Best running device to upgrade to?

chellygarcia
chellygarcia Posts: 40
in Fitness and Exercise
I have a basic HRM but I am wanting something a little more..... anyone recommend anything? I was looking at the Nike products but not 100% sold before I pay a massive amount for a fitbit or body bugg will a regular polar HRM do the trick??

what's your opinion... I run outdoors, i would like to know my pace, my distance & my calories burned.... ACCURATELY

My current HRM tells me calories burned only.... and of course my heart rate.... but i'm ready for something more.....

HELP!!!!

Replies

  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    You need a GPS watch to do what you want to do accurately. Go to this site for product reviews on every sports GPS on the market and pick the one that meets your needs. http://www.dcrainmaker.com/p/product-reviews.html

    Be aware that different devices calculate calories burned differently. Some are by HR and some are just by speed, time, and bodyweight. http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-measurement-works-on-garmin.html
  • annieu613
    annieu613 Posts: 143 Member
    I love my Garmin Forerunner 110. It syncs to my HRM and gives me accurate distance/heart rate/pace and calories burned. I like to upload my runs to my computer when I'm done so I can check out my splits and see my progress.

    The 110 is one of the cheaper Garmin products, but it really works well for what I want. The only thing that I don't like is that it doesn't show current pace, only the overall pace for the split that you're currently running. Other than that it's been awesome.
  • jreeves628
    jreeves628 Posts: 123 Member
    I have the Nike+ Sportband and I think its great. It's inexpensive, gives you pace, distance, calories burned and I love the website.
  • MtnKat
    MtnKat Posts: 714
    If you have a smart phone already, the Nike+ app works great for GPS (there are others out there too, like MapMyRun and Endumundo (sp?))

    I use my iphone apps along with my polar and it works great for me. Then I don't have to buy any new equipment...just use whatever I have.

    Just a thought....
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    I have a basic HRM but I am wanting something a little more..... anyone recommend anything? I was looking at the Nike products but not 100% sold before I pay a massive amount for a fitbit or body bugg will a regular polar HRM do the trick??

    what's your opinion... I run outdoors, i would like to know my pace, my distance & my calories burned.... ACCURATELY

    My current HRM tells me calories burned only.... and of course my heart rate.... but i'm ready for something more.....

    HELP!!!!

    A fitibit isn't engineered to do what you want it to do.

    i use the nike+ sport watch and it is simply incredible. it will also give you pace,distance,interval times and calories burnt even if you use a treadmill and run indoors. outdoors, it's GPS is incredible and locks very quickly now it has been fixed. I can't recommend it enough, and the run data you download after a work out is packed with every stat you could wish to know...including your *exact* pace at any point during a run, overlaid on google maps.

    It is expensive, but I really do believe you do get what you pay for. earlier versions of this product were rightly criticised, but the problems have been fixed and since I have used it, my poor old garmin forerunner hasn't been touched..and won't be either. Garmin's 'map' was nothing but a yellow squiggle with a major road floating somewhere. Check out the tour feature of the nike+ website. it really is an amazing tool for runners.


    Just one word of caution though..The nike + sport watch is engineered EXCLUSIVELY for running only...if you are looking to do other activities like biking etc as well as running, then this might not be the product for you. But if it is for pure running..then you could do a heck of a lot worse than this device.

    Also, calories burnt are based on height/weight etc and NOT via the HRM. I have the polar HRM strap that is compatible with this watch and the HRM data is just beats, nothing else. it doesn't bleep if you go over your capacity etc like another type of HRM would. To me, this is the only misgiving for this device, but I have to say it's a pretty serious one if you need exact and accurate measure of calories burnt. I am satisfied with a ball park figure as I am not looking for weightless any more....but for the price of the strap, it could and SHOULD give far better value for money.

    Exact calories burnt is important for many people, and on this regard, the nike+ sport watch is a fail in my eyes, when it needn't be.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    I use runkeeper on my phone and an HRM to see calories burned. I am thinking about getting the Nike+ shoe sensor though, since on my trail the GPS for runkeeper rarely ever works (I think it's the trees and a couple of high voltage lines throwing it off).
    So if there are any more voices for Nike+, i'd sure appreciate the advice :-)
  • chellygarcia
    chellygarcia Posts: 40
    I use runkeeper on my phone and an HRM to see calories burned. I am thinking about getting the Nike+ shoe sensor though, since on my trail the GPS for runkeeper rarely ever works (I think it's the trees and a couple of high voltage lines throwing it off).
    So if there are any more voices for Nike+, i'd sure appreciate the advice :-)

    See my hesitation is the reviews on the Nike sensor... They say after 3 months it's goes out, no way to recharge it... hence it is only $19 on Nike's website... i thought about that to hook up to my iphone until i read the reviews.....
  • chellygarcia
    chellygarcia Posts: 40
    I have a basic HRM but I am wanting something a little more..... anyone recommend anything? I was looking at the Nike products but not 100% sold before I pay a massive amount for a fitbit or body bugg will a regular polar HRM do the trick??

    what's your opinion... I run outdoors, i would like to know my pace, my distance & my calories burned.... ACCURATELY

    My current HRM tells me calories burned only.... and of course my heart rate.... but i'm ready for something more.....

