Garmin's new Forerunner 405 puts the 'watch' back in 'GPS watch'

Starting with the Forerunner 305, Garmin finally started producing GPS-enabled watches that didn't make you look like a total goof while tracking your pace and vitals, but these still weren't timepieces you'd be comfortable wearing to the office or even a bar. Then came the Forerunner 50, which had the perfect watch-like form factor, but unfortunately, no GPS. So fans of this line will be pleased to learn that Garmin has somehow been able to shoehorn a satellite receiver into a casing not much bigger than the 50's and dubbed it the Forerunner 405. Besides monitoring and logging speed, distance, heart rate and location, the 405 also features a touch-sensitive bezel for controlling its various functions, as well as the same proprietary ANT+Sport wireless syncing technology as the GPS-less 50. Available in either black (pictured above) or green (pictured after the break, along with a video walkthrough), the Forerunner 405 will start at $299.

[will @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:05PM]

probably won't lock on to a GPS satellite in NYC like the rest of their models.

[Fred @ Feb 29th 2008 5:25PM]

Must recharge every 8 hours, but downloads wirelessly. Why?

[jimmy @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:24PM]

Wow, so close yet so far.

Why not use bluetooth for wireless connecting? That way you can connect to any bluetooth device and use the gps feed for navigation also.

[Stuart @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:24PM]

Why does he look like he has a death-grip on the watch?

[Kyle @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:43PM]

That's just Jake showing off his Kung-Fu grip.

Don't mess with Jake.

[Dave @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:28PM]

Dammit!!! I just got a 305 for christmas... I think the screen is a bit small on the 405 though.

[dustandechoes91 @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:44PM]

same here. Despite its size, it is pretty awesome.

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:19PM]

now that's a watch Engadget should give away. Screw the E-Ink watch.

[Mister A @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:20PM]

I want to get it, I have a timex and it has been giving me a bit more problems than I want so maybe this garmin version will solve those issues.

[dustandechoes91 @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:42PM]

Ive got the big ugly 305, but nobody can keep up with me so its not like anyone has ever said anything. People usually just trip out over the fact that it has gps, and rarely mention the size.

[Jason @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:40PM]

It is definitely stunning but here are the cons:

No multisport function
No pace alert function
No distance alert fucntion

Getting the model with a HR monitor jacks up the price to $370

It won't support Apple until the 3rd quarter.

The price isn't too bad considering what you get but it definitely needs those missing functions. Fix these missing functions and I'll be first in line. 'Til then, I'll stick with my 305HR.

[Greg @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:58PM]

Why do they refuse to make these waterproof so they can be used for triathlons! I have been waiting since they came out with the first Forerunner for them to make a waterproof wrist GPS unit.

The size is right, and while bluetooth would be nice waterproof is a requirement . . . for me anyway.

[Ed T @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:13PM]

And you people think this thing is actually going to lock on to satellites and work in urban areas? Antennas can only get so small before they don't work anymore. An effective GPS antenna needs to be at least 30 mm long, and 60 mm would be much better. Size does matter.

[ultimate175 @ Jan 4th 2008 12:15AM]

Not true about antenna size. The 405 GPS sensitivity is at the same level as the 305.

[kurt @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:18PM]

Cool, but how long will the battery last?

[Greg @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:30PM]

According to the Garmin website "2 weeks in power save mode; 8 hours in training mode", but I am sure your mileage will vary.

[kurt @ Jan 4th 2008 8:00AM]

Thanks!

At least it comes with Li-ion batteries, ac adapter and charging clip. I'd just charge it when doing the overnight charge on the cell.

It's on my list now.

[robmora @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:27PM]

Re: urban areas, Eh... my 305 works plenty good the few times i have to run along buildings. What kind of a run are you doing in the middle of nothing but skyscrapers & traffic?

Any reason for the missing functions I wonder?

[Balam Herrera @ Jan 4th 2008 12:39AM]

looks incredible for my running workouts. Too bad here in Mexico it will probably arrive in 1 or 2 years and will cost at least twice as much

[Brian B. @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:17PM]

It's just a watch, can't you order it off of Amazon or something and ship it? It's not like it's region encoded like a DVD or game.

[Balam Herrera @ Jan 4th 2008 12:39AM]

Yeah, but when it goes through customs its like 40% tax

[rihahn @ Jan 4th 2008 9:58AM]

What I'm most curious about is: Does it set it's own timezone?

I've always wondered why I have to change the timezone on a GPS... I mean, doesn't it know where it is?

[Andrew Bovill @ Jan 4th 2008 10:50AM]

Finally, something someone might actually wear. I used to work at REI and we had trouble GIVING some of the foretrex/forerunners away. The looks for one, and the reception was crap.

