To achieve the best data you may need to purchase the optional heart rate monitor and bike sensor. These options work wirelessly for maximum convenience and ease of use that is, considering they are separate accessories. Some other manufacturers incorporate the heart rate monitor with the watch unit which we find to be a better option.

Satellite signal acquisition is reasonably quick thanks to the SiRFstarIII tm technology. All GPS watches or other receivers will occasionally lose signals depending on the area’s obstructions. That said tree cover and use within large cities with taller buildings continues to improve as time goes by and technology improves.

As you might expect, the unit measures speed, pace, distance, altitude, timer and rate data. The screen is set up to display 4 data fields in a quadrant layout which works well and is fairly easy to read and monitor.

The days of getting lost should be over thanks to the ability to store 100 waypoints and upo to 50 routes. These features can be most useful for those who do a lot of traveling and run or bike in unfamiliar cites or countries. If your work out takes you to the beach or pool the watch is good to a depth of 50 meters.

Once your work out is complete you can download the data to your PC and utilize the online tools to dissect your strengths and weaknesses. This is where GPS watches can really add some benefit to your training regimen. Also the lithium battery can be recharged while plugged into your computer so it will be ready the next time you need it.

All and all this is a solid performer with our only criticism being that Timex offers the heart rate monitor optionally and not built into the watch itself.

This GPS watch is chock full of features including it continuously monitors your pace, time, calories, distance and heart rate (if the optional heart rate monitor is purchased). One comment is we cannot understand why the heart rate monitor is not standard. It makes littler sense to purchase a full featured watch like the 405 and then not use the monitor.

You can also store your workouts which allow you to compare your progress over time and help you focus your training where it will do the most good. You can also compare your workout with previous workouts using the watch display as you train.

This Garmin GPS watch is fairly easy to use once you get accustomed to it. One feature that helps reduce frustration is you tap the screen to change display so you don’t need to try to operate tiny buttons in the middle of your workout. The Forerunner 405 is comfortable to where and is fairly good looking as well and comes in black or green. You won’t buy one for its style but you won’t be self conscious about it either.

The ANT+™ wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when the Forerunner is in range. No cables, no hookups. You can then replay your workout to focus in on areas of improvement. For the really dedicated enthusiasts you can share your data using Garmin Connect or by purchasing the Garmin Training Center software.

If you work out with a team or partner you can also share your data with them if they too, use the 405. The nice thing about this is the sharing can be done wirelessly watch to watch, you don’t need to use the computer for sharing though you can as well. This feature could be great for those wanting more accountability or for those especially competitive who want to use a partner to push the limits a little.

The 405 includes a cadence counter so it can be used indoors while on a stationary bike or treadmill. The counter clips onto your shoe laces so it can be ready to go in seconds. Start moving and it starts working, simple.
The Forerunner 405 does a pretty good job locking on to the GPS system signals and also maintaining them while you train. Heavy tree cover can degrade the signal but not any more than other products on the market.

For those on a tighter budget the Garmin Forerunner 205 deserves a look.

Over the years the accuracy of all GPS devices has improved to the point (within a couple meters) of being almost mind boggling. Fortunately, for all of us, the cost of the technology has steadily decreased, even while the performance and reliability has improved. Only a few years ago the thought of buying a well made GPS device for under $100 would have seemed impossible, yet today, it is a fact. With the reduction in cost, the popularity of these devices has almost literally, exploded.

The GPS evolution has also meant a drastic reduction in the size of the units. This breakthrough may have allowed the popularity to increase even more than the reduction in price. Who would want a device the size of a shoebox mounted on the dash board of a car or strapped to ones arm? Clearly, a GPS watch would never have become practical without the reduction in size. I still have a “handheld marine unit” from the early 1990’s that makes me laugh at the size, whenever I see it, which admittedly, isn’t often. Thankfully those days are long gone.
GPS tracking devices, receive signals from orbiting satellites to determine the user’s latitude and longitude usually within a couple meters. This makes its simple to track your current location, speed, direction of travel, distance to go, exact time and many other functions. For the serious running/walking enthusiasts using a GPS watch a heart rate monitor adds the ability to tailor the exercise to personal targets and monitor them along the way.
The biggest challenge may be the decision of which GPS tracking watch is best for you, that’s where we will help.

Features;

Unit size – similar to a conventional digital watch

GPS Unit – Separate from watch

Battery life – up to 2 years

Battery type – AA for GPS unit

Water resistant – to 50 meters except GPS unit is splash resistant

Heart rate monitor – Yes

Lap memory – 100

Waypoint – 100

Routes – 50

Warranty – 1 year

As with the previous Timex GPS Watch we reviewed this one also uses a separate unit for the GPS receiver. This receiver will ordinarily be strapped to the arm or waist when in use. The GPS receiver itself is only “splash resistant” which we think is a poor design feature for an outdoor fitness product. It would be much better if it were designed to be water resistant to 2 or 3 meters, or more.

The Timex GPS watch did obtain a signal reasonably quickly but the manual does recommend remaining stationary until a signal is obtained. The receiver did a good job with maintaining the signal when the receiver was worn on the arm. Tree cover was a factor once it became moderately dense but in most cases performance was acceptable.

Accuracy was measured against a known distance and the results were almost identical. We also tested the speed and distance readout with other GPS devices and found the accuracy to be good. Given the intended use the unit is more than accurate enough.

The heart rate monitor also performed well and would be a valuable feature for a GPS training watch. In fact, given the low price we cannot make any good argument for not having the heart rate monitor. Most fitness enthusiasts will definently want to have the ability to monitor thier heart rate when using a GPS watch.

Searching the internet and other electronics retailers will reveal a growing interest in using GPS tracking devices to track the position of other people or vehichles. Common uses may include tracking your children, your suspicious wife/husband, employees and so forth. Some may have been confused and think the “exercise” watches can be used for tracking others, they can not, at least not without some customization. To be useful for such perposes the GPS device need to have an additional  transmitting capability.

GPS devices are all similar as far as using the satellite network to pinpoint the receiver’s position. In order to provide the ability to monitor some one wearing or possessing the receiver the information needs to be transmitted to a monitoring station. This is commonly done using cell phone towers or other radio signal technology. Exercise watches don’t transmit signals to cell towers or anywhere else.

If you are looking at tracking someone without there knowledge it is possible to do but not with GPS exercise watches. You are now entering the “spyworld” which is a growing industry with many new and innovative tracking devices. You might check into Garmin GPS for a wide variety of GPS devices from the industry’s leading manufacturer.

We will soon add two new product reviews of popular GPS Tracking Watches.