Garmin Forerunner 405 Review
December 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Garmin Forerunner, GPS Running Watch Reviews
There are many options available for GPS Running Watches; however, the Garmin Forerunner Series stands on the top of the list for the “best of the best.”
Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sport Watch with USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor (Black)
Retail Price: $299.99
Amazon Price: $219.00
The Garmin Forerunner 405, while admittedly a high end product, is a feature rich and sleek looking training gadget that can surely catch anyone’s fancy.
But questions arise as to how does the design help your training and if you can actually use these features.
Out of the box, the most noticeable Garmin Forerunner 405 features are the:
- Sport watch
- Auto Lap®
- Time/distance alerts
At its core, the Garmin Forerunner 405 is a sports watch. It can give you the features that you need when running from block to block or at your local park. The Garmin Forerunner 405 would provide you with the necessary tools to track the usual data.
The auto lap feature automatically starts a new lap as your run, and the time/distance alert provides you with an alarm whenever you reach your goals. Used in conjunction with each other, these features of the Garmin Forerunner 405 gives you your time, lap splits, lap times, distance and overall pace that would help in determining whether you had a good training or not.
Of course if you are happy with those features then you can simply select lower end models. The Garmin Forerunner 405 shines when you delve into its more advanced functions.
More advanced features of the Garmin Forerunner 405 include:
- Faster satellite uplink time
- Intuitive Controls
- A host of compatible accessories
- Easy connectivity between devices and computers
The quick satellite uplink of the Garmin Forerunner 405 truly stands out. Now you don’t have to wait long hours when using satellite guidance for its data. With it faster tracking of waypoints, routes, or even measuring just how you are doing at a specific area or place in your usual training route becomes much easier. The improved GPS system can truly help you analyze your data more precisely.
Another thing that’s good with the Garmin Forerunner 405 is its host of wide ranging compatible accessories. There is the Foot Pod for tracking speed distance and cadence when indoors, or even bike speed or cadence sensors if you fancy yourself as an indoor cyclist.
The Garmin Forerunner 405 is also proud of having:
- Intuitive interface to set watch while training
- Compact and lightweight construction
- Easy connectivity with computers
What makes the Forerunner 405 more amazing is that it is quite easy to use. Aside from its lightweight and compact design, Garmin has also made the Forerunner 405 much more intuitive.
They have included 2 buttons on the side of the Forerunner 405 that users can easily press to adjust the necessary settings. Users would not have to fiddle around much when trying to customize their training.
After all the training that you do, the Garmin Forerunner 405 also shines in synchronizing data to your computer. As long as it recognizes a connected “USB ANT stick “ to a PC it would automatically transmit your workout data to the PC.
This makes it much easier to store, share, and analyze your training data to find out your areas of improvement.
Conclusion:
Given all the functionality of the Garmin Forerunner 405, you would be able to see how it is a great fit for runners who truly take their training seriously and are not too shy about spending for the additional benefits.
While a bit higher in price compared to the other Garmin models, the added features, improved capability, and more lightweight and compact build that can truly advance your training makes spending that additional money worth it.
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Great review, thanks. I like how Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch is so easy to use and easy to connect to my computer.
Considering how far the technology has come for these watches and quickly, the price is not that bad for a serious runner. My neighbor has an older model and likes a lot, he uses it daily. Garmin’s are also built well.
I agree with you. Forerunner 405 gives you the best of both worlds in a sleek, stylish package. This high performance watch is easy to use and comfortable to wear.
Hi, I’ve been distance training for 16 months. I’m looking for a GPS nav. watch that:
(a) supports uploading maps (from whatever source and format–is not critical)
(b) provides turn indications for the uploaded course.
I’m not looking for map visuals or voice instructions on the device. Rather, something like sounds and arrow indicators for turns.
After reading these reviews, it does not appear to me that any of these watches actually do these functions.
Any insight or guidence re: a device that provides these functions would be most helpful.
Thanks!
I have been using a 405 for the past three years now and honestly couldn’t imagine running without one! Not only is it comfortable to wear and easy to use, I find that the data that it records and displays is invaluable and really lets me make the most of every training session!
I am very disappointed with my 405. I have had it just over a year (just in time for the warrenty to run out..) and now the battery only will last for 4 hours. I am not a fast marathoner, and the during my last two races my watch died at the end… not helpful. There’s no way to replace the battery. (There’s also no way to turn the watch ‘off’ which makes me think that running the battery down is an intentional design..!)NOT A GOOD PRODUCT…FOR THE MONEY, I EXPECTED MUCH MORE.
I have been running with a Garmin 405 for about two years now and honestly think that it still is one of the best performing and best value for money GPS watches available. I make massive use of both the virtual partner and auto lap functionality – something which other brands of watches don’t have and the Garmin Connect portal is the most useful training website that I have ever encountered.
I have run with the Garmin 110 before now as well and although think it is a decent watch for beginners, it lacks key features like Current Pace and Intervals that make the 405 the success story that it has been for the past two years or so!
See my <a href="http://www.runtheline.com/32/garmin-forerunner-405-gps-running-watch-review">Garmin 405 Review</a> if you would like to see my opinions of the 405.
Sophie
I’ve been using the Garmin Forerunner 405 for almost 2 years now, and whilst it’s great in perfect conditions (no rain, low humidity, and no buildings), it’s almost useless if you start from inner city.I live in Hong Kong, and regularly experience slow/no satellite detection, frequent dropouts, and a recorded training session that can vary by up to 30% on exactly the same course.
Hi Mitch,
Just found this web-site to say about the running watch. I want to buy a running watch with GPS function in order to record how far I run. I also live in Hong Kong, is 405 good for this function in rural area? Where can you buy this watch in Hong Kong? Thank you.
I had both the Garmin 305 and 405. I’m deeply frustrated with the 405 and cannot believe that Garmin would have produced a newer model which is much worse than its predecessor.
The screen on the 405 is smaller – not what you want when on a run. The clarity therefore on the 305 is much better.
They introduced this silly basal control on the 405 – if you’ve used it will know how frustrating it is to operate while running. It does not always register, very bad.
The battery power is the worst part of the watch. Basically when the 405 is showing 30% power left, it is in fact 5% power left. You will not complete a 30min run with 30% power on the watch. And when you don’t use the watch it uses battery power because it always stays on (be it on "power save" mode, but still uses battery power). How many people really use their running watch also as a day to day watch. At our running club – none.
Therefore, if you want a good watch stick to the 305. Since then Garmin tried to get clever, going for style over function. They lost the plot.
I’ll swop back to the 305 anytime. Wish Garmin would be so kind and exchange my 405 to a 305. It’s that bad.
Also many new manufacturers are now coming forward and I think Garmin will very quickly loose their market position. Can’t wait for good competition to push Garmin off their perch. Know Nike has teamed up with Tom-Tom; potentially a supper combination.
I have my Garmin Forerunner 405 for a year and a half. It is very difficult to use. Not user friendly. I try to use it, get frustrated and put it away. I will take it out again try to use it…unsuccessfully and put it away again. I live by a mountain and have difficulty getting satellite reception. Wish I hadn’t purchased it.
Forerunner 405 has excellent features. They would be excellent if the batteries withheld long enough for you to use it. Bought one 1 year and 3 months ago, and the batteries do not hold for more than 5 minutes. Don’t you love when such a huge investment is for a disposable watch?!!? And product support is just inexistent.