We gave Runner's World a sneak peek of the Forerunner 405 in January while we were at CES in Las Vegas, putting in a hilly 10K that saw the Virtual Partner come out on top. Now that the Forerunner 405 is being snatched up in running stores, outdoor retailers and electronic shops everywhere, Sean Downey of Runner's World calls the 405 "a slickly designed successor to one of my favorite training partners (the 305)." From the easily adjustable Virtual Partner (his "favorite feature") to the high-sensitivity GPS receiver's quick acquisition time ("The most I've waited with the 405 was 30 seconds."), you can read Sean's review here and see our tutorial videos here.

Across the ocean, Runner's World UK recently named the Forerunner 50 as the Best Overall Product in their 2008 Personal Best Awards. Armed with ANT+Sport wireless technology, "Garmin's compact sports watch is easy to use and simple to download to your computer," Runner's World UK writes. "You can upgrade it to a wireless heart rate monitor and speed and distance monitor and it's still excellent value."

Which Forerunner is your favorite? Tell us which model and why in the comments below, and you could win some free Garmin swag. (For inspiration, check out this story about one of our first Forerunners.)

Comments

[julian graham]

I adore my 50. It wakes me up in the morning just like any digital watch. Is backlit like any other digital watch. Tells the time like any other digital watch.

BUT unlike many other running watches, it requires no charging or GPS locating and its battery will lasta round a year. It can be used in or outdoors and gives off great info to my pc via the ant+ sport technology, hence doesn't require a dock. Its also great value and lightweight.

Looking at it you would never think something so small could do all this. I dont even wear my omega seamaster anymore.

I even track how far I can walk in my lunch break at work.

This watch has changed the way I train and changed the way I can analize my training, its fantastic!

[Christian]

Love this product. Just went out and bought it yesterday and could not wait to try. After the run I uploaded all the data to Garmin Connect and what I saw completely exceeded all my expectations. Great product for training and motivating.

[jerry willoughby]

The 405 is the heat. I not only use it for running but stand-up paddle boarding as well. I don't have to worry about getting it wet and its cool to see the track on the garmin training site. I'm sure the 405 thinks I'm very slow as it has no idea I'm paddling and not running.

[Mar5195]

I like the 205 but the 405 looks awesome!