Watch to wear while running - gps/mileage/time?

KPinkBow

So I'm gearing up for my first 5k in March and am doing the Couch-to-5k program. I'm loving it and am starting to really get into running. So I think it might be time to get a watch that tracks my mileage, time, etc. Anyone have suggestions for good ones? Don't want to spend a ton, but also want something that will work and is good quality.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! :happy:

scott091501

Anything by Garmin. I have the 305 and like it. It's a bit bulky but for $100 it does the trick. Also the Timex Ironman model is pretty good, but has a so so battery life.

Chagama

I like all of the Garmin products. I have an older one, still works great. My son bought a newer one last year, also works great.

76tech

I second the Garmin 305. Good price, everything works great. The only trouble I have is getting an initial GPS signal in places like Manhattan...lots of buildings.

ema727

I third the Garmin 305. It is bulky but super easy to use and does the job.

CoraGregoryCPA

Garmin 210 is the best for new runners....it is horrible at counting calories though.

I wear my garmin for tracking distance, pace, and time, but my polar ft7 for calorie tracking!

kevin3344

If you have an iPhone just download iMapMyRun...it's free. I think it was 1 second off when I did the Turkey Trot 8k last November. I never run without it.

Best part is the voice feedback! Tells you your current pace, mileage, average pace, etc.

3dogsrunning

I am also a Garmin fan, I have had two of them (one succumbed to puppy teeth, the other went MIA after a race). I will buy a third. Last one I had was the 305 and loved it. Like others said, bulky, but easy to use and does the job. I have read reviews that say customer service is very good, and that has been my experience as well.

I miss my Garmin

thepetiterunner

I have a Garmin Forerunner 110 that I bought 2 years ago and I LOVE that thing. It was a bit expensive (~$250 at the time, now it's about $180 on amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Enabled-Sport-Monitor/dp/B003J2V8AC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329319003&sr=8-2 ).

BUT it's worth EVERY penny. It's super easy to use, doesn't have a lot of the more complicated applications the higher versions use and it's not as big as some of the other ones as well (I have a tiny wrist). I use it to GPS my runs and I do use it to monitor my HRM when I'm at the gym doing weights etc. The only thing you can't do with it is use the Foot Pod (for indoor use on a treadmill, for example), but that really doesn't bother me since the treadmill keeps track of mileage anyway and I can still get the calorie count with the HRM.

Garmins are unsurpassed, IMO, as far as GPS capabilities go for runners. I LOVE mine!

714rah714

I have the Nike SportsWatch, I like it

bigdawg025

I have a Garmin 305, and it works great for me! Enjoy whichever one you get! It's a wonderful toy!

3dogsrunning

If you have an iPhone just download iMapMyRun...it's free. I think it was 1 second off when I did the Turkey Trot 8k last November. I never run without it.

Best part is the voice feedback! Tells you your current pace, mileage, average pace, etc.

This is what I do now. I have both the free app and the paid, not much difference other than controlling the music. While it does the trick, it is difficult to see my data when it is in my arm band. Also, if I want to run a target pace, I pretty much have to take it off my arm and hold it. You can get a heartrate attachment, but I haven't yet.
This gets the job done, but I still prefer my Garmin.

KimertRuns13_1

I love my Garmin 305!

BerryH

I have been through every fancy gadget on the planet, but a basic digital watch and my Android phone with the Cardiotrainer app do all I need

BuildABetterMe

Everything you need to know is on this page:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com

Ray reviews most of the popular models IN DEPTH.


Of particular interest might be this page his 2011 Recommendations, where he recommends products based on your goals/activities:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/11/my-2011-sports-technology.html

johnwhitent

I have an Android phone and use the free Runkeeper app. It tracks time, distance, splits, speed, etc. and gives you audible feedback while running. It also uploads to their website giving you all the stats and a map of your run with pace and elevation for the whole run. You can also share data with friends (street team) and other stuff. It's great and free!

KPinkBow

Thanks everyone! This is super helpful! Sounds like I will be checking out the Garmin 305 first and also reading up on the site that BuildABetterM suggested. Woohoo -- longer runs here I come! :happy:

BerryH

Thanks everyone! This is super helpful! Sounds like I will be checking out the Garmin 305 first and also reading up on the site that BuildABetterM suggested. Woohoo -- longer runs here I come! :happy:

Just a thought - a Garmin 305 is a huuuge investment if you're just starting running, and completely unnecessary for C25K which is done entirely by time. My tuppence worth? Invest the money if some great running shoes properly fitted at a specialist shop. Get a cheap digital watch to count down the minutes. THEN when you move on to measuring distance, if you have a smart phone download one of the free apps mentioned in this thread.

mikeyrp

Garmin fan here...

Be aware.. Garmin 405 looks like a bargain for only a few dollars more than the 305. RUN AWAY for this device. Apparently the 'bevel control doesn't work if your fingers are sweaty!!!!

The 610 and the 410 are both meant to be good, but rather pricey compared to the lovely old reliable 2/305. The 205 is the same as the 305 but without the heart rate monitor... its worth the extra for the HRM unless you're my wife who wanted 'the blue not the red' one (Red clashes with pink apparently).

The best thing about them is the nice simple buttons which need just the right amount of pressing to respond - so you can do it when you're knackered but wont hit them by accident. if only they had kept the same design and made it 5mm thinner!

The 110 / 210 cost as much or more than the 2/305, look a bit nicer but don't have as many functions.


Other things I like about the 2/305:
1) It can be used for multisport - especially cycling as well as running.
2) I bought an adapter for £15 which allows me to fix it to my bike rather than having it on my wrist... much easier to look at when moving
3) I drop it. a lot. it is, to date, unharmed in any way
4) Its easy to use
5) You can program training session in it (like distance, time, heart rate based efforts and combinations thereof)
6) You can upload / download and share the above. Infact - you can even download entire marathon training plans!!!
7) Cool stuff online for tracking and storing your training, which you can share and show off like this... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/148999602
8) Value for money - the 305 is currently £130 new, or used from 105.00 on Amazon - the 205 is only £90. There are also a lot iof these on ebay being auctioned by the new years resolutioners... I'm betting you could pick up a bargain.

mikeyrp

But also what Berry said... For a 5K, you don't need this.. In fact - the only time you really need a GPS watch in a race is at the start, when you are trying to stop yourself burning out by 'running with the herd' - the rest of the race its actually a distraction - you should be listening to your body to work out what speed you should be doing.

GPS phone apps like run keeper will let you do all of the post run analysis work and cost a couple of quid.

So.. if you have £100 burning a hole in your pocket, and you already have good running shoes - Garmin 305.. Otherwise, hold off - especially if you have a smart phone.

3dogsrunning

Thanks everyone! This is super helpful! Sounds like I will be checking out the Garmin 305 first and also reading up on the site that BuildABetterM suggested. Woohoo -- longer runs here I come! :happy:

Just a thought - a Garmin 305 is a huuuge investment if you're just starting running, and completely unnecessary for C25K which is done entirely by time. My tuppence worth? Invest the money if some great running shoes properly fitted at a specialist shop. Get a cheap digital watch to count down the minutes. THEN when you move on to measuring distance, if you have a smart phone download one of the free apps mentioned in this thread.

Very true as well.

Aperture_Science

Training for a 5k a standard digital watch with stopwatch function should be fine for the timing aspect.

To work out how far you've traveled:

low tech is a map and distance measuring device like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-com70-Map-Measurer/dp/B0010E57MG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329322458&sr=8-1

High tech Map-my-Run web site.

By all means if you fancy a GPS watch then buy one, but you don't need one.