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* '''Heart Rate Variability'''. There is a growing interest in the possibility of using [[Heart Rate Variability]] (HRV) to evaluate training stress. While only one device will display HRV, there are several that will record HRV for later analysis.
* '''GPS Pre-cache'''. Some newer watches will download the predicted positions of the GPS satellites for faster initial acquisition. This pre-cache works remarkably well, and the data is usually downloaded automatically when the watch is connected to the internet. However, the data is only valid for a few days, so after that time the device will fall back to the usual approach of scanning for satellites.
=Recommended=
This section covers the watches I'd recommend as 'the best'. Which one is the best for you depends on your budget and requirements.
This is a rather strange hybrid device, that I don't recommend as a running watch. It looks like an activity monitor and functions a little like a sports watch, but in reality is neither. The Adidas has the same optical heart rate monitoring used in the TomTom, but this rapidly drains the battery giving only five hours of use, so it not an activity monitor that is worn all the time. It has to pair with a smartphone to provide GPS, makes it more of an advanced smartwatch, adding heart rate monitoring to the display functions (see below).
=Using a Smartphone=
''Main article: [[Running With A Smartphone]]'' Most smartphones have a GPS built in and support various applications that allow them to function as sports watches. ==Smartphone Pros==* If you already These phones can have a smartphone, this is the cheapest option.* The GPS accuracy remarkable levels of Smartphones is generally as good as or better than a dedicated running watch. * Carrying a phone allows you to [[Running Safety| call for help]GPS Accuracy]. You can also use apps like [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-my-friends/id466122094?mt=8 find my friends] to allow people to track your location for safety.* You may be able to use the smartphone as an MP3 player.* A smartphone means you always have a camera, which can be handy.* It is possible to use a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] and a [[Footpod]] with a smartphone. ==Smartphone Cons==* A smartphone is heavy, bulky and has to be mounted on your upper arm, making it hard to see the display (a smart watch helps solve this).* A smartphone mounted on your arm makes you a potential target for theft, reducing your [[Running Safety| safety]].* Most touchscreens do not work well with gloves, in the rain, or with sweaty hands. * Few smartphones are waterproof, so a specialist case will be required to protect it.==Heart Rate Monitors for Smartphones==There are a number of options for adding heart rate monitoring to a smartphone.* The [http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Bluetooth-Smart-Heart-Sensor/dp/B007S088F4 Polar H7 heart rate monitor] is [http://www.polar.com/us-en/support/compatibility_of_polar_h6_h7_heart_rate_sensor compatible] with iPhone 4S/5 and as many Android phones, and it's my recommended approach for getting the best and heart rate monitoring. It supports many apps, including [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ismoothrun-pro-gps-pedometer/id410965399?mt=8 iSmoothRun], [[Runkeeper]], [[Mapmyrun]](+), EndoMondo (Pro), Runmeter, and others. It also works nicely with [[Heart Rate Variability]] apps. (<jfs id="B007S088F4" noreferb="true"/>.)* For optical heart rate monitoring, the Scosche RHYTHM+ goes around your upper arm and is less intrusive than a chest strap. However, this device requires recharging periodically as it only has seven hours of battery life, and optical heart rate monitoring is not as accurate as a chest strap. In particular, it will not provide [[Heart Rate Variability]] data.* The [http://www.amazon.com/Wahoo-Fitness-WFFisica01-Key-iPhone/dp/B0042WGO3Y Wahoo Key] is a $55 dongle that adds Ant+ support to an iPhone 4S/4/3GS. This allows you to use the {{Garmin HRM}}, {{Garmin Footpod}} and other Ant+ accessories. It works with most apps including RunKeeper, MapMyRun(+), EndoMondo (Pro), Runmeter. Note that the dongle may cause problems finding a waterproof case.* The [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Adapter-iPhone-Monitor-Cadence/dp/B005ZSYEOK Garmin Ant+ Adapter] is similar to the [http://www.amazon.com/Wahoo-Fitness-WFFisica01-Key-iPhone/dp/B0042WGO3Y Wahoo Key] but it has limited app support. * The [http://www.amazon.com/Zephyr-HxM-Delivers-BlackBerry-Smartphones/dp/B002PL33AQ Zepher HxM] is a $79 (+shipping) heart rate monitor that works with Android and Blackberry phones.* Some [https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%7bf3027e90-f8de-11e0-73d0-000000000000%7d Sony Ericsson android phones] have Ant+ support built in. ==SmartWatches==Some of the problems of using a Smartphone can be alleviated with a SmartWatch. With the phone mounted on your upper arm, it's hard to see the display or control the app, but the SmartWatch can act as a remote display and remote control. A SmartWatch also allows you to turn off the display on your phone, which greatly prolongs battery life. My favorite iPhone app, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ismoothrun-pro-gps-pedometer/id410965399?mt=8 iSmoothRun], supports several smart watches including the Pebble and the Magellan Echo.* [http://www.amazon.com/Pebble-Smartwatch-iPhone-Android-Black/dp/B00BKEQBI0 Pebble]. This is a small, lightweight SmartWatch that uses e-ink technology to provide long battery life, though not as good as the Echo. It works with a number of smartphone running apps, though the support is better on iPhone than android. The pebble also functions as a general purpose SmartWatch for receiving text notifications end of the like. (<jfs id="B00BKEQBI0" noreferb="true"/>). * [http://www.amazon.com/Magellan-Echo-Smart-Sports-Watch/dp/B00FZHUNSC Magellan Echo]. The Echo is designed as a sports focused SmartWatch, rather than the general purpose pebble. One of the coolest features of the Echo is that it uses a standard watch battery to give 6 to 12 months of battery life, so there's no need to recharge it. The Echo works with iPhone and [http://magellanfitness.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/echo-android-update/ a limited number of android phones], and a new version called the [http://www.magellangps.com/lp/echofit/index.html Echo Fit has just been announced] that adds daily activity monitoring. (<jfs id="B00FZHUNSC" noreferb="true"/>.) You can get the Echo with a heart rate monitor bundled, but I'd strongly recommend getting the [http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Bluetooth-Smart-Heart-Sensor/dp/B007S088F4 Polar H7] instead.* Adidas Fit Smart. The Adidas adds optical heart rate monitoring to the SmartWatch equation, but unfortunately it only works with Adidas' own smartphone app. This product has [http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/09/adidas-micoach-fit-smart/ only just been announced] (July 2014), but it's a product to keep an eye on. I think that having a SmartWatch that provides optical heart rate monitoring combined with a good smartphone would be a really nice combination for many people.==Recommended Running Apps==My favorite iPhone app is the [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ismoothrun-pro-gps-pedometer/id410965399?mt=8 iSmoothRun], which offers great functionality and ease of use. It exports to many social networks, plus Dropbox, supports smart watches, and has great configurability. I've tried a number of Android running apps, but I never found anything I liked as much as iSmoothRun on the iPhone. To use an Android phone with the Pebble smart watch I used Pebble Runner, which was rather basic, but workedadvantages.