Garmin watch - Advice please....

Raiser

Hi All,

Need to pick up a Garmin watch for someone who dropped a few hints re. them - want it to be a surprise though and not ruin it by having to ask which model to buy etc.

So any advice on one that has a good price:specs ratio. Also I have no idea where to buy this so advice needed there too. If it helps make a call then this person has the below running profile [rough indicator !!!]

• Someone who is into running for the past year or so
• Currently covers ~30 miles a week
• Runs the odd half marathon when they can

Any help sincerely appreciated......

ekevosu

A few people have posted links in the dublin marathon forum I think if you want to do a search but the forerunner 405 is an excellent model.

It depends what you want really but this will help them with pacing / distance and even their heart rate if you buy it with the hrm (costs a bit extra). Fantastic gadget.

Its around €270 with hrm on www.dabs.ie (might not include postage).

The forerunner 305 is a bit bulkier but the functionality is also supposed to be top notch and it comes in cheaper (around €200).

there are some other good sites out there as well where they might be cheaper.

robinph

I expect they meant the Garmin 405 which is their current main model.

Raiser

Ha ha - all required info. on a 7 min turnaround time

- Really appreciate the help folks, thanks a million !!!

MCOS

How water resitant are Garmins? Ok to run it a downpour? Ok to swim for an our? Water proof?

If not, can anyone recommend a Tri watch that you can keep on in and out of water?

Thanks!

Running Bing

Anybody know of any shops in Dublin where I can buy a 405 and how much they cost with the HRM?

ekevosu

MCOS wrote: »

How water resitant are Garmins? Ok to run it a downpour? Ok to swim for an our? Water proof?

If not, can anyone recommend a Tri watch that you can keep on in and out of water?

Thanks!

the 405 is okay for rain but not for swimming.

ekevosu

Babybing wrote: »

Anybody know of any shops in Dublin where I can buy a 405 and how much they cost with the HRM?

I know irishfit in dun laoghaire have them but they are expensive enough I think. Peats have the 305, not sure about newer one but they are also very expensive. HRm from previous model 305 works with 405 in case people are upgrading.

elara.ie are based in dublin so you can always call in to them and I think they are reasonable enough. Krusty had a good website that was very cheap but can't remember the name, on another thread somewhere in here.

robinph

I've seen them on display in Great Outdoors, cannot remember what price they were going for though.

911sc

€215 on Amazon UK. Need UK address for delivery though.

I don't think you can get it cheaper anywhere.

Got mine in July from Amazon for €280 which was the cheapest I could get at the time. The joy of electronics depreciation.
Was €370 in 53 degree north, and from memory around €340 in IrishFit.

Daithi BC

MCOS wrote: »

How water resitant are Garmins? Ok to run it a downpour? Ok to swim for an our? Water proof?

I've found that my 405 gets very confused in even moderately heavy rain. I have to lock the screen because it changes the dispay every time you touch the bezel around the screen, and if it's raining, it will be displaying a different set of data every time you look at it.

I still think it's a great bit of kit though!

Orobhsa

Bought a 405 recently from Elara who are Dublin based. €279 with HRM.

http://www.elara.ie/

Edit: Price 265 now.

MCOS

Ok, I'd appreciate views on this. Not just the spec of various models because I can look that up myself and you obviously get more spec for more bucks.

So the IronMan Timex are <€100 and Garmins €250++

If I were doing swim /bike run am I better off getting a Timex as I'll only be running 2-3 times a week? I like that the Garmin shows your pace but I'm not hugely bothered by elevation etc.. (hills are hills to me:D) i.e are the Garmins more suited to marathoners/trail runners? The Timex seems to have all the basics and is lighter and cheaper.

Battery Life of each?

HR functionality in each?

Is the Garmin just for the wireless/online programme/lap top junkies?

How erratic is the data on Garmins?

Are both just as good as each other for an interval track session?

Personal pros and cons of each?

It seems every second soul at the start of the DM had a Garmin of some sort on anxiously waiting for the signal to appear as if manna from heaven! I'm wondering what the Triathletes among you choose to wear?


Much appreciated!

