Comments on: Garmin Forerunner 405 Review http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/ Race reports, gear reviews, and ultramarathon trail running stories simply for the love of it Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:38:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Chris http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6906 Chris Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:38:22 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6906 HI there, Just a quick note for potential buyers. I have both the 305 and 405 and today, neither are working. Garmin replaced them once under warrenty, but after that one year warrenty you are on your own dime. I went for a long run run a few weeks ago, got caught in a light rain shower in the final few miles. I noticed some condensation which eventually lead to total shutdown. I sent it in to there repair provider here in Canada, on my own dime, and they informed me that the repair will be 118.00 CDN......30% of what I paid for it......under two years of ownership. In a nutshell, I have found the reliability to be very poor. If you run a couple times a week, then perhaps its for you. On the other hand, if you are training for marathons/ironmans etc, logging 50 plus miles a week, 5-6 days a week, forget it. It just wont last and I would strongly consider your purchase. I refuse to pay for this fix, only to see it happen again in another year I'm sure. Garmin customer service is refusing to step up and help, I am left with no alternative put to walk away....800 dollars on two watches over four years, and I have nothing. Cheers, Chris HI there,

Just a quick note for potential buyers. I have both the 305 and 405 and today, neither are working. Garmin replaced them once under warrenty, but after that one year warrenty you are on your own dime.

I went for a long run run a few weeks ago, got caught in a light rain shower in the final few miles. I noticed some condensation which eventually lead to total shutdown. I sent it in to there repair provider here in Canada, on my own dime, and they informed me that the repair will be 118.00 CDN……30% of what I paid for it……under two years of ownership.

In a nutshell, I have found the reliability to be very poor. If you run a couple times a week, then perhaps its for you. On the other hand, if you are training for marathons/ironmans etc, logging 50 plus miles a week, 5-6 days a week, forget it. It just wont last and I would strongly consider your purchase. I refuse to pay for this fix, only to see it happen again in another year I’m sure.

Garmin customer service is refusing to step up and help, I am left with no alternative put to walk away….800 dollars on two watches over four years, and I have nothing.

Cheers,
Chris

]]> By: Christian http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6886 Christian Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:32:06 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6886 @Flyerfan: I'm not sure, but the 405CX comes with an additional, velco wristband that is longer than the standard one. Check out this link: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=38206&ra=true @Flyerfan: I’m not sure, but the 405CX comes with an additional, velco wristband that is longer than the standard one. Check out this link: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=38206&ra=true

]]> By: flyerfansince79 http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6885 flyerfansince79 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:21:48 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6885 How long is the Forerunner 405 wristband. My wrist is 7.5 - 8 inches around. Will this fit me? How long is the Forerunner 405 wristband. My wrist is 7.5 – 8 inches around. Will this fit me?

]]> By: Jim http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6876 Jim Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:38:52 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6876 I've had my 405 for about 8 months now and love it. Ran a marathon and lots of training runs with it. However, the biggest issue, and it is now getting worse, is the battery. It is draining quicker and quicker now. Today I had a long hard work out planned and it was at about 70%, so I fully charged it last night to be ready for today. When I put it on this morning the battery level was 0%! I made sure the bezel wasn't touching anything, so there was no reason the power should have drained. Its not the first time this has happened. Other than the battery issue, I love the rest of the unit. But that is a big issue. I’ve had my 405 for about 8 months now and love it. Ran a marathon and lots of training runs with it. However, the biggest issue, and it is now getting worse, is the battery. It is draining quicker and quicker now. Today I had a long hard work out planned and it was at about 70%, so I fully charged it last night to be ready for today. When I put it on this morning the battery level was 0%! I made sure the bezel wasn’t touching anything, so there was no reason the power should have drained. Its not the first time this has happened. Other than the battery issue, I love the rest of the unit. But that is a big issue.

]]> By: Johsn Kall http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6875 Johsn Kall Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:09:22 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6875 I have used the old 405 but it glitched so I sold it and bought the new one in the beginning of may. It also seems to die on me saying low battery even though it´s fully charged after some 2-3 miles. One other thing I´ve noticed is that the touch boyet not work 100% when I do cross country skiing and other activities using the hands.(it blips a lot and changing display) I will send it back,lets hope my is a monday specimen !! I have used the old 405 but it glitched so I sold it and bought the new one in the beginning of may. It also seems to die on me saying low battery even though it´s fully charged after some 2-3 miles. One other thing I´ve noticed is that the touch boyet not work 100% when I do cross country skiing and other activities using the hands.(it blips a lot and changing display) I will send it back,lets hope my is a monday specimen !!

