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145 of 149 humans found the following review helpful.
Impressive Hardware, Poor Software, Non-Existant Support
By Matt the Coffeeman
Update: after two months of using the 405, I have a lot of further and added observations. Based on my experiences, I would lower the star rating to 3 stars. The decrease in rating is due to fantastically poor software and aid from Garmin. The hardware is still exceedingly impressive, in spite of the software failings.
Software and Support:
The Garmin Connect (which allows you to track your training progress) is not one thing more than a beta with fixed functionality and slow response times. Moreover, it is still very buggy. The software which mechanically uploads the computer selective information to Garmin Connect just of a sudden stopped working a month ago.
Hold times to get in touch with Garmin telephone aid is 45 minutes. Email support is terrible - it has taken a full MONTH to have two email exchanges with support. All this and the problem has not been fixed.
Moreover, the software is poorly designed. You have to constantly monitor Garmin's website for software updates (there is no "Check for Update" feature). If a problem occurs in the software, there are no features to support in settling the problem.
Hardware:
First impressions: the form factor is nice, but you need to be conscious that the watch is more or less "thick". If you are wearing a button down shirt, the 405 will not fit comfortably underneath a sleeve cuff. However, looking at it from above, it looks like a normal watch. Wearing it while running will in all likelihood not draw a second look from other runners. This is likewise a downside since you want humans to observe your shiny new 405.
Setup - this took only a few minutes and was very easy. TThe 405 walks you through a brief tutorial. Overall, setup was very easy.
Navigation - this takes a few minutes to get the hang of. Once you have the buttons down, it is rather easy to navigate. The sensitivity of the touch bezel is adaptable for your taste. I've played with the 305 in the store and the 405 actually seems more intuitive to navigate.
Initial lock - finding the satellites takes a few minutes the introductory time. It will lock on much more quickly if you are not moving. Subsequent times to find the satellites was much quicker.
Use - After you have turned on the GPS and gotten a lock, all you need to do is press commence to begin your workout. It was very easy to use. I basically forgot when it comes to it while I was running other than to check my pace each mile or so. Kept a lock the entire time (keep in mind this was in Chicago's Lincoln Park - roughly 2/3rds of the sky is clear (except for trees) so achieving uninterrupted lock-on must not be a problem for any GPS. I have not tested this downtown).
For those worried when it comes to water resistance, my primary usage of my 405 was in the pouring rain. It didn't seem to detect (or care) regarding the rain. It may handle a good amount of water without issue.
Syncing - you need to download the software from Garmin (it's actually a web plug in). However, the manual was distinctly rushed out the door. Not only does it incorporate typos (at one point it refers to the faulty step) but it is not clear from the manual that you need to download the USB drivers. DO NOT put the ANT USB key into the computer until you have downloaded the specific ANT drivers from Garmin (so you have to download two dissimilar pieces of software - the plugin and the USB driver). If you plug the ANT key into the computer w/o the Garmin USB driver, Windows will find what it thinks is the rectify driver (which is the wrong driver). The syncing will not work if you do this. Just a heads up.
I wish I owned a 305 to compare it to. In the Garmin store, the 405 did not see that much littler than the 305, altho the 405 was distinctly more elegant. Functionally, I listen that they are exceedingly similar. You just need to personally evaluate whether the 405 is genuinely worth the increased cost over the 205/305. Personally, I plan on keeping the 405.
Battery Life - After playing with it for 30 minutes, taking it on an hour's run and syncing it with my computer, it only used 12% of the battery life.
124 of 129 people found the following review helpful.
Improved satellite reception but missing out in other aspects.
By Summer B. Frace
I antecedently owned a Forerunner 201 and my husband runs with a 205. What I actually like with regards to the 405 is how quickly it finds the satellites and is ready for a run. I also haven't had any issues with reception, which I ofttimes had with my 201.
Unfortunately, that's when it comes to the only thing that's bettered with the 405 in my eyes. Here are my main issues with it:
- There's no way to turn it off. Sure, it goes into a "power save" mode. In this mode, the battery lasts when it comes to a week. You're altogether draining the battery each week when you could only be using the battery for an hour or so assorted times a week. Each time a rechargable battery is discharged and recharged, it uses up a cycle of the battery and there are only so a great deal of cycles a battery may go through. At this rate, the battery is going to get used up genuinely quickly. This is poor design. (Or perhaps they're hoping to capitalize on the revenue from people having to replace their batteries more often...)
- If you have little wrists, the watchband is too huge and may be uncomfortable. I preferent the velcro strap on the 201. The 205/305 models also have the option to buy a more comfortable strap that fits little wrists better. I contacted Garmin and there is no such option for the 405.
