18 responses so far ↓

• 1 Guo

  The Garmin 405cx is amazing. It locks Satellites and keeps tracking me almost everywhere. I run through town, and then through some woods, and my other device, would pick up here, and there, and never hardly track in the woods. I can even see my movements as I get ready, in the house. The Upload is quite easy, and the web app is really cool.

• 2 Downey

  First and foremost, do not expect to be able to just put it on and it will work properly. Like anything that costs a bit more, you have to read the instructions. So if you cannot follow directions then you will have a heck of a time trying to use it. I took it on a test run just so I could get a feel for it.

  The only problem I had with it was that it wasn’t connecting to the satelites in order for the GPS to work. I had to go back in and re-read the instructions.

  *Note- If you want to use the GPS, make sure the power save mode is off because that mode interferes with the satelites.*

  Once I figured out the satelites, it took several minutes for the watch to locate them, which kind of sucks if its cold outside. You have to stand still until it picks up on the satelites.

  Also, make sure the GPS is turned off while you are inside because it will try to connect to the satelites and use up your battery life.

  There are so many neat features on this watch but what I thought was so cool was auto-pause setting. This feature will pause your watch if you get below a certain speed. This is good for when you are at stoplights.

  I also liked how the watch is set up to transmit your watch data wirelessly. Once transmitted, you can go on garmin connect and view your results.

  This is a complicated device, but once you have it all set up and figured out, it’s very easy to use. I really recommend this watch to anyone who wants something that will help them with their training and to track their progress.

• 3 Haste

  Buy this monitor now. Easy to use and small enough so you dont feel like you have a laptop on your wrist. The bezel touch menu navigation can be sensitive to bumps but the lock feature solves most of your problems. Great product.

• 4 Jackson

  I am very happy with this GPS but it does have some quirks.

  I have an Edge 305 on my bicycle so maybe the learning curve was easier for me, but I found the 405CX pretty easy to use. It does take some getting used to but by the 3rd use I had no issues with it. I had my screens set up and was using the simple workouts with ease.

  The screen is a bit small, but once you get used to the set up it becomes easier to read on the run. If you don’t use auto scroll you can quickly look at your watch and get the info you want. At the start of the run I pick the screen that is best for what I am doing and just leave it there mostly unless I get bored and start to cycle through my screens.

  The touch bezel works ok. Using it to set up a workout is easy once you get used to it. During a run a touch scrolls the screen and a touch and drag increases or decreases the speed of the virtual partner. Sometimes it takes a second or two to register and sometimes a slight touch registers. It’s usually not an issue, but sometimes my jacket will make it scroll when I don’t want it to. When I do want to scroll it during a run I sometimes have to press a second time to get it to scroll. It’s not really an issue for me and you learn the ins and outs of it.

  GPS reception has been very good for me, even under clothing. It takes about 10-20 seconds to find the satellites each time I run, so I stretch while it’s searching. I have noticed that even after it has found the satellites it still needs time to stabilize. For instance on one track run I started running right after it found the satellites in a place with a lot of trees. After the run I looked at my route and the first part of the lap under the tress it showed me about 50′ off the track, but on each subsequent lap it showed me right on the track even while under the trees. It just needed time to stabilize. Now I turn on the watch and give it a few minutes while I stretch/warm up, then when I am ready to run it’s right on the money.

  Like the 305 Edge the elevation feature is practically worthless. The barometric pressure just fluctuates too much so the watch is always all over the place. Again it does seem to stabilize the longer it is on, but it’s never exact enough to rely on. If you look at the elevation chart in the software after a run you can see where the hills are, but if you are doing laps a hill’s elevation can change by as my as 75′ each time you come across it each time. I don’t use the watch itself to tell me the elevation when running since it is so off.

  Looking at the pace chart in the software after a run is interesting. Like elevation, it’s all over the place, spikes everywhere. Even though it looks a mess it is useable, where you had to stop for traffic or where your interval sprints will be clear in the chart. While running the pace on the watch does seem very accurate. You can quickly see how fast you are going and if you accelerate it shows instantly on the watch. It is probably one of the most useful display items.

  The heart rate monitor has been perfect, no issues at all. I do use Buh-Bump, Heart Rate Monitor Electrode Cream with it which may help.

  I have to charge the battery once a week (I run 3 days a week). A 30-40 minute run uses about 10% of the battery. Sitting in powersave mode for a day or two is a greater drain on it.

  I do love this GPS besides the quirks. It’s great to quickly and easily set up an interval workout and not have to be on a track or constantly looking at my watch (it makes a very loud beep at the start of each interval which I can hear even on a windy day). It’s a great training aid that makes a run more interesting and fun.

  The software does leave a lot to be desired (Windows Vista 64). The watch links fine, I have never had any issues there, plug in the ANT antenna and it does everything itself. But the Garmin Connect website while nice doesn’t break down everything enough and can be a bit slow. The Garmin Training Center software displays more information but is clunky and not very polished.

  I highly recommend this GPS watch. It has helped me tremendously on my workouts and makes my runs more fun. While it could be better, and cheaper, I don’t regret buying it. I do wish Garmin would improve the software though. For this price they really could do better. I wouldn’t let that stop me and there is other software you can buy that works with the watch.

