Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Garmin International is pleased to announce the Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled sport watch. During a run, this slim, sleek watch accurately tracks distance, pace, calories, and displays it all on the easy-to-read screen. Tap or slide a finger around the innovative touch bezel to change information without fumbling for a button. The optional foot pod can also be used to gather speed and distance information indoors. ANT+Sport wireless technology automatically transfers workout data to and from your computer when your device is within range. No cables, no hookups, the data's just there. Users can upload data to Garmin Connect, a web-based application that lets them analyze, share and store workouts. Zone training, heart rate zone training, supports 5 heart rate zones Compatible with GSC 10 speed/cadence bike sensor - monitor pedaling cadence and wheel speed Compatible with foot pod - measures speed and distance and runners cadence when indoors Watch features - time of day (12/24h), dual time zone, (day/date), daily alarm Training and motivational features - Virtual Partner, courses, workouts, goals GPS features - mark waypoints, back to start, save location ANT+Sport wireless technology lets you automatically transfer information back and forth between the watch and the PC Unit-to-unit - transfer workouts and locations to other Forerunner 405's Dimensions - 45.75mm x 70.5mm x 16.4mm Weight - 2.11 ounces (60 grams)

Amazon.com Product Description -- January 10, 2008:
With the Forerunner 405, Garmin has finally put the power of GPS location-based date into a sleek sport watch that can be worn all day. Runners no longer have to choose between function and fashion. Garmin's ANT + Sport wireless platform that wirelessly sends your data to your computer and a touch bezel that lets you change screens with a simple tap (no more fumbling for buttons) run make this not just a leap forward in GPS-enabled fitness devices, but in training devices period. Forerunner 405 comes in two color options — black or green.






The Power Of Location-Based Data
Anyone who has used Garmin's Forerunner 205 or 305 already understands the power that attaching location data to traditional measurements like distance, speed, time, calories burned, and heart rate can provide. Knowing exactly where you worked hardest, ran fastest (or most slowly), and lets you tailor your workouts to improve for specific distances, conditions, and types of terrain. It gives a complete picture of how you interact with every portion of your run.

Forerunner 405 comes in two color options — black or green

Train with a virtual partner

Watch Results
Loaded with serious training features, Forerunner 405 continuously monitors your time, distance, pace, calories and heart rate (when paired with heart rate monitor). Each run is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data to see how you've improved.



The high-sensitivity GPS receiver sustains satellite reception, whether you’re tackling a trail or jogging through the urban canyons of skyscrapers. The Forerunner 405 is water-resistant (IPX7) and can be used outdoors or indoors (with an optional foot pod), making it the ultimate year-round, all-weather training tool.



Forerunner 405 is available with or without a heart rate monitor (see the versions tab) to help you make the most out of your training. Versions with a digital heart rate monitor continuously track heart beats per minute. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level or compare your pace and heart rate to past performance on the same run.



The revolutionary patent-pending touch bezel on the face of the watch makes navigating the options easier than ever. Simply by tapping, holding or running a finger along the bezel, runners can begin a new workout, access their training history or challenge a Virtual Partner. The Forerunner 405 makes training with a Virtual Partner easy and efficient. Runners can adjust the Virtual Partner’s pace without stopping in the middle of a workout, and the Virtual Partner is always on and ready for a challenge.



Run, Sync, Store and Share
One of Garmin's most ambitious decisions has been to approach fitness devices as a total platform with their 'ANT + Sport' connectivity system. All of Garmin's new fitness devices, including the Forerunner 405, Edge 605 and 705 bike computers, and Forerunner 50 heart rate monitor watches, will interface wirelessly with any devices that are compatible wiht the 'ANT + Sport' protocol, including devices from other manufacturers.



Once you’ve logged the miles, the ANT+Sport wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when the Forerunner is in range. No cables, no hookups. The data’s just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize and share through Garmin's online community, Garmin Connect or optional Garmin Training Center software. You can wirelessly send workouts from your computer to Forerunner, too.



Share Wirelessly
With Forerunner 405 you can share your locations, advanced workouts and courses wirelessly with other Forerunner 405 users. Now you can send your favorite workout to your buddy to try, or compete against a friend's recorded course. Sharing data is easy. Just select 'transfer' to send your information to nearby units.



Cross-Train
Take your training inside with the versatile Forerunner 405. Pair it with an optional foot pod to track your speed, distance and running cadence indoors when a GPS signal is unavailable. This new design clips onto your laces for easy removal and automatically turns on when you start moving. You can also add a speed/cadence bike sensor to track the speed and distance of your cycling workouts.



Be Part of A Community
In 2007, Garmin acquired Motion-based, the largest shared repository of customer-generated gps-based routes, courses and maps. This was a significant move for Garmin to support the gps user community and bring a wealth of route options to gps users. With a simple connection to your computer, you can join a worldwide network of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts through Garmin Connect our new, one-stop site for data analysis an sharing.



