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 For running ONLY Sep 08, 2010
If you are a hard core runner who takes a different route everytime or travels a lot, you will probably like this watch. It is a good GPS unit, tells speed and distance well. And doesn't feel like you have an iPhone on your wrist like the 300 series. But if you're like me, looking for a good all-around fitness watch, this thing blows. Here's why:
1. My primary gripe is the buttons on the side are so sensitive, doing push-ups can cause them to depress and stop the timer. I am a crossfitter, so I am often timing routines that include a number of exercies: running, push-ups, pull-ups, etc. I have been reduced to setting the timer and then leaving the watch on the floor while I exercices.
2. The bezel controls are quirky. If you are sweaty or in the process of running, it can be unresponsive.
3. Another device I need to plug in to charge; woo hoo! The poster who complains about it draining battery while sitting in his gym bag didn't read the directions; you can lock the bezel and send the watch into sleep mode which uses very little battery power. That said, I have to charge the watch about once a month, and I don't use the full blown GPS functions that often. And it does cause me to carry the bulky power cord in my gym bag 'just in case' it runs out of juice.
4. For a watch that cost me ~300 bucks, I expected a lot more. I basically need to go buy a $40 timex for every day use and save this guy for long runs or business travel when I'm running an unknown route.
 Just perfect. Aug 27, 2010
This watch is just perfect to used by anyone: the ones who are starting to run and also the most skilled runners.
Love It Aug 24, 2010
I love this product!!
Although you have to learn to use it, once you do, it really does the job.
It has lots of options on what to measure. I use it for running and sailing.
Comes with access to the "garmin connect" web site were you can see what you have done on google maps and google earth and share it. Plus lots of info, history, goals and health monitor.
Its a product that motivates me to workout more and harder.
Too bad the HR band dosen't connect with most of the equipment at my gym (like my old polar). Still is great for outdoors when using the GPS. Plus the watch is not that big and looks good to wear the rest of the day.
Great GPS! Aug 22, 2010
First my profile: This is the first GPS I buy. I bought this watch 1 month ago. I am a high school runner and I am in the cross country team.
Good things: I live in Mexico and the reception is great! I had measured some courses and then tried them with the GPS and the accuracy is almost perfect even in bad weather conditions (including rain, clouds, wind, etc). Also the design is really nice, its the only gps I have seen and you can wear it all the time and it seem like an normal watch. One thing I didn't know about when I bought was the "Location" feature, it was a great surprise knowing my watch could point me too any location just by giving its coordinates. Also, I use my 405 with a friend that has the 405cx and we both use the heart monitor and the receptions don't get mixed.
Bad things: The garmin software in the computer is not really up too date but I guess that's not really neccesary. The bigger downside is the bezel, it took me about 2 weeks to get used to it, especially when running. It still gets a little bit stuck.
I totally recommend this Garmin.
Warning: Will fall apart Aug 21, 2010
It has been about 7 months since I purchased this watch. Since then, I have had to replace the strap of the watch (the one which comes with it) twice. The bands are very difficult to replace. They charge you $15 (on Amazon), and give you a special tool to "decompress the springs" with. The tool has a tiny end which you have to fit in tiny sockets, to try and latch onto even smaller grooves on the springs.
As for the watch, after about 6 months I began to see rust appear on the screwws on the bottom of the watch and, more importantly, I believe, on the contacts where the charger hooks up to the watch and whereby the electricity is fed into the watch.
The surface bezel really looks cool, and it is, but it dents very easily and is very water (sweat) sensitive. There is a way to turn that off, though, but it is a little difficult.
The GPS reception (where I am, a suburb of Boston) is not too great. The real-time pace is not very accurate, but at the end of each run it is quite accurate of the total time and distance covered. (I run quite frequently with it, or, at least, did, until it became too much of a hassle, and simply replaced it with a $5.00 app on my iPhone)
The watch doesn't have great UI software, and it's a little hard to understand how to do things, such as set training exercises, set the running partner, etc.
But perhaps the most important thing that I discovered, I discovered while replacing the band for the second time (yesterday). There is a build up of some substance (perhaps salt, perhaps from sweat (?), but I don't sweat more than anyone else, probably less, with dry skin) inside the notches that the two band ends are supposed to plug in to. Very annoying. I am going to seek a full refund from Garmin.
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