EmailBest Reviewed
Sports Watches
- Best basic sports watch Tech4O Accelerator Runner RM1 *Est. $65
- Basic heart-rate monitor watch Timex Ironman Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor *Est. $90
- Best GPS sports watch Garmin Forerunner 405 *Est. $300
- Budget GPS watch Garmin Forerunner 101 *Est. $110
- Budget adventure watch Origo Granite Peak Titanium Sleek *Est. $175
- Best GPS adventure watch Suunto X10 *Est. $550
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Best GPS sports watch
- Sleeker design than previous Forerunners
- Quick GPS satellite recognition
- Wireless data transfer
- Bezel can be hard to use with sweaty fingers
- Short battery life
The Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch is a favorite of professional reviewers and athletes alike. This GPS-enabled sports watch actually looks like a true wristwatch, in stark contrast to previous versions of the Garmin Forerunner, which were huge and bulky. The Forerunner 405 tracks distance, pace, calories, time and heart rate with an optional heart rate monitor. The virtual partner (a training tool that allows you to set a pace and race against it), waypoint tracking and a wireless data upload are highlighted as some of the best features of the Garmin Forerunner 405. Experts also like the new bezel menu navigation, but owners are less convinced. Multiple reviewers posting to online review sites say that the bezel is hard to use if the watch gets wet or if your hands are sweaty. In addition, numerous reviewers think the short battery life is a drawback. The Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch has a manufacturer-reported battery life of eight hours -- several hours less than its predecessor, the Garmin Forerunner 305 (*Est. $180). For its part, the Garmin Forerunner 305 still gets good reviews and it costs significantly less. If your budget is tight, the Garmin Forerunner 101 (*Est. $95) is still available, and it includes many of the same features as the top-end Forerunners, although reviewers say the satellite coverage can be spotty near tall buildings and trees.
There's no shortage of reviews of the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch, and we found the best coverage in publications like The Boston Globe and Runner's World, Running Times, Men's Journal, Women's Adventure and Smart Money magazines. Unfortunately, most of these reviews are not comparative and focus mainly on features, although some are more detailed and balanced than others. Online review sites are also a good source of information on the Garmin Forerunner 405, especially Amazon.com and RoadRunnerSports.com.
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Our Sources
The Boston Globe tests five heart rate monitors and Terrence Mahon, a running coach for Team Running USA, evaluates each model. Mahon picks the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch as his favorite of the bunch, saying the route and elevation tracking are valuable tools for serious runners.
Review: Running Through Heart-Monitor Options, Danielle Kost, April 20, 2008
2. Runner's WorldDetails/Subscribe
Senior editor Sean Downey writes a detailed review of the Garmin Forerunner 405 for Runner's World. He loves the virtual partner training tool and finds the 405 GPS watch gets quicker satellite reception than previous Forerunners. Still, he wishes the sports watch could go longer on one battery charge.
Review: Garmin Forerunner 405, Sean Downey, June 17, 2008
Runner's World U.K. clearly thinks the Garmin Forerunner 405 is a better watch than its predecessor, the Garmin Forerunner 305. Editors of the magazine say the 405 is more user friendly, with improved satellite reception around tall buildings and trees.
Review: RW Review: Garmin Forerunner 405, Editors of Runner's World U.K.
4. Amazon.com
Nearly 80 owners review the Garmin Forerunner 405 on Amazon.com, where it earns mixed reviews and an average rating of 3.5 stars. Some reviewers love it, but others wish they had stuck with the Garmin Forerunner 305. Those who don't like the GPS watch point to the short battery life and bezel that is hard to use with wet fingers.
Review: Garmin 010-00658-20 Forerunner 405 GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Black), Contributors to Amazon.com
5. Wired.com
The Garmin Forerunner 405 scores eight stars out of 10 from Wired. Reviewer Mathew Honan praises the easy-to-use bezel and sleeker design, but finds that the GPS signal is iffy on cloudy days.
Review: Garmin Forerunner 405, Mathew Honan, June 20, 2008
6. RunningTimes.comDetails/Subscribe
Longtime gear reviewer Brian Metzler also likes the virtual partner on the Garmin Forerunner 405, and he appreciates the smaller design that makes this watch less bulky and heavy than its predecessors.
Review: Technology That Works, Brian Metzler, April 2008
Shape magazine likes the Garmin Forerunner 405, especially for serious runners, but reviewer Alla Byrne thinks that casual runners may be frustrated by the complicated setup process.
Review: Road Tested: Garmin Forerunner 405, Alla Byrne
More than 40 owners review the Garmin Forerunner 405 on RoadRunnerSports.com, giving it an average rating of four stars. Reviewers say that the GPS is very accurate and that the watch is comfortable, but many people find the bezel hard to use with sweaty fingers.
Review: Garmin Forerunner 405, Contributors to RoadRunnerSports.com
The Independent picks its 10 favorite digital watches, including the Garmin Forerunner 405. Calling it "scarily efficient," reviewer Rebecca Armstrong also thinks this watch is easy to use.
Review: The Ten Best Digital Watches, Rebecca Armstrong, Oct. 22, 2008
10. SmartMoney.comDetails/Subscribe
Smart Money highlights seven fitness gadgets that can get you in shape in a brief review, including the Garmin Forerunner 405. Natali Del Conte, an editor at CNET TV, tells Smart Money that the Garmin Forerunner 405 sets itself apart by tracking your course so you can find your way back.
Review: Slideshow: 7 Gadgets to Help You Get in Shape, Kelli B. Grant, Aug. 13, 2008
11. Men's FitnessDetails/Subscribe
Men's Fitness highlights five watches in a brief review, including the Garmin Forerunner 405. Noah Johnson thinks this watch stands out thanks to a wireless data upload and customized training programs.
Review: Wrist Action, Noah Johnson
Steve Halsall, a personal trainer, reviews the Garmin Forerunner 405 for the Mirror, calling it a great value. Halsall says the watch is comfortable, easy to monitor and a good choice for running or cycling.
Review: Review: Sport Watches, Steve Halsall, Feb. 4, 2009
13. Women's Adventure magazineDetails/Subscribe
The Garmin Forerunner 405 scores an Editor's Choice award from Women's Adventure magazine, but there's no explanation why this GPS watch was chosen.
Review: 2009 Editor's Choice Awards, Karina Evertsen, April 2009
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