Garmin Forerunner 405 vs Forerunner 405CX

Garmin is a well-known company that produces GPS equipped gadgets like navigation systems for cars, boats, and even planes. Garmin also produces watches that do more than just tell time. The Forerunner series (including the 405 and 405CX) are intended towards those who take physical fitness seriously. Both the 405 and 405CX are capable of tracking distance travelled as well as estimate the calories burned. The main difference between the two is in how they track the calories burned during an exercise session. The 405 uses a stored profile of the user along with the distance covered, pacing, and other stats to estimate the calories burned. In comparison, the 405CX adds the heart rate into the mix. The heart rate is said to provide a better estimation, but many have complained that the reading is too low. You can still revert to the old way of computing calories burned on the 405CX.

Although the 405 isn’t capable of using heart rate in computing calories burned, it does have a heart rate monitor in some versions at least. Even if it cannot be used to compute burned calories, it is still quite useful as you would know if you are already at your desired heart rate. It can also be recorded so that you can compare it with older and future sessions.

Garmin finally addressed problems that people with small wrists, commonly girls, have with the 405. Some people find that the 405 wrist strap is too big for them causing the unit to move around while running. The 405CX ships with extra wrist straps of different sizes that you can swap. This should ensure that the 405CX maintains the appropriate fit no matter the size of your wrist.

Lastly, the 405 comes in two color variants while the 405CX only comes in one. This isn’t really a performance issue but one of aesthetics. If you are very particular about colors, then the 405 gives you an option; albeit a relatively narrow one.

Summary:

1.The 405CX is equipped with a heart rate monitor while only some versions of the 405 do.
2.The 405CX can use the heart rate in calculating calories burned while the 405 cannot.
3.The 405CX ships extra wrist straps while the 405 does not.
4.The 405 comes in a variety of colors while the 405CX only comes in one color.

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