Krusty_Clown

Orobhsa wrote: »

Bought a 405 recently from Elara who are Dublin based. €279 with HRM.

http://www.elara.ie/

Edit: Price 265 now.

That's definitely the best offer, unless you can get the above Amazon UK residents offer. The site I originally got mine from was GlobalGizoms.co.uk which is now around 260 euro.

Krusty_Clown

I can only answer for the Forerunner 405:
The Forerunner is very useful for running and cycling, just not for swimming. For a triathlon you'd have to consider using it after the swim section, or somehow putting it into a waterproof bag.

Hills/Elevation isn't terribly useful unless you want to compare different training circuits, but it's there, and you don't pay any extra for the information, so just use it or ignore it.

Battery life of the 405 is around 8 hours. Some people report less, but for me, I get 8 hours. Then it needs to be recharged by USB. When not in use, the battery will last around 2 weeks. Obviously this is a concern for anyone considering any activities that will take longer than 6-7 hours.

HR functionality is....probably the same as the Timex.

Yes, the Garmin is for laptop junkies and gadgeteers, but works just as well without connecting it and uploading any data. To get the most out of it though, it definitely helps if you are computer-savvy.

I have never found the Garmin data to be erratic, apart from a HR spike I get when I first start a training session and this is down to contact issues.

The Garmin is great if you want to do a track session 'off-the-track', but I'd imagine it would work very well, on the track. And finally...

At DM08, I had absolutely zero problems receiving satellite data. I turned GPS on, waited around 25 seconds, and then it stayed on until the start of the race, and then until the end of the race. No probs..

You should probably just buy both.

Highway_To_Hell

Having owned both: got my Times in 2004 and upgraded to the 405 at the end of August this year.

I am sure the Timex has improved since 2004 but AFAIK the GPS is still a separate pack that is worn on an arm band as is the data recorder - put me off using the device and ended up just using the HRM and the watch as then I was running known routes/distances. When I decided to complete the DCM I got the 405 so I could track distances better and also improve my pacing.

The 405 I feel is a better solution due to the following:

Pro's
- GPS/data recorder contained within the watch
- very light and easy to use.
- Picks up the GPS signal really quickly and rarely loses it.
- data upload is simple and software supplied works well for me.
- bike cadence unit also available - have not fitted to my bike yet so I cannot report how good/bad it is.

Con's
- battery charge - a full charge will give you 8hrs of active use which is OK up to 1/2 IM times - recharge is very quick.
- the swimming issue - I was told that the watch would be OK to wear during a swim section of a Tri but the documentations states that the watch isnt designed for swimming, but in another section it states that the watch should be fully dried before recharging.

should be noted that the Timex needs to be sent away to get the battery changed to re-seal the unit.

Polar is also an option but I have no experience with their watches.

DublinDilbert

komplete have both the 305 and 405

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=319970
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=351805

Am tempted to buy the 305, price isn't too bad... Also i believe you can pick up form komplete if your around blanch and save on the postage...

Jnealon

Wiggle have the 405 for €230

Krusty_Clown

DublinDilbert wrote: »

komplete have both the 305 and 405

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=319970
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=351805

Am tempted to buy the 305, price isn't too bad... Also i believe you can pick up form komplete if your around blanch and save on the postage...

The price of the 405 is too high (doesn't even include the HRM). I didn't know that Komplett allowed you to pick up goods. That does reduce the postage costs.

JNealon wrote:

Wiggle have the 405 for €230

Again, without HRM. It's the same price as everywhere else. More if you don't have free postage on wiggle.

Manone

Dabs.ie for 269€ HRM and ANT stick.
Don't know postage cost.

ekevosu

261 on elara.ie with hrm and ant and you can collect and save postage.

I got mine off dabs.ie at the start of the year, comes from uk but reliable.

Peckham

Was looking at these in New York, and a 405 is priced at $380 (€290) there, so prices above seem a very good deal.

DublinDilbert

Just bought a 305 from komplett, was ordering some other stuff and couldn't resist.. a nice post marathon present to myself

giantracer

Hi,

I've had both an Polar HRM, a basic one, and a Timex HRM.

