Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Blue) by Garmin
|
List Price: Our Price: $177.83 You Save: $192.16 (52%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $144.99 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Blue)
Digital camera Review: A Gadget Geek's Fun New Toy
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a new runner and after running the Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago this year, I think I'm addicted. I even registered for the 2009 Chicago Marathon, I still can't contemplate running a full 26.2 miles. But if I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do this right. Running on nearby trails, I never really knew how far I've run or what my pace was (there aren't any mile markers). I wanted a way to track my distance and pace. I have friends that own both the forerunner 305 and 405, and I was impressed on how accurately they tracked distance and pace. I researched the reviews on both, and even though I like the looks of the 405, I was leaning toward the 305 since it's half the price and the reviews were much more positive. However, I couldn't get over the notion of looking like I'm running with a computer on my wrist.
Along came announcements of the 310xt and 405cx. Initially, I was set on getting the 310xt because of it's large screen and waterproof capability. However, it wouldn't be released till mid May and that model wouldn't even include the HRM. Originally I thought the 405cx wasn't available until mid May also, according to Amazon's 405cx preorder. But to my surprise, I found it available for free overnight shipping from the Clever Training website for 369.99. I got mine for 314.95 with free ground shipping, so do your research and you might land a "premium" deal on this heart rate monitors in USA ;-)
I'm getting side tracked here, I decided on the 405cx because I was hoping Garmin would have ironed out all the flaws of it's previous iteration. I've never owned the 405 or 305, so I can't say how much better the 405cx is. After reading the 405 reviews, a few complaints caught my attention:
- Poor satellite reception
- Clumsy bezel interface
- Locks up when sweated on
- Inaccurate heart rate monitor
1. Satellite reception is excellent. It's able to track satellites indoors! (though accuracy is degraded)
2. The bezel interface, although very sexy, is a pain in my arse to use. It's overly sensitive at times and not in others. Lock it often. It's going to take some time for me to get use to. Oh well, it's the price I have to pay for sexiness...
3. In the 2 days I've had this unit, it's never locked up on me. I want you to know, I sweat profusely to the point where it looks like I just took a shower (I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not...). I don't just sweat when I'm working out either, sometimes I sweat sitting idly in a chilly room. It's so embarrassing during meetings! So trust me, sweating does not cause the 405cx to lock up.
4. The heart rate monitor is superb. This is my first HRM though, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. But it doesn't spike to 200 bpm or drop to 20 bpm like the treadmills in the gym do, so I'm happy. On a side note, the 305 loves the HRM that comes with the 405cx. The one that comes with the 305 is utter garbage, it stays at 65 bpm regardless of what you do. It was probably defective, but it's something to think about for anyone thinking of getting the 305 instead.
This review is getting really long, and I need to get back to work. Garmin Connect is the online software that manages all your running data. Use it, it's hot. Just be aware, at default all your activities are shared with the Garmin Connect online community (think of what you put on your descriptions). I love how you can "play" your run on Google maps. It's hard for me to explain, check out this link for yourself
[...]
Please don't make fun of my slow pace, I'm a new runner! Here's a tip before I end this. You can delete activities. Just click on the red "x" next to the pencil and lock. This was a little frustrating until I figured it out. Good luck deciding on a watch, I hope it makes your runs more enjoyable. It does for a gadget geek like me.
Digital camera Review: A bit complicated but great for a serious athlete
Summary: 4 Stars
Honestly, this watch requires a PhD to use, but thanks to great videos and a user friendly website, if you have enough time to spend tinkering with it, the features are great. If you are just curious about HR, distance, and time, then buy something much more basic. If you are concerned with size, although this is better than previous Garmin Forerunners, go for Polar brand watches. But, if you are willing to deal with a bit of bulk and a long "train to use" session, this watch/GPS/HR monitor is amazing. The Bezel is touchy though. It is only for serious athletes.Digital camera Review: A great example of a lousy implementation!
Summary: 2 Stars
I had very high hopes for this watch, as I had the predecessor (the 305). I primarily bought this watch because I was looking for a sleeker profile, and the enhanced calorie calculation. While I can certainly admit that the two features I wanted are nice, the bezel on this watch mitigates anything good it offers. Seriously, it is that messed up. I saw the reviews that warned about the bezel control. But then, I saw a few that said it wasn't that big of a problem. Maybe it isn't for them, but I can say that the bezel is a HUGE problem for me.
Changing between functions on this watch requires that one makes his/her selection using the bezel. It is supposed to be touch-sensitive. It even has a setting for the sensitivity. Alas, the sensitivity is little more than eye candy. I can be in the middle of a run, and look down at the watch, and it has arbitrarily moved from one function to another on it's own. Depending on where it is, it isn't often as simple as touching the bezel again to get it back to the screen I desire. Sometimes, the watch ends up in a menu that requires a long touch of the bezel...somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5 seconds. Other times, It refuses to do anything. Still other times, it buffers each touch...so it switches screens, back to the original, back to the other, etc.--commensurate with the number of times it was touched when it was "hung."
For a casual runner, this might not be a problem. But for people who want to have an ability to track progress (distance), time, heart rate, calorie burn throughout the run, it's a pain. It is particularly frustrating on a treadmill (which I am forced to use when I travel), and running at a relatively fast pace (12.5 km/h). Having to look down at the watch while trying to figure out how to get it back to where it should be distracts one from the primary goal of remaining balanced while on the treadmill.
The positives of the watch are the number of data points one can monitor, and its ability to upload the data to a computer. I also really like the foot pod, and soft-strap heart rate monitor. (Both sold separately; the watch comes with a rigid heart rate strap.)
Digital camera Review: A mostly great device
Summary: 4 Stars
The Forerunner 405cx is my first Forerunner, and overall I'm thrilled to have it. I wanted it primarily for distance and pace measurement, and only after 9 months of owning it am I beginning to use it for other things.
I like all of the basic things -- time it takes to establish connection to the satellite; readability of the screen; the myriad things I can measure mid-run. On a day-to-day basis, this watch works great for me. I would recommend it to anyone who's a serious runner. I was nervous that having it would turn me into a neurotic (I hate pacing myself), but in fact I've learned that I run farther and faster than I would have previously guessed. Good to know!
My only real complaints thus far have to do with size. I'm a slender lady, and the watch is too big for my wrist. This is the updated version of the original 405, so it comes with two adjustable wristbands which are intended to fit under the watch and help it, in cases like mine, to be snug, but in reality they are a pain to adjust (you have to make sure the plastic loop is set *just so* underneath the watch or it digs into your wrist) and are also an extra irritating step. I understand that if Garmin had made the molded face any smaller, it wouldn't fit the average wrist, but surely there was another way.
My bigger complaint, though, is with the sizing of the heart monitor, which at its smallest is still a little loose on me. While I recognize I'm at the small end of the spectrum, size-wise, I'm not a waif. It doesn't seem like it would have been that difficult to make the thing adjust just a few inches smaller. Now, I have to shove the monitor under my sports bra and then hope it stays under there; it's not very comfortable and so I don't use it much. I'm glad I didn't pay an extra fee for the HRM or I would have been much more disappointed.
Digital camera Review: A must have
Summary: 5 Stars
I should have bought one a year ago, perfect training tool! The quick start guide that comes with it leaves little to be desired when it comes to actual functions...make sure you have a friend who has one. But once you learn how to use it, its easy. Love being able to track the data on Garmin's website, love it! Its a must have for a person doing any training, cant be without it.