Looking for Feedback for Garmin Forerunner 405 (Read 1115 times)

I also got tired of my Nike+ constantly giving me wrong mileage. On average it was 10% off, better when I went slower, but even 10% is a lot when you're doing 20 mile runs. I broke down earlier this month and got a Garmin 405 and I love it. I no longer have to remember every road I turn on so that I can map it and get accurate mileage. I generally come within hundredths of a mile to what I get on a map. I also love that I get accurate mile splits as well so that I can analyze it better than I could with the Nike+. It also helps that it integrates so nicely with my RunningAhead log

I've had my 405 since last summer. I found it to be somewhat irratic initially. When it's really hot and you're sweating lots the bezel was easily activated. I have solved this problem by turning the bezel off during runs. I set up the screens for specific needs like overdistance, intervals, or whatever and just maintain that screen during the run. My dog modified my 405's band and I had to send it back for repair. After 3 weeks I'd heard nothing, so I emailed them. The service dept quickly emailed me back and said it must have been a computer error causing the delay. A different watch came back to me, so my guess is that they lost mine. This one works better than my original and is pristine (I had scratched the bezel on a locker door). I think the new one has more recent system software. My current glitch is with the pulse monitor going wild at the beginning of a run. I think it may be a conduction problem. I'm going to substitute electrode gel for spit to see if this problem goes away. My guess is that it will. The Mac software has now come online and I am extremely pleased. The ANT has worked flawlessly. The garminconnect.com site is magnificant! I'm considering getting my wife a green one for Mother's Day so she can track her walks/runs/bike rides. Overall, I highly recommend the 405. It does have some idiosyncracies, but so do I. JH

Read the other 405 vs 305 threads also for good information. I'm assuming you are considering your 405 versus the older Garmin 305. I've used both the 305 and the 405. I wear the 405 most often now, but still prefer some 305 features. In the rain, 305 buttons are more reliable than the 405 touch-sensitive bezel. So you need to disable the bezel, and its features, in the rain and sometimes even when wearing long sleeves. The screen on the 405 is smaller, with only 3 fields max displayed. The 305 displays up to four fields on its bigger screen, and is easier on older eyes, especially with fewer fields displayed on a screen. The 405 is lighter and fits my narrow wrist better than the 305. With respect to possible data loss, if I upload automatically via the ANT stick twice in a row without pulling data into Training Center or RA, then it SEEMS as though I sometimes lose the earlier workout(s). Not so. If I "force an upload" from the 405 it will dump everything and TC will pick up all previous runs. RA may double some runs though, so be careful. You need to conscientiously charge the 405 since its watch feature runs down the batteries in a few days. The 305 doesn't discharge its battery (much) when it's off. I suppose it may trickle the charge down, but I've never noticed. The 405 is faster getting a satellite fix from its last-used location in my experience. All I do is activate the 405 and wait about 30 seconds to get going. With the 305 I need to place it outside for a few minutes to speed up the fix. And for accuracy, I can't judge which one was correct, but the 305 always showed longer distances. My suspicion is the 405 may be slightly more accurate. Also the backlight is brighter with more contrast and a more pleasing whiter color on the 405. This might outweigh the larger screen of the 305. Scrolling through long lists of workouts or options with the 405 bezel, though, is a RPITA. You may not do that often however. At least holding the 305 button down scrolls continuously through lists. No such thing on the 405. You kind of look like you're casting a spell, or massaging your pet turtle, when you spin your finger around the 405 bezel 50 times to find a workout or option. The 405 is much cooler looking. And while it's only about 3/4 oz. lighter it seems much lighter. Note that sometimes the 405 is sold sans HR Monitor for $50 or so less. The 305 HRM works fine with the 405. Note also that I went through four (4) 305's (yes, returned 4 Garmin 305's to the store) in the first year and a half because of various issues. (Yes, one or two of those may have been the lockup that the Lap+Mode key combo would have resolved.) I've used the same 405 since the day they were introduced (at the 2008 Boston Marathon Expo) and never had a blip or a lockup. Hope this helps. Bottom line: Not perfect, but I wouldn't want to be without the 405.

I've had my 405 since last summer. I found it to be somewhat irratic initially. When it's really hot and you're sweating lots the bezel was easily activated. I have solved this problem by turning the bezel off during runs. I set up the screens for specific needs like overdistance, intervals, or whatever and just maintain that screen during the run.

I had an issue with the bezel at first because I wanted to be able to switch between screens while I run. So now it's just set up to autoscroll and I lock the bezel. To the OP, I love my 405. I got it in green because it's pretty and I've become pretty attached and dependent on it. Like has been said, it uploads right to here very easily and is pretty accurate. I do find issues with the battery because the watch feature is always on, but as long as I throw it on the charger regularly, then it's not really an issue. I can't really say anything for the HR monitor. I didn't get it for mine because it was cheaper without. Since I don't ever train by HR, though, it's really not a big deal not having it and nice that I could get it cheaper.