Garmin problem-- please help

[jbucci]

Here is my problem. I usually run indoors on a TM and use my new Garmin 405 for races to get a better sense of my pace. My DH was really nice and got me a 405 a few months back, but I haven't found time for outdoor runs with it (always some excuse-- too hot, too dark, [DH Edit: pavement doesn't compare to a good episode of L&O: SVU,] etc.). The only time I use it is during races where I am too afraid of losing my info to just start pushing buttons when the thing doesn't work right.

Today at the Philia Distance run it worked great for the first 1/3 of the race then flipped back into "time and date display" showing me today's time but not my stopwatch of race time. It refused to respond when I tapped the bezel to go back into training mode so I could see my pace and virtual partner. :confused3 Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but is there an easy way to get it to display the training stats again or even better to keep it in this mode and prevent it from reverting back to "calender" time?

Thanks for your help.

[dsnyfan21]

hmmmm, maybe the bezel got tapped and then it just went into "sleep" mode. To totally stop that. After you turn the GPS on and go to the training mode and hit the start button then "lock" the bezel by pushing both buttons at the same time. BUt you would need to remeber to unlock the bezel towards the end to be able to stop the timer.
I found you do need time to "play" with the Garmi and get the settings and things that you want on it.
Not really sure what happened in your situation :confused3 . Maybe someone else has input.

Tracy (405 owner)

[jbucci]

it must have been in a strange mode because I was sure I hit the button to stop timing when I crossed the finish line but the darn thing was still going 5 min later when I looked at it-- I guess I just need to play with it more. As long as I get the kinks out by ToT I'll be good.

[rbuccigrossi]

it must have been in a strange mode....

To add fun context, my watch Garmin 101 (old school!) was going crazy in the sky scrapers during the Philly Half.

Butch (jbucci's DH)

[mkymsehi]

Jen,

I think Tracy hit this one on the nose.

You must have touched the top of the bezel where time is shown. I've done that too. Swinging arms back and forth, I've caught the bezel on my shirt, or bumped my hip. It happens when you're not paying attention.

I have tried to lock the bezel during a training run, but none of the run was charted after I locked it.

I'll look into the manual, and online, to see if there's any help out there. I'll let you know if I find anything.

[lourodrigis]

To add fun context, my watch Garmin 101 (old school!) was going crazy in the sky scrapers during the Philly Half.

Butch (jbucci's DH)

Butch - Mine (Garmin 205) did the same thing. Not much you can do about that. Even the expensive GPS receivers cannot get a reading when they are blocked by buildings or trees. My Garmin said I ran through City Hall for about half a block. Once I got onto West River Drive it was dead on.

Nice meeting you and Jen. Ironic that you guys sat behind us on the plane home from DL. Hope to see you again at the Philly Marathon or half in November.

Lou

[bunnyfoo]

Jen,

I think Tracy hit this one on the nose.

You must have touched the top of the bezel where time is shown. I've done that too. Swinging arms back and forth, I've caught the bezel on my shirt, or bumped my hip. It happens when you're not paying attention.

I have tried to lock the bezel during a training run, but none of the run was charted after I locked it.

I'll look into the manual, and online, to see if there's any help out there. I'll let you know if I find anything.

I've had that happen to me a couple of times too. The thing with locking the bezel after you start the stopwatch is that you have to hit both buttons at exactly the same time. A couple of times I thought I did just that but the Garmin only registered me hitting the stop button :rolleyes:

[mkymsehi]

I checked on Craigslist, and ran across an add for a Garmin 405 charger, antenna USBus stick, and heartrate monitor & strap. $20.

The guy worked just down the street from my office. He said he lost his 405 during a recent move, and no longer needed the accessories.

What a steal! LOL.

[mkymsehi]

I'm on the brink of sending my Garmin 405 back. I've had it almost 2 years, but the battery is crapping out on me. I called them, and they said upgrade the new software that was released today 6/24/09. And if it still gives me problems, to ship it back.

Connect your Ant stick to your computer, and then go to this link.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsAgree.jsp?product=010-00658-10&cID=142&pID=11039

[disneygirlinnj]

I just upgraded the software yesterday... I'll see if I can tell a difference..

to the OP... I notice that when i try to wipe sweat off with my watch hand, I tend to hit the bezel and something funky always happens. it does sound like yours went into sleep mode though so i'm not sure. was the battery charged?

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks for the software update link Jeff! I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know about that you could do that.

[jbucci]

Thanks for the info Jeff. After reading your last post, now I want the HR monitor too-- one more gadget to figure out how to use.

BTW-- my garmin has behaved pretty well since the "falling asleep" incident so I have no idea what went wrong but at least it seems fixed :)

[mkymsehi]

A friend in the satellite business mentioned to me that with all the missle crisis going on in Korea, it's likely the GPS satellites have been programed to give false readings. To keep any missles from heading our way.

My 405 went back to Garmin due to battery issues. But another running mates 405 worked fine during our run on Tuesday 7/7/09.

[disneygirlinnj]

Thanks for the info Jeff. After reading your last post, now I want the HR monitor too-- one more gadget to figure out how to use.

BTW-- my garmin has behaved pretty well since the "falling asleep" incident so I have no idea what went wrong but at least it seems fixed :)

If you get the HR monitor that goes with the Forerunner, it's VERY easy...just strap it on and I believe the watch automatically picks it up and you'll see a little heart at the bottom of the screen telling you it has the signal. :) I love it!

[mkymsehi]

I received my refurbished Garmin 405 in the mail today. They replaced my original due to battery charging issues. :thumbsup2

[mkymsehi]

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3743