The next evolution of Garmin’s popular Forerunner series is the perfect union of form and function. The 405 has all the advanced training features and accuracy of our GPS-enabled Forerunners in a sleek new sport watch design. It also features wireless data transfer between your watch and your computer, plus [dramatic pause] a unique touch bezel interface. The touch bezel lets you select features and change pages by sliding your finger around the rim of the watch face and then tapping to select.

Want to see this in action? Check out the video for a sneak peek at the Forerunner 405, hosted by fellow blogger Jake. And stay tuned to the Garmin blog for news on availability. My 405 will be taking me through the paces of a track workout tonight, and somehow, the drudgery of speed drills will be lessened, thanks to my new trainer.

Comments

[Peg]

Hi Raymond. You are correct--power save mode is using the 405 as simply a watch, with GPS off. Forerunner will last about 2 weeks in power save mode. With GPS and the timer on, the charge will last about 8 hours.

[Raymond Poon]

What is the 405 'power safe mode'? Does it mean letting it operates as a watch with GPS 'off'?

If not, how long will a full charge last when leaving the 405 run as a watch?

[Peg]

Hi Mike. On the new Forerunner 405, you can use the foot pod outdoors, with GPS still enabled on the watch. If GPS signal is lost, the foot pod will fill in the gaps, so to speak. On the 305, it works differently--you do have to pick one or the other, foot pod or GPS, for your workout.

[Mike Mc]

Hi, I have a question... will the footpod work WITH the gps, or do you pick which to use for that workout? I have a 305 and when there is no signal, of course, the gps cuts out. Will/can the footpod take over when that happens?

[Peg]

Hi Ben W. Thanks for the questions. 1) It takes 3 hours to fully charge the 405 using the included charging clip (USB). We would have to conduct testing with the battery pack you mentioned to determine if it would charge the 405. I can request that our engineers do some testing on that. 2) Sorry--the 405 is not waterproof. It is rated for water resistance, which means it can stand up to rain and sweat, but not swimming. 3)The 405 will not show min/max HR on the unit, but once the data is sent to Garmin Connect (our online analysis site), you can see those values there. 4)Yes, you can save a location and view your lat/lon, navigate straight to a location, navigate back to start, or do a Course. The 405 has similar functionality to the 305, but doesn’t have routes and doesn’t have the breadcrumb map display, but it does have a compass/pointer arrow to direct you to a point.

[Peg]

Hi R Smith. Thanks for the comment regarding foot pod compatibility. Good news--the foot pod you received for Christmas is compatible with the 405. That's because both foot pod models are ANT+Sport enabled, which means they can "pair" with other compatible devices. See the Peg's Post dated Feb. 15 for more on this topic.

[Ben Woodard]

Several questions:
1) How long does it take to charge? For example if I am on a backpack trip will I be able to charge it from a battery pack with a USB port?

2) Is IPX7 waterproofing mean that you swim with it. e.g. Triathlon.

3) Does a workout history summary have a minimum HR so that you can figure out your resting HR in the morning. The 305 only gives you maximum HR.

4) Can you view your lat,long and set waypoints and do very very basic navigation stuff. e.g. Go to this waypoint (I'm not talking maps and autorouting. more like I'm lost which direction back to the camp) . That way it can be used as backup emergency navigation unit in the wilderness and as a datalogger for a trip.

[R Smith]

It says that the footpod accesory for the 405 is: 010-10998-00, for christmas I got a 305 footpod for christmas its number is 010-10818-00.

Are these products the same? will they both work with the 405 when i get one in Quarter 1? please let me know, i have to take it back to the store if it is not compatible, ty

[Zach]

Is there any more specific release date for the 405? I've been waiting for a new Forerunner since my 205 took a bad fall back in July, and this is the answer. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

[John]

Thanks Peg. This is good news. I look forward to reading more about the 405.

[Peg]

To John's comment regarding the heart rate strap: yes, the 405 is compatible with the heart rate monitor strap from the 305. You simply "pair" the HR strap with the 405 (it's a simple menu operation to complete the pairing step). That's the beauty of ANT+Sport technology -- interconnectivity with multiple compatible devices. Same goes for the speed/cadence sensor for use on a bike and the foot pod, for use indoors.

[Peg]

Thanks for all the great comments. Our design and engineering teams pulled out all the stops for this watch. The screens are a sight to behold and the user interface, well, you just have to get your hands on it. You can buy the 405 either with or without the heart rate strap. Note: that means you can add HR later as an accessory if you buy the version without HR. It's also available in two colors, black or green, but both with the same capabilities. Stay tuned for user feedback from Jake and I as well as info on product availability.

[John]

Will this use the same HRM strap as the 305 or do you have to purchase a different one?

[Rozmi]

I'm from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...now I'm using 305, what's a great tool..can't wait to know much this new baby..hope manual will release soon..

[bob]

Guess what? I'm getting this the day it's available... so I hope its soon! Nice product... can't wait to run with it!

[Ben Willmore]

HEY EVERYONE... most all your questions can be answered on these pages, along with much larger photos that show more screens (like the heart rate screen):

http://www8.garmin.com/ces/forerunner/index.html

Enjoy!

-Ben

[borafina]

A good comparison on the 405 vs. the 305 (or any other of their watches) can be done on the Garmin website at: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142

Here's a preset one comparing the 305 with the 405.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=142&compare=compare&compareProduct=349&compareProduct=11039

[Tom F]

Very cool... is it water proof/resistant?

[JP]

Sign me up for this. I own, not one, but two 305's and will give my left leg to get the 405 (I already gave my right leg... you can see how I use my Garmin training as a competitive athlete in the PC (physically challenged) division at http://www.challengedracing.com). If there is a beta test or early testing program... I'm your man!

-JP

[Jean]

This is so awesome.

[funkright]

what is the ETA on this new watch? me want it now... :-)

[mattia]

This is incredibly cool! I'm using a 305 and love it, but this new 405 is really amazing.

Anyway a question for you Peg: does this "watch" have an heart rate monitor? Looking at the pictures it doesn't seem so and I wonder if this is the "new 205" with a "new 305" (i.e. the 505 following what seems to be your names pattern) coming soon.

In any case, I'm really awaiting any news here and a personal test someday in the future :)

Also I hope it will be available worldwide and not US only for a long period (I live in Italy :))

[John]

Wow. I can't wait to get my hands on the 405 and do a comparison review versus my 305. Will it have a HRM?

Keep up the great work....