Garmin Forerunner 405CX, USB ANT stick, Heart rate monitor, Two additional wrist straps, AC charger, Charging clip, Owner's manual on disk, Quick reference guide
Product Features
- Loaded with serious training features, Forerunner 405CX continuously records your time, distance, pace, calories burned and heart rate.
- Advanced training features will challenge you to step up your pace and race against Forerunner's Virtual Partner.
- Forerunner 405CX comes with a flexible, wireless heart rate monitor to help you make the most out of your training.
- Share your locations, advanced workouts and courses wirelessly with other Forerunner 405 users.
- Once you've logged the miles, innovative ANT+ wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when Forerunner is in range.
Customer Reviews
Garmin is not Apple, to ensure the bevel and touch will not be on par with a scroll wheel on a music player or the touch while on an iPod Touch--but they still work fine. Naturally, if the bevel may get sweaty or I contact it with sweaty hands and fingers (not something unexpected with an exercise watch) it becomes nonresponsive until I efface the sweat. But this may not be a big deal for me personally. When I run I simply use auto scroll, that's unaffected by moisture. Just in case I want to overturn auto scroll by utilizing a manual touch, it takes only a second for you to wipe the sweat journey bezel or my fingers. So don't be discouraged from buying this system based on the chamfer and touch.
While your 305 is a wonderful unit, here is exactly why I like the 405cx better. Note: I personally use this on an Apple powered Macbook running the modern edition of Leopard without any problems.
1. Although a 405cx is as wide as the 305, its noticeably smaller and lighter in weight.
2. I like the actual wireless ANT technology that will automatically transfers data as an alternative to having to place the machine in a USB holder as with the 305 (though doing in final summary is not a big work), and also effortlessly pairs with my heart fee monitor and foot fuel pod (which must be bought separately).
3. The 305 has absolutely no electric power save mode, and I inadvertently drained the battery a couple of times when I forgot to turn it off after running or put it in the charger. A 405cx not only comes with a automatic power save mode, but you can switch off the GPS when running indoors to further conserve power. With the Gps system turned off, barely just about any power is used. As well, this ability to change the GPS off makes it much simpler to use the footpod when managing in the house (the 305 first has to search for a satellite tv for pc signal before realizing that you are indoors, and that may take several minutes).
4. My spouse and i find the bevel in addition to touch system on the particular 405cx much easier to work with than the buttons about the 305 in order to alter various features. But I favor electronic gadgets, and as mentioned above, the sweat issue is not a big offer for me.
Here are a handful of tips:
1. Rinse the machine, the heart rate keep an eye on and the strap soon after each use with simply water.
2. Keep it in the charging preview after each use to ensure you always have ample power. A simple contact of the bevel will show you the percentage of electricity left. The charging clip can be powered using a USB port on your personal computer or via an avenue using an AC adapter. The included AC adaptor with the 405cx is incredibly clunky; I use a Apple travel charger for the iPod instead. Make confident the charging clip is properly attached to machine or you will depletion the unit instead regarding charging it (already taken place to me).
3. Even though the unit lists three coaching fields, there are really four if you hold the heart rate monitor--by means of default only the beats per minute shows up in the earliest field, but you could modify that to consist of two additional data things.
4. Unlike the 305, to move forward and backward between data fields, a 405cx lets you shift only forward. Therefore, when I run indoors I disappointment my "outdoor only" files fields--grade, elevation, etcetera.--so that I really don't waste time looking in them.
5. For a first time purchaser to whom cost is important, I would state get the 305. Our reasons for switching for the 305 may not make a difference to you.
6. Purchase the new version of the footpod rather than the previous version (I have examined both on Amazon) pertaining to running indoors.
7. I personally use a Mac software plan called Ascent that There's no doubt that is far superior to be able to Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center, and as opposed to the former does definitely not require an internet link to upload data.
Bottom Line: I've had this unit for three weeks and run over hundred miles both indoors on the treadmill and outdoors to all kinds of weather--gentle rain, cool nights, plus hot humid days. I adore this unit. Due for the bevel and touch issues I would have scored it 4 ½ stars only could, but since you don't see any ½ star ratings I afforded it 5 stars irrespective of those issues because in my opinion they are negligible when compared to the rich features on the actual 405cx. If you can be a serious runner, you will adore this unit.
Update September 22, 2009: I have recently been using this around six weeks and logged over 200 miles. In the time I have obtained the bevel lock up due to sweat exclusively twice: once in the gym and once outside. The point is that this is perhaps less of a trouble than I thought, and will not discourage you through buying this unit.