• 5 VanFleet

  I have used this watch for 2 weeks now, and I am almost 100 percent satisfied with it.
  First of all, it is very easy to use. After 15 minutes I knew how to access most of its features.

  The touch bezel works great. Even when it was raining I was able to use it with no trouble at all.

  The battery life is not great, but it’s ok. It takes about 3 one-hour workouts (5 days) to wear out the battery.

  The GPS is not 100 percent accurate, but it is good too. Sometimes the map shows my route as if I had been taking shortcuts through the bushes. I would rate its accuracy as been 8/10. It’s my first GPS device though, I don’t know if they are all like that.

  The heart rate monitor is excellent, much better then my Polar. It’s more accurate (doesn’t show absurd values like the Polar does sometimes) and it allows you to change the battery instead of having to buy a new one when the battery dies.

  Another great thing about this watch is that it allows you to select the data fields that you want to view during your workout. So, you can configure up to 3 sets of data with 3 fields on each one to view during the exercise. You can either change the data sets by touching the bezel or configure the watch to rotate through them.

  The data transmission to the computer is very nice, too. You only have to stick the usb receiving device into your computer and it detects the watch and retrieves the data.

  So, after all that, I can say that it was a great purchase, and I recommend it for anyone who likes running and gadgets.

• 6 Forrester

  wonderful product. very accurate mileage. more features than i will ever be able to use. it would be nice if battery life was a little longer but it is understandable that it isn’t.

• 7 Orliss

  Generally the Garmin Forerunner 305 has met my expectations, however, with respect to durability it has been a bit of a letdown. I have had to replace it twice in the last 2 years when it would not startup despite efforts to soft or hard reset it. I use it daily for runs or cycling and enjoy reviewing my exercise data, especially with Garmin’s new Garmin.Connect site.

• 8 Ingersoll

  I used the Nike Plus system for a while, which was frustrating because it was so inaccurate. I got this Garmin, because I am serious about my health and want the FACTS. Not a novelty item, like that Nike Plus band. This works great, very accurate. The only complaint so far is, sometimes it takes a few tries to upload data to the software loaded on my PC. but I LOVE all the detail information!

• 9 Juarez

  I bought this because I was training for a marathon and it was a great aid. I always use it when I run even when I go biking because it really lets me know valuable information about my workout and I can track my progress. The features are fabulous and I only lose the signal when I’m inside a structure.

• 10 Gilford

  This Garmin may look a little bulky in the photos, but its durability and features outweigh any extra ounces. The information that the Garmin gives me is priceless in my first-time marathon training. I don’t run too far, wearing myself down unnecessarily and not following my training plan, because of this gadget (I run straight out the front door of my apartment, through my neighborhood.) It is also a great tool for measuring my progress, heart-rate wise. I haven’t gotten into the “Pace buddy” feature yet. I think the only downside is the inability for the Garmin to give alerts for short times and distances for, say, running 400 meters, resting a pre-determined time, then running another 400 meters,etc. (I know this type of training has a name, but I can’t think of it off the top of my head.) I am so pleased with this product. I have been running for eight years and I feel like this Garmin will enable me to take my running to a new committment level. (And it makes my runs exceptionally fun!)

• 11 Lambell

  While I was looking forward to using this gps I was disappointed in the accuracy it showed both in pace per mile and distance run. It was very inaccurate and inconsistent. I’ve used it for several months and have given up on it’s accuracy. According to Garmin the models above this one have a better GPS system. This one is a waste of money it doesn’t do anything you want it to.

• 12 Iribe

  My loving wife gave this to me after I commented how much my brother liked his. And for about 2 weeks it was pretty cool to watch my speed and distance while and ran or rode my bike, and to get data from the runs. Then it started acting up, and I switched batteries a couple times and re-read the manual but by the end of 3 weeks of semi-daily usage it quit altogether. I didn’t use this product in the rain or combat or anything, just for running and bike riding, honest. I am about to send it back and I hope to heck I just get our money back. The product I got was truly garbage and I advise anyone against buying it. Who needs to spend good money on something that only works 2 weeks? This reinforces my philosophy that sports and fitness should be kept simple, that going high tech is a waste of time and money.

• 13 Neyman

  If your looking for a GPS watch under $100 to just measure distance walked, run, or biked, then this watch will fit the bill. But if your a runner or biker looking for more advanced features like pacing you will probably be better served getting the Forerunner 205 for $50 more.

  Here is my experience with the Forerunner 101:

  I run a 5 mile loop along a pedestrian only parkway next to a lake. The distance markers have been measured and verified by a local track club so I know they are accurate. The Forerunner 101 usually hits the markers right on or is within +/- .05 of the marker, and the total distance is also within this variance. The pacing is a different matter. I usually run this 5 mile loop in around 40 mins. for a mile pace of about 8 mins./mile. The watch pacing swings wildly up or down per mile so one minute it says I’m running 10 mins./mile and then a few seconds later 7 mins./mile. During the course of the run it will level off for awhile to what seems a fairly accurate pace reading of about 8 mins./mile, but at some point will fluctuate wildly again. I have also used this watch in a 5K race with the same pacing fluctuations.

