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After using the Forerunner 305 for over two years, I decided to replace it with the 405cx and am very elated with my decision. But first let me address the main criticism of the 405cx and its predecessor the 405--the bevel and touch system.
Garmin is not Apple, so the bevel and touch are not on par with the scroll wheel on an Ipod or the touch on an iPod Touch--but they quiet work ravishing. Granted, if the bevel gets sweaty or I touch it with sweaty fingers (not something unexpected for an utilize survey) it becomes nonresponsive until I wipe off the sweat. But this is not a immense deal for me. When I hurry I simply utilize auto scroll, which is unaffected by moisture. And if I want to override auto scroll by using a manual touch, it takes only a second to wipe the sweat off the bezel or my fingers. So don't be unfortunate from buying this unit based on the bevel and touch.
While the 305 is a ample unit, here is why I like the 405cx better. Note: I exhaust this on an Intel powered Macbook running the latest edition of Leopard without any problems.
1. Although the 405cx is as thick as the 305, it is noticeably smaller and lighter.
2. I like the wireless ANT technology that automatically transfers data rather than having to status the unit in a USB cradle as with the 305 (though doing so is not a substantial deal), and also effortlessly pairs with my heart rate monitor and foot pod (which must be purchased separately) .
3. The 305 has no power place mode, and I inadvertently drained the battery a couple of times when I forgot to turn it off after running or build it in the charger. The 405cx not only has an automatic power do mode, but you can turn off the GPS when running indoors to further place power. With the GPS turned off, barely any power is dilapidated. Also, this ability to turn the GPS off makes it easier to exercise the footpod when running indoors (the 305 first has to search for a satellite signal before realizing you are indoors, and that can capture several minutes) .
4. I get the bevel and touch system on the 405cx mighty easier to spend than the buttons on the 305 in order to change various features. But I like electronic gadgets, and as I said above, the sweat speak is not a ample deal for me.
Here are some tips:
1.Rinse the unit, the heart rate monitor and the strap after each exercise with listless water.
2.Sustain the unit in the charging clip after each exercise to ensure you always have enough power. A simple touch of the bevel will sing you the percentage of power left. The charging clip can be powered via a USB port on your computer or via an electric outlet using an AC adaptor. The included AC adaptor with the 405cx is very clunky; I expend the Apple recede charger for the iPod instead. Fabricate definite the charging clip is properly attached to the unit or you will drain the unit instead of charging it (already happened to me) .
3.Although the unit lists three training fields, there are actually four if you have the heart rate monitor--by default only the heart rate shows up in the first field, but you can modify that to include two additional data items.
4.Unlike the 305, where you can disappear forward and backward between data fields, the 405cx lets you proceed only forward. Therefore, when I speed indoors I turn off my "outdoor only" data fields--grade, elevation, etc.--so that I don't ruin time looking at them.
5. For a first time purchaser to whom cost is notable, I would say net the 305. My reasons for switching to the 305 may not be principal to you.
6. Grasp the unusual version of the footpod rather than the stale version (I have reviewed both on Amazon) for running indoors.
7. I consume a Mac software program called Ascent that I assume is far wonderful to Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center, and unlike the ancient does not require an internet connection to upload data.
Bottom Line: I have had this unit for three weeks and race over 100 miles both indoors on a treadmill and outdoors in all kinds of weather--light rain, cold nights, and hot humid days. I really like this unit. Due to the bevel and touch issues I would have rated it 4 ½ stars if I could, but since there are no ½ star ratings I gave it 5 stars despite those issues because for me they are negligible compared to the rich features on the 405cx. If you are a serious runner, you will savor this unit.
Update July 22, 2009: I have now been using this for about six weeks and logged over 200 miles. In that time I have had the bevel lock up due to sweat only twice: once in the gym and once outside. The point is that this is even less of a dilemma than I plan, and should not discourage you from buying this unit.
A more serious insist is with the ANT technology. Sometimes I will rep a message on my laptop that the transfer of data to the laptop from the 405cx was not successful. I then conclude the Garmin Ant Agent on my laptop (and sometimes choose and reinsert the ANT USB stick as well), restart it, and have to go through this process three or four times before the data finally transfers to my laptop. The plight began after I updated the ANT software, and I contemplate from Garmin forums that other users have experienced the same plight. Hopefully this is objective a bug that Garmin will fix in a later update. While I would not let this discourage you from buying the 405cx, honest retain in mind that a wireless transfer of data, while convenient, is not always pickle free.
Update August 21, 2009: Garmin released an update for Macs (and I remove for PCs as well) that solved the download problems using the ANT technology. Now the data transfers work perfectly.