- The touch bezel is overly sensitive. Yes, you may adjust the sensitivity, but then once you do, it's closely inconceivable to use it while running because it's not sensible enough. There's no happy medium. Sorry Garmin, but old-fashioned buttons work better for pushing for the duration of activity. I'm constantly accidently getting into "virtual partner" mode while I'm attempting to push the lap button.
- The low battery indicator obscures the entire screen. I did an entire run the other day with text that said "LOW BATTERY" all over the entire display. I knew the battery was low, but I wanted to see how my run was going anyway! I can't find any way to dismiss this warning. It likewise obscures all menus (when not in training mode). It's very annoying because the device has at least 30-40 minutes of charge left after this indicator appears, but it renders the unit almost inoperable for it's last 30-40 minutes before the battery dies.
- The computer sync only works with PC. With Mac market portion growing by leaps and bounds, it's very surprising when companies don't come out with simultaneous platform support. Shame on you, Garmin. The web site does indicate that aid is coming "Fall 2008." I guess we'll see. (EDIT: I've been informed that this model now syncs with Mac, which is great! I ended up returning this product so I can not speak to how that works.)
I actually wish I'd just stuck with my 201. I feel like this upgrade was a waste of money.
59 of 60 humans found the following review helpful.
50 Mile Review - just keeps getting better
By Brian J. Thomas
I was in the first place hesitant to buy the Garmin Forerunner 405 because of assorted negative reviews affiliated to the bezel, GPS accuracy and sync issues with a Mac. In the end, my Timex was just not cutting it and I necessitated an upgrade. After 50 miles, I may say the Forerunner 405 just keeps getting better.
My goals: I'm not a running junkie, but it is my crucial method of exercising. I've run 1 marathon and want to run assorted more in the near future, but I'd like to do much better in my overall times. My specific goal for training is all in regards to bettering my intermediate pace over longer distances (I would like to systematically run future marathons beneath 4 hrs).
My needs: Accurate tracking for distance, total time, current pace, intermediate pace.
My wants: GPS functionality for bettered accuracy, logging of actual run, capacity to upload data for review and a visual display on the watch that permitted me to track multiple metrics at the same time (time / pace / distance etc).
My concerns: Almost each negative review (1 or 2 star) highlights 3 basic issues:
1) Problems with the bezel
2) Accuracy of GPS
3) Computer Sync (PC or Mac)
Let me address my personal experiences with the above:
1) Bezel: The most mutual complaint that I brought up was people having issues with the bezel for the duration of a run. Specifically after they begun to perspire, the user was unable to manipulate the bezel. Has this ever happened to me - perfectly - so why is it not an issue... I don't run naked. I merely wipe my finger off on my shirt or shorts and voila, it works! In addition, I don't play with my watch much for the duration of my run - I have the training screen set up with 3 panels - current pace in the big panel and distance and time in the 2 littler panels and that's sufficient for me. I will from time to time tap the bezel to view my current heart rate, or view the virtual partner, but for the most part, I don't see the need to play with the functions.
2) Accuracy of GPS: I've run underneath long bridges in Austin, TX, underneath thick tree canopies in the Florida, and in deep gorges in Colorado Mountains - based on my former mapping and running with other humans with GPS devices, my Garmin has very little variance from what I recognise to be the rectify distance. In addition, I have run on my treadmill at home using the Garmin Foot pod and the treadmill distance and Garmin distance is almost identical. I have NEVER had a personal experience where the distance was noticeably off.
3) Computer Sync: I have both a Mac and PC at home - the Garmin ANT Agent (sync software) is loaded on both. I have not experienced substantial issues syncing to my Mac, but I have experienced annoying things where I am unable to upload a run TO my watch from the Mac. Overall - it's very simple... it works better with a PC - no doubt. It DOES work with a Mac and humans that say other than as supposed or expected will have to consider the possibleness of user error.
The Garmin is not perfective - I am have experienced issues with having a low battery before a run, but now I recognise to charge my watch often times (every 3 days) to prevent issues. It not so long ago took assorted minutes to locate the satellites in clear weather, but that has not been a mutual occurrence - now I turn my GPS on as I'm getting ready and it will ordinarily pick up satellites before I walk out the door.
The Garmin Connect internet site is great ([...]) - I upload my runs, review my metrics and monitor my progress. I likewise look for new runs in intimate locatings or locate usual running tryouts when I'm on the road. You may even upload a course somebody else has run to your watch and use the navigation to keep you on the trail.
This watch has helped me significantly increase my pace, track my progression and frankly - I like using it so much, I run more just so I may log another activity. I suspect that persons that have severe issues with their Forerunner 405's may have a lot of issues with user error.
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