  The GPS acquisition when you first turn on the watch does take awhile, normally 2 – 5 minutes. So you definitely don’t want to turn the watch on a few seconds before they fire the gun to start a race. I like the history log that records and stores the times for each run by weeks, this makes it easy to track each run without having to enter the information in a database.

  The bottom line here is to keep in mind this watch has been around since 2002, so the technology is dated. If your on a tight budget and just want to know your distance traveled this watch should work for you, otherwise put the money towards a newer model.

• 14 Jager

  This is the first & only gps watch I have owned. I live in a rural area with no tall buildings. I have been very satisfied with the Forerunner 101 as compared to the cost. I typically turn it on and set it on my front porch a few minutes before I run. 98% of the time I have no problems, when I have a problem it’s with signal strength. I love having time/pace/total distance all displayed at once. The distance seems to be very accurate & consistant. I was afraid the bulk of the watch would bother me but it hasn’t. Two AAA batteries are lasting me over 50 miles which is not bad if you only run 10-15 miles a week like me. I recently ran my first half-marathon and enjoyed being able to go back on the watch and see my pace for each mile of the race.

• 15 Longden

  GPS system works great. I was originally skeptical of it being comfortable due to its size, but it hasn’t been a problem. The only complaint I have is that it goes through batteries very quickly. I probably put a new set in every week. Need to get some rechargeables.

  Otherwise, I’m very happy with my Garmin.

• 16 Giggar

  I just received my FR60, and my first impression is that I love this product. I’ve had to wait for it for five months because it was not on the market as yet; however, on the up side this provided me with a substantial discount, so I have no complaint in this regard. I have had much difficulty finding a good fitness watch that would fit my small wrist. The FR60 fits nicely without being bulky. Compared to my Mio Petite, the heart rate display is much easier to retrieve and most reliable, characters displayed are easier to read, and buttons are more ergonomic. The main difference is that Mio Petite had no chest strap, and the dual pressure button system was quite awkward and unreliable. The lavender color on the FR60 is nice and discrete — thanks, however, for not making it a hot pink or orange! On the down side, the product is so new that it is not yet supported by the Web site. This deadline is a big failure on the part of Garmin!!! Then tech support is only open at certain hours during the week, and there are no Q&As for FR60 as yet on the Web site. Once I manage to have access to my data online, I intend to order the foot pod, which should be a natural add-on to this product. Despite my initial frustrations, I expect to really enjoy this watch and I highly recommend it to any active woman with petite wrists.

• 17 Goff

  Awsome product for new runners. Purchased for wife’s birthday(I am a romantic at heart). She is far from tech savvy as am I but basic functions simple enough to utilize without delving too deeply in manual. Also purchased the seperate foot pod that provides more detailed info and feedback on runs. As time goes by I can see her utilizing more of the functions on the watch and the website but for now viewing her results after a run give her the motivation to get back out for the next time. The Lilac color gives product more of a feminine flavor as opposed to a slimmed down man’s watch.

• 18 Espinoza

  I bought this recently after owning the 201 previously. The design on the 405 CX is much better than the rectangular old design but that seems mainly attributable to the decreasing size of technology. I also owned a polar with a footpod recently for comparison and viewed this an upgrade. Overall, my experience has been only OK and echoes a number of comments on here that i didn’t see or hear from the running store when i purchased the 405. Had it been a $200 purchase i’d view it as an expensive and heavy watch that sometimes has a useful GPS function but it was ~$400.

  Positives:
  A little large but not as large as previous devices
  Software was relatively straightforward to get installed (but doesn’t work reliably – see below)
  Finds location faster than prior version but not nearly as fast as others indicate here (i live in NYC so tall buildings can present a problem but it does ok in trails of NJ or other tree covered areas) – i have never had it lock in the ‘5 seconds’ others mention. The best case is 20 seconds and up to a minute or two, which is obviously frustrating since you can’t start the timer until it locks

  Negatives:
  Biggest complaint is that the software worked exactly three times uploading data and has not worked again (despite using multiple computers, turning off surrounding wireless devices, etc)
  I emailed customer support, got two responses then no responses after that when i clearly outlined the problem had not been solved
  the heartrate monitor is subpar and feels like polar technology from five years ago. the hard plastic definitely will rub you raw if you’re not careful.
  the bezel is twitchy and i have had problems on longer runs when there is plenty of sweat or rain and i can’t get the bezel to recognize the touch.
  the menus are hardly intuitive and not designed from a runner’s perspective. i wonder who tests this stuff and if they can run around the garmin headquarters but i digress.
  the altitude was laughably wrong but since i’ve only been able to see the elevation changes a couple of times (see software problem above) i can’t tell if that was run-specific or a general problem.

  As you can tell i’m generally disappointed because i thought i was getting an upgrade but i’ve gotten a whole new set of issues. unfortunately, i’d still recommend this over the footpod option (notwithstanding the superior heartrate monitor) but if you can hold out you may want to consider waiting for the next version.

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