18 responses so far ↓

• 1 Edson

  This HR monitor does exactly what it’s supposed to do. The computer upload is excellent – I litterally take off my watch and toss it on the next near the computer when I come in from a workout and when I come back, the software has popped open and the data is there. If you want more detailed analytics, you may need additional monitors (like shoe or bike), but this is more than capable. The signal from the heart strap should be picked up by machinery at most gyms, too. I wanted it specifically so I could do workouts away from machines (like classes or circuits) and be able to analyze whether or not I’m getting the heart rate levels I want. I’m very pleased with it.

• 2 Gordon

  I bought this item because I was impressed with the Garmin Connect program that it interfaces with. The device wirelessly syncs with your computer to upload your workout information.

  I was under the assumption that this device also uploads GPS position and tracking information. This model DOES NOT do so. It only allows you to track your workout time, heart rate and pace (with the optional foot pod). That may be useful to some, but was not for me. Ultimately, I returned to device and bought a Forerunner 301. This, I believe is the first model that allows you to upload GPS information. It is bulkier, but just fine for biking and boating.

• 3 Horn

  The Forerunner 50 was a freeby with the purchase of the Forerunner 405CS, so I didn’t expect too much, but it is a piece of junk. It will not monitor my heart rate accurately or for any period of time. I returned it to Amazon for a new one and the replacement was no better. I gave it to my daughter and it would not work for her. I received my Forerunner 405CS and lo and behold it doesn’t work either (GPS function is great. Garmin should stick to what they know.) I have had a Polar heart rate monitor for ten years as I need to keep track of my heart rate having had a heart attack in 1999. Now I use my 405CS on one arm (for the GPS functions) and my “old” Polar on the other arm (for the heart rate functions). Too bad.

• 4 Rhonepopper

  I’m new to running and have read that heart rate, pace, steps per minute, time and distance are what we guage our own performance on. I own the Forerunner 50, Foot Pod and Heart Monitor. They work great. I plan on buying the Garmin 310TX or the 305 when I can run 10K daily. The 50 does everything the bigger models do except GPS and the automatic distance stuff. Run an established known distance and you can calibrate the 50 with the optional Foot POD. The online Garmin Software is an awesome freebie to track your results, goals and performance.

• 5 Sim

  Originally bought this from Amazon. When low battery displayed, I attempted to replace on my own without success. The manual should say MUST have watch specialist replace watch battery. I struggled getting the battery hold down on, and I stripped a screw. Garmin was nice enough to send me a refurb replacement. Soon after, this battery was low too. I replaced it today although not perfectly, and I’ll hope that the watch keeps working. I would recommend trying a different watch of this type.

• 6 Redman

  Notice that a belt with a sensor comes with this wristwatch. Read the manual. It explains that when your skin is too dry no pulse will be transmitted or it will be erratic. Once you begin to sweat, the readings are fine. I have used it at fitness centers and on a hike.

  The transmission can be picked up by some treadmills as well as the wrist watch.

  It is a great buy.

• 7 Teagarden

  Before buying this product, click on [...] in order to review the manual. Fortunately I did, and I decided not to buy. I had sent them an e-mail with questions, and their answers were all “yes”. Wrong! In discovering the manual, and thus discovering that I had been vastly misinformed with all these “yes” answers, I contacted them again for clarification. No response! Bottom line: I wouldn’t do business with a company I don’t feel I can trust.

• 8 O'Mary

  This heart rate monitor is great for someone who wants to be sure they’re getting their pulse up where they want it for cardio-based workouts. It’s compact and light weight, and it fits a very small wrist (I often have trouble with watch bands not cinching small enough to be secure — this one stays in place). Note that there is another piece, not pictured here, which fits around the ribs: it’s the bit which transmits heart rate to the wristwatch. This part is a firm plastic/rubber bit that goes over the heart, with an adjustable elastic band to holds it in place. The transmitter is very adjustable, and I can wear it without it slipping, even when I’m jumping up and down on an aerobic step. The watch is programmable so that it will remember the low- and high-end of a range, and will indicate when the wearer is within the range, and beep if the range is exceeded.

• 9 Frazier

  I have been using this watch for about a year, and am about to buy a new watch even though this one still works. It has been very frustrating for me as a triathlete. In terms of functionality, the heart rate monitor works fine, although I have gotten EXTREMELY discrepant readings from time to time. Sometimes well below my actual HR, other times well above my MAX heart rate. But those issues have been fairly limited. What really makes this watch almost useless to me is that I use it for triathlon training, and the stop button constantly gets pushed as I’m shifting my grip on my bike. All of the sudden, I will look down at my watch only to realize it has not been on for 5-10 minutes. I suppose I could switch wrists, but still, I find that the buttons (even during everyday use) get pushed much too often. My guess is the buttons are big and easy to push as an intended benefit to the user, but to me, they are TOO big. If it weren’t for this flaw (or if I didn’t cycle so much), this would not be an issue.

• 10 Shintaku

  I had pretty high expectations for the Timex to replace my existing HRM since I’d had one of the first Timex HRM’s a while ago and was very pleased with it. However, after reading up in the training manual and strapping it on for my first workout, I noticed strange behavior; it read my resting heart rate spot on, but after starting my workout, it kept reading significantly low rates for the first half hour of the workout. It was like it kept “creeping up” on my heart rate. 15 minutes into the exercise, I should have been low 120’s and it was still in the 80’s and climbing. Towards the end of the workout it finally peaked over 160, and stayed there, when it should have been 130’s to 140’s. Strange! I thought maybe it was calibrating itself, but it did the same thing the next time out. Definitely a problem with it. I turned it back in, and decided to get a Suunto T4C HRM…much nicer IMHO.