I had the Polar for a few years and treated it pretty badly. Worked well for triathlons except I found that it was hard to keep the cheststrap working well without some gel for contact when I was swimming. And it worked best under a wetsuit. Most of the gang I trained with had high level Polars and they were happy with them. This was a few years back.

The best thing about Polar was their customer service. If anything went wrong, they fixed the watch or replaced it, nice and simple.

I then broke my polar, well out of the warranty period and wanted more functionality.

So bought a Timex.

It lasted about six months before the bezel fell off, then after another six months it started to take in water, and generally has had problems since. I wouldn't go for a Timex now.

I'm thinking of getting another, either Polar or Garmin - but now after hearing that Garmins aren't as good in water, I think I might just have to fork out for a Polar 625/725.

Good luck with the choice!

plodder

There's an interesting note on the Garmin website about waterproof standards

Most newer Garmin® GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 60529 IPX7. IEC 60529 is a European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IPX8 designation is for continuous underwater use.

I think the 405 is IPX7, but it sounds to me like a unit for triathlons should be IPX8.

Krusty_Clown

plodder wrote: »

There's an interesting note on the Garmin website about waterproof standards

I think the 405 is IPX7, but it sounds to me like a unit for triathlons should be IPX8.

Some have used the 405 successfully, for watersports, such as wind-surfing etc. The general guidance is that if you get it wet, don't charge it, until it's fully dry again. and yes, it is IPX7, which is 1 metre of water for 30 minutes, but would you really want to risk it for just shy of 270 euro?

Cualaman

Hi all,
I am new to the forum and i am just starting running after a very long absence. I ran the 1995 DM and have done very little since then but hope to get going again especially after reading all the posts on the recent DM.
I would like to buy a half decent watch for when i am running so could anyone offer advice on what they think would be a good starter watch which i hope will get me to the 2009 DM

Cheers

Cualaman

Up the Dubs

Rusty Cogs 08

How much are you willing to spend ?

christeb

Actually my OH is in a similar boat after I gave her a lend of my 405. She's only looking to spend <€80, would like something that measures distance. I presume anything GPS is out, any other suggestions?

plodder

If you have an iPod (nano) you could consider the Nike+ gizmo for it. It comprises an attachment for the iPod which you have to carry while running and a chip which is attached to your shoe. In theory it is supposed to be used with Nike+ shoes but I have used it with a separate holder that fits any shoe. The data then is uploaded to a website through iTunes.

It is basically a glorified pedometer, so it wouldn't be as accurate as a GPS watch, but for 30 odd euros, not bad value assuming you already have an iPod nano (though it has to be replaced when the sensor battery runs out).

Really, you don't need any of this gadgetry, since you can measure distance on the web easily and a 10 euro watch is accurate enough for timing. Having said that, the Nike+ thing was a present, and I did have quite a bit of fun with it (until I lost my iPod :mad:)

robinph

They have a couple of cools ads for Nike+ as well on YouTube. Not a fancy enough gadget for my liking though, and I also have an aversion to products whose names start with an "i".

Cualaman

About €100 maybe a little more. I see some people upgrading to better watches, what do they do with there old ones ?

shels4ever

robinph wrote: »

They have a couple of cools ads for Nike+ as well on YouTube. Not a fancy enough gadget for my liking though, and I also have an aversion to products whose names start with an "i".

Looks ok to me, but can you picture doing a marathon with it.. " You have 26 miles to go" ...

MCOS

giantracer wrote: »

Hi,

I've had both an Polar HRM, a basic one, and a Timex HRM.

I had the Polar for a few years and treated it pretty badly. Worked well for triathlons except I found that it was hard to keep the cheststrap working well without some gel for contact when I was swimming. And it worked best under a wetsuit. Most of the gang I trained with had high level Polars and they were happy with them. This was a few years back.

The best thing about Polar was their customer service. If anything went wrong, they fixed the watch or replaced it, nice and simple.

I then broke my polar, well out of the warranty period and wanted more functionality.

So bought a Timex.

It lasted about six months before the bezel fell off, then after another six months it started to take in water, and generally has had problems since. I wouldn't go for a Timex now.

I'm thinking of getting another, either Polar or Garmin - but now after hearing that Garmins aren't as good in water, I think I might just have to fork out for a Polar 625/725.

Good luck with the choice!

