Garmin Forerunner 405 Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor Kit - Black Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the first review, ever, I have written about a product but I am so happy with it that I want to encourage others to buy it.
I bought the Garmin Forerunner 405 package (watch, USB connector and Heart rate monitor (HRM)) in July 2009 and it is one of the best purchases I've ever made.
At the time, I had just committed to yet another attempt to get in better shape and thought being able to track my runs (distance, time and HRM) would be an effective way to keep myself motivated. I'm a nerd when it comes to gadgets and I love keeping track of everything (e.g. I love MS Money) so this watch was just perfect for me.
Here are some cools things about the watch that I am particularly happy about:
1) the HRM (which you snap around your chest): starting from the poor shape I was in, it really helped having something in addition to the time and distance of each workout: while I kept running at a slow pace and at the same speed, I could quickly see progress in terms of a lower HR.
2) the fact that my runs gets imported into Google earth. After each run, all I need to do is approach my desktop and the watch starts sending the details of the run (speed, GPS locations, time etc) to the computer. Thereafter, a neat little program shows me the run (speed, HR etc) in Google earth.
3) it allows you to "lock in" the GPS location of a particular spot and then use that as a guide to find your way back. I use this when I travel. Upon arriving at a new hotel (in a new city), I lock in the hotel's location. The watch then has a feature called "go to location" that will guide you back to a particular location you have stored (i.e. it brings up a little compass that will guide you back to the hotel from whereever you might end up later in the day).
4) the optional footpod is convenient to have if you run on treadmills (inside where the GPS won't work). I also attach it to my shoes when I play squash to see how much of a workout I'm getting (as I said, I am a nerd when it comes to measuring things).
Here are some things which are not superb about the watch:
a) the battery in the food pod had to be replaced within 6 months
b) sometimes it can take up to 5 minutes for the watch to locate satelites. This is frustrating! The problem is particularly severe if you have moved from one country to another. Usually, when I run the same routes (within a country), it "remembers" the satelites and it connects within a minute or two.
I hope this was useful. Best, Lars

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USB ANT™ Stick Review

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(More customer reviews)Although it works OK
I lost my first one
Garmin should be able to make something that does not require another small part

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Garmin A/C Charger for ForeRunner 301 and Edge Series (010-10635-00) Review

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(More customer reviews)All that is included in this item is the plug itself, and not the usb that is also pictured in the description. I felt this was a little misleading, since the verbal description just gives the dimensions. I feel that the picture should be just the plug if that is all that is going to be included.

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The Garmin Forerunner charger is an A/C replacement charger for use with the Forerunner 301 and Edge units. This adapter plugs into any standard 110VAC United States outlet to re-charge the Forerunner's internal lithium-ion battery. With a voltage range of 110-240 VAC, this portable adapter makes sure your Forerunner is ready to go whenever you are.

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Timex Ironman Triathlon BodyLink System Heart Rate/Speed/Distance Review

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(More customer reviews)I have trained for 2 marathons and 2 half marathons with this equipment. Can't run without I need the feed back to keep a steady pace. Satellite lock up is good. When you couple the heart rate monitor and date sensor you can keep an accurate running journal. Every time I think maybe the equipment has reached it life span a new battery in the watch and one in the heart rate monitor has got me right back on track.
I do wish Timex would add topology capability. After reading reviews on other brands I am going to buy my wife a Timex Bodylink.


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Garmin Arm band (replacement) Review

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(More customer reviews)Unlike the previous reviewer (who gave this product a 1 star review because of his own mistake), I'm actually reviewing the product. I have over 500 runs with my Garmin 305 using this watch band. It's been constantly abused with sweat, dirt, sports drink, and me pulling on it. It's comfortable, and has pins that keep it in place under a lot of stress. Garmin couldn't make it much better than this.

