GPS Watch

tlheppler
tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am thinking about getting a GPS watch. What one is the best and why?
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Replies

  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Or whay ones should I avoid?
  • tressatnt
    tressatnt Posts: 77
    I have a Garmin Forerunner and I love it. It's the only one I've ever had though so I have nothing to compare it to.
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    What model?
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Anybody have the Nike+ Sportswatch?
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Whay did you pay for yours?
  • tressatnt
    tressatnt Posts: 77
    I have the 205, it's "old". I think I paid $170ish or $117, I can't remember, I just know that there was a 7 in it LOL.
  • ukulele2010
    ukulele2010 Posts: 126 Member
    I have a Garmin forerunner 305 and love it. It's big and relatively old (design wise). There may be some newer options out there. Some older folks note that they prefer the 305 because of the screen size (it's large) compared to some newer models because it is easier to read. But then again, the body size is big too so there is a trade-off-. I think I paid about $200.
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Thanks so much for your responses
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Are there any that sync with MFP?
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    which has the best battery life?
  • javery529
    javery529 Posts: 1
    I have the Nike+ Sportswatch and love it. I'm a runner so it comes in handy for tracking my progress with times and mileage. The GPS mapping and online syncing are also pretty nice and i've found it is pretty accurate. The battery is also pretty good. I use it 2-3 hours a week and aside from having it plugged in when syncing I have only had to charge it 2-3 times after the 2 months i've had it.
  • nphect
    nphect Posts: 474
    buy a garmin they are the most accurate

    i have a garmin 310xt, cause i like the big display.

    https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142
  • Bookers23
    Bookers23 Posts: 187 Member
    Garmon is good but suunto ambit is the best! Had a forerunner and thought I loved it until I upgraded to the ambit. The web app that it uses is awesome as is it's functionality and battery life, nothing comes close in my opinion. I also like that it looks like a watch, not a heart monitor. I use it every day training, as well as in tough mudders etc. any questions feel free to ask, I love talking about this thing!
  • nphect
    nphect Posts: 474
    Garmon is good but suunto ambit is the best! Had a forerunner and thought I loved it until I upgraded to the ambit. The web app that it uses is awesome as is it's functionality and battery life, nothing comes close in my opinion. I also like that it looks like a watch, not a heart monitor. I use it every day training, as well as in tough mudders etc. any questions feel free to ask, I love talking about this thing!

    dam $550! it better be. thanks for that info.
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Thanks for the info, the Suunto sounds great. do you wear it as a daily watch?
  • chiznitz
    chiznitz Posts: 5
    $500 is way to much to spend on a sports watch.

    Will you be running and biking? Just running/walking?

    Garmin 305's are cheap off of ebay, i just sold mine and upgraded to a 310xt for power training. If you are just running I believe the 205 will do everything you need as well.

    I've lost my weight preparing for xterras and mountain bike races and the 305 had everything I needed until i wanted to take it to the next level with power training on the bike.
  • nphect
    nphect Posts: 474
    $500 is way to much to spend on a sports watch.

    Will you be running and biking? Just running/walking?

    Garmin 305's are cheap off of ebay, i just sold mine and upgraded to a 310xt for power training. If you are just running I believe the 205 will do everything you need as well.

    I've lost my weight preparing for xterras and mountain bike races and the 305 had everything I needed until i wanted to take it to the next level with power training on the bike.

    yeah garmin has specific running watches, unless your a triathlete.
  • PattyC64
    PattyC64 Posts: 56 Member
    I have the Garmin Forerunner 110 which is a cheaper model. I bought it without the HRM for about $140, but later purchased the HRM. It plugs into the computer for syncing and charging, which is good.

    I used to have a Timex where you had to change the battery, and it would sometimes go out while on my run.

    I know that there's an app for my iPhone, but I haven't used tried it. I have a Digifit that connects my HRM to my phone, which I like better than using the watch for indoor cardio. For the watch, I have to connect to my computer to see the calories burned, but it shows on my phone immediately.
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    $500 is way to much to spend on a sports watch.

    Will you be running and biking? Just running/walking?

    Garmin 305's are cheap off of ebay, i just sold mine and upgraded to a 310xt for power training. If you are just running I believe the 205 will do everything you need as well.

    I've lost my weight preparing for xterras and mountain bike races and the 305 had everything I needed until i wanted to take it to the next level with power training on the bike.

