Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS
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With a powerful high-sensitivity receiver, compass, altimeter and a smaller design than its predecessor, this wrist-top GPS is ideal for hands-free, quick-access navigation.
Shop similar products- Newly updated industrial design offers a smaller, lighter unit than previous models for increased comfort and mobility
- Easy, singlehanded 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
- The Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS is compatible with Garmin heart rate monitors and GSC 10 Speed and Cadence Sensor (sold separately)
- 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 the exclusive TracBack® feature from Garmin
- 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
| Best Use | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Preloaded Map | None |
| Wireless Communication | Yes |
| OS Compatibility | Mac Windows |
| Display Size | 1.4 x 0.92 inches |
| Screen Pixels | 64 x 100 |
| Number of Routes | 20 |
| Number of Waypoints | 500 |
| Internal Memory | Unavailable |
| Compass | Yes |
| Altimeter | Pressure-based |
| Batteries | 2 AAA |
| Average Battery Life | 15 hours |
| Dimensions | 2.9 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches |
| Weight | 2.26 ounces |
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Nice to have!
I'm relatively new to hiking. I purchased this device because I wanted to know how far I've gone, and how far I need to go. I was also curious about my speed and some other statistics. I am very pleased with this product. The free "basecamp" software is pretty awesome too! I took away a star because the battery life is somewhat annoying and there is everything BUT a thermometer on this device. Seems like it should have one. BUY ONE NOW! IT'S AWESOME!
Great Tool
Use the product as an instructor at a well-known Army course (RLTW) to track student's movements during training quickly and accurately. Sunset and sunrise information is useful. Distance and eta of your waypoint is great as well. Only downside is that the compass does not keep its calibration at all. Also that it's not a 3 axis compass. However it will give you accurate degrees to your waypoint for use with a lensatic compass. So pairing this with an old school compass and map is a great set for quick navigation. An etrex 20 with topo maps would be best for route planning on the fly.
Great long lasting battery
I have had a few gps watches at this point and have always had an issue with the batteries not lasting long enough. I wanted something I could use for hiking, running, and biking where I wouldn't have to worry about chargining if I was on the trail for multiple days. So far it's been great I've had it for 3 weeks and I've used it probably for around 20 hours and my batteries are still charged! My only issue is I still haven't figured out the correct way to load it up to garmin connect so I need to do some research to figure out how to store the data! But overall great watch a tad bulky but not bad.
My Favorite GPS System
I have been using the Garmin Foretrex 401 extensively over the course of three years, primarily for hiking and backpacking. It has endured years of dirt, sweat, water, and mud, and it keeps on working. See the attached photo of me using the Foretrex during a Zombie obstacle course mud run. It survived. I did not. And neither did my HTC phone I forgot in my pocket. :-) It has finally begun to show some minor signs of rust near the battery terminals, most likely due to moisture introduced by me changing out batteries with sweaty hands, etc. However, if and when it does fail, I will buy it again without any hesitation. My primary purchase decision points were weatherproofness, durablility, size, weight, and the fact I could wear it on my wrist. It has been with me on so many adventures, and it has not let me down. In fact, this device has helped me out of some really tough jams. Like any GPS technology, there is a learning curve. But that's really just the nature of orienteering. The device itself is actually pretty simple, but you really do need to understand how to use the tool before putting yourself in any tough situation. I would advise anyone to take a GPS navigational class. I did not, and it took me a while to really figure things out. Lots of reading and experimentation. You do not get any topographic views like larger units, but I always carry maps, and suppliment them with my GPS. If I have reliable track data from a trusted source, I install them before my trip so I can navigate efficiently. But often times, I end up just creating my own desired paths and waypoints, and it's always a ton of fun reaching destinations with the help of my Foretrex. Even if I go on last minute trips without preloaded tracks, I am confident that I can always find my way back. As soon as I turn it on, I typically calibrate the compass, clear any previous track and trip data, and create a brand new waypoint of my starting position. The device will keep an accurate log of where I've been, and I just add waypoints for each point of interest and trail intersection along the way. When I am ready to return, I use the track back feature which gives me pretty accurate ETA info. Where I find it lacking is the rather short number of characters I can use in the names of saved waypoints and tracks. The number of saved tracks is also fairly limited. The most frustrating limitation that plagues so many of Garmin devices I've researched is the number of track points, or breadcrumbs, that you can import in a single track. It's only about 500 trackpoints! If you try to import a saved track that has more than that, it truncates the entire track, so you must first simplify the track data before the import to avoid that problem. Irritating, but again, this is not a problem isolated to the Garmin Foretrex 401. I highly recommend this unit. Have fun and be safe!