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Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been training with the Garmin 405 for a year now and love it. Given the mixed reviews here, I was apprehensive about getting it, but it really is a great training device.
Out of the box, it's quite good. After configuring it and just getting used to the way it works, it's much better. For example, mine is set to auto lap every kilometer and I mostly use a custom view with lap pace, heart rate and total distance. Interval Workouts are also very handy and easy to set up. The possibilities are endless.
The bezel takes some getting used to, but once you have configured the views, you simply leave it alone while running or tap with the middle of your finger (works better than the fingertip for whatever reason) to change views. You can lock the view by pushing both side buttons at the same time. This keeps it from switching views and beeping madly when wet or from bumping your shirt sleeve.
As I've progressed as a runner - first marathon in 2008, 3:52 at 41 years old - I've tried a variety of watches. First, a Timex Ironman, which I loved, but no Heart Monitor. Then a Timex Heart Monitor which I used with the Ironman (for the 100 lap memory). The Timex watches were stolen so next, a Nike Heart Monitor with the Nike+ Sports Band and Foot Pod, which looks cool but is not very accurate, even calibrated. Changes in speed, hills, etc. will affect the accuracy of any foot pod system. Once calibrated, it tended to be about 3-5% off.
Now, the Garmin 405. Likes:
1. Normal size - Unlike the 305, which I would not wear, the 405 is a regular watch. I wear it all the time.
2. Everything in one device - HR, pace, distance, elevation, laps.
3. Pace - I thought the whole GPS thing might be a bit too high-tech for a guy who loves the simplicity of running, but it is very, very nice to know your pace as you run. I use Hal Higdon's training plans, which call for all kinds of runs, with warm-ups, intervals, tempo intervals, pace segments, etc. The pace feature makes doing these workouts possible without having a coach at your side.
4. GPS frees you from mapping out your route. You just run until it shows your distance is done. The Garmin Connect site then shows your map. This doesn't sound so amazing, but it is very liberating. You just run wherever you want, explore your neighborhood, whatever. It transforms city running.
5. Auto laps. Great feature. Records all your details (time, HR, pace) for each lap automatically. You can review on the watch or on Garmin Connect.
6. The Garmin Connect website is very good and continually improving, with new features every couple of months.
7. The data seems pretty accurate, based on a track workout. In a recent 10K race, it recorded 10.2K, but some of that variation is certainly due to my weaving among the crowd. All GPS devices have a margin of error.
Dislikes:
1. Battery life - with GPS enabled, it needs a charge every couple of days to avoid the dreaded "low battery" warning in the middle of a workout.
2. The USB stick for wireless transfer. It works, but Nike does it better. The Nike+ pop-out USB stick is a much simpler way to transfer data to the computer and a much better way to keep from losing the USB part.
3. It can take a couple of minutes to find satellites and loses accuracy in bad weather. This is probably true of any GPS device.
4. You need the foot pod to record distance indoors. One more piece of gear (and not cheap). I didn't buy it. It would be great to be able to manually add the distance to a workout on Garmin Connect.
All in all, the Garmin 405 is an incredible training device. It is the best choice in the market. Nothing comes close to it. 5 stars.
I hope you find this helpful.

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With the Forerunner 405, Garmin has finally put the power of GPS location-based date into a sleek sport watch that can be worn all day. Runners no longer have to choose between function and fashion. Garmin's ANT + Sport wireless platform that wirelessly sends your data to your computer and a touch bezel that lets you change screens with a simple tap (no more fumbling for buttons) run make this not just a leap forward in GPS-enabled fitness devices, but in training devices period. Forerunner 405 comes in two color options — black or green.


The Power Of Location-Based Data Anyone who has used Garmin's Forerunner 205 or 305 already understands the power that attaching location data to traditional measurements like distance, speed, time, calories burned, and heart rate can provide. Knowing exactly where you worked hardest, ran fastest (or most slowly), and lets you tailor your workouts to improve for specific distances, conditions, and types of terrain. It gives a complete picture of how you interact with every portion of your run.


Forerunner 405 comes in two color options — black or green
Train with a virtual partner

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