Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor

Having just bought the 405CX I found the lack of user reviews deeply frustrating. Having had the watch for 2 weeks I thought I would share my experience.
I formerly owned a 305 and my big concern with the 405 was the reported difficulties in picking up satellites (as a result of the smaller design). Well the 405CX has certainly resolved these issues. I'm guessing the kit remembers where you tend to be because it catches a satellite even in areas that would have been a total no go with the 305 (like in the shadow of tall buildings). This morning's run got a satellite connection in 5 seconds (really!) Combine this high sensitivity with an ability to save locations and the GPS functions are better than ever. Other reported issues were the wet sensitivity of the bezel. Well it certainly works when wet hands touch it - although I've yet to go out in a downpour this bodes well for me. I tend to leave it on a single screen so changing the reading isn't likely to be that important.

Having been an enormous fan of the old model I bought this (more expensive) upgrade only when my old one was stolen. However having made the purchase I would recommend others to do the same - it really is a delight. The battery meter tells you specifically how much energy you have left so you're unlikely to be caught short - and the battery is certainly no weaker than the old model. At least now you can assess whether it needs 10 minutes charge before you go out - rather than the guessing game of the past.

Runners - you'll love it. The old model was the best bit of kit I'd ever bought - the 405CX is considerably better. A strong recommendation.

As of Oct 2012 - I fear this watch has finally run its last run. It no longer charges consistently and often the screen goes blank with no warning. Maybe time to upgrade?!

As of Feb 2010 - continuing to use this at least 2-3 times a week and still rate it 5 stars! Tracking my stats online and keeping a record of routes, comparing heart rates and monitoring different sessions is a real motivator to me.

Original review - I write this having owned both Sunnto and Polar sports watches in the past. I've owned the Garmin 405CX for a month and used it both for running, circuits (outdoors) and in the gym. Overall I would highly recommend this piece of kit, it has exceptional features, excellent data capture and a great on-line (or PC based) inter-face to which you can download your data, analyse and share it. The bezel takes a little getting used to but no more so than an iPOD. The positives and negatives are as follows:

+VEs:
- Excellent in-built GPS that has no trouble locating satellites in urban and non-urban areas. It even has a track back function should you get lost! Doh!
- Good heart rate monitor (standard chest strap).
- Multiple data pages that you can customise to show multiple permutations of HR, pace/speed, distance, averages.
- Virtual training partner - a nice feature to help you train or run.
- It comes with both standard and velcro watch straps. I prefer the velcro.
- Garmin provide really good user videos on their website that talk you through the multiple features; a real benefit as I get bored reading manuals!

-VEs:
- I'm still getting used to having to charge the watch every few days but its no more inconvenient than charging my iPOD.
- I'm dubious about its water resistant qualities. A perfect watch would offer decent water resistance (up to 10M) but I'm just not sure how far to test this!
- A little more choice in colour would be nice.

All in all I would highly recommend this, if your into fitness training and you enjoy analysing data ( and sharing it) then this is the watch for you.

Note this review is the 405CX and not the 405. (basically the same watch but 405CX comes with a few extras - HRM and interchangeable wrist straps).

Had read mixed reviews about the 405 / 405CX but decided to take the plunge. I'll try to address those concerns and my experience if that helps anyone:

THE STRAP IS TOO BIG. Well I have an average size wrist and the strap is a perfect fit. It's also comfortable. That said the watch comes with two Velcro straps included, (small and large) so nobody should have need for complaint. Even comes with a tool and instructions on how to change strap (there's also a YouTube video from Garmin). What other manufacturer goes to that trouble to get a perfect fit?

THE BEZEL DOESN'T WORK WHEN WET. Well I've been out in several torrential downpours and no worries. Occasionally my sleeve would brush against the bezel and some unwanted screen would appear. Solution? all I do now is lock the screen whilst running. note: others say the bezel is either too sensitive or not sensitive enough? Do they know there's an option in settings where you can choose the sensitivity level? I think it works just fine.

DIFFICULTY OPERATING WATCH WHILST RUNNING. This criticism I cannot understand. The 405 comes with THREE individual screens, (each can be set to off). And each screen can display up to THREE data fields - so that's NINE data fields of information. In addition to this you can have a heart rate screen displayed (again with up to three data fields). And then there's the virtual partner info if you've set that to run. That's up to 13 pieces of info you have whilst running. And there are so much data to choose from, you could spend hours choosing your ideal readouts. You can also set the displays to scroll thru automatically at slow, medium or fast speed so in reality you only need to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds to see the info of your choice. I can't tell you how fantastic this is. Of course you could simply have one screen displayed with whatever info you want. The flexibility of this watch is amazing. So the question is why are these people trying to operate the watch whilst running? Other than turn on the light or press the large accessible stop/start or lap buttons, why does anyone have to operate the watch whilst running? I don't understand the problem.

SCREEN TOO SMALL, DATA DIFFICULT TO READ. Well if you're going for the full compliment of data readouts on a wrist watch and don't want something the size of the 205 or 305, that goes without saying. However there is a solution. Set each of the three screens to one data field and set the scroll speed to fast. Even Mr Magoo should be able to read that! (this is just one example of how flexible the 405 can be).

UPLOAD SPEED TO PC IS VERY SLOW. I downloaded all the latest software from Garmin's website before I even took delivery of the watch. First off you don't need to worry about leads, downloads to the PC happen automatically as soon as the watch is within range. I don't even need to take the thing off my wrist and the data is uploaded to the Garmin web. I've had to wait at most 30secs on the download to take place, and every transfer has worked flawlessly. Perhaps some people do have a faulty watch but I'd suggest the problem lies either with their software or simply that their PC is too slow.

IS THERE ANY DOWNSIDES WITH 405CX? Not really. The only thing to remember is you must read and understand the full online manual - even to the computer literate, operation of the 405 isn't intuitive, ou need to learn how to use the watch. (Using the 405 for the first time in a race, I'm sure would frustrate the hell out of you). Because the watch has so many functions, it may be a little daunting but once mastered it's fantastic and pretty easy to use. Set it up properly and everything works automatically.

THE GOOD? Well the software is pretty impressive and negates the need to keep a running diary. Satellites are quickly recognised, and GPS has proved super accurate thus far - I've had no worries running thru forest trails and loosing signal. And as mentioned above, although the 405 may or may not come with a heart rate monitor, the 405CX definitely does come with a HRM. I paid £125 via Amazon - what a bargain!

THE UNEXPECTED? One reason I went for the 405 was it's ability to program interval training on the watch itself. Setting up an interval session (time or distance based) is simple and one of the few intuitive functions that can be done without reaching for the manual. And it's pretty comprehensive. However using Garmin PC software, you can pre-program really awkward interval sessions, (sessions with constantly variable work and rest times), and download these to your watch. This was an added bonus, I never expected Garmin to put so much thought in to the watch. I'm sure this would suit professional as well as amateur athletes alike.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES: There is also the virtual partner function which really helps if you're unable to run with someone else - a great motivational tool as well as training assistant. Add to that you're able to upload/download courses. I ran a half marathon a few years back and we were pretty confused during the recce which country lanes to take given the organisers basic map. If I'd had this Garmin - no probs. I've actually downloaded that very course - the watch tells me which roads to take - brilliant!

And there's lots more... if you need to know just ask.

Apologies for the length of review but thought I'd address the concerns I had about the 405CX prior to purchase. In summary I think it's a brilliant GPS watch, it's much less bulky than the 205/305 and only a little bigger than the 410 the supersedes it. The 405CX is £125, the cheapest 410 with HRM I found was £200 which I believe offers nothing more in the way of functionality. To me it was a no brainer.