• 11 Oswald

  This was a very disappointing purchase. First one I received read way too high on my first run (30-40 bpm above normal). I called Timex and they sent out a replacement chest strap which they said they would test before sending. This read way too low. I sent both back to Amazon and received a replacement the next day. It also read way too low. Gave up and sent it back for a refund. I’ve had Timexes before and they worked well. This model just doesn’t seem to have the same reliability.

• 12 Shepherd

  Ok, I have been looking at these for a while and I have to say for the money this thing is probably one of the best options.

  In terms of functionality you’ll get more bells & whistles then you will probably need. Most important to me is the Chronograph and it’s lap fucntions & the different zone settings you can create in HRM mode.

  I’m sure that other watches allow you to download your data, but I like to use a simple excel program & create my own runner’s log so I didn’t need the download option.

  Pros: Easy to use, good functions, chest monitor is comfortable.

  Cons: The only thing I can think of is that the start/stop button on timer is located at bottom right & sometimes I hit it by accident & it scews up my times.

  Also, I can’t say about the battery life yet, but I know that you can get replacements easy as they are typical 3V Lithium at least for the monitor.

  I’ve owned this watch for a couple months now & I would recommend it to anyone, not just runners.

• 13 Jaime

  Excellent product. My first HRM and I am more than satisfied. It has really helped my training as I was kind of a naysayer to these before I got one. Between checking my pulse manually and when on cardio equipment, I have found it to be spot on 90% of the time with a variance of +/- 1-3 BPM the rest of the time. Highly recommended especially for fist time users. Can also be used with GPS, purchased separately, if desired.

• 14 Olga

  I purchased this last week, and have used it for a couple runs and a nice long walk. So far, it’s a spectacular device that has helped me tune my runs, average my times, and track my fitness with data to back it up. It’s huge to be able to track run distances, paces, AND heart rate all simultaneously in order to best improve my routines.

  The good:

  - The heart rate monitor and Ant+ devices synced up on the first try without any problems at all. This is huge, as it seems Bluetooth and related technologies always have trouble marrying.

  - It works even in the city, with buildings around. I used it on a run through downtown yesterday, and it kept my exact track. Pretty accurate with large buildings at every angle.

  - Simple to read face, and easy to switch between views. It’s currently set up to read heart rate on one screen and pace/distance/time on the other. One small tap and it changes. Great!

  - Wearable outside of running! I can’t stress this enough – though it is a little bulky, it looks NORMAL! You can wear it as a daily watch and not feel like some kind of freak with a huge sports watch / Dick Tracy cameraphone watch.

  - Works even when I sweat. Contrary to several other reviewers, I’ve not had a problem using the bezel even when I sweat. I sweat like a horse, so if I don’t have the problem, I’m surprised others do.

  The bad:

  - The charger is a bit cruddy- it can be a pain to make sure the holes line up perfectly.

  - Carrying a charger and a separate stick for computer connections is kind of a pain – I’d love to see them combine the two

  Overall, I give the Forerunner 405 very high marks. It has made me WANT to go out and run, which is key for a lot of folks. I can track my goals online and work to meet them. I love it.

• 15 Plato

  Gave it a four because the description said it would come in the original box and it didn’t.

• 16 Lykos

  I’ve struggled with my Forerunner 405 for a year now. I have never spent so much money for such a terrible product.

  I’ll begin with its second-most annoying feature: it cannot be turned off. You may be done with your run, but it’s not done stubbornly insisting that it display the time, thereby sucking its battery dry so that for your next run it’s going to be stone dead. So you have to hook it up to its charger every time you’re done using it — which creates an “energy vampire” and (I’m guessing) degrades battery life.

  And now, the most supremely irritating feature: the “touch bezel”. It is reason enough for everyone to avoid this product. It is a ridiculous interface designed by clueless techies. The touch bezel accepts commands from ghosts — so that, while running, it will inexplicably switch screens away from the one I’ve selected (say, heart rate) to one I couldn’t care less about. Then as I am putting myself at risk of a dangerous stumble, I poke furiously at the damned thing to get it to switch to the screen I want and it IGNORES my poking completely. Finger too sweaty? I try to dry it on my shirt. My touch is too long? I try shorter. Too short? Longer. I shouldn’t have to be struggling with an expensive gadget while I am running.

  Boy, did I get hosed on this one. Don’t make the same mistake. Oh Garmin, will you buy it back from me? Give me a full “store credit” and I’ll buy one of your products with real, solid buttons.

• 17 Baugh

  How I said in other e-mail, I’d never receive the item.
  I’m no longer in USA.
  Other way you can send to me in Brazil.
  My adress is:

  Nelson Ferreira da Costa Filho
  São Luis street, 144/ Ap 1502
  17.501-410 Barbosa
  City of Marília, São Paulo state, country Brazil]
  If it’s possible this way please contact me.

  Nelson

• 18 Phillip

  great watch, highly recommended if you’re a serious runner. I was a complete novice and have found it very useful as a training tool and also a motivator! Expensive but if you are going to use it on a reasonably regular basis then it’s worth it.

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