8,153
edits
Changes
no edit summary
A good running watch can provide valuable information while you run, as well as automating your [[The importance of a training log|training log]]. This article is a concise guide to the best running watches available today at differing pricesand functionality. It does not attempt to cover every watch on the market, but it does call out some to avoid. __NOTOC__
=Summary=
This is a summary of my recommendationsthe watches I'd recommend and those I think are flawed, but have some particular characteristic that makes them worth considering. Note that the prices shown below reflect the last time I checked, and the prices to fluctuate from time to time.
{| class="wikitable"
! Watch
| Not supported
| Not supported
|-
| colspan="6"|
Worth Considering
|-
| {{Motoactv}}
| If you can live with the flaws, it's cheap and brilliant.(but discontinued)
| Not available as a package
| {{Motoactv}}
| Not supported
| Not supported
|-
| {{Polar RC3 GPS}}
| Better [[Heart Rate Monitor]]ing than Garmin
| {{Polar RC3 GPS with HRM}} $260
| {{Polar RC3 GPS with HRM}} $200
|
|
|-
| {{Polar RS800CX}}
| If you need [[Heart Rate Variability]] displayed and recorded
| {{Polar RS800CX}} $290
| Not available
|
|
|}
=What to look for=
| No
|}
==Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring==
The [[Heart Rate Monitor|Heart Rate Monitoring]] of Garmin watches is not as reliable as the Polar systems, but there are [[Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring|things to can do to improve this]].
=Recommended=This section covers the watches I'd recommend ==The best value - Garmin 310XT==
The best value watch for most runners is currently the {{Garmin 310XT}}. It is available with a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] for around $50 more. The {{Garmin 910XT}} is better, but not worth the extra cost for most runners.
[[File:Garmin310XT.jpg|thumb|none|200px|Garmin 310XT]]
===Garmin 310XT Pros===
* The 310XT is one of the most advanced watches available, but is no harder for a beginner to use than most alternatives. (It's easier than the 4xx series Garmin watches.)
* The 310XT is great value for money at this price level.
* The vibration alert works nicely. I often run with the 310XT set to record a lap every mile, and it will vibrate as well as beep.
===Garmin 310XT Cons===
* Some people find the 310XT to be rather large, and it is much larger than a normal watch.
* The battery life is good for about 16-20 hours, which is enough for most people. Ultrarunners doing 100 mile or longer races will find this a problem, though it is possible to recharge it while in use.
* For races where the GPS track is not important, you can extend the battery life by turning off the GPS receiver and use the [[Footpod]]. After 12 hours of running I still had 85% of the battery left. If you're running on a reasonable smooth surface, the [[Footpod]] is often more accurate than GPS.
==For Swimmers - Garmin 910XT==
The {{Garmin 910XT}} is a version of the 310XT with extra features, but it's about $150-$200 more expensive. It can record laps when swimming, and is better at recording altitude, but it's only recommended if you need those features. If you don't need them, then the 310XT is better value. (It's available with the [[Heart Rate Monitor]] as {{Garmin 910XT with HRM}}.) Nearly all of the pros and cons of the 310XT apply to the 910XT, so I won't repeat them here.
[[File:Garmin-910xt.jpg|thumb|none|200px|Garmin 910XT]]
===Garmin 910XT Pros===
* The 910XT can record swimming, but it does this with an accelerometer rather than GPS. You have to tell the 910XT how long the pool is, but it will detect each lap, as well as your stroke.
* The 910XT has a barometric altimeter, which is far more accurate at recording altitude changes than GPS.
===Garmin 910XT Cons===
* The biggest downside for most people is the price, which is $100 more than the 310XT.
* While the 910XT is slightly slimmer than the 310XT, it is still rather large, and it is much larger than a normal watch.
==Smaller – Garmin 610==
The {{Garmin 610}} is smaller and overcomes many of the issues seen in the 4xx range (see below).
[[File:Garmin610.jpg|thumb|none|200px|{{Garmin 610}}]]
===Garmin 610 Pros===
* Smaller than the 310XT/305/205 and closer to the size of a traditional watch.
* Like the 310XT, it can use the optional [[Footpod]] to display your current pace while using GPS for overall pace, distance and route. Only the 310XT, 910XT and 610 can do this (so far).
* Good GPS accuracy (uses the SiRF SiRFstarIV with the Instant Fix II)
===Garmin 610 Cons===
* The battery life is rather short. It is claimed to provide 8 hours, but based on experience with other Garmin devices, the actual live may be quite a bit less. This is likely to cause an issue for slower marathon runners or ultrarunners.
* The price is quite high, listing at $350 or $400 including the heart rate monitor.
* No display of course maps.
==Budget - Garmin 10==
The {{Garmin 10}} is the cheapest GPS enabled watch that Garmin makes, and price wise it fits between the cheaper {{Soleus 1.0}} and the more expensive {{Garmin 310XT}}. I think it's worth the extra $30 over the {{Soleus 1.0}} for the ability to download data and automatically maintain your [[The importance of a training log|training log]]. However, the price of the {{Garmin 310XT}} has been steadily falling, and I believe the upgrade is well worth the price difference if you can afford it and don't mind a larger watch.
[[File:Garmin10.jpeg|rightthumb|none|500px200px|The {{Garmin 10}} showing the variety of colors and the two sizes that are available.]]
