Posted: 11/18/2012 10:32:45 AM EDT
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I just started looking into getting a gps watch to help me better track my training progress. What do you guys recommend? I have pretty simple requirements. 1. Must be unobtrusive and look like a normal watch 2. Must give me real time pace and distance (I never use treadmills) Right now I am looking at the Garmin Forerunner 110. Any other suggestions? |
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I just started looking into getting a gps watch to help me better track my training progress. What do you guys recommend? I have pretty simple requirements. 1. Must be unobtrusive and look like a normal watch 2. Must give me real time pace and distance (I never use treadmills) Right now I am looking at the Garmin Forerunner 110. Any other suggestions? I've owned a 305(2) and a 910. Both good products, but based on your requirements, all I have to offer is a recommendation to avoid the 405 - touch bezel sucks according to 100% of the people I know who own it (high single digits). Edits due to iPad typos |
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I just started looking into getting a gps watch to help me better track my training progress. What do you guys recommend? I have pretty simple requirements. 1. Must be unobtrusive and look like a normal watch 2. Must give me real time pace and distance (I never use treadmills) Right now I am looking at the Garmin Forerunner 110. Any other suggestions? I've owned a 305(2) and a 910. Both good products, but based on your requirements, all I have to offer is a recommendation to avoid the 405 - touch bezel sucks according to 100% of the people I know who own it (high single digits). Edits due to iPad typos I agree about the 405. It seems that Garmin has people designing products that never actually go out and use them. The controls on the 405 are very difficult to use while running. |
| I only have experience with the larger Garmin 301 and 305 models. Neither of those really bother me when running, though I can see where smaller would be better, at least if you aren't trying to read the screen. I still have the 301 (305 was the ex-wife's, but I'd wear it if my battery was dead), and still like it, though I think where it really shines is when mounted to a bike. |
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I'm absolutely fascinated by the Motorola MOTOACTV, but the reviews have been hit or miss. I agree, I really want something with the same functionality but with better battery life and performance. I really thought Apple might make the new nano with GPS and bluetooth, but they made it bigger and clunkier than the old model with nothing new.  I like using my 6G nano with Nike+ for running/walking, and would love a GPS watch that also played MP3s, particularly via bluetooth. I guess I'll have to wait a while.
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I have a forerunner 610, thats the touch screen model. I got it for recording tracks and keeping pace for long distance hikes... no so great. It will typically last about 7-8 hours before needing to be recharged. Probably would work great for shorter runs ect, but not for what I was doing. On the upside it is very easy to use and the touch screen makes things even easier.
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Quoted: I have a forerunner 610, thats the touch screen model. I got it for recording tracks and keeping pace for long distance hikes... no so great. It will typically last about 7-8 hours before needing to be recharged. Probably would work great for shorter runs ect, but not for what I was doing. On the upside it is very easy to use and the touch screen makes things even easier. ended up getting one of these today from REI for $299.99 which is $100 off normal price. Wound up only being $50 more with the HRM than the Forerunner 110 I was originally considering so that made it a no brainer, more functionality and whiz bangs for $50. |
| Not sure if it'll work for you, but I use my smartphone and the Runkeeper app to keep track of my pace and distance. I wear shorts and run with it in my pocket. |
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Quoted: Not sure if it'll work for you, but I use my smartphone and the Runkeeper app to keep track of my pace and distance. I wear shorts and run with it in my pocket. I love that app! Just use the freebie since I'm a cheap bastard, I'm probably gonna pick up a dongle to see if I can link the garmin HRM to it. |
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Most of them are reviewed here
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews |
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Quoted: Quoted: Not sure if it'll work for you, but I use my smartphone and the Runkeeper app to keep track of my pace and distance. I wear shorts and run with it in my pocket. I love that app! Just use the freebie since I'm a cheap bastard, I'm probably gonna pick up a dongle to see if I can link the garmin HRM to it. http://support.runkeeper.com/entries/21713138-what-heart-rate-monitors-does-runkeeper-support I started running in July and around August, a co-worker suggested Runkeeper. It's been very handy in tracking my progression, from only being able to run a half-mile in August to running my first 5k earlier this month. http://runkeeper.com/user/GunGeekATX/activity/129139061 My right Achilles has had a nagging case of tendinitis the past couple weeks and I haven't been making any progress past the 5k distance. I've been doing shorter runs and thankfully it seems to be getting better.