[TR @ Jan 4th 2008 12:21PM]

I have the 305, and as a small woman, it is *huge* on my wrist (it looks big even on a normal sized guy). It just *barely* fits me, and this looks so much better. I hope the band part would fit too.

I've read thru the previous comments and if I'm not sacrificing too much data after reading thru the product guide (I can live without the MS mode and don't use the alerts today), I will get one of these, it is going to be worth it to me. Does anyone know if it works with the cadence unit? I'll read up on it later, anyway.

@Greg, yes, I want it for tris too. I am thinking duct tape over the contacts - but of course would love someone else to be the guinea pig...

[Jim M @ Jan 4th 2008 3:04PM]

I would love to use it cross country skiing. I wonder if I would be able to operate the buttons and bezel wearing heavy gloves and will it work at below zero degrees F.

[smeckl @ Jan 4th 2008 10:00PM]

*That* explains why the 305s have been getting so cheap...

[WolfPac_Ite @ Jan 6th 2008 5:25AM]

How sensitive is the bezel? If it brushes against your clothes or tapped your side will it activate something on the bezel?

[Clark @ Jan 9th 2008 3:29PM]

You can lock the bezel.

[jeffrey b @ Jan 19th 2008 10:28PM]

Does anyone know if these GPS watches work in rural areas? I usually run in the Hood to Coast every year and we have runs that you can't even get a cell phone reception, so i'm wondering if this watch would be effective in those areas?

[Greg @ Jan 26th 2008 11:23AM]

It should work fine. Cell phones need to be in the vicinity of cell towers. GPS just needs to be able to receive a clear signal from one of the GPS satellites. The satellites are positioned so that the signals overlap each other, so as long as you are not running through a tunnel or your view is blocked by buildings you should be OK. Even if the signal is temporary lost the unit can interpolate between the last good signal and the next good signal.

[Jason @ Jan 20th 2008 11:11PM]

I like more Forerunner 305 (http://www.highspeedsat.com/forerunner305.htm This is too expensive.

[standingtall @ Jan 29th 2008 5:24PM]

i run and mountain bike.... does anybody know if i will be able to switch modes / programs between the to sports?
i am looking at the 405 as my potential next watch.

[sjb @ Feb 1st 2008 3:46PM]

so i wonder if it can get an accurate current pace? i've given up trying to use my 305 for current pace, even the guys at garmin said use the average pace, the current pace fluctuates so wildly it's totally inaccurate... if they've cracked that problem i'd buy it in a second.

[HansDK @ Feb 11th 2008 2:44AM]

Did any of you try the Forerunner 405 yet? I know it's not on the market yet, but perhaps some of you have been testing it.
I almost bought the Forerunner 305 but now I'm considering the 405 instead. It's for marathons here in Europe but I'm a little afraid that there will be some important functions missing in 405 over 305. It seems to be smaller than the 305 and the GPS quality might not be as good as the old one. I'm mostly interesting in "current speed". If you have any experiences, please respond.

[Dan @ Feb 12th 2008 7:05PM]

Trying to get the 405 for one of our snowshoers.

[Jody @ Feb 19th 2008 9:16PM]

I have the forerunner 305 and love it but I can't wait to get my hands on the new 405. I have had my 305 for 3 years. I have used it while traveling all over Australia and in Mexico. Never had a problem with it finding a GPS signal even in rural areas although I have and to wait about 10min in some places for to get a GPS signal.

[JC @ Mar 1st 2008 8:23PM]

When will the Forerunner 405 arrive in stores? I'm in California.

[heckler @ Mar 2nd 2008 8:08AM]

sigh...

weaknesses:
1. not water resistant. thus those that love triathlon sports will be dissapointed.
2. batt only last max 8 hrs. say If I have a HRM & cadense censor might even be shorter than my current FR305. probably good for IM 70.3

[bob @ Mar 14th 2008 1:56AM]

i don't have one yet, but i might purchase one to
see how it will "track" my hikes on Colorado's
14'ers (peaks over 14,000'). Unfortunately,
I don't think it has an "altitude" function
(since here in CO, "altitude" is very important;
whether bicycling, hiking, climbing, etc)

[hank @ Mar 16th 2008 10:06PM]

Not water resistant? Who says? The garmin website says it is "water resistant IPX7" whatever IPXY means.

[Monty Hayes @ Mar 18th 2008 8:44AM]

It looks like a great watch, I have the 205 and I love it, sometimes I forget it at home, so it would be great to have a watch and GPS unit that you wear all day long. Is there an alarms and multiple time zones. How long does the battery last in just regular watch mode. An altimeter would be great to.