An increasingly serious issue is while using ANT technology. Sometimes I am going to get a message for my laptop that this transfer of data for the laptop from the 405cx was certainly not productive. I then quit a Garmin Ant Agent on my laptop (and sometimes remove and reinsert this ANT USB stick seeing that well), restart it, and possess to go through this procedure three or four times before the data finally transfers to my laptop computer. The problem began as i updated the ANT application, and I see out of Garmin forums that some other users have experienced exactly the same problem. Hopefully this is only a bug that Garmin may fix in a in the future update. While I would not let this discourage you from buying the 405cx, only keep in mind that the wireless transfer of files, while convenient, is not always problem free.
Update May 21, 2009: Garmin unveiled an update for Macs (and I assume with regard to PCs as well) which solved the download issues using the ANT engineering. Now the data transfers work perfectly.
The a lot more I use this observe, the better I as if it. Here are my most current comments:
1. The backlight is far better than that on the Forerunner 305. It produces a significantly brighter light that We appreciate when running at nighttime either outdoors or on the treadmill at my fitness center (the treadmill area can be kind of dim at night).
2. The battery life's excellent. Even with Both backlight AND the Gps navigation on for a several hours, battery capacity remains to be 75% when I am finished running. What what this means is as a practical make a difference is that if you actually forget to hook that watch up to the particular charger after a future, you will still work well to go for the next run. The battery living per charge on the actual Forerunner 305 is quite a bit less good, and sometimes while i forgot to charge this 305 between runs, it would die during the 2nd run.
3. The "sweating issue"--i.e. this watch becoming non-responsive in the event the bevel gets sweaty--features become a non-issue for me since I've not experienced any problem throughout months. Perhaps that is really because I periodically "towel off of" the sweat on my wrist and forearm throughout a long run.
Update Jan 9, 2010: I carry on and recommend this watch since the best GPS watch pertaining to serious runners. Using it this winter has been recently a pleasure. Here is the reason why:
1. I have work in sub-freezing heat where the "real feel" with the wind have been as cold as nil. I keep this observe around the outside sleeve of my running coat so the GPS performance is not impeded (because it would be if the watch was covered up). The bitter cold has received no adverse effect of any type so far.
2. Whenever i take a break around my run at a regional convenience store, the look at does not fog way up when I go within, and after I get warmed up, it won't fog up when The year progresses back outside.
3. We've run in light snowfall, which I just shed the watch periodically without any adverse effect (and I didnrrrt expect any, since I've run in light rain during warmer weather with virtually no problems).
In short, this watch is performing excellent during a very freezing winter in the Northeasterly.
Update May 24, 2010: Photograph using this for nearly a year, and still it works great. On an up to date vacation to Mexico, the satellite signal was found quickly and without any risk, and the same ended up being true when I delivered home to New Shirt. Also, I ran outside the house in very hot along with humid weather, and seemed to be drenched with sweat. It really took a couple with seconds to wipe them back the unit so not wearing running shoes would function properly. Listed here is a cleaning tip: At the finish of each run We stop the timer, subsequently touch the Time/Date at the the surface of the unit to switch for the time, and then secure the bezel before My partner and i rinse the watch off of. I found that merely tried to lock a bezel while the product was still on the exercise screen, sometimes We would accidentally restart the minutter. But that doesn't occur if you switch to the Time/Date before sealing the bezel.
I however believe that this is the best GPS watch on the marketplace for serious runners.
Update July 27, 2010: The alternative day after I obtained finished running and shifting my data, I remarked that the time was inappropriate on my 405cx. I realized that the screen acquired completely frozen, and next to nothing was responsive. I would some quick internet exploration and solved the dilemma as follows: I attached the 405cx to the charging clip, which My spouse and i plugged directly into our PC instead of in my USB hub. Without the need of touching the bevel, My spouse and i simultaneously pushed in each buttons for about half a minute, after which the tv screen unfroze and the receiving screen appeared. The look at has worked fine from the moment. I have no notion what caused the dilemma, but in case it affects someone else, I wished to list what worked for me personally.
Update November 4, 2010: We have now had this system for over 16 many months, during which I currently have run about 1600 a long way indoors and outdoors in every kinds of weather all year long, and it still is very rewarding. I have a handful of miscellaneous tips:
1. I have come across some reviews complain concerning battery life. After a 2 1/2 hour function outdoors I still get 70% of my battery life. However, I start using 100% because whenever my own unit is not utilized, I have it attached to the battery charger. I imagine that is a good practice to get into.
only two. When traveling, I use the Garmin GPS travel event (which I have researched on Amazon). I always begin with a unit that is 100% charged, then turn the GPS off, next lock the bevel so the backlight does not accidentally come on if the unit is jostled in the instance. If you take people three steps, then you won't need to wind up with a "dead" unit when people reach your destination.
a few. I bought an further battery charger and keep it in my carrying scenario. An extra charger will not be expensive (you can pip out on Amazon) and ensures that you will be competent to charge the unit if you are away. Sometimes when you are packing at the last second it is easy for you to forget things, and My partner and i already had one journey where I forgot a charger. That's when I aquired an extra one and keep in the case.