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Not sure if it'll work for you, but I use my smartphone and the Runkeeper app to keep track of my pace and distance. I wear shorts and run with it in my pocket. I love that app! Just use the freebie since I'm a cheap bastard, I'm probably gonna pick up a dongle to see if I can link the garmin HRM to it. http://support.runkeeper.com/entries/21713138-what-heart-rate-monitors-does-runkeeper-support I started running in July and around August, a co-worker suggested Runkeeper. It's been very handy in tracking my progression, from only being able to run a half-mile in August to running my first 5k earlier this month. http://runkeeper.com/user/GunGeekATX/activity/129139061 My right Achilles has had a nagging case of tendinitis the past couple weeks and I haven't been making any progress past the 5k distance. I've been doing shorter runs and thankfully it seems to be getting better. I picked up Runmeter a couple days ago, before I heard of Runkeeper on here. They seem to do the same thing. Runmeter doesn't have a free meter tho. I just got doing some reading and it seems Runmeter has an ability to run against "ghosts" of yourself on the same route on previous runs. Kind of interesting. |
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Soleus has some GPS watches which were recently on sale at LeftLane Sport, but weren't anymore the last time I checked...
ETA: I see they're reviewed in the link SHNIPE posted earlier: |
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I have a somewhat embarassing question in regards to GPS watches.
I work in Afghanistan and I have been using my iPod and the Nike+ app to track my runs. I've been considering a GPS watch but would it work over here? You think there would be any issues with the watch and the Military? I'd hate to be running one night and have a airstrike called in on me. 
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| GPS watch will work anywhere it can have line of sight on some sats. They are passive units in that they only take in info, it's not like you're transmitting back up to anything. The ones that say wireless transmission capable like the forerunner I have is referring to linking up with a little bluetooth usb adapter that uploads to your computer. which you can then upload to the internet... That part might be worth being careful or skipping given your situation. |
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GPS watch will work anywhere it can have line of sight on some sats. They are passive units in that they only take in info, it's not like you're transmitting back up to anything. The ones that say wireless transmission capable like the forerunner I have is referring to linking up with a little bluetooth usb adapter that uploads to your computer. which you can then upload to the internet... That part might be worth being careful or skipping given your situation. Even those ANT+ sticks are pretty low power/range. I have to be within about 10-15 feet of my computer to get my 910XT to share data. It's probably not targetable by a HARM missle
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I have: Garmin Forerunner 105, Forerunner 305, Magellan Switch Up+, and Motoactv (original and the new Golf edition). By far and easily hands down, the best interface/usability goes to Motoactv. Everything else uses a clunky interface. The Motoactv uses Android as its operating system and is slick to use. Just don't EVER EVER EVER drop it or the screen will crack, and you'll be shit out of luck for a replacement. Also, don't ever wash it because it isn't waterproof. It can sync with your PC using either USB or WiFi to track your fitness online. The portal is actually very nice (but slow) because you can share competitions with your friends. The Magellan Switch Up has a temperature sensor and a great looking display, but it is BULKY and thick. It actually hurts my wrists when I run with it, and the cycle mount is a POS. The Magellan links up via USB to an online portal that tracks your workouts. The Forerunner 305 has served me well for years, and while it has a clunky interface, it is a good compromise of durability, comfort, and versatility. It is easy to switch between running and cycling mode. It downloads the data via USB to your PC for tracking purposes and is antiquated. I have not tried the newer Forerunners or the newer software, but by far the Motoactv system is the winner. They just need to make the Motoactv more durable (Gorilla Glass 2 perhaps? Waterproofing?) and I'd have zero complaints. The battery life isn't wonderful but I'd rather deal with an easy to use device that tracks everything and has color onboard Google Maps. The alternative is to use a smartphone, but I'd rather not strap my Galaxy S3 to my bicycle and have it break during a crash or bump and strapping it to my arm when running would be like strapping on a cinder block. I use the following ANT+ devices: Garmin heart rate sensor Garmin Foot pod Garmin speed/cadence sensor The heart rate sensor seems to register "more " calories burnt when cycling, and "less" calories burnt when running. The speed/cadence sensor is mandatory if you want to track cadence on a bicycle. The foot pod is great for indoor running (no GPS). |