Garmin 405 CX w/HRM Monitors Review

Please note that I normally don't write product reviews. I normally take consumer reviews with a grain of salt because most are thumbs up (5 stars), or thumbs down (1 star), rarely with nuanced shades of gray.I'm giving the 405CX 5 stars not because it's perfect (see CONS), but because for me the product experience was revolutionary, and its ease of use makes it easy to integrate it into your daily life rather than beingjust another gadget with a collection of features.

For me it's been rare experience that a an electronic device functions precisely the way it is advertised to. When I'd seen Garmin ads describing how you need only to leave the 405CX near your computer after a workout and presto your full workout stats- pace, heart rate, elevation, calories burned, etc. including split data, and a map of the GPS captured route you took will be waiting for you when you return, I thought "yeah right". Yet it did exactly that- and more.Not enough room here or time to break down all the features, but I will say that logging onto GarminConnect a few minutes after my workout and seeing my route and stats on a Google Map (which can be shared/exported, by the way) it was one of those moments you rarely experience as a consumer.The ease of use and integration of features is extremely impressive. Unlike most devices (some of which I had been considering as an alternative like Suunto, Polar, etc.)the 405CX seems to be more "you" centric rather than you needing to spend days reading a manual to figure out how to make the gadget do what you want- and then falling short of that in the end.For instance, creating your own custom workouts with the downloadable Garmin software is easy and intuitive, and doesn't suffer from being inflexible as I've come to expect from other products. For these reasons, I have a feeling I'll get lots of regular use from this device, instead of it being forgotten in a closet or drawer somewhere after the novelty and has worn off or I can't remember how to use it without a refresher.

PROS:
* GPS / route recording is superb
* HR monitoring and stat tracking are superb
* Bezel interface is easy to use, intuitive and well integratedCONS: While the touch operated bezel is one of the features that sets this device apart from its competition, it's too easy to accidentally touch it and change the screen it's on during a workout.It has a screen-lock feature, but during a workout it's somewhat cumbersome to have to switch in and out of it to change a screen.Another minor complaint, but probably specific to me is that alerts are hard to read on the screen during a workout; the ability to configure to change the alert font would be nice.

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Product Description:

GARMIN® Forerunner® 405 CX W/ HRM :: The Garmin® Forerunner® 405CX is the evolution of GPS-enabled training from Garmin®. This heart rate monitor tracks your distance, pace and heart rate, then wirelessly sends the data to your computer for later analysis. The Garmin® Forerunner® 405CX features heart rate-based calorie computation and comes with a second wrist band suitable for smaller wrists.

Prices are so low only VIP discount applies to this item.

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Garmin Forerunner 50 with Foot Pod Review

I already own the Forerunner 305 and love it except for the large size of the watch when I am running.I considered getting the new 405, but since I already owned the foot pod and I actually like the larger unit (read as "larger screen")of the 305 while on the bike, I decided to just add to my current system with the Garmin 50.The GPS function of the 305 is nice, but while I tend to explore on the road bike I also tend to travel the same routes over and over while running, so the GPS functions are not really necessary.The Garmin 50 is super light and perfect for running. Via the ANT stick it will update Garmin Connect (the on-line training record) and Garmin Training Center automatically, so they are always synched.The display is small and only displays two pieces of info at on time, such as heart rate and distance or distance and pace, but I find that's all I usually need and I can check the rest of the info at the end of the workout.I tested the foot pod distance readings against a known distance and the 305's GPS reading, and it was accurate out of the box and did not require calibration.

The only problems I have had are that the date that the watch records for workouts is 7 days off and, according to Garmin, cannot be corrected.The date on the Time Display is correct, though, so it's still accurate as a watch, and the date shows up correctly when you upload the workout to Garmin Training Center.I'm sure they will fix this glitch in the future, but it's a minor irritation.This is a great unit.

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Product Description:
Garmin Forerunner 50 By Garmin

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Womens Garmin FR60 LTD Monitors Review

This was the first Garmin HRM/watch I'd bought after having 3 different Polar products over the years.Having replaced the battery in my Polar HRM three times in the last 6 months, I decided it was time for a change, so I decided to give this Garmin a go.I've had it about a month and I love it.It's user friendly and has lots of neat features including the ability to upload data to your computer to analyse your exercises.You can personalise a lot of the settings so that, for example, it shows pace or speed as you run, and you can get it to 'lap' automatically every mile/kilometre so you can compare pace.

I considered getting a GPS watch but I run on the treadmill a lot anyway and I don't mind so much not knowing the exact route I've taken (I know that anyway!), and this watch still tells you distance, which is what's important to me.

The first chest strap that I got didn't work properly but the Garmin customer service was excellent - they replaced it within a few days free of charge.So a good customer experience.

I highly recommend this watch.

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Product Description:
Women's GARMIN® FR60 LTD HEART RATE MONITOR :: The Women's Garmin® FR60 HRM lets you track time, heart rate, and calories. Boost your training program with alarms and Virtual Partner™, which helps you improve performance by racing against a virtual competitor. Included foot pod lets you track speed and distance. Includes swimproof heart rate strap and foot pod. Wireless data transfer.

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Zephyr HxM - Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor for Android smartphones Review

I've been using the HxM for a few weeks paired with my Motorola Droid (using 2 different apps) and I'm very happy with the product.Unlike my previous Polar strap, the HxM strap is all-fabric with no plastic contacts that get all sticky on my skin. Because let's face it, when you're working out, if you aren't sweating you're missing the point. The HxM is very light, thin, and soft.I could easily wear this all day.There's plenty of battery life to last a week between recharges. If you want to get a leg up on working out and really get some peak performance out of your body, do yourself a favor and get the HxM now.

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Product Description:
The Zephyr HxM BT is a fitness-tracking device designed for use with most smartphones. It combines Zephyr's Smart Fabric™ heart rate sensor technology, movement sensors, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity on a chest strap for athletes who live on the cutting edge of technology. Why carry multiple devices such as foot pods, music players, and bulky GPS watches when your phone can do it all for you? Paired with the HxM, your phone can track your exercise intensity level, speed, and distance while playing your music, tracking your GPS location, and providing calling services.

Strap-on comfort for all-day performance.

Smart Fabric is conductive fabric that provides market-leading comfort and accuracy. It is woven onto a soft, elastic, adjustable (up to 40 inches) strap that is worn under the shirt around the sternum. The Bluetooth 2.0 transmitter module has 26-hour battery life and is snap-detachable. This allows the HxM to be easily recharged by the included USB cradle and the chest strap is machine-washable. It is covered by a 12-month limited warranty from defects and the strap itself is replaceable.

The freedom to run...your phone, your app.

With an open communication design, the HxM provides unparalleled flexibility with the phones and applications you use. Currently available apps include Endomondo and SportsTracker Pro for Android, eCoach for Nokia, and Run GPS for Windows Mobile. More applications are coming soon for Android, Blackberry, Nokia, and Windows Mobile phones. Please check your phone's application compatibility.

Workout smarter.

Physiologists and fitness trainers recommend working out within certain heart rate zones to achieve goals such as weight loss or cardiovascular improvement. You no longer have to hold on to dirty handle bars on treadmills because the HxM continuously monitors you for faster feedback. With Zephyr, you can measure life anywhere!

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