Garmin 405 GPS and HRM
While you run, The Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS and HRM enabledwonder accurately tracks distance, pace,heart rate and calories,and displays it all on the easy-to-readscreen.Tap the touch bezel to changescreens without fumbling for a button.Race your Virtual trainer on a course,or use it to maintain a steady pace asyou run. Indoors, turn off the GPS andpair the Forerunner 405 with the optionalfoot pod to track your workout.
Onceyou’ve logged the miles, innovativeANT™ wireless technology automaticallytransfers workouts to your computerwhen your device is within range. Nocables, no hookups.
The data’s just there,ready for you to analyze, categorize andshare through our online community,Garmin Connect™.
The innovative and patented touch bezel allows screens to be easily changed with out fumbling to press numerous buttons.
See the useful comments below by james close
My new favourite running Buddy ... I have found it has transformed my training.
Some of the criticism in other reports is partly justified, but overall I think this is a good buy. Let's look at the criticisms in some of the reports:
1. the touch-sensitive bezel : the four areas at 3, 6 , 9 and 12 o'clock are menu functions, and there are two types of touch - a brief tap and a long hold. I'd say that this works 80-90% of the time, and if it doesn't you just do it again. You scroll through the menus dragging your finger clockwise or anti-clockwise on the bezel. Again, 80-90% success rate, but it's simple enough to do it again. It is possible to lock and unlock the bezel easily by pushing the two side buttons simultaneously - this always works fine. If you prefer to wear the watch on your right hand, the button location is inconvenient, but I guess that's true of any stop-watch anyway.
2. Downloading your data : this is the most problematic area in my opinion, and I think it is because the instructions aren't great. PC connectivity is achieved with two pieces of software, and the USB stick antenna (ANT). The ANT Agent software downloads the data to your PC, the Training Centre software is used to analyse the data. If the Training Centre software is running, the ANT Agent doesn't seem to download the data at all. The manual doesn't mention this, and so it can be VERY frustrating when you are trying to download and it tells you that the operation has failed repeatedly. Once you know what you're doing though, it works just fine.
3. Satellite connection : you initiate contact with satellites when entering training mode. The 405 has apparently got a much stronger satellite receiver than the other models, so it works more reliably under tree canopies, etc. I have found that 90% of the time it connects within a minute. Sometimes though, it will keep trying for several minutes, which can be a nuisance at the start of a run. The lesson here is to get it into training mode early. Once connected, I have found that it has never lost signal.
4. Battery Life : the watch has to be charged from the mains, and a 100% charge (from less than a couple of hours' mains charging) gives 6-7 hours of use. If not used, the charge lasts for several days, and I have only once had the low battery signal (at 20%). This isn't convenient when compared to a battery, but then you don't have to keep buying and replacing batteries.
Now the good news.
The watch is a sensible size and can be worn for everyday use. The strap is not massive, and maximum wrist size is 8" (20cm). I guess this would fit most people though.
The menu structure on the watch is easy to use, and for the straightforward recording of an outdoor run, it couldn't be simpler. It is possible to programme several structured workouts - based on time, heartrate, distance. You can start to see why this device can be so valuable. I have found that my training is suddenly more interesting. When I go out on a Sunday morning run, the watch helps me keep at the correct heartrate, I can see my current pace (mm:ss per kilometre), and the precise distance covered. When I get home and upload the data, I can see where I ran (using Google Earth, this is really cool), elevation, average speed, heartrate, etc.... The Training Centre software gives you weekly totals, allows you to create courses so you can compare your runs, and a lot more. I have only really scratched the surface so far.
If you intend to mix up your outdoor running with a running machine, you'll need the Garmin Forerunner 405 Footpod Garmin Foot Pod for Forerunner, which is another £60 on top of the £200 you've already paid.
At the weekends I referee rugby, and have been using the Forerunner as a second watch to monitor elasped time. It has survived some very wet weather in the process, and now I also know how far I cover in a match to add to my weekly total mileage.