You can also upload to optional Garmin Training Center software for further analysis. Garmin Training Center stores large quanities of workout and ride data. Some of the things you can do are

• Review your workout data, including pace/speed, distance, time, calories burned; and if available, heart rate, cadence and detailed elevation.
• View a detailed graph of your workout data, plotted over time or distance.
• View a map of your workout that shows the exact path you traveled.
• Categorize your workout history according to type of activity.
• Review previous workouts, which are saved by day and week.
• Create customized workouts with specific goals and rest intervals. Then send them to your fitness device.*
• Schedule workouts for a specific day with calendar.
• Get custom workout templates designed by the experts at TrainingPeaks.com

What's In The Box
Forerunner 405, USB ANT stick, Heart Rate Monitor, AC adapter, Charging clip, Owner's manual, Quick reference guide











Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Rating: - Very nice device
I used to have the Forerunner 305. This is too much better. You can use it as watch (not to go to a formal dine) that was a huge con for the other forerunners. I raced 10k last weekend I it was very accurate, even the instant pace, that was not very good in the previous models. Too much better than Suunto X9i that is worthless.
The google interface and garmin connect are cool if you like to review your data in different forms.
If you want track calories, go to polar, garmin program still shows values too low, basically because they aimed top runners (olympic type) and the calories is related to speed. I am 10 km/h runners that brings a low quantity of calories spent after a 10 k run.
The bracelet also is not the most confortable, but if you think that it is a GPS, Heart Monitor and Watch definately this is very well packed.
The imporvement on the firmware also brought it to next to Polar 800 SD in terms of graphics for HR, that it is nice.
I recommend it if you a hi-tec runner...

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Rating: - Excellent, apart from missing Mac support
I've owned the Garmin Edge 305 and various Polar heart rate monitors. Overall I'm very impressed with the Forerunner 405 - except for the lack of Mac support.

First of all the size of the device surprised me. It's actually fairly small, especially compared with the clunky previous Forerunners. Smaller than my Suunto watch. Second I like the ability to choose different data fields (up to 3) on customized displays. This is like the Edge 305 and much better than the Polar devices. Third the compass proved to be very useful when finding my way out of a mountain biking mess of trails. And fourth of course the GPS giving speed, distance, etc is great for either running or mountain biking.

Disappointments are it's not completely waterproof (crazy in this day and age), and the lack of Mac support.

I got around the Mac support by loading Vista on my Mac through Bootcamp. Needed to do this for my other Garmin products anyway, but Garmin really need to get over this!

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Rating: - Great HRM..... terrible software!
Well, I've been using this HRM for 2 weeks now, and I wanted to share with you all how great it is.
Since I was an addicted fan of Polar HRMs, I was afraid to change. But this FR 405 proved to be the best HRM I ever trained with.
Although Gramin still has some work to be done:
- The PACE is not accurate out of the box, so you need to go to Garmin's web page and update the HRM's firmware;
- Lack of integration with my MacBook. So I was forced to install parallels and run windows XP in order to use its PC integration;
- Terrible training software and a pain to make the HRM "talk"to the PC....It lacks the appropriate support for installation of ANT drivers.

Still, it's a great HRM, and the ability to see your route on the google earth is awesome.
The touch bezel is also very nice, and despite of what others said, it's very simple to use.
As for the terrible native software, you can replace it with gorgeous Sport Track...It's free and it would accept the data exported from the Garmin's Training Center.
By the way, I use the FR405 for running and I'm currently training for the Amsterdam marathon in October.

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Rating: - Only good outside
I bought this product. Although impressive, it's only good outside. For instance, if you run on a treadmill, you must buy the speed sensor ($120) to get calories burned. You are out of luck if you take spin class. It will not record calories.

From Garmin Support:
>Thank you for contacting Garmin International. Unfortunately, our
>fitness units calculate calories burned using speed, distance, and time.
>If you're indoors the Forerunner 405 is not able to calculate speed and
>distance. Because the unit has no distance value, it's unable to
>display calories burned. Please let us know if you have any additional
>questions.
>With Best Regards,
>Joe C

This is a deviation for how most heart rate monitors work (Polar, Timex). Most monitors calculate calories based on weight, age, and heart rate. Being able to get calories expended even during the indoor winter months is useful.

Also, there is no way edit workouts results in the software. So, if I do a spin class or run on the treadmill (w/o the speed sensor), I can't alter the uploaded data and enter an estimated distance.

This is different from the Polar software which does allow complete editing of most parameters.

Over all, this is a "cool" monitor. However, if you do alot of indoor training, you'll probably want a different monitor.

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Rating: - good, but overpriced
Its a good product, but for the price it should be great. The battery life needs to be a bit longer (It doesn't live up to the promise on the package). Also, the control scheme needs work to be more intuitive. If you lock the bezel, it beeps at you every minute or two to tell you the bezel is locked. Its pretty annoying.

The software and the ANT stick work well. So does the heart rate monitor. Satellite acquisition is amazing. Fast and accurate. It even locked on in an interior downstairs room of my house.

I recommend waiting for the next generation, which will probably iron out some of the kinks. Or see if you can find one for cheaper than $350, and you'll feel better about the small drawbacks.