]]> By: Summer http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6851 Summer Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:07:19 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6851 @David - CALL GARMIN!!! Mine has died a few times and depending on what is wrong w/ it they have never had a problem replacing it. It is a bit of a hassle, but def. worth it as it is expensive (and a wonderful training tool). They are super easy to work with, so make the call :) @David – CALL GARMIN!!! Mine has died a few times and depending on what is wrong w/ it they have never had a problem replacing it. It is a bit of a hassle, but def. worth it as it is expensive (and a wonderful training tool). They are super easy to work with, so make the call :)

]]> By: David Ingram http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6773 David Ingram Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:10:17 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6773 My wife gave me the Forerunner 405 for Christmas. I've used it most days since, but it recently died. That's a lot of money for something that lasted about 5 months. My wife gave me the Forerunner 405 for Christmas. I’ve used it most days since, but it recently died. That’s a lot of money for something that lasted about 5 months.

]]> By: Brendan http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6633 Brendan Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:04:51 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6633 Wow. Great blog. I stumbled upon it researching the FR405. There's plenty of examples currently on ebay. Judging from the tone of most comments, I now see why. I think I'll wait to see how the FR110 goes over. Wow. Great blog. I stumbled upon it researching the FR405. There’s plenty of examples currently on ebay. Judging from the tone of most comments, I now see why. I think I’ll wait to see how the FR110 goes over.

]]> By: Ryan http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6464 Ryan Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:53:09 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6464 The 405 was given to me as a gift to improve my health and get me active. Dreading any real physical workouts since my intense High School athletic career, the informaion packed 405 peeked my gadget interests, which in turn got me up and off the couch. For over a year I have been enjoying not only the benefits of walking, running, biking (w/ the cadence sensor), and racing (utilizing Virtual Partner in my first SD Rock-n-Roll Relay), but the often dreaded inside gym training inside(w/ the Foot Pod + Heart Monitor) on various machines. The device with all of its accessories & ANT Stick (for computer communication with various Garmin apps) can be tricky to initially calibrate/setup, but with patience and a complete read of the IMPORTANT instructions, it's AWESOME!!! GARMIN has changed my life by providing useful info to make physical fitness easy. The 405 was given to me as a gift to improve my health and get me active. Dreading any real physical workouts since my intense High School athletic career, the informaion packed 405 peeked my gadget interests, which in turn got me up and off the couch. For over a year I have been enjoying not only the benefits of walking, running, biking (w/ the cadence sensor), and racing (utilizing Virtual Partner in my first SD Rock-n-Roll Relay), but the often dreaded inside gym training inside(w/ the Foot Pod + Heart Monitor) on various machines. The device with all of its accessories & ANT Stick (for computer communication with various Garmin apps) can be tricky to initially calibrate/setup, but with patience and a complete read of the IMPORTANT instructions, it’s AWESOME!!! GARMIN has changed my life by providing useful info to make physical fitness easy.

]]> By: Aimee Roden http://run100miles.com/blog/garmin-forerunner-405-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6281 Aimee Roden Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:17:48 +0000 http://run100miles.com/?p=115#comment-6281 I have the Garmin 205 and it has served me fairly well. The last few times I have tried to use it is beeps like it wants to come on, but nada on the screen. I have tried to do a reset per Garmin's instructions and nothing. It magically comes on sometimes and then as soon as I want it for a race again it will not operate. I have had it for 3 years now and guess it is time for a new one. I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem with any of the Garmin Forerunner models. Aimee I have the Garmin 205 and it has served me fairly well. The last few times I have tried to use it is beeps like it wants to come on, but nada on the screen. I have tried to do a reset per Garmin’s instructions and nothing. It magically comes on sometimes and then as soon as I want it for a race again it will not operate. I have had it for 3 years now and guess it is time for a new one. I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem with any of the Garmin Forerunner models.

Aimee

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