Made me a Real Runner

I have been using my Garmin Forerunner 405CX for about a year. I love my Garmin. I am sorely disappointed when, for one reason or another, I do not have my data to review after a run.

What I like about it:
* I like knowing the distance I've run. This is so motivational to me!
* I like knowing my pace for each interval (however I have set it up).
* I like being able to set up workouts on the computer, transfer them to the watch, and then have the watch basically tell me with beeps what to do: Run a warm-up, run 800, rest 200, run 800, cool-down, etc.
* I like being able to set up my screens to reveal the information that is important to ME.
* I like uploading my data to the Garmin Connects website. I like to see my run on the map, see all the splits, look at my monthly calendar to see what I've accomplished, and look back at prior months to see my progress.

What I don't like:
* Sometimes the bezel touch is too touchy. It doesn't like rain and it doesn't like too much sweat. Suggestions to deal with this: wear a sweatband under the watch and change the touch settings for a "heavier" touch. Or lock the bezel when you start your run.
* The watch can occasionally "lock up." This is particularly irritating at the start of a race. Some ways to avoid this happening - make sure the watch is fully charged when you head out for a run, know how to restart it (hold Enter and Quit for 7-10 seconds), start the watch a few minutes before a race is scheduled to start - make sure there is plenty of time for it to locate satellites. Touch the bezel every 10 minutes to keep it from going to sleep and losing the satellite location!

A few other random thoughts:
* I like having my default splits set to 1 mile. If I'm not doing a specific workout, getting mile splits is nice.
* The tutorials on YouTube are terrific.

Using the Garmin has really allowed me to get a better idea of pacing for distance running. I think I'm a better runner because of it.

Great Product

It's my first purchase from US on 14th Feb 2011 and received it on 18th Feb 2011, shipped via FedEx, surprisingly I'm not worried. Thanks to cyberetronics for making my purchase experience a great one. Bought it at a reasonable price, not sure where to get this item locally and would think that it will cost more, for sure.

The bezel could be annoying at first if you're not the kind who likes to read manual like me. But once I know how to navigate, I'm all good. I have been running for more than 1 year now and this helps a lot with getting accurate distance and time. My first time using a GPS watch, got me excited. I used to get friends to map my route with gmap and run with my SE W810i for the stopwatch function. It was kind of annoying to be carrying the phone around. Less 1 item to hold when running, less straining to the arm.

The watch sort of froze after my 22km run last Sunday and I reset the watch (after reading instruction over the internet), the data is still there just as mentioned in the instruction. Installed the application for the ANT stick, manage to figure out how to connect through the garmin connect. I love the summary, it shows your average pace, pace for each km, the route and etc. Was very happy with that. I also love how the watch shows your pace when you run, you know when you're slowing down and could do better. I have updated the garmin watch's software, no problem after that.

This watch could last 8 hours if in use. It could last for 2 weeks with battery saving mode (correct me if I'm wrong), so far no problem with that, you use up battery power when GPS is turned on. I have yet to try it with HRM though, am gonna try that one of these days.

Overall, it's a great product. Definitely love it.

Newbie in Love

As a fat-guy turned athlete, it was time to take my fitness outside. Initially shopping for only a heart-rate monitor, I realized that not knowing my distances would be a problem. So, I turned to the Garmin line-up and chose the Forerunner 405CX. I picked the 405CX because I wanted to know how many total calories each activity burned based on my heart-rate data.

After several indoor and outdoor workouts, I am very pleased with the 405CX. Though I thought only a gimick, I have come to love the wireless data download. Everyday I return from my workout... Boom, it's online! The battery life is plenty sufficient for my workout durations and subsequent standby mode inbetween.

If I could change even one thing, it would be the color. It is my least favorite color of the Garmin lineup. Because I wear it as my full-time watch, I wish the color was a bit more stylish and masculine. Garmin needs to hire a GQ stylist to improve the attractiveness of their Forerunners.

If you can't afford the Forerunner 410, I would recommend the 405CX. Happy Fitness!

Running

Excellent piece of kit. Have been running just with a stopwatch for the past 2 years and decided to buy the garmin 405cx for training towards the London marathon. No more having to map where I had run as it does that for you along with speed, calories burnt, heart rate and so much data analysis. Great for pacing your runs, tempos, easy, long and intervals.
Wondered at first how easy it would be to use but once its found its signal which doesn't take a minute, your off, with it showing as little or as much info on its screen as you want to monitor as you run.
As soon as I get home the wireless dongle has started to download the data instantly I'm in range. Mileage, time spent, and projected race times all accessible straight away. So much easier seeing what distances you are covering and when those all important shoes need changing again.
Recommend the this watch. My easy runs are better paced now along with my speed and long runs.
Well worth every penny.

Garmin Forerunner 405CX Sports GPS Receiver

i was looking for a sport watch that will help me measure my hart rate, distance and pace with ease.
i was looking for watch that will contain GPS inside the and not like some other brands where the GPS part comes as another part where i might loose it/

the Forerunner 405CX have all those features constructed in stylish pack (some other GPS sport watch just look to bulky)

i'm also very please with the watch virtual runner option that let you train with virtual partner, this watch is very easy to operate trough the watch bezel and Garmin software is great to watch your progress

overall i will recommended this watch for every runner

the watch is nut suited to triathlon users as it is not water proof for swimming