The Garmin Forerunner 410 is an upgrade to the previous generations of FR405 and FR405CX, and has added to the number of GPS watches that look ‘normal’. Ideal for someone who needs a training aid when looking to push their training to the next level, the Garmin Forerunner 410 is a trainee’s companion. This might look like an ordinary watch but packs in itself a touchscreen bezel that is easy to use and is also waterproof. Automatic synching with your computer, large amount of data storage capacity, heart rate monitor, lap time, analyzing your performance, this watch has it all that an athlete would need for some serious training.
Garmin Forerunner 410: Design
An advanced GPS device, the Garmin Forerunner 410 was designed to help athletic activity. It is operated through a bevel with a touchscreen and is sized closer to ordinary sports watches available in the market than to previous Forerunners. It has also been designed to look less chunky and bulky than the previous devices produced by Garmin.
The digital display around the bevel has four labels on it, namely menu, Time/Date, GPS and training. Designed to feel like using the trackpad of a laptop, using the touchscreen of the Garmin Forerunner 410 is an absolute delight. The bevel has two side buttons for the timer and lap splits to retain the typical sports watch look but the touch bevel makes it top notch.
Garmin Forerunner 410: Usability
The Garmin Forerunner 410 is a ‘multisport’ watch meaning that it can be used to train across a variety of sports with ease. Also waterproofed the Garmin Forerunner 410 can support your training underwater at 1 meter for almost 30 minutes. Hence training outside in rainy weather is no big deal now. The touch bevel works just the same as it does in sunny conditions. The GPS is an absolute delight on the Garmin Forerunner 410 supporting GPX, KML files and geotagging. It can be easily used to track a variety of activities from hiking, parachuting, kayaking and flights. The Garmin Forerunner 410 also has the option of being powered down to being a normal watch during non-training periods.
The down side is a rather frustrating touch bezel which does not respond very well when operated with gloves and tends to be slower to touch underwater proving that work still needs to be done in the waterproofing area. Though it can connect to ANT+ speed/cadence sensors and foot pods it does not support ANT+ power meters and weight scales.
Garmin Forerunner 410: Features
Virtual Partner
The Virtual partner tempo function is a big favorite amongst users of the Garmin Forerunner 410. It allows you to set a specific pace then ‘race’ against the virtual companion on the watch and check how far/behind you are in terms of distance and time.
GPS
The Garmin Forerunner 410 promises eight hours of operation with complete GPS function supporting GPX and KML exporting files that are directly transferrable to your computer.
Touch Bevel
The new touch bevel allows faster browsing of displays and operations; receive time and distance notifications along with heart rate notifications. The color scheming has also since been improved as compared to the previous Forerunners. Though using the touch bevel with gloves on can sometimes be quite frustrating due to slow response it is definitely much better than the previous models and benefit for cold weather conditions.
Data Transfer
The Garmin Forerunner 410 offers wireless data transfer through USB and also offers support across two time zones. It is suitable for use on the Windows operating system and Macintosh. You can create workout on your computer and then download them onto the Garmin Forerunner 410.
The Garmin Forerunner 410 downloads over the ANT+ protocol that requires Garmin ANT Agent to be downloaded into your computer. Softwares like Garmin Connect and Sport Tracks provide in-depth analysis of your workout while others like Training Peaks and Golden Cheetah help you schedule and plan workouts. Specs such as heart-rate, speed, time and distance can be added into the workout plans. The plans can be created in Garmin Training Center which is included in the package and then download them into the watch.
Additional Features
Auto Pause
Fantastic for stoplights while training on city streets, that requires constant start/stops without having to worry about starting or stopping the timer.
Autolap
Another favored feature which automatically calls out lap splits based on predefined distance/position.
Cycling
The Garmin Forerunner 410 can also make a fine bike computer for the occasional cyclist. The Garmin Forerunner 410 though does not come with a bike mounting kit the generic Garmin Forerunner rubber mount works just as fine when strapped onto the handlebar.
The Garmin Forerunner 410 also has the ability to create ‘courses’ that can help you make up a route to train on. Though it does not create or support the concept of street similar to a car GPS it does tell you when you are off-track.
History
The basic history view makes visible the summary data from where you can choose to view individual recorded activities. It also allows laps and average paces per lap view.
Battery
The Forerunner 410 promises eight hours of battery life on GPS mode which does not compare to a conventional watch but is acceptable for the casual trainer who switches often between the GPS and non-GPS mode.
Garmin Forerunner 410: Summary
The Garmin Forerunner 410 is an update of the previous generation Forerunners. The slim design has formed the primary selling point of this watch. Coupled with an improved bezel this watch has become a must have for serious trainers. Unlike the FR110 and FR210 which were aimed at casual runners the FR410 has an expanded feature set suitable for casual runners and serious athletes alike.
The touch bezel has improved much since the FR405 and hence a capacitive touch will be a welcome addition. The Garmin Forerunner 410 is otherwise impressively designed and comes with cutting edge technology capable of pleasing athletes of various sports and levels. Though it does not sit as lightly on the wallet as it does on the wrist the Garmin Forerunner 410, flagship of Garmin is definitely one of the best GPS watches available in the market.
Read more GPS Watch Reviews.
Help support Running Watch Review. The Garmin Forerunner 410 GPS running watch is available from these online stores:
- Amazon.com
- Paragon Sports
- Altrec
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