Product ReviewsGarmin Forerunner 405 Black GPS Watch

Great watch for training!

I'm in love with my garmin 405. When I first got it, I was hesitant that I would like it since it felt somewhat bulky on my wrist, but after a few runs I don't notice it anymore. I attribute this mostly to not being a watch wearer, but the band is pretty much solid around the top half of the watch.

Through some unusual circumstances, I also had a garmin 210 for a little over a week. Comparing the two, the fit of the 210 is much nicer than the 405, and it's nice to have 4 hard buttons vs 2 buttons and a touch bezel. I also felt more comfortable wearing the 210 as a normal watch, and found myself doing so and liking it quite a bit...With that said, the features of the 210 are really lacking for being at the same price point as the 405. The main deal breaker for me is not being able to customize your screens on the 210. While the default configuration is probably the one that 90% of people will use, it seems like an easy enough addition to allow for different field choices. This is where the 405 excels.

Things that the 405 doesn't do well:
-don't expect to be fiddling with it while running or biking. The touch bezel is too finicky for this. Is fine when your not moving (and preferably not sweatting or wet). Best advice I can give is to use the middle of your finger instead of the pad in the bezel, it seems to respond better to that, at least for me.
-I don't like that half the face of the watch is reserved for the garmin logo. They should be using all these pixels for displaying the information bigger. The secondary fields can be hard to read while glancing at your watch while running (the 210 was much better with this)

Things that I found I really liked, especially in comparison to the 210:
-the ant stick...at first I thought this was a terrible idea, since the USB charger is only for power and not for data. However, Ive grown to love it since I don't have to plug my garmin into anything when I get done with a run, just put it by my computer and it will automatically sync with garmin connect.
-the charger vs the 210 charger. I found it really difficult to get the 210 charger aligned with its 4 contact points. This made it frustrating when charging and trying to get it to sync. The 405 charger is much easier to align and the ant stick makes it so if I'm in a hurry and need to sync my run I don't have to fiddle with getting the contacts of a charger lined up. Also, I typically want to sync my runs right away and I would recommend letting your watch dry out completely before putting a charger on it, or else youll see your contacts corroding (210 users beware!).

All-in-all, like I said, I love my 405. Coming from an iPhone runmeter junkie to a gps watch was awesome and I wish I had done it sooner. Its much easier to push myself to accomplish new goals with this on my wrist.Read full review...

Great product, very happy with it.

After many years I decided to start running again and was using my smartphone to track my distance (by GPS) and performance. The HRM strap that is compatible with my phone is almost as expensive as the Garmin Forerunner 405. I decided to get the Forerunner and see how I like it. The only thing I have found that I don't like is that the touch bezel is difficult to learn how to use. Sometimes it takes a really firm tap, other times the slightest brush will trigger it. I have managed to get used to it but it took a couple weeks. What I like is that it tracks everything I need. Heart rate, pace, distance, route, training time, workouts and many other parameters. Combined with the Garmin Connect website it becomes an irreplaceable training tool. Another big plus for this watch over other GPS watches is the quick satellite aquisition. The watch is always ready to go before I finish stretching so there is no waiting when I am ready to go. Many other watches and my smartphone take much longer to get a GPS fix.Read full review...

Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS Watch w/ HR Monitor

I use this watch mainly for running thus far. Have used it for about 10 runs. Also used it once for a hike which was very useful in determining overall climb/descent and times.

Pros:
- Accurate speed and distance
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Easy to use/full of features
- Super easy to upload data
- Good battery life

Cons:
- Need line of sight with satellite for data accuracy
- Locating satellite can take some time
- Garmin Connect could use more features

Note: Do not charge watch when contacts are wet (from sweat or whatever).Read full review...

Bottom line is that it does what I wanted it to do. It tracks my time and

Bottom line is that it does what I wanted it to do. It tracks my time and distance. Satellite connection kicked off before the end of a run a couple of times, but that may have to do with where I live. Even with battery saving mode that kicks in if you leave GPS on it will drain and it does not sink with computer if it's not pretty well charged. The difficulty in getting it to sink has been my biggest Grrr! There are other features that I really haven't messed with much and I did not get not get the heart monitor that can you can get with it.Read full review...

Garmin Forerunner 405 Running Watch w/HRM

I'm a new runner and learning to run involves a lot of training of different types to build multiple skills of speed, endurance, distance etc. I initially thought that this was too big a splurge item for a new runner, but this has helped me tremendously to improve my performance.