    HELP!!!!

    A fitibit isn't engineered to do what you want it to do.

    i use the nike+ sport watch and it is simply incredible. it will also give you pace,distance,interval times and calories burnt even if you use a treadmill and run indoors. outdoors, it's GPS is incredible and locks very quickly now it has been fixed. I can't recommend it enough, and the run data you download after a work out is packed with every stat you could wish to know...including your *exact* pace at any point during a run, overlaid on google maps.

    It is expensive, but I really do believe you do get what you pay for. earlier versions of this product were rightly criticised, but the problems have been fixed and since I have used it, my poor old garmin forerunner hasn't been touched..and won't be either. Garmin's 'map' was nothing but a yellow squiggle with a major road floating somewhere. Check out the tour feature of the nike+ website. it really is an amazing tool for runners.


    Just one word of caution though..The nike + sport watch is engineered EXCLUSIVELY for running only...if you are looking to do other activities like biking etc as well as running, then this might not be the product for you. But if it is for pure running..then you could do a heck of a lot worse than this device.

    Also, calories burnt are based on height/weight etc and NOT via the HRM. I have the polar HRM strap that is compatible with this watch and the HRM data is just beats, nothing else. it doesn't bleep if you go over your capacity etc like another type of HRM would. To me, this is the only misgiving for this device, but I have to say it's a pretty serious one if you need exact and accurate measure of calories burnt. I am satisfied with a ball park figure as I am not looking for weightless any more....but for the price of the strap, it could and SHOULD give far better value for money.

    Exact calories burnt is important for many people, and on this regard, the nike+ sport watch is a fail in my eyes, when it needn't be.

    Thank you... I saw this one online too...
  • kevin3344
    kevin3344 Posts: 702 Member
    what's your opinion... I run outdoors, i would like to know my pace, my distance & my calories burned.... ACCURATELY

    I use iMapMyRun for my iPhone....gives me my pace, distance, total time. Best part is I've run an 8k, 2 - half-marathons and full marathon with my iPhone strapped to my arm (and bluetooth ear buds) and the pace was very accurate!!! I think the arm band was $19.99 on Amazon. I don't run without it.

    Although the MMR app gives you estimates for calories, I usually use MFP (I know I burn about 100 cals for 10 min of running at an 8 min pace). Between the two I get a pretty good estimate.
  • ball858
    ball858 Posts: 395 Member
    I have a Garmin forerunner 205 - its GPS and tells you all that you have described, except calories are by weight and pace (not using HR)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    GPS watch - I'm a fan of the Garmin Forerunner series, they offer a variety of models based on your needs and your budget.

    +1 on the DCRainmaker reviews (http://www.dcrainmaker.com/p/product-reviews.html)


    I'm currently using a 610 and have been very happy with it, I used to have a 310 (it's great if you're a multi-sport athlete, sadly mine died after a number of years of yeoman service)
  • robinogue
    robinogue Posts: 1,117 Member
    If you have a smart phone already, the Nike+ app works great for GPS (there are others out there too, like MapMyRun and Endumundo (sp?))

    I use my iphone apps along with my polar and it works great for me. Then I don't have to buy any new equipment...just use whatever I have.

    Just a thought....

    I use the Nike + app on my iPhone as well. I also have the Nike sensor and it woks great as well.
  • jreeves628
    jreeves628 Posts: 123 Member

    See my hesitation is the reviews on the Nike sensor... They say after 3 months it's goes out, no way to recharge it... hence it is only $19 on Nike's website... i thought about that to hook up to my iphone until i read the reviews.....

    I've been using my nike+ sensor for almost 2 years now. I haven't needed to change it yet. (With my luck it'll stop working today :laugh: )
  • robinhardysmall
    robinhardysmall Posts: 246 Member
    I use Endomondo with my regular ole' HRM from Nike- Endomondo shows so much:
    Start Time
    Distance
    Duration
    Avg Speed
    Max Speed
    Calories
    Altitude
    Elevation
    Heart Rate
    and~ I can print it out and then show it to my doc :wink:
    it is great- it has wonderful programs you can create as well as use it for so many differnt sports- endomondo.com is the site...
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I use runkeeper on my phone and an HRM to see calories burned. I am thinking about getting the Nike+ shoe sensor though, since on my trail the GPS for runkeeper rarely ever works (I think it's the trees and a couple of high voltage lines throwing it off).
    So if there are any more voices for Nike+, i'd sure appreciate the advice :-)
    I have the Nike+ sensor, as well as a Garmin 410. I've used both on a few runs and the Nike+ isn't anywhere near close to the mileage my Garmin calculated. It was so far off (~ 1 mile) I couldn't even adjust the mileage on my iPod Touch at the end of the run to the actual distance.