4. I have seen a critique complain that there is not any on/off switch. I agree that might be handy to have sometimes, however it is unnecessary if you keep your unit in this charger when not used and take the precautions that I mentioned while traveling.
5. Finally, I have observed a comment that the actual calories will count upward even if you are certainly not wearing the heart rate monitor. True, but this count will not possibly be accurate because the 405cx specifically computes calories based on heart rate. That means you must wear the heart amount monitor if you want an accurate calorie add up.
6. If you are considering buying this unit nevertheless have some doubts, pip out on Amazon, which carries a no questions asked return policy if it doesn't live up to your own expectations in the 1st 30 days. Also, if you have an Amex card, utilize it to purchase the component since Amex at free of charge extends the mfrs manufacturer's warranty for one year, all of which will refund your entire sticker price if an item gets to be defective after the mfrs warranty includes terminated but before the added one year period via Amex has expired.
Up-date December 10, 2010: The purchase price on this unit includes dropped dramatically on Amazon online because Garmin has today introduced a newer type called the Forerunner 410, which can be much more expensive, and is particularly available on Amazon (however as of this time frame there is not 1 review). I have not personally tested the 410, but centered on which I have read, I'm not really prepared to switch. The most significant improvement is supposed to get that the bezel is not affected by sweat, however as noted in this review of the 405cx, I have not found that to often be a major issue, though I understand that some users have received problems. Aside from of which, I have not learn about any refinements that There's no doubt that are important enough to justify paying substantially more cash. Therefore if you are searching for a terrific running watch, I don't think which will currently find a far better one than the 405cx, which i've now been using efficiently for 1 1/3 years. And the most effective price is still on Amazon.
Update December 21, 2010: It is crucial that you update the software within the 405cx to the latest version to keep the 405cx working at it's best. To see precisely what version you currently currently have, go to Menu, Configurations, System, About. Then Yahoo "Garmin Forerunner 405cx program update," which will consider you to the Garmin software update site with the 405cx. See what the most recent version of the software packages are. If there is a newer version of the software package than on your 405cx, then adhere to a instructions for updating. It is suggested attaching your 405cx to the charger during the replace process to ensure how the update is not cut off due to a reduced charge.
I recently current the software for the 405cx, which I got neglected to do for a little bit, and saw an speedy improvement in my satellite acquisition, which now practically takes just seconds. Carrying out an update is not difficult, and the directions are super easy to follow.
Update March 6, 2011: This is your second winter that I include run outdoors with a 405cx in the Northeastern. It has worked good. I have run in temperatures near zero, through the blizzard that we had in December, and in lumination snow, sleet, freezing rain, and an ice hurricane. I never had any issue with the 405cx within any of these conditions because at the starting point of each run I had created the bezel set to auto scroll (which I always use, regardless of the weather) and locked this bezel.
Using auto roll and locking the bezel eliminates the sweat in addition to moisture issues that I have come across other reviewers complain pertaining to. In addition, when We stop to take some slack and want to view the time, it takes everyone only a second to be able to unlock the bezel, then lock it again while i am ready to continue my run.
I have recently been using this wait for 1 3/4 a few years still believe that for that current price on Amazon online you cannot get a better value for your going.
Update April 27, 2011: Yesterday I noticed that it charge on my 405cx would constantly study 100%, even after I used to be running for several hours. Some quick internet exploration showed that other The garmin owners were having precisely the same problem. Here is buying and selling domains solved it.
1. Convert the GPS on, media Training, and as soon as satellite acquisition happens, start the timer equally if you were on the verge of go running.
2. Turn on the backlight
3. Abandon the watch like this kind of until the battery empties completely (which happens more rapidly with the backlight with)
4. Put the "deceased" watch in the wall charger and charge it till it says "Complete."
At this moment the battery percentage ought to function normally, i.at the., decrease with usage as an alternative to always reading 100%.
Update May 23, 2011: The answer that I provided within my last update for the 100% battery issue appears to have been only temporary since the situation has resurfaced. Based in my internet research, it should take a new software bring up to date from Garmin to once and for all fix the issue. For now, if you keep your current 405cx in the receiving clip at all when you are not utilizing it, then your watch should never "die" on you within a run of even a long time.
I note that Garmin has now come out with the 610, which is designed to be a new in addition to improved version of a 410. Based on my personal research, I am certainly not prepared to make the particular switch to the 610 (in the same way I was not ready to do it for the 410), especially at double current cost of the actual 405cx, which I have used and enjoy, and is actually Amazon still has the best price.
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