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Nike+ calibration too large to be accepted?

agthorn
agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just recently replaced my 2nd gen iPod Touch with a 4th gen, and linked my new iPod to my Nike+ running sensor. My first run was 6.2 miles outside and the calibration was too long by over 10% (nearly 7 miles) so I adjusted the distance back to 6.2 miles, and the home screen updated the "Run Calibration" date to 8/10/14. I ran a few days later on a treadmill and while the app said 4 miles, the treadmill was only reading about 3.5 - I didn't adjust it that day because I didn't know if the treadmill was accurate.

I ran a 20K race yesterday and it seems like my first calibration didn't take at all, as I was on a measured and certified 12.4 mile course but got a reading of 13.6 miles (and consequently, a bunch of Nike+ "records" that I didn't actually do - longest run, fastest half marathon, etc). Is there a such thing as a calibration that is too large for the app to accept? Should I do several shorter runs in a row and adjust the calibration a little bit each time until it's correct?

Replies

  • exwilson
    exwilson Posts: 154 Member
    In my experience with Nike+ (using the sensor or the GPS app), the calibration is worthless. It seems the more I calibrate, the worse it gets.

    I have the same problem. I have records of 2:14 for a km and a PR for mile at 4:00. I just wish I could erase them because their so bogus.

    Good luck.
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    I've used the Nike+ app since January of 2009 and never had this issue before - but I've only ever had to recalibrate it on the order of 2-3% every once in a while. I did some runs with the old iPod on a trail that has measured mile markers and it was pretty spot on then.
  • mochapygmy
    mochapygmy Posts: 2,123 Member
    I'm in to hear what people have to say. I use Nike+ on my 4th gen nano touch and find the distance to be pretty inaccurate.
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    I'm in to hear what people have to say. I use Nike+ on my 4th gen nano touch and find the distance to be pretty inaccurate.

    Hmm. I wonder if it has to do with the app itself then?
  • DavidMartinez2
    DavidMartinez2 Posts: 840 Member
    When I ran in Nike shoes and kept the sensor in the little pooka under the insert it was usually pretty close. Once I switched out of Nike and tried using a pouch I could not get the calibration right. I ended up getting a Garmin and have been very happy with it.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    In my experience with Nike+ (using the sensor or the GPS app), the calibration is worthless. It seems the more I calibrate, the worse it gets.

    I have the same problem. I have records of 2:14 for a km and a PR for mile at 4:00. I just wish I could erase them because their so bogus.

    Good luck.

    same here. and it's been relatively recent(since May?) . i ran a 39 sec mile a few weeks ago :huh:
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    When I ran in Nike shoes and kept the sensor in the little pooka under the insert it was usually pretty close. Once I switched out of Nike and tried using a pouch I could not get the calibration right. I ended up getting a Garmin and have been very happy with it.

    I've never run in Nike shoes - always have used the shoelace pouch.
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    Well, I ended up trying my theory - did four short runs and one walk on the treadmill (at a couple different running speeds), and adjusted the calibration a little each time. My last run was within a few hundredths of what the treadmill said, so I thought I was all set.

    Ran my known 10K again today, and now it's wildly off in the opposite direction - only recorded me at 5.45 miles instead of 6.21 :-(

    (Ordered a new sensor to see if that's the issue)
  • exwilson
    exwilson Posts: 154 Member
    because their so bogus.

    sigh...*they're...smh

    I'm appalled at my own grammar.

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