The more I spend this witness, the better I like it. Here are my latest comments:
1. The backlight is far apt to that on the Forerunner 305. It produces a worthy brighter light that I like when running at night either outdoors or on the treadmill at my gym (the treadmill location is kind of dismal at night) .
2. The battery life is obliging. Even with BOTH the backlight AND the GPS on for a couple of hours, battery capacity is quiet 75% when I am finished running. What this means as a practical matter is that if you forget to hook this eye up to the charger after a long speed, you will aloof be estimable to go for your next accelerate. The battery life per charge on the Forerunner 305 is not as righteous, and sometimes when I forgot to charge the 305 between runs, the battery would die during the second bustle.
3. The "sweat recount"--i.e. the behold becoming non-responsive when the bevel gets sweaty--has become a non-issue for me since I haven't experienced any quandary in months. Perhaps that is because I periodically "towel off" the sweat on my wrist and forearm during a long hasten.
I'm a original runner and after running the Shamrock Hobble in Chicago this year, I consider I'm addicted. I even registered for the 2009 Chicago Marathon, I level-headed can't leer running a fat 26.2 miles. But if I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do this lawful. Running on nearby trails, I never really knew how far I've race or what my mosey was (there aren't any mile markers) . I wanted a diagram to track my distance and lag. I have friends that bear both the forerunner 305 and 405, and I was impressed on how accurately they tracked distance and lag. I researched the reviews on both, and even though I like the looks of the 405, I was leaning toward the 305 since it's half the sign and the reviews were grand more certain. However, I couldn't earn over the belief of looking like I'm running with a computer on my wrist.
Along came announcements of the 310xt and 405cx. Initially, I was dwelling on getting the 310xt because of it's spacious camouflage and waterproof capability. However, it wouldn't be released till mid May and that model wouldn't even include the HRM. Originally I conception the 405cx wasn't available until mid May also, according to Amazon's 405cx preorder. But to my surprise, I found it available for free overnight shipping from the Clever Training website for 369.99. I got mine for 314.95 with free ground shipping, so do your research and you might land a "premium" deal on this heart rate monitors in USA 
I'm getting side tracked here, I decided on the 405cx because I was hoping Garmin would have ironed out all the flaws of it's previous iteration. I've never owned the 405 or 305, so I can't say how distinguished better the 405cx is. After reading the 405 reviews, a few complaints caught my attention:
- Bad satellite reception
- Clumsy bezel interface
- Locks up when sweated on
- Improper heart rate monitor
1. Satellite reception is helpful. It's able to track satellites indoors! (though accuracy is degraded)
2. The bezel interface, although very sexy, is a harm in my arse to consume. It's overly sensitive at times and not in others. Lock it often. It's going to occupy some time for me to fetch expend to. Oh well, it's the designate I have to pay for sexiness...
3. In the 2 days I've had this unit, it's never locked up on me. I want you to know, I sweat profusely to the point where it looks like I impartial took a shower (I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not...) . I don't honest sweat when I'm working out either, sometimes I sweat sitting idly in a cold room. It's so embarrassing during meetings! So trust me, sweating does not cause the 405cx to lock up.
4. The heart rate monitor is beneficial. This is my first HRM though, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. But it doesn't spike to 200 bpm or plunge to 20 bpm like the treadmills in the gym do, so I'm gay. On a side stamp, the 305 loves the HRM that comes with the 405cx. The one that comes with the 305 is express garbage, it stays at 65 bpm regardless of what you do. It was probably horrible, but it's something to mediate about for anyone thinking of getting the 305 instead.
This review is getting really long, and I need to earn help to work. Garmin Connect is the online software that manages all your running data. Exhaust it, it's hot. Objective be aware, at default all your activities are shared with the Garmin Connect online community (deem of what you keep on your descriptions) . I esteem how you can "play" your urge on Google maps. It's hard for me to interpret, check out this link for yourself
[...]
Please don't earn fun of my plain spin, I'm a original runner! Here's a tip before I raze this. You can delete activities. Honest click on the red "x" next to the pencil and lock. This was a limited frustrating until I figured it out. First-rate luck deciding on a spy, I hope it makes your runs more toothsome. It does for a gadget geek like me.
So far this glance has seemed honest to me and I admire the fact that it uploads automatically to my computer when I accumulate advance it with the perceive. HRM seems fair even though others station it is not. The only issues I have with it are that it doesn't discontinue charged very long. At best you might accumulate two days of running out of it before you have to recharge it. I charged mine to 100% yesterday and it's at 93% today without me touching it. My other complaint is that it digs into my wrist bones with the standard band that comes on it. Other than that it's been a vast tool for my runs!