Thanks, I began to notice the watches the guys in the pool were wearing last night. Noticed an Ironman Timex but not sure which model, and a Polar 625. I'm kind of put off the Garmin as it only lasts 8 hours before you have to charge it and its not water friendly.

Can the Polar and IM Timex give you your pace also?

plodder

Just curious. How bulky is the Garmin 405? Some reviews seem to say it is still quite hefty. Could you wear it as a normal watch, or does it look like something James Bond might use to get himself out of trouble?

Krusty_Clown

It's a little bigger than a normal watch, but still wearable.. I used to wear it after running to work, and no-one would notice. However, would you really want to wear a watch for every day use, that you have to recharge every couple of days?

Peckham

I handled one for the first time a few days ago. It's about the same size as a normal digitial wristwatch - in fact, at first glance could easily be mistaken for a cheap 10 euro digital watch from Argos!

In fact, I found this quite off-putting - it's all image for me, I want a piece of equipment that makes me look like a serious runner! Having the 201 strapped to my wrist up until now did that quite effectively, and my new 305 performs a similar role.

plodder

Thanks guys. I must say I am really impressed by it. Time to start dropping hints for Santa Clause I think.

christeb

I like my 405 I must say. Apart from the functional features (which unfortunately have included some uploading problems) I think it looks cool though and anyone tech-savvy (who cares about anyone else right?!) will be asking about it. Its a biog chunky piece of kit and actually I take offence to the previous comment about it looking like an "Argos" watch!

plodder

christeb wrote: »

I like my 405 I must say. Apart from the functional features (which unfortunately have included some uploading problems) I think it looks cool though and anyone tech-savvy (who cares about anyone else right?!) will be asking about it. Its a biog chunky piece of kit and actually I take offence to the previous comment about it looking like an "Argos" watch!

Actually, that reminds me some thing else I wanted to ask. It does actually bear a passing resemblance to an Argos watch that I bought before. I think it is the moulded strap that does it, and that is the thing. The rubbery strap on that watch broke after a few months, and couldn't be replaced because of the way it is moulded to the watch. Is the strap on the Garmin fairly solid, or could that be a problem ???

christeb

Argos SmArgos!

Strap seems very stable to me. This guy does the most comprehensive review of it I have found as I undertook plenty of research before purchasing. It should be of interest:

http://timedrun.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/garmin-forerunner-405/

MCOS

christeb wrote: »

I like my 405 I must say. Apart from the functional features (which unfortunately have included some uploading problems) I think it looks cool though and anyone tech-savvy (who cares about anyone else right?!) will be asking about it. Its a biog chunky piece of kit and actually I take offence to the previous comment about it looking like an "Argos" watch!

Of course you would if you paid so much for it! Its new technology and so its pricey. They will make more slim line GPS devices in the near future and also improve the battery life. I'm put off by the Garmin as I'd like to wear a sports watch as an everyday watch too, which is why I'm looking at IM Timex and Polar now. I have a Polar HRM now and its about 3 years old, basic enough model and I lost the HR band a year after I got it. Its durable enough. I swam with it a few times but the screen got wet and disappeared. It reappeared once dry. I used it for all 3 of my marathons although just as a stopwatch and checking it at mile markers. At DM this year I just looked at the memory for the first time in months and guess what I found, my DM07 time! It proved to be a significant motivation for me the night before! I've seen the Garmin 101, 201, 205, 305. 405 on peoples wrist. They are all clunky looking except for the 405 which looks more like a basic digital watch (not the ones from the 80s with the 9 button calculator on them!). The 101 and 201 especially look like something from startrek. I went for a run with a budding 15 year old 1500m Olympic hopefully in UL one day and the sight of the early Forerunner on her tiny wrist reminded me of First Year school girls getting off the school bus hunched over the weight of 30kg worth of 1,000page biology and history books...

I'm highly tempted by the 405 though but I think the battery thing would annoy me and its not really a manly looking piece of kit!

The Polars shout 'I am some sort of athlete!' and the IM Timex shout 'I swim/bike/run a lot!'

That is if you were into the look of the thing!

