. Fast aquisition time was a definite plus.
      I have given Garmins to family (one going back to Iraq) and have owned eTrex, GPS III Plus, and Oregon 400t models all have performed flawlessly in the relatively severe Minnesota outdoors

      • Gift:
      • No

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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      Oct

      23

      2009

       
      5.0

      Excellent user GPS, mainly for adv user.

      By Ducati guy

      from North Carolina

      About Me Military, Professional

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Accurate
      • Compact
      • Long Battery Life
      • Reliable Performance
      • Simple Controls
      • Streamlined Programing
      • Strong Construction
      • Waterproof

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Backcountry Camping
        • Day Trips
        • Military
        • Survival

        Comments about Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS:

        This is an excellent product for the right user. This is a perfect unit for most military operations where a GPS is used to send command current locations as well as giving accurate LAT/LONG to aircraft for support. This is also very good at using as a way to confirm current location on the map. This is not a substitute for navigation aids such as maps, charts or compasses. The jumpmaster function is a good additional tool for the military professional and is used by civilian jumpers wishing to have a way to verify where they are in case of an emergency. I have used this product overseas as well as the 101 model. The newer sensitive receiver is what makes this unit stand out. If you are military you will want the 301 or 401. If you are looking for a GPS incase you get lost this is a good unit for you. If you are looking for a one stop navigation tool this unit is not for you.

        • Gift:
        • No

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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        Oct

        9

        2009

         
        5.0

        Great, Lightweight GPS for Navigation

        By Brazos57

        from Dallas, TX

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Accurate
        • Compact
        • Easy To Set Up
        • Reliable Performance
        • Simple Controls
        • Strong Construction
        • Waterproof

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Backcountry Camping
          • Survival

          Comments about Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS:

          Probably the best lightweight GPS for serious navigation I've seen. Strapping it to your wrist is very convenient, and the strap attachment is vastly better than the watchband pins on the Foretrex 101 (Previously, my favorite GPS). The altimeter, compass and barometer are nice additions and the 401 locks in on satellites quickly. No one should ever go into the wild without topos, which makes the display features on more expensive GPS units fun to play with but not really essential. I usually turn on the GPS for a few minutes, verify my location, sight the next landmark on my route and shut it off. That saves batteries and allows me to check out the scenery rather than admire the pretty color screen on a larger, heavier GPS unit that costs twice as much. The one improvement I would suggest is a feature that allows users to track barometer readings over time. Can't say how the accessories work with the 401 -- not how I use it.

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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          Sep

          30

          2009

          (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          2.0

          Needs backward compability

          By sore hamstrings

          from Daly City, CA

          About Me Avid Adventurer, Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Compact
          • Waterproof

          Cons

          • Poor support

          Best Uses

          • Backcountry Camping
          • Day Trips

          Comments about Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS:

          I bought the 401 from REI to replace my geko 201, and was excited to open the box only to discover that I could not use the *.gpx file with my topo software. Like paleoguy I could not find any answers at garmin's website about what I can do with the .gpx file.

          Some of the functions in the 401 such as the jumpmaster function will probably not be used by most users. It would be better if Garmin created a base unit that could download specific software to meet the needs of each user.

          As for using the 401 for navigation I had some problems interpreting the map page, and I would have gotten lost following it if I had not known my location. This may have been my inexperience with the unit. I don't know except I returned my unit and I will wait and see if the support for the 401 improves.

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

          (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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          Sep

          13

          2009

          (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          2.0

          not ready for prime time

          By paleoguy

          from Baja, Arizona

          About Me Outdoor Enthusiast, Professional

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Compact
          • Strong Construction
          • Waterproof

          Cons

          • Poor support

          Best Uses

          • Backcountry Camping
          • Basic GPS

          Comments about Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS:

          One of my Foretrex101s expired a few weeks ago and I decided to replace it with the just released Foretrex401. It arrived mid-week and I had no trouble accessing and opening the Foretrex401 generated gpx file with Easy/ExpertGPS and Topofusion. The 401 appears as a USB drive in Windows. I was hoping to use the 401 along with the Garmin heart rate monitor during my mtbike rides instead of the my Edge205 and separate HRM. The 401 had no trouble picking up the HR reading and displaying the values.Perhaps not surprisingly, the Garmin website has no substantial information of the 401 as of yet and no discussion of what software will work with the 401. When I emailed Garmin concerning data transfer software and the spanner function under the Setup menu, I received the following rather uninformative reply:"Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I am happy to answer your questions. At this point, the Foretrex 401 is only compatible with Garmin MapSource[@], but this information will unfortunately not include your cadence or heart rate information. On the bright side, Garmin Connect, our online fitness website, will support the Garmin Outdoor product line in the second half of 2009. In the meantime, we recommend that you upload activities from those devices to [@]. Unfortunately, there is not much documentation available for Spanner other than the installation instructions found on the download page. [...]. Even though it is now well beyond the "second half of 2009" Garmin Connect does not include the Foretrex 401 and the[@] has essentially been abandoned by Garmin leaving the Foretrex401 in effect unsupported by Garmin except for the most basic data transfer. The Foretrex401 manual makes no mention of the spanner function or what a gpx file is or how to make use of it.At this point the Foretex401 appears to be corporate orphan that no Garmin division is able or willing to support. It is unclear if it is intended for jumping out of airplanes (jumpmaster function), hiking (altimeter/compass), cycling/fitness (HR/cadence) or providing a heads-up when ordinance is going to explode (countdown-up/timer). In addition to the above, function wise, the 401 adds a USB interface, faster satellite acquisition and wireless data transfer to the venerable Foretrex101. It is slightly more compact in size than the 101, has a better strap attachments and stores the data is in a gpx file. Operationally the Foretex401 does what is it supposed to do but with no software included, undocumented functions and virtually non-existent technical support, most purchasers will be frustrated in trying to use the Foretrex401 right out of the box. A printed quick start guide is in the box but the manual in a pdf on the CD.As noted above, with some tinkering and non Garmin software I've been able to list and view the Foretex401 tracks, waypoints, routes and other data as well as transfer the data to GoogleEarth. For what Garmin lists as a basic handheld GPS it should be much more straightforward to operate and transfer data. I'll give it 2 stars until it is better supported.

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

          (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Displaying reviews 1-5

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