ClreDnes64 says:

Hi all - new to this forum. I received the FR405 a week and a half ago. I got the HRM with the 405, and love it all! This is my first GPS-enabled training watch. I find the watch to be easy to use, with lots of functions that I'm learning on a use basis - not big on manuals, esp when they aren't included in the box. I dislike reading pdf manuals!

I have come across two problems. The first is, when I set up the ANT stick software and first tried to sync my watch, it disconnected my Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse. I haven't been able to figure out how to get all wireless periferals to work at the same time. Has anyone else had this issue?

The second issue: When I'm out on my run, I've noticed that the real-time pace is not accurate. it seems to be at lease one min/mile off. This is frustrating, as I'm in training and the pace function is one reason I went for a GPS watch in the first place. I ran with a friend who has the FR205, and when his watch said we were running a 9:05 pace, my watch said 10:15!! and his was definitely the correct one! Has anyone else had this problem, and could it have to do the the gps signals? I've come across this while running in the open and while running under trees.

I've also noticed that after syncing and while i'm reviewing my run in the Training Center, my avg. pace seems to be accurate. Perhaps the program does the simple math I used to do on my calculator after a run?

Like I said, other than these two small issues, the 405 has been awesome! all my friends with the 205/305 have major geek envy. :-)

 jessemellon says:

jmcnally said "Also checking out Ascent which may tide me over..."

I'm not clear on Ascent's support status -- is this a workaround that'll allow me to get my data off my 405 and onto my Mac without needing a Windows emulator? I downloaded v1.9.7 but it doesn't find my 405.

I love the device (just picked it up today), but I'd love even more to actually have access to my data. I've been unable to get my Mac to even register the device's existence :(

 Nordy says:

from what i understnad the reason the 405 wont work ont he mac is because there are no mac drivers for the Ant+ stick.

 soofsoof says:

Dear ClreDnes64,

I don't have the garmin, but instantaneous pace may be a problem with all GPS devices. The reason is that every measurement may sometimes be 10-20 meters off, in any direction, which means that accurate pace can only be given using some averaging. At home, you can use the software, see total average pace (which should be very accurate), and so on.

On the field, however, one possible solution is to set one of the screens you have (in the watch display) to show average pace over a relatively short distance, 200 or 400 meters, for example. This way, you will know your pace for the last 200 meters, which should tell you how well you're doing on most runs (yet not good enough for short intervals...)

 ClreDnes64 says:

Soofsoof:

That is an excellent idea! I will give it a try.

Thanks.

 alwagner says:

WOW
I just got my 405 with the HRM. And I love it. It is so easy to use and had no problems installing the software. I'll be glad when Runner+ starts using Garmin data along with the NIKE+. Then I won't have to use both devices....

 olafd says:

i'm using the 405 for a little while too now. it's pretty cool but as support for the mac is missing and i like ascent a lot, i have to always fire up a virtual xp machine, import from the unit into windows training center, export the run and re-import into ascent... it's working quite well, so it's not too much of a pain.

one little problem i keep having is that the sensitivity of the bezel is a bit jumpy while running. when i cycle through the screens, it works fine for two or three taps in a row, but than it's stuck for a little while - no matter how often or hard or soft i tap. even using another finger doesn't help... anybody else having similar experiences or is it just my grubby fingers...???

i also use the instantaneous speed cautiously. the lap pace is more reliable. especially on longer runs.

 olafd says:

hi ClreDnes64,

could it be that your runs take place in built up areas or in parks, covered by foliage?

my 405 is reporting current pace times that are all over the place in those kind of conditions. if i run on the beach promenade with totally unobstructed sky, it seems quite in line with the lap pace. today however, i ran under dense foliage and the current pace was way up from what it should be. the nike+/ipod indeed reported more realistic values. even the distance and lap pace differed quite a bit from the ipod... :(

 Mihai says:

Indeed, olafd.
But has anyone tried the 405 together with a footpod? Is it improving the instantaneous pace accuracy?

 olafd says:

i was thinking the same yesterday. would be good indeed but afaik they pitch it as substitute to sat reception use when exercising indoors. not sure i'm willing to buy it just to find out that it's either sat reception or footpod...

 Sareybabes says:

The bumph says the footpod is for indoor use (presumably on a treadmill) or for times of poor satellite reception. What I dont understand is how it works - if you are out and have a footpod does it just read from that when it knows satellite reception is poor, or is it one thing or the other. Similarly, I would be reluctant to spend on a pod just to find out. Maybe should email Garmin an ask them. I'll do that and let u know if I get any news.

 Sareybabes says:

Credit to Garmin for a speedy reply... this is what they say. Does it answer the question?

"Thanks for contacting Garmin Connect.

You can use the Foot Pod along side the GPS funtionality. When wearing the Foot Pod during outdoor activities the FR 405 will record your running cadence, an interesting metric for most runners."

 olafd says:

thanks sareybabes. i think that's a no buy for me. especially not at the current price...

 Sareybabes says:

Yeah, same here. I am happy with Nike+ on my foot and Garmin on my wrist. Get to listen to some great music too if I want!)

 Leoric says:

Oh, Many good reviews, now I would like to have one :")

Just find another site out of rei.com that also sell garmin.

astore.amazon.com/low-price-disco...5-5773928-4678020?_encoding=UTF8&node=30

Is that price is reasonable?

 soofsoof says:

$300 w/o heart rate monitor, $350 with. These are the prices almost everywhere. It's a new model so it's hard to find discount prices now...

 Renato says:

Hello everybody! I just received my 405 last week, downloaded the software, register the unit, created an account, paired the device and in an hour or so, it was ready to record my first run. Next day, I went for an 1-hour run, using also the Nike+ foot pod (I got used to run with music!), and besides some difficulties to make the bezel work (I think this could be a calibration problem), I found a discrepancy between Nike+ and the FR405 distance measurement. The Nike+ measured 11.11 KM, while the 405, 10.49 KM. Unfortunately, I got a cold now, so I should rest for a several days (we are in winter here). The only thing I did previously was to recalibrate my Nike+ system, based on a measurement I did on Google Maps near home. Maybe that's causing the difference. Now, I have to learn to use all the available functions and screens, but in short, I find the 405 fantastic! I have small wrists, so the 305 was very bulky for me. I waited until I finally got it.
The manual was small, but with enough information to get the unit working. Now I'm waiting for this site support to Garmin data.

 alew2 says:

I finally got my 405 paired with my computer. I'm gonna try it out tomorrow. I'll let ya'all know how it goes.

 flix123 says:

Renato, I think your 6% error is quite ok, although some people have it down to about 2% there will always be a difference. Always trust the Garmin and manually adjust the run on runnerplus. Cheers, Felix

 Renato says:

flix123, thanks for your response. You're right. I forgot to mention that the bigger difference between both systems yis the pace. In Nike+, 7 and something minutes per kilometer, but in my 405, was always bigger (I mean slower pace). The more distance you run, more close each to the other system. Cheers.