Gear Question for serious runners? Nike + GPS or Garmin?

I had one of the Nike GPS watches back when they first came out (which was maybe summer of 2011?) So take my experience with a grain of salt, as they may have fixed the bugs present in the first generation watch since then...my nike watch worked great for about a month, I absolutely loved it. Love how simple it was to use, loved how it looked, loved that it was Nike (Nike fan girl here) but like I said, after about four weeks the watch quit being recognized by my computer, so there was no way to upload or save any of my data, which was one reason I wanted the watch. Apparently, lots of people had this problem, there were forums and facebook groups all dedicated to the issue. Nike was very slow in figuring out what the problem was and getting us a fix. I eventually ended up returning the watch for a refund after waiting about 4 months for a fix. That was the nice thing, I bought directly from Nike and they didn't give me any problems at all when returning the watch, even though it was after the 3 month warranty.

Anyway, point of story, I would google and see if this issue is still a problem for people with the Nike gps watch. It's been a few years, so they may have fixed it.

I have also owned a Garmin (the old school computer on the wrist looking one) which I loved. My mom currently uses a garmin (the touch swivel model) which she hates. I currently have a Timex Run Trainer, which I do really like, except I just had to send it in to get repaired (the battery would no longer charge).

Moral of the story? I think they all have issues, like most electronic gadgets do. I would go with a price you are comfortable with that offers the features you want, and a company that has a good customer service reputation

I have a garmin that has a shoe pod that tracks distance/pace/speed etc. I havent used it recently, but I loved using it. It also comes with HRM and chest strap to calculate calories burned. I LOVE it!

I use a Garmin 610. It basically tracks everything distance, pace, avg. pace, elevation etc. etc. It also uploads all the info from your run to their website so you can view and compare runs. Haven't had any problems with it and i've been using it for almost a year. It works very well in wet conditions. Prior to owning the 610 i had a 405cx, it was a good unit except i did have issues with the bezel control on rain days. If you go Garmin I don't think you'd ever regret it.

had nike+, it worked for me but then had my phone upgraded....yhey so am able to use gps which is loads better....saying that, if i could i would go for garmin

I use a garmin watch with GPS

I use both. Garmin watch for when I can't use my phone (Tough Mudder, rainy days, etc.) and then I use the app MapMyRun on my phone as well. MapMyRun allows you to upload Garmin data as well, so you can keep it all in one place! I'm not sure if Nike+ will allow you to upload your Garmin data on their website, but you might take a look at it.

I'll be the lone Nke+ Sportwatch fan. I love mine...no issues.

I should also add that I advise running with your phone anyway if possible, especially if you are running alone. I run at 5am when it is still dark and have taken 2 spills. I've never been seriously hurt, but not having a phone to call for help is not advisable.

I use the Endomondo app on my phone with a Zephyr heart rate monitor. Keeps all of my data in one spot and seems to be very accurate. Can also use it when doing other cardio (i.e. treadmill) when GPS will not work and keep track of calories burned.

I should also add that I advise running with your phone anyway if possible, especially if you are running alone. I run at 5am when it is still dark and have taken 2 spills. I've never been seriously hurt, but not having a phone to call for help is not advisable.

My husband is very into this with me he hates when i run trails without it. The main reason i want the watch is quite funny actually. I just purchased a shuffle for when i run 5k's so i dont have to take my phone which i carry in my fuel belt because i always get funny looks for wearing my fuelbelt to a 5k lol. But i still want to keep track of my runs when i do short runs too. I plan on doing at least a dozen 5k's this summer since i had no time to train for another marathon with getting over my torn meniscus

Definitely think that is a perfectly good reason for the watch. I run with a local group on Saturday mornings and never take my phone because I am surrounded by 10-15 people at all times. But anytime I run alone, I take my phone. I've even put it in a ziploc baggie when it was drizzling one morning and didn't use the ipod on it. Just wanted to make sure I had it in case of an emergency.

Nike sports watch for the accuracy, iPhone with the optional Nike app for the music. Anybody running alone should always carry their phone

I don't own a cell phone - hate them. I use a Garmin 310xt for everything. It's got a "return home" feature that I've found invaluable. I've also used the map feature to track my way along preplanned but unmarked routes i run with my training group.

On the necessity of cell phones while running - remember 1990? I do, it was pretty awesome - lots of people happily running without cell phones (similar to the previous several thousand years). Now-a-days, all you need to do is plan your runs, learn first aid, don't be dumb, have a contingency plan. I've broken things 12 miles out into the middle of nowhere, I've sprained ankles in a country that didn't have paved roads (let alone hospitals), and I've lived and recovered to happily run another day - all without a cell phone in sight.

Though I've owned cell phones in the past, absolutely none of my stories end with "thank god I had a cell phone!" They instead end with "thank god I knew what to do!"

I bought and used a Nike + sport watch. Loved it and it worked great. I gave it to my wife and got myself a Garmin 310XT. My only complaint with the Nike is that it is only for running. You can't identify other activities (i.e. swimming, biking, hiking, walking, etc.).

I've had two Garmins in the past 8 years (one lost to puppy teeth the other at a race). I have always been a huge fan. I finally broke down and bought a second hand one.

Garmin hands down.
Biggest issue with Nike sports watch? It's a closed protocol. If you EVER want to use some software beyond Nike's software, you can't. You can't even get your own data out. Maybe it's changed lately, but that's how it used to be.

Garmin uses open protocols. So, depending on the watch, once it uploads to Garmin Connect, you can export the data and load it into mapmyrun, strava, Sporttracks, Training Peaks, etc. Strava and SportTracks will automatically download the data without having to go through the extra steps of exporting from Garmin Connect.

Garmin isn't the only game in town, but they are the biggest.
Timex and Polar also make nice running watches.

RE: communication protocols.
Garmin and Timex both use ANT+, which is open source, and there are tonnes of devices to use with the watches: HR straps, bike speed sensors, foot pods.
Polar uses the closed ANT protocol. You can only use Polar devices with the Polar watches.
Nike doesn't use either, it uses the dumb, and propriety, 2.4 gHz transmission (regular HRMs use 5 kHz, so you have to use Nike specific devices)

The open protocol devices (Timex, Garmin, Magellan, the probably discontinued Motorola) allow MUCH deeper analysis through the 3rd party software suites (Timex uses Training Peaks though, and it's very popular).