The next thing for running watches is that they will be a Sports watch, GPS, Remote control, Bank Key, mobile phone, car key, friend, mother, pet and a hundred differnt bling colours all on your wrist. You will have to use it on alternate wirsts at first until both arms have sufficient strength to run with it on. 20 years later your son will laugh at it as he controls his domestic world while on a fartlek session from the data screen in one lens of his oaklays and chasing the ghost running buddy in the other lens...:D

Peckham

My Argos comment was meant in the context that the 405 looks like any other digital wristwatch (and most digital wristwatches are cheap items, hence the Argos link)....

The 405 is a good watch, no doubt about it. However, (following extensive research and reviews) I don't believe it's worth the extra money over a 305. I think Garmin might be banking on people buying it simply because it's the latest version, and assuming (incorrectly I think) that it must be better than the 305 as a result.

If you're decided on a Garmin, then buy a 305 and save your money for a new pair of shoes, that's my advice!

christeb

Peckham wrote: »

My Argos comment was meant in the context that the 405 looks like any other digital wristwatch (and most digital wristwatches are cheap items, hence the Argos link)....

The 405 is a good watch, no doubt about it. However, (following extensive research and reviews) I don't believe it's worth the extra money over a 305. I think Garmin might be banking on people buying it simply because it's the latest version, and assuming (incorrectly I think) that it must be better than the 305 as a result.

If you're decided on a Garmin, then buy a 305 and save your money for a new pair of shoes, that's my advice!

I do take your points onboard, of course there is a premium to be paid for the latest model etc. All-in-all though, I'm happy with the purchase. Although it must be stated I have nothing to reference it to, so my expectations were pretty much just from what I had read on the web. I feel its fine (albeit chunky enough) to wear in the office and it's certainly helped me progress with my training.

run_Forrest_run

Peckham wrote: »

My Argos comment was meant in the context that the 405 looks like any other digital wristwatch (and most digital wristwatches are cheap items, hence the Argos link)....

The 405 is a good watch, no doubt about it. However, (following extensive research and reviews) I don't believe it's worth the extra money over a 305. I think Garmin might be banking on people buying it simply because it's the latest version, and assuming (incorrectly I think) that it must be better than the 305 as a result.

If you're decided on a Garmin, then buy a 305 and save your money for a new pair of shoes, that's my advice!

as a 305 owner myself I agree! I love the 305, the size is not an issue as it is very light. I've had it for about 6 months now and I wonder how I ever managed without it!

DublinDilbert

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

as a 305 owner myself I agree! I love the 305, the size is not an issue as it is very light. I've had it for about 6 months now and I wonder how I ever managed without it!

Got mine on Friday and brought it for its first run on Saturday morning

Its a nice toy, it was also nice to know that my 10 mile circuit was 9.8 miles

MCOS

DublinDilbert wrote: »

Got mine on Friday and brought it for its first run on Saturday morning

Its a nice toy, it was also nice to know that my 10 mile circuit was 9.8 miles

Wäs your route actually 10 mile oder wäs your Garmin correct and it wäs 9.8 miles? Just wonering because I want to get a watch after christmas myself and I'm caught btween a Timex IM, polar 625 und forerunner 305 right now

pgibbo

I bought a Garmin 305 just over a year a go. It's a great training aid. However, having to charge it can be a pain, especially if it goes mid way through a run. Earlier this year I decided to give a triathlon a go. I reckon a Polar plus foot pod is probably the best option. Although there are more bits with the Polar at least you can wear it for your swims too. It's also fine for everyday use as a watch. The Garmin is for training really and nothing else. Just me 2 cents.....

DublinDilbert

MCOS wrote: »

Wäs your route actually 10 mile oder wäs your Garmin correct and it wäs 9.8 miles? Just wonering because I want to get a watch after christmas myself and I'm caught btween a Timex IM, polar 625 und forerunner 305 right now

I was slightly over estimating before i got the 305, but not by much....

The 305 is good, i like it... i like it so much i'm going to take out for another run in a few minutes... hope the sun stays out for a little longer...

Satan Polaroid

What can the 405 do that the 305 can't?

I'm looking to buy one of these next week, but am a little unsure which to get.

Quality Feet

i think the main difference is to do with the size/look. i think the functions are pretty much the same