    For running, you really need something with a GPS. If you live in an area where your smartphone gets a good GPS signal, you can use an app like Cardio Trainer, Map My Run or Endomodo. The positive to this is that you were probably already planning to take your phone along anyway. I started out using Cardio Trainer and a plain ol' HRM and that did well for me for the first 6 months I was running. I bought the Garmin 410 for my birthday and I have to admit that I love it. It shows my current pace and heart rate along with the distance, my calorie burn and any number of other stats. I then upload each run to their website and I can see a map of my run, the elevation changes, pace, speed at any given point in the run and compare it to similar runs. It has a function that lets you specify a goal and pits you against a virtual runner which you have to "beat" to make your goal.

    Really, you'll want to do some side by side comparisons online factoring in your price point and your must have features. Only you know which is the best device for you.
  • drgndancer
    drgndancer Posts: 426 Member
    I use runkeeper on my phone and an HRM to see calories burned. I am thinking about getting the Nike+ shoe sensor though, since on my trail the GPS for runkeeper rarely ever works (I think it's the trees and a couple of high voltage lines throwing it off).
    So if there are any more voices for Nike+, i'd sure appreciate the advice :-)

    See my hesitation is the reviews on the Nike sensor... They say after 3 months it's goes out, no way to recharge it... hence it is only $19 on Nike's website... i thought about that to hook up to my iphone until i read the reviews.....
    You mention an iPhone, is it a 4S? If so I recently picked up a Wahoo Fitness BlueHR. It's a low-power Bluetooth HRM strap that can pair with your smartphone. On the plus side, it's pretty accurate, has very few stutters, and pairs easily with my preferred app (Runmeter) as well as most other running apps (including Runkeeper). On the downside, the low-power Bluetooth tech is still pretty new and most phones don't support it. Only the 4S can pair with it among iPhones, and like two or three newer Android phones. If you've got a 4S though, it's a pretty good little device.

    Edit to Add: Oh, and it's pretty cheep too. $80 at the Apple store. Not free by any stretch, but not at all bad as these things go.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    I have the Nike+ sensor, as well as a Garmin 410. I've used both on a few runs and the Nike+ isn't anywhere near close to the mileage my Garmin calculated. It was so far off (~ 1 mile) I couldn't even adjust the mileage on my iPod Touch at the end of the run to the actual distance.
    ...

    1 mile off is better than 20 on a 5k run, which is what gps is giving me 80% of the time :wink:
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I have the Nike+ sensor, as well as a Garmin 410. I've used both on a few runs and the Nike+ isn't anywhere near close to the mileage my Garmin calculated. It was so far off (~ 1 mile) I couldn't even adjust the mileage on my iPod Touch at the end of the run to the actual distance.
    ...

    1 mile off is better than 20 on a 5k run, which is what gps is giving me 80% of the time :wink:
    If my phone is having a bad data connection day, which is often, I'll get the same thing with its GPS. My Garmin has been spot on every time.
  • DisneyAddictRW
    DisneyAddictRW Posts: 800 Member
    I use the Nike sports watch. I would love a garmin however I already have 800 miles logged on my Nike site. I don't want to lose that info. I also hate switching to new products so I stay with my Nike watch. The new website seems to be working better than the old one. I use to have issues with my band uploading.
  • brandyk77
    brandyk77 Posts: 605 Member
    Garmin is the way to go. There are numerous options and price levels to choose from.

    I have owned Garmin for years and loved them. I am currently using a 110 and it works just for what I want it for. Someone else mentioned it doesn't do current pace but all the GPS units have issues with current pace. you always want it to average over interval whatever interval you want.

    I have use the Nike product (which I got for free) and found it worth every penny. What a piece of junk.
  • Kickinkim418
    Kickinkim418 Posts: 257 Member
    I have a Garmin 305 ...LOVE it...it has a gps so it tells you your distance, pace, time, plus I wear a HRM strap so it tells me my calories burned....it's the best for running outdoors.

    When I run on a treadmill indoors, I use a Polar FT4 that tells me my heart rate and time and then use the treadmill for distance...

    HTH!!!
  • redhousecat
    redhousecat Posts: 584 Member
    I use the Garmin 310xt. It's big and ugly, but I picked it for its features. Hubby uses Garmin as well, but not sure which one. 305 I think.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    I have the Garmin FR60. It doesn't have GPS but it has a footpod that tells the watch your pace, speed and distance. It also has the HRM strap and it's compatible with the thingy to hook to your bike to tell how fast it's going (I don't have a bike so I don't know anything first hand about that).

    I've found the footpod to be very accurate. I've tested it over several known distance stretches from 400 meters up to 3 miles and it's been right on. It also tells you your current pace which it seems a lot of the GPS watches don't do. And you can use it on a treadmill and still get pace and distance information (I've only done this once because treadmills are painfully boring to me).

    All the information can be uploaded to the Garmin connect website which has tons of cool crap on it for tracking everything.

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