Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS Enabled Sports Watch Review

Garmin’s Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled fitness device shares most features with the Forerunner 305 however, with its smaller size and circular display it can truly be called a GPS-enabled sports watch. As Dan Bartel of Garmin has said, Runners no longer have to choose between fashion and function. In line with its fashionable look, the Forerunner 405 comes in a choice of either black or green. There are also versions with or without a heart monitor and for the North American, European and the Pacific regions.

Garmin have managed to keep minimize the number of buttons on the Forerunner 405 by introducing a touch sensitive bezel (ring around the watch face). Most functions can be accessed by tapping, holding or running a finger along the bezel even if you are wearing gloves. To get an idea of how the bezel works have a look at the video by Garmin.

A couple of other new features Garmin have introduced with the Forerunner 405 are automatic sync and unit-to-unit transfer. Automatic sync automatically transfers data with your computer when in range. There is no need to mess around connecting cables. Automatic transfers are via a USB ANT stick. ANT+Sport is a low power consumption wireless interface protocol perfectly suited to devices like the 405.

Unit-to-unit transfer allows you to share your training data wirelessly with friends who have similar units. Unit-to-unit transfer was also incorporated in Garmin’s new handheld, outdoor Colorado GPS navigator range which has fitness and training applications as well. The Forerunner 405 allows runners to track their speed, distance, location, heat rate (with monitor) and access their training history.

There’s no need to worry about showers on your training run, the Forerunner 405 is water-resistant (IPX7 - accidental immersion protection).

If you don’t have a training partner the Forerunner 405 can supply one in the form of the Virtual Partner. It’s possible to adjust the Virtual Partner’s pace on the run if you have been a bit ambitious with your settings.

While the Forerunner has a sensitive GPS receiver however, if ones training route is covered by heavy foliage or an urban canyon with some weak GPS signal reception points an optional foot pod is available to fill in the reception gaps. The pod calculates speed and distance and sends them wirelessly to the Forerunner 405.

Garmin provide an online training site and fitness community at Garmin Connect. At the site workouts can be logged and shared and goals set.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

GARMIN Forerunner 405 Black GPS Enabled Sports Watch/ HRM

Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sports Watch, Green

Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, Green

Foot Pod Accessory For Forerunner 50, 305, 405

GARMIN 010-00658-22 Forerunner 405 with Heart Rate Monitor & ANT+Sport? Wireless Technology (Green)

GARMIN 010-00658-20 Forerunner 405 with Heart Rate Monitor & ANT+Sport? Wireless Technology (Black)

GARMIN 010-00658-12 Forerunner 405 with ANT+Sport? Wireless Technology (Green)

GARMIN 010-00658-10 Forerunner 405 with ANT+Sport? Wireless Technology (Black)

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Garmin Forerunner 404 GPS Enabled Sports Watch Specification

Physical & Performance
Unit dimensions, WxHxD:	1.88″ x 2.78″ x 0.646″ (4.8 x 7.1 x 1.6 cm)
Display size, WxH:	1.06″ (2.7 cm) diameter
Display resolution, WxH:	124 x 95 pixels
Weight:	2.11 oz (60 g)
Battery:	rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery life:	2 weeks in power save mode; 8 hours in training mode
Water resistant:	yes (IPX7)
GPS-enabled:	yes
High-sensitivity receiver:	yes
RoHS version available:	yes
Maps & Memory
Basemap:	no
Ability to add maps:	no
Accepts data cards:	no
Lap history:	1000 laps
Waypoints/favorites/locations:	100
Routes:	0
Features
Heart rate monitor:	yes (some versions)
Bike speed/cadence sensor:	yes (optional)
Foot pod:	yes (optional)
Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer):	yes
Garmin Connect compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data):	yes
Garmin Training Center software compatible:	yes
Virtual Partner (train against a digital person):	yes
Courses (compete against previous workouts):	yes
Auto Pause (pauses and resumes timer based on speed):	yes
Auto Lap (automatically starts a new lap):	yes
Auto Scroll (cycles through data pages during workout):	yes
Multi-sport (changes sport mode with a press of a button):	no
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts):	yes
Simple workouts (input time, distance and calorie goals):	yes
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace):	yes (for advanced workouts only)
Time/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal):	yes (for advanced workouts only)
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals):	yes
Customizable screen(s):	yes
Barometric altimeter:	no
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units):	yes
Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible 3rd party ANT+Sport -enabled power meters):	no
Sport Watch:	yes
Additional:	Watch functions include dual time, date and alarm. Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center are currently compatible with Windows 2000 or later. Mac compatibility coming 3rd Quarter, 2008.