    Walking and runnning for now, however eventually will bike and swim. So water resistency is important.
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Anyone out there selling one in good shape?
  • nphect
    nphect Posts: 474
    if you can't afford a watch, i would suggest a phone app, i used to use that and its pretty accurate. I think RunKeeper is one of the best.
  • Bookers23
    Bookers23 Posts: 187 Member
    Sometimes I use as a daily watch, it's very comfortable. I also swim laps with it, hardly ever losing connectivity with chest strap which I hear is a problem with other brands. Many gps watches also do not even have the heart monitor function so make sure to look. The ambit has really easy presets for any activity so just chose whatever your doing and the screens will display whatever you want. My running screen shows distance and speed while my circuit training shows heart rate and calories. The gps is really really good. You can set points before a run and it will tell you where to go, or you can mark locations on way out for easy return. It's as useful as an automotive gps really. Not to mention the compass, altimeter, thermometer functions. The price is high I admit. I actually used a 20% coupon on rei for mine. However the usefulness is unsurpassed. The suunto site that watch syncs to is movescount.com check it out has lots more info. I can compare activities to those around the world, so it's really motivating. It almost has a myfitnesspal vibe to it.
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Sometimes I use as a daily watch, it's very comfortable. I also swim laps with it, hardly ever losing connectivity with chest strap which I hear is a problem with other brands. Many gps watches also do not even have the heart monitor function so make sure to look. The ambit has really easy presets for any activity so just chose whatever your doing and the screens will display whatever you want. My running screen shows distance and speed while my circuit training shows heart rate and calories. The gps is really really good. You can set points before a run and it will tell you where to go, or you can mark locations on way out for easy return. It's as useful as an automotive gps really. Not to mention the compass, altimeter, thermometer functions. The price is high I admit. I actually used a 20% coupon on rei for mine. However the usefulness is unsurpassed. The suunto site that watch syncs to is movescount.com check it out has lots more info. I can compare activities to those around the world, so it's really motivating. It almost has a myfitnesspal vibe to it.
    Awesome post, Thanks. Time to start saving
  • eddieharrisjr
    eddieharrisjr Posts: 21 Member
    I just purchased the Motoactv, made by Motorola. It tracks calories burned, distance, heart rate, steps, plus its an 8G MP3 Player. When you sync with your computer, not only will it tell you your calorie burn, it will break down how many calories you burned per song that you worked out to, so in essence it learns what songs to play as "powersongs". You can set it for 40 different types of workouts that it will monitor individually. You can sync it with your Droid phone, and actually take phone calls, check your twitter and facebook throught it as well. It has a touchscreen. You can get it with bluetooth wireless headphones as well. So far so good, thewy just cut the price from $250 down to $149.99, its worth waaay more in my opinion.
  • BSchoberg
    BSchoberg Posts: 712 Member
    Oh, wait... I thought that said "GSP" and I love that guy! :) Carry on...
  • jsmamadden
    jsmamadden Posts: 5
    MOTOACTV $150 or less, works great tracking my runs. The only problem is that you do have to charge it probably every 2-3 days if you leave it on. Also I would not run in the rain with it. It says it is sweat proof and you can run in light rain with it but it doesn't seem that water proof. The sweat is fine. I sweat a lot and have not had problems but I will not take it out in the rain
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    I just purchased the Motoactv, made by Motorola. It tracks calories burned, distance, heart rate, steps, plus its an 8G MP3 Player. When you sync with your computer, not only will it tell you your calorie burn, it will break down how many calories you burned per song that you worked out to, so in essence it learns what songs to play as "powersongs". You can set it for 40 different types of workouts that it will monitor individually. You can sync it with your Droid phone, and actually take phone calls, check your twitter and facebook throught it as well. It has a touchscreen. You can get it with bluetooth wireless headphones as well. So far so good, thewy just cut the price from $250 down to $149.99, its worth waaay more in my opinion.

    Wow, more investigation necessary, Thanks
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    Oh, wait... I thought that said "GSP" and I love that guy! :) Carry on...

    GSP is awesome, what watch does he wear???
  • CnocNaCu
    CnocNaCu Posts: 536 Member
    if you want to run, swim and use the bike you might want to check DC Rainmaker's reviews online. His reviews are the best and after reading a lot I did NOT buy a GPS one but a Polar RCX5 with GPS sensor(extra). This watch is nice as a every day watch, has a batterie life of 10-12 months and is absolutely water resistant and has accurate readings all the time. I don't want another one. I had a Garmin Forerunner 305 for 2 weeks and sold it because it is very heavy (you need a sweatband underneath or it turns downwards all the time) and it is huge. Where I am living it took between 3 and 6 minutes for it to find a satellite signal.
    Just google : dcrainmaker reviews
  • Bookers23
    Bookers23 Posts: 187 Member
    Wow! Dcrainmaker has some great reviews, better than I could ever say. Thanks for that info. Just a FYI if you are looking to save for the ambit. The software/firmware is always updated and the newest release fixed his few hangups he had about the watch plus added a few features. I really like how it has free updates to keep it current and add new features. He also mentioned difficulty syncing to chest strap while swimming which I have not. Good luck researching! You have a ton of info to sift through!

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