Love it!
I love this gizmo! I workout outside each day - mostly kayaking. The 401 is my constant training partner. The tracking function is super handy in helping me find my way home through the Florida swamps and forests. The waterproofing may not be 100%. I had a 301 but it leaked while kayaking rolling/kayak surfing. Under more normal use - raining for example - I feel very confident in the waterproofing. The multiple functions far exceed my needs. This tiny unit is perfect in recording your travel information. Double thumbs up.
Many features that are not readily apparent
I wanted a GPS watch, and purchased one of those attractive ones. But I returned it and purchased a Foretrex 410 for several reasons. 1) I wanted to know my pace when running races, so I could know whether I would meet my finish time goal. Other GPS watches show pace, but it isn't clear whether "Pace" means current, average of the last X minutes, or overall. This watch offers all three pieces of data, if you want them. 2) Actually this watch offers 44 different data fields. You can select which ones you want to display. The manual, which you can download for free, lists the 44 starting on page 15. As others have pointed out, the manual is not very clear, in fact it does not tell you at all, how to access these fields. Basically you go to the page that shows data such as speed, and press enter. By the way, Garmin's marketing does not mention this valuable capability either. 3) I like to run, particularly when I am traveling. A normal GPS watch will tell you how far you've gone, but it won't tell you how to get back to your hotel. If you mark your hotel as a way-point as you head out the door, you'll be able to get back. The tracking feature will also help you navigate back to your hotel, even in a City like Marakech where the streets are a maze. 4) If you are sailing and fall off the boat, or if you're kite surfing/wind surfing and your equipment breaks, you may need to call for help on your cell phone or VHF radio. Unlike most GPS watches, this one reads out your Lat/Long, so you can tell potential help where you are. This watch is no fashion statement, but it has many valuable features. Go for it!
Excellent Tiny GPS Unit
The Foretrex 401 strikes me as a marvel of modern technology. Here you can have a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that is small enough to fit on your wrist, but is powered by AAA batteries. While there are no fancy maps or color screens, you get a GPS that is great for basic navigation from Point "A" to Point "B". Excellent unit for recording track logs while exercising, marking spots while hiking, and for augmenting a map & compass. The 401 does have the electronic compass and altimeter -- neat features, although you can turn the electronic compass off to save battery life. Unfortunately, there is no way to display GPS altitude on the 401 (but you can on the Foretrex 301 which has no altimeter.)
Garmin + REI = Can't Go Wrong
1. It is a Garmin 2. It is from REI What do you expect. Both quality companies with quality products. This is my third Garmin. Granted it does not have mapping capabilities but is does have a ton of 'on the trail' usable information. (Time, speed, location, direction, distance.....) Fast to acquire satellites. Easy to use. Accurate. Extremely convienient to wear on your wrist.
Does not display GPS altitude
I bought this for long (week plus) backpacking and skiing trips. I wanted a barometer for weather trends. After I bought this, I discovered that the ONLY altitude that it will display is from the barometer. It will NOT display an altitude using the GPS fix. I took it back and got the Garmin 301. The altitude from a barometer is useless if not calibrated daily, which is not possible on longer trips. We can not get a pressure reading, and often we are on glaciers where the maps and altitudes are no longer correct. Even on shorter, day trips you need to remember to calibrate the unit before heading off. I called Garmin and they agreed that the unit does not provide an altitude based on the GPS signal.
Perfect for my use.
Great light weight unit for dismounted military stuff. Easy to mount on arm or weapon. All I need is something that displays my location. I always carry a map and compass so I don't need a big map display. Only problem was the strap. I removed it and replaced it with one from 215 Gear, then it was perfect. Unit picked up signal while sitting inside an up-armored humvee. Was easy to load track onto Google Earth in order to document routes. When friends want to borrow a GPS though, I don't give them this one. It isn't for people that only have a casual understanding of land navigation. You should certainly have a paper map and understand how to plot your location using what ever form of coordinates you use.