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After using the Forerunner 305 for over two years, I decided to replace it with the 405cx and am very contented 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 tranquil work exquisite. Granted, if the bevel gets sweaty or I touch it with sweaty fingers (not something unexpected for an spend gawk) it becomes nonresponsive until I wipe off the sweat. But this is not a great deal for me. When I accelerate I simply exhaust 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 gloomy from buying this unit based on the bevel and touch.
While the 305 is a substantial unit, here is why I like the 405cx better. Note: I utilize 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 plot the unit in a USB cradle as with the 305 (though doing so is not a spacious deal), and also effortlessly pairs with my heart rate monitor and foot pod (which must be purchased separately) .
3. The 305 has no power effect mode, and I inadvertently drained the battery a couple of times when I forgot to turn it off after running or assign it in the charger. The 405cx not only has an automatic power build mode, but you can turn off the GPS when running indoors to further place power. With the GPS turned off, barely any power is faded. Also, this ability to turn the GPS off makes it easier to spend the footpod when running indoors (the 305 first has to search for a satellite signal before realizing you are indoors, and that can steal several minutes) .
4. I win the bevel and touch system on the 405cx considerable easier to exercise than the buttons on the 305 in order to change various features. But I like electronic gadgets, and as I said above, the sweat suppose is not a gigantic deal for me.
Here are some tips:
1.Rinse the unit, the heart rate monitor and the strap after each exercise with stupid water.
2.Withhold the unit in the charging clip after each exhaust to ensure you always have enough power. A simple touch of the bevel will converse 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 exhaust the Apple move charger for the iPod instead. Obtain clear 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 travel forward and backward between data fields, the 405cx lets you proceed only forward. Therefore, when I rush indoors I turn off my "outdoor only" data fields--grade, elevation, etc.--so that I don't slay time looking at them.
5. For a first time purchaser to whom cost is indispensable, I would say win the 305. My reasons for switching to the 305 may not be significant to you.
6. Lift the recent version of the footpod rather than the aged version (I have reviewed both on Amazon) for running indoors.
7. I expend a Mac software program called Ascent that I judge is far qualified to Garmin Connect and Garmin Training Center, and unlike the used does not require an internet connection to upload data.
Bottom Line: I have had this unit for three weeks and speed over 100 miles both indoors on a treadmill and outdoors in all kinds of weather--light rain, frigid 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 appreciate 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 jam than I plan, and should not discourage you from buying this unit.
A more serious express is with the ANT technology. Sometimes I will procure a message on my laptop that the transfer of data to the laptop from the 405cx was not successful. I then discontinue the Garmin Ant Agent on my laptop (and sometimes capture 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 pickle began after I updated the ANT software, and I ogle from Garmin forums that other users have experienced the same plight. Hopefully this is fair a bug that Garmin will fix in a later update. While I would not let this discourage you from buying the 405cx, fair preserve in mind that a wireless transfer of data, while convenient, is not always quandary free.
Update August 21, 2009: Garmin released an update for Macs (and I rob for PCs as well) that solved the download problems using the ANT technology. Now the data transfers work perfectly.
The more I spend this spy, the better I like it. Here are my latest comments:
1. The backlight is far capable to that on the Forerunner 305. It produces a mighty brighter light that I like when running at night either outdoors or on the treadmill at my gym (the treadmill location is kind of shadowy at night) .
2. The battery life is kindly. Even with BOTH the backlight AND the GPS on for a couple of hours, battery capacity is composed 75% when I am finished running. What this means as a practical matter is that if you forget to hook this peek up to the charger after a long accelerate, you will unruffled be obedient to go for your next speed. The battery life per charge on the Forerunner 305 is not as gracious, and sometimes when I forgot to charge the 305 between runs, the battery would die during the second urge.
3. The "sweat snort"--i.e. the explore becoming non-responsive when the bevel gets sweaty--has become a non-issue for me since I haven't experienced any plight in months. Perhaps that is because I periodically "towel off" the sweat on my wrist and forearm during a long hurry.
I'm a modern runner and after running the Shamrock Paddle in Chicago this year, I contemplate I'm addicted. I even registered for the 2009 Chicago Marathon, I level-headed can't inspect running a burly 26.2 miles. But if I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do this honest. Running on nearby trails, I never really knew how far I've rush or what my drag was (there aren't any mile markers) . I wanted a map to track my distance and stagger. I have friends that enjoy both the forerunner 305 and 405, and I was impressed on how accurately they tracked distance and mosey. 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 stamp and the reviews were distinguished more sure. However, I couldn't collect over the idea of looking like I'm running with a computer on my wrist.
Along came announcements of the 310xt and 405cx. Initially, I was site on getting the 310xt because of it's gigantic veil and waterproof capability. However, it wouldn't be released till mid May and that model wouldn't even include the HRM. Originally I idea 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 remarkable 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
- Wrong heart rate monitor
1. Satellite reception is superior. It's able to track satellites indoors! (though accuracy is degraded)
2. The bezel interface, although very sexy, is a injure in my arse to spend. It's overly sensitive at times and not in others. Lock it often. It's going to consume some time for me to bag exhaust 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 unbiased took a shower (I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not...) . I don't objective sweat when I'm working out either, sometimes I sweat sitting idly in a frosty 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 good. 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 fall to 20 bpm like the treadmills in the gym do, so I'm gay. On a side label, the 305 loves the HRM that comes with the 405cx. The one that comes with the 305 is yell garbage, it stays at 65 bpm regardless of what you do. It was probably irascible, but it's something to assume about for anyone thinking of getting the 305 instead.
This review is getting really long, and I need to secure serve to work. Garmin Connect is the online software that manages all your running data. Spend it, it's hot. Unprejudiced be aware, at default all your activities are shared with the Garmin Connect online community (reflect of what you assign on your descriptions) . I treasure how you can "play" your speed on Google maps. It's hard for me to define, check out this link for yourself
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Please don't gain fun of my plain promenade, I'm a fresh runner! Here's a tip before I destroy this. You can delete activities. Objective click on the red "x" next to the pencil and lock. This was a miniature frustrating until I figured it out. Honorable luck deciding on a recognize, I hope it makes your runs more luscious. It does for a gadget geek like me.
So far this explore has seemed just to me and I like the fact that it uploads automatically to my computer when I accumulate approach it with the sight. HRM seems suitable even though others situation it is not. The only issues I have with it are that it doesn't finish charged very long. At best you might earn 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 ample tool for my runs!
