Garmin 405cx (or similar) work well in woods w/out foot pod? Does the wrist unit alone not work in the woods?
770768
I use the foot pod on the treadmill indoors because there are no satellite signals that the GPS can track indoors.
1079768
Since I VERY rarely run inside, I've never bothered to use the footpod. For outside running, I've found that the watch alone is pretty accurate though.
1348630
Deanna, the subject back track/hunt track device is a VERY good device, especially in the WOODS or on a HIKE. I am very familiar with different kinds of GPS devices and the ONLY reasonsome are Un-happy with it, is that the USE of this device is Different than a CAR GPS for example!
255829
Agree with Sean. You would only be able to use the heart rate monitor functions of this watch. Polar sells a version of this watch with GPS accessory instead of foot pod but I have not heard good things about it. Polar's newer GPS devices are much more useful but not compatible with this watch. Only buy the foot pod if you plan on running only.
2124443
Check with Goal Zero on their website. They were really helpful when I had questions. I had 2 battery sucking Garmin GPS/Radios on a month long trek last summer. I love these units and recommend them highly! Cheers
820809
I have a Dakota 10 and use it all the time for biking. True, it doesn't do any of the things Frank mentions. I guess I'm just interested in track, elevation and odometer, time, so it's perfect for that. Weather/temperature is applied when the tracklog is uploaded to Basecamp or Garmin Connect (although at this writing, the "new" Garmin Connect isn't correctly calculating distance on GPX files, so there's that.)
840652
Interesting! I am looking at buying the 405 without the strap, as I still have the one from my now stolen 305.The Garmin support website says that some versions of the 405 are compatible with the HR monitor. How can you tell if the one you are buying is compatible? Or is it just a trick to make you buy the more expensive version?
580339
Thanks for your detailed insights. From your post and others I've read, seems like I'll stick with the 305. I am very happy with the accuracy and ease of use, I just need to find some way to make it not rub my wrist so much. And the only other thing, and this is minor, is that it does not calculate calories expended unless you are using the GPS. I would think they could make an estimate when you are using the footpod indoors, but they don't. (The Polar R200sd does do this.)Maybe they will get the kinks worked out of the 405 sometime and I'll think about it then. Until then, I guess it doesn't pay to be an early adopter. Thanks for your detailed insights. From your post and others I've read, seems like I'll stick with the 305. I am very happy with the accuracy and ease of use, I just need to find some way to make it not rub my wrist so much. And the only other thing, and this is minor, is that it does not calculate calories expended unless you are using the GPS. I would think they could make an estimate when you are using the footpod indoors, but they don't. (The Polar R200sd does do this.)Maybe they will get the kinks worked out of the 405 sometime and I'll think about it then. Until then, I... » Read More Thanks for your detailed insights. From your post and others I've read, seems like I'll stick with the 305. I am very happy with the accuracy and ease of use, I just need to find some way to make it not rub my wrist so much. And the only other thing, and this is minor, is that it does not calculate calories expended unless you are using the GPS. I would think they could make an estimate when you are using the footpod indoors, but they don't. (The Polar R200sd does do this.)Maybe they will get the kinks worked out of the 405 sometime and I'll think about it then. Until then, I guess it doesn't pay to be an early adopter. « Show Less
360924
It is only the software that neds updating. I know the software for macs are supposed to come out in the fall, but the 405 has been beset by delays. So you can buy one and EVENTUALLY it will be supported by Mac, I just can't tell when by anything I have seen Garmin put out.
66679
I have a Timex Ironman (Trashman would be a better moniker for this $90 disappointment!) that has NEVER given me reliable performance and has basically just quit after 17 months of unreliable service. I'm reading enough negative reviews on the Polar F11, which had otherwise sounded promising, to dismiss risking money on that product as well! While I have little or no use for GPS, the Garmin 305 is starting to sound to me like the accurate, reliable heart rate monitor I'm looking for based on further reading!
97825
I run with this and mountain bike with this, often in remote areas only the brave or the lost would see. GPS is fine and distance is always +/- spot on. You'll see a little "drift" on routes where you repeat certain paths but this seems par for the course w/gps units - all in all, an awesome watch - can't, and won't complain.
681071
Outside your Forerunner will use the GPS and give you actual speeds and distances. Inside if you're on a treadmill or if you are on an inside track and your watch can't get a GPS signal, the foot pod will estimate your distance and speed pretty accurately. I'm not sure exactly how the algorithm that it uses calculates it but it uses cadence information that it gets from the accelerometer of the foot pod and your stride length to do the estimates. I think that I read that the more that you run/walk using the GPS and foot pod, the more accurate it gets.
1531873
I set mine one time and never had to bother after that. When it worked it worked well. Sadly it has never worked for more than a few months for me. The GPS dies. I've ended up using it as a overpriced bike computer just using the ANT+ sensors.
876530
I emailed National Geographic and they indicated that their Topo Software in it's current version will work with this Garmin unit. I ordered it and am waiting for delivery. I doubt Garmin is embedding code to stop 3rd party software from working. They probably have a new format and older versions of Topo Software are not suitable.
907619
You need to have a Garmin foot pod and then calibrate it. Then you can calculate distance. Some watches come with foot pods, some don't, so it really depends on who you buy the watch from and what's included in the package. The foot pod from the FR60 will sync with the FR70, so that's also an option if you have one of those.
92108
Did you have any low battery warnings? I always got strange readings when my foot pod battery was getting low (I guess I'm on my 4th sensor, and finally found out you can return them for replacement if it doesn't last a year).I also found that I needed to calibrate mine for the stride length/speed I was running. When I'm doing marathon training or running with friends I apparently take shorter strides than when I race a 10K. Last year I had a 10k register as 9.3K so the next time I calibrated it (vs my Forerunner 301 GPS) again during a .25 mile warmup at 10k pace. Second 10K I got 10.2K so it was better. Did you have any low battery warnings? I always got strange readings when my foot pod battery was getting low (I guess I'm on my 4th sensor, and finally found out you can return them for replacement if it doesn't last a year).I also found that I needed to calibrate mine for the stride length/speed I was running. When I'm doing marathon training or running with friends I apparently take shorter strides than when I race a 10K. Last year I had a 10k register as 9.3K so the next time I calibrated it (vs my Forerunner 301 GPS) again during a .25 mile warmup at 10k pace. Second 10K I... » Read More Did you have any low battery warnings? I always got strange readings when my foot pod battery was getting low (I guess I'm on my 4th sensor, and finally found out you can return them for replacement if it doesn't last a year).I also found that I needed to calibrate mine for the stride length/speed I was running. When I'm doing marathon training or running with friends I apparently take shorter strides than when I race a 10K. Last year I had a 10k register as 9.3K so the next time I calibrated it (vs my Forerunner 301 GPS) again during a .25 mile warmup at 10k pace. Second 10K I got 10.2K so it was better. « Show Less
801071
I'm sorry I can't help you. I never got it working. After an hour on the phone with Garmin they recommended that I return it, which I did. I went back to Polar.