Home > Consumer Reviews > Garmin Foot Pod for Forerunner 305, 405, and 50

I've had a few troubles with the 405.
The footpod: as reviewed numerous other times, the pod would not connect with the watch, which was frustrating. After reading reviews, I now realize it is the battery - DOA (dead on arrival). Not cool when your spending serious bucks for the 405 and foot pod.
The watch: oh boy. I'm pretty good technically - maybe an 8 out of 10. But after reading the entire 2 pages of manual, and the DVD that was enclosed, which had about the same amount of info as the manual, I cannot get the darn thing to just tell me my HR, pace and distance. Believe me, I've tried.
I'm guessing if you know someone who has one, and you go running with them, and they show you how to get it programmed... then maybe you're go to go.
But I gotta say, it's not easy to figure out. You have to be outside, moving and have the manual with you to go through the programs, training, options, workouts.

I really want to like it. And I'll go to Walgreens tomorrow and get a new battery. And I'll try again.
But really, it shouldn't be this hard.

Wish I had gotten the 305, which has much better functionality (although from what I read, worse GPS reception).

The footpod I received was slightly different than the one pictured, which was actually for once a good thing.
The Garmin footpod I got was a smaller, more compact version of the one pictured.
If you own the Nike+ shoes, and are looking to upgrade to a Garmin, look for Footpod Model Number Garmin 010-11092-00 or also known at SDM4, I believe.
The unit is smaller and will fit into a Nike+ shoe, which is a nice touch.
Getting the unit and clip around shoelaces was just a tad tough, but that's a good thing. It hasn't fallen off yet.
Provided you have a Garmin unit that displays the cadence, you will also see your stride rate on your reports in the Garmin training center. Still not sure how useful that particular information is yet, but the graphs look very colorful now.
I haven't been forced inside on the treadmill to use this yet, but I have to assume it will be as accurate if not more so than the Nike+.
With the addition of the footpod to my Garmin setup, I have officially upgraded from the Nike+ system for tracking my runs.

My unit's battery came dead, had to buy a new one, not a big deal. Be aware the unit is activated by sensing shakes, so the unit probably stayed on during transport.

It works as advertised, very well made. Highly recommended.

This product is very useful when running indoors on a track or treadmill. However i was very disapointed when it shipped with a dead battery and I had to order a new one. Pairing the device was also a bit annoying as you have to shake the pod when the forerunner is searching for it. Other than that it is very accurate and works like a charm once it has a battery and is paired.

This product like all of the Garmin range works as advertised. The only down side is that the gps function is not used for distance when pob is used. Fine for running machine but not great fro out side as you lose the map function.