I love that I can create custom work-out routines, run in a different city - flag the hotel as a GPS landmark, run then find my way back. The tap-bezel is mostly user friendly. In short, the watch has so many capabilities beyond what is explained in the User Guide that one should use the web resources to learn more about using the device.

I love that I can upload each run to my computer and analyze how fast I went for each lap (which can be pre-determined to be whatever distance you like, mile, km, 400M etc.) my heart rate, speed, pace etc. The Garmin Training Center also shows the route taken and breaks the run by "laps" so you can analyze your performance over the entire run.

This is a tremendous tool for a beginning runner. It has helped me enormously in improving my skill in only a month. I can only imagine the utility of this in the hands of experienced runners. For advanced runners, the Garmin Training Center has customized workouts that can be sent to the watch. This in essence, turns your watch into your coach.

I can activate a "Virtual Partner" by determining my partner will run a 9 minute mile and I can see whether I'm keeping pace. The watch will notify you for each lap you run and displays information (which is customizable if you don't like the default) of Time, Distance, Pace and Heart Rate.

As a new runner, I am challenged by starting off slowly and building to where each subsequent mile is faster and faster. This watch helps to keep me on track.

For the quirks I've found with the device, I think it's mostly a case of the user not yet fully adept at the bezel and knob taps and navigating to the correct screens. I'm getting more adept at it's myriad features daily and with every run I love this watch more.Read full review...

Best Training Partner on the Market

I bought this to help improve my run times. The main feature I use is the automatic "runner" who paces you at the pace that you set. It makes it easy to look down and see, visually, if I am ahead or behind my "training partner."

The reason I gave it 3/5 stars for "Ease of Use" is because it does take a bit of time and effort to get the Ant+ Agent (a USB stick) to work with both your computer AND get it sync'ed with the Garmin website. However there are instructions provided, it's not THAT hard, and once it's done you have an amazing record of your workouts and continued motivation to improve.

Overall it is a great tool. I don't use the HR monitor strap, but I did try it out and it worked perfectly.

I tried the Suunto model that is similar (belonging to a friend) and they are very closely aligned in functionality, but the Garmin was easier to sync with my computer and once sync'ed, it works flawlessly every time. The Suunto model took a little more patience, but still worked pretty well.

If you have the $$ to spend on the Garmin 405, I say get it. If you are female and don't want the lime green version, go ahead and get the black men's version because the strap fits me, and I have very small wrists. Also you can buy a shorter black strap FROM GARMIN and it will fit the smallest of wrists. Don't even try to replace the strap with something else- the antenna is in the strap.

*NOTE* My friend also has a 405 and it stops working well when she sweats a lot and the back gets wet. To keep it working despite her sweaty wrist, she simply puts a small strip of packing tape over the back of the watch and the problem was solved.Read full review...

405 vs 305

I had the Forerunner 305, and were generally happy with it. When it was time to buy a new one, I eventually decided to try the 405. It's advantages in comparison to the 305: it feels much better on the wrist, less heavy, less awkward. It so far seems to have a better charging, with the 305 I had to use weights, and tap it, and chant to it until it eventually started charging. It also seems to tune in to the satellites faster. On the down side, I miss the larger display of the 305, and I like the old school buttons better than the touch thing. I had it only for a couple of weeks, so it may still grow on me.Read full review...

Everything worked as it should I happy with this watch.

The price is right. .Every thing worked as should. When I got a new Garmin for me I gave my old 405 to my dog Pablo when it turned up missing I got this one to replace it. I now have a harness with storage space so it can't get ripped off when he's running through brush. It's just fun to see how much farther he is running then me.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: afkma1n1ac

Garmin Forerunner 405

I have looked at the 305 and for the money the style and size of this unit is what sold me. It picks up satellites in seconds even indoors which really surprised me. All the menus are easy to use and navigate with the touch bezel. To really get the most out of this unit garmin has at least a dozen video links on it's sight that run you through all of the features and how to use them. Another plus with this unit is the Heart rate band works with most gym equipment. I cant really find anything bad to say about this product as of yet. I am sure I will find something later on that may drop it one rank but for now I am extremely happy with it.Read full review...

An amazing piece of technology!

The Forerunner 405 has excellent features and a good clear display. I bought it about a month ago to use in distance running both in training and racing. I have no problem locating satellites and the accuracy is very good. However, it really takes quite a lot of patience and time to become accoustomed to the touch bezel and to learn how to program a run with the options that you want. I have gradually mastered most of the options that are practical for me. Over-all, it is an amazing piece of technology.Read full review...