Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Blue) by Garmin
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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 |
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Blue)
Digital camera Review: Battery life not great
Summary: 4 Stars
So far this watch has seemed accurate to me and I love the fact that it uploads automatically to my computer when I get near it with the watch. HRM seems accurate even though others state it is not. The only issues I have with it are that it doesn't stay charged very long. At best you might get two days of running out of it before you have to recharge it. I charged mine to 100% yesterday and it's at 93% today without me touching it. My other complaint is that it digs into my wrist bones with the standard band that comes on it. Other than that it's been a great tool for my runs!Digital camera Review: Believe everything you read
Summary: 3 Stars
I got this for Christmas following MUCH comparison between the GF 305 and the GF 405. Bought it on Costco website. I eventually chose the 405cx based on the size of the unit, the wireless sync to the computer, and reviewer's reports of increased speed in satellite acquisition over the 305. I started running in September, after going for a run with my brother who has the 305. I could see that for serious training having a GPS watch would be a great help. I figured after reading all the reviews that the pros for the 405 outweighed the cons, or in the case of this watch, the CON, which is the touch bezel. So I opened it up Christmas day, and started to play with it. I will say that the touch bezel did not impress me out of the gate, and being the only means of navigating through the watch settings, that was a little worrisome. I took it out for a run, and did what many reviewers suggested, which was to set the data screens to auto scroll, and then lock the bezel while running to avoid inadvertent bezel touching. The satellites acquired very quickly, although I don't live in an area where satellite acquisition should be problem. The watch worked great during the run, and following the run I was able to upload the data using the ANT agent and included software to my Mac without a hitch. Subsequent runs proved the same, quick acquisition, no GPS or battery issues, and no problems uploading to Mac. I've run in temperatures ranging from 5 degrees F to 60 degrees F, anywhere from 2 miles to 13 miles, and the watch has worked well. I haven't been able to update to the latest software version, I ran through all the steps but the watch still says it's on version 2.1, and it won't allow me re-attempt the update to 2.3 again, not sure what's going on there. Heart rate monitor has worked flawlessly.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the 405cx. The reason I gave 3 stars (I would give 3 1/2) is because the touch bezel is truly a lame feature. After running and getting sweaty, the bezel is pretty useless. Even sitting at home on the couch, it can be frustrating to operate. It's either too sensitive or not sensitive enough, and it doesn't seem to make a difference what sensitivity setting you select. All of the other features are great, I can't complain. The software is pretty plain jane, but works well enough, and Garmin Connect is what I use after I upload my runs anyways. We'll see how it holds up in warm/hot weather when summer comes, but I can't imagine much difference.
Pros:
quick satellite acquisition
wireless sync to PC or Mac
customizable data fields
virtual partner can be a good motivator
small form factor
accurate
Cons:
Bezel sucks
Kinda feels cheap, scrapes easily
Can't update software (possible user error)
Digital camera Review: Best choice
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an amazing gps + heart rate monitor. If you're interested you cant hear the bad reviews, forget it. The all functions work better than any other watch. The softwares to use it is so easy in my opinion and the option to see all the training in the google earth map is a superb experience. When you transfere the files to the computer you will see all detailed information about your training in one screen. 3 weeks using and enjoying it so much.Digital camera Review: Best of the bunch
Summary: 4 Stars
I read about 100 reviews of various gps/heart rate monitor watches and this was by far the best. Without a doubt, its a great device, but you definitely need to spend some time going through the manual and setting it up to meet your needs. This is not difficult, but takes plenty of time. I would highly recommend this watch for anyone who is looking to improve his/her performance or anyone who loves gadgets. Fortunately, I was looking for both.
The training software is OK and I haven't spent too much time with it although I've hears that there are far better free programs that you can easily transfer the data to.
In terms of feel, it very comfortable to wear and fairly easy to see the information while you run (again you must set it up right)
The battery lasts about 2 weeks in power save mode and 8 hours in GPS mode. Really easy to charge and even easier to transfer the data to your computer via the USB ANT stick which wirelessly transfers the date.
Digital camera Review: Best training money ever spent
Summary: 4 Stars
I have now owned and used this tool for 3 months in all weather conditions but desert. I am not going to go through a long list of features because there are other reviews that cover that. Why I am writing is to help others with my experiences with the unit.
The Bezel is the second biggest problem with this device. I am not sure if it is sweat, touch, rain, etc. Sometimes it is just plain old wonky. That being said it is a minor frustration occasionally and the wealth of information that this device provides for the money more than makes up for it.
The software is bad, if it weren't for the fact that it works I would say it is worse than the Polar software. I have had numerous glitches with Polar software over the 8 years of using their devices and while it has more information it is far from user friendly. This isn't a review/bash of Polar just a point of comparison. The Garmin Software is not very configurable, and being web-based is always a mixed blessing. These two companies obviously aren't software companies. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. There are numerous software packages out there that will allow you to get around Garmin's data tracking offerings. Several are free or donationware, Sport Traks is the one I am using.
To round out the negatives I have 2 minor complaints. The watchband(sigh), at least they gave use the pieces to switch it to the supplied Velcro bands, which work nicely and fit around my winter gear. The last negative is the only feature I wish this device had, temperature.
Negatives aside, the pluses far out-weigh them. Using this device to check your pacing makes training and racing smarter. You have several configurable pacing options. The two I use most is lap pace and current pace. Lap pace gives you a pace over your current lap, which makes it a reasonably stable metric. Current pace gives you your pace at the moment, it bounces around a bit, particularly after you take a turn. Use these two together and you can modify your pace all day long.
I am not sure if this has been mentioned before but the displays are VERY configurable. You can turn on or off display windows so you don't have to scroll trough them if they are unnecessary to you. Each window is completely configurable. There are three data fields in each window and you can select which metric you wish each to display. If you wanted you could have all the fields display the same information---I'm not sure why anyone would want to do this, but that is how flexible the display is.
I am looking forward to Spring when I break out my road bike and strap this device on it.
Would I recommend this device? You bet, after three months use I am very pleased and will be buying one for my wife.
Ok, Ok, one more complaint. Why only one color and this color to boot? I am sure it was chosen as gender neutral, but it still strikes me as a bit on the feminine side.