Hey runners - Watch? Or HRM with RunKeeper & iPhone?

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

Hi runners - subject says it all. I've been using RunKeeper since I started back in 2010 and am getting more serious now, have my first 26.2 coming up in October. I'm looking at adding a heart rate monitor to make my training more effective and build some speed, and was curious what HRMs people were using with RunKeeper on an iPhone.

Or do I dump a couple hundred bucks into a decent running watch that has HRM support?

thanks!
Pete

3dogsrunning

I've had two Garmins (one lost at a race, one to puppy teeth). I refused to spend that kind of money again so I went with iPhone and an app (no HRM) for a long time. It was passable but I really prefer the watch. You cant easily see the info if you are using and armband which is a pain. It's hard to do pace workouts. I just broke down and bought a second hand Garmin from a friend. So yeah, for me, watch all the way.

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

Thanks for the feedback - what watch did you go with? I'd like to keep it to $200 maximum, though I doubt that'll get me any advanced features.

I've had two Garmins (one lost at a race, one to puppy teeth). I refused to spend that kind of money again so I went with iPhone and an app (no HRM) for a long time. It was passable but I really prefer the watch. You cant easily see the info if you are using and armband which is a pain. It's hard to do pace workouts. I just broke down and bought a second hand Garmin from a friend. So yeah, for me, watch all the way.

HMVOL7409

Received the Garmin Forerunner 10 at Christmas. On my second one and actually returning it today. It stopped working about 6 weeks ago with not getting my location and losing the GPS signal. Exchanged it for a new one and 2 runs in, it does the same thing. No one else around me had issues. I like the Nike app on my phone and its accurate and less crap I need to just run. If you want a watch don't get this one!

alkonost0

I'm using Garmin 610, and I love it!
But of you used to run with your iphone, maybe its better you'd buy a separated HRM and connect it to your phone.
I hate to run with my phone on, and that's why i bought my Garmin

3dogsrunning

Thanks for the feedback - what watch did you go with? I'd like to keep it to $200 maximum, though I doubt that'll get me any advanced features.

I've had two Garmins (one lost at a race, one to puppy teeth). I refused to spend that kind of money again so I went with iPhone and an app (no HRM) for a long time. It was passable but I really prefer the watch. You cant easily see the info if you are using and armband which is a pain. It's hard to do pace workouts. I just broke down and bought a second hand Garmin from a friend. So yeah, for me, watch all the way.

Ive had the 301 (like 8 years ago which was over $200) and the 305, which I don't think they make anymore but it was less than $200. Both had HRM. The one I just bought second had is the 405cx, but I am pretty sure it retails under $200. I haven't had a chance to use it yet. It does come with a HRM monitor. I am not sure what other features you are looking but if you check the Garmin website it has the specs for all of the models.

JScar1964

Garmin Forerunner 410. I paid less than $150 bucks on sale. It's awesome w/ their online tracking system. The watch auto transfers data to website to track activities. It's also a GPS, so it maps your runs/biking. Just check it out, you won't be disappointed.

ShannonMpls

I use a Polar HRM (Ft40 now, I used the Ft7 for almost two years) and Runkeeper. Since I bring my phone with anyway for music/safety, I figured I'd rather spend $100 on a nice HRM than $250+ on a nice GPS watch. Plus, my HRM is nice for more than just running - I use it for all gym stuff too.

I set Runkeeper to prompt me every half mile with pace. I agree that it would be nice to look at your watch anytime you wanted to see your time/distance, but Runkeeper is very flexible in the prompts it allows a user to choose.

When I'm bringing home a run and want to sprint it out, I'll often take my phone out of my SPIBelt and keep a visual watch on my pace that way.

I've had Runkeeper freak out on me, especially if I forget to turn off WiFi during my run...but I'm told by friends with Garmins that their watches have freaked out too, and I saw this great comparison a blogger did among GPS watches, fitbit, and Runkeeper. I wish I could find it now, but I can't - it encouraged me to replace my HRM with another standard HRM rather than upgrading to Garmin since accuracy was pretty similar.

3dogsrunning

The other reason I prefer the watch - I can race with it anytime. I have just worn my armband with my phone for races that don't allow headphones, just to track my paces, but I miss out on the info unless I take it off my arm to look. I also do triathlons so headphones isn't an option and I'm not too keen on the idea of leaving my phone in transition.

My app (mapmyrun) doesn't have the option to manually lap if I was doing something like 400 m repeats. I'm not sure if others do.

Both options definitely work, it comes down to what you are specifically looking for.

pbl1966

Was a die hard runkeeper fan until I changed to a large Galexy Note phone that is just too big to run with. Husband got me a Garmin Forerunner for Valentines day and I must say I love it. Does not have all the bells and fancy features that more expensive models have but I like the smaller size of the watch itself as I have pretty small wrists. Uploads easily and the the information available on the website is very similar, if not better, than the runkeeper site.

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

Good feedback, thanks everyone! I think I'm leaning towards a watch.