===Garmin 10 Pros===
* Smaller than the 310XT/305/205 and closer to the size of a traditional watch.
* Available in two sizes with either a 2.5cm or a 2.1cm screen, as well as several colors.
* The limited functionality makes it easy to use.
===Garmin 10 Cons===
* The battery life is rather short. It is claimed to provide 5 hours, and this is likely to cause an issue for slower marathon runners or ultrarunners.
* Not the range of accessories that the 910XT/310XT has, such as [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or [[Footpod]].
* No display of course maps.
=Worth Considering= ==Brilliant, but flawed – Motorola Motoactv==
The discontinued {{Motoactv}} was a revolutionary running watch, using a color touch screen, GPS and including an MP3 player. It was more like a smartphone than a traditional GPS watch; the Motoactv was brilliant, but it was also flawed. When it was originally introduced at $250, these flaws were too severe for it to compete with the Garmin alternatives. The price of the Motoactv tends to vary, but it is often available for under $150, and at that price the Motoactv is worthy of consideration. If you can live with each of these four flaws, then the Motoactv is a great buy. (See the cons section for more details on each.)
* '''Poor water resistance. '''Don't buy the Motoactv is you want to swim or if you're likely to forget to check the covers before your run.
|}
===Motoactv Pros===
* With the recent price reduction the Motoactv is less than $150, which is far cheaper than any comparable product.
* The Motoactv is easy to use, and my family prefers using the Motoactv over Garmin products.
* The dimensions of the Motoactv are more pleasing than the Garmin 310XT/910XT. It still has a large display, but it is much thinner.
===Motoactv Cons===
* The {{Motoactv}} is discontinued, but still available.
* The Motoactv is 'water resistant' not waterproof. There are many reports of water damage and Motorola refusing to repair them. However, there are also many reports of using the Motoactv in torrential rain, which I've done myself. I suspect the issue is that the Motoactv has small covers for the headphone jack and the USB port, and if they are not in place, water can get in and destroy the watch.
* The Motoactv will support a [[Footpod]], including the {{Garmin Footpod}}, and it can use the FootPod to show your pace/distance. This only works if you select to run outdoors, which turns the GPS off. The bigger problem is that there is no way of calibrating the Foodpod, so there is usually an error (for me it was out by 7%). The Motoactv does have an internal sensor that can be calibrated, but this does not work for the FoodPod. The Motoactv will use the FootPod to display your [[Cadence]], but I found the Cadence display to vary widely; my Garmin would show a steady cadence value when the Motoactv was swinging widely.
==The Cheapest – Soleus 1.0==
[[File:Soleus10.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The Soleus 1.0]]
The {{Soleus 1.0}} is one of the cheapest on the market, with a recommended price of $99, but often available from Amazon for $75-85. While it has some significant limitations, it is basically functional. The {{Garmin 10}} is the cheapest Garmin GPS watch, but at $130 it's nearly twice the price of the Soleus 1.0. (There are other GPS watches by Soleus that have better functionality, but their price makes them unattractive when compared with the other watches here.)
===Soleus 1.0 Pros===
* The big attraction of the Soleus 1.0 is the price, which is half that of the next cheapest watch I'd recommend (the {{Garmin 10}}).
* This is a smaller watch, similar in size to the Garmin 610.
===Soleus 1.0 Cons===
* There is no upload of data to a PC (which also means no firmware updates).
* No support for a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or a [[Footpod]].
* The initial acquisition of the GPS satellites is slower than the better watches like the 310XT/910XT.
==Better Heart Rate Monitoring – Polar RC3 GPS==[[File:Polar RC3 GPS.jpeg|thumb|none|200px|Polar RS800CX]]The {{Polar RC3 GPS}} is Polar's first sports watch that has an integrated GPS, rather than requiring a separate box. In many ways, it's quite nice unit, but it's not quite as good as the cheaper {{Garmin 310XT}}. ===Polar RC3 GPS Pros===* Over the years I found the quality of Polar accessories to be much higher than Garmin. I've never had a Polar accessory fail on me, but I'm currently on my fourth chest transmitter and my third [[Footpod]].* I've had a few issues with the accuracy and reliability of the Polar [[Heart Rate Monitor]]ing, but I've had to create a page dedicated to solving issues with [[Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring|Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring]]. ===Polar RC3 GPS Cons===* The biggest flaw in the RC3 GPS is that it's not quite as good as the cheaper Garmin 310XT. * It's much harder to get your data from a Polar device to the various training software that's available. Often you have to convert the files from the Polar format to TCX, and the best tool I've found is [[https://jmelhus.com/index.php/tcxcreator/| TcxCreator]]. ==If you need Heart Rate Variability – Polar RS800CX==
[[File:PolarRS800CX.jpg|thumb|none|200px|Polar RS800CX]]
===RS800CX Pros===
* Heart rate monitoring is far better than with Garmin. The RS800CX will even record each individual heart beat for analyzing [[Heart Rate Variability]], though few people will ever make use of that feature.
* The battery life of the RS800CX is measured in months not hours. This should not be an issue for most runners.
* Fully waterproof.
===RS800CX Cons===* It's Expensive at around $370290.
* While the RS800CX can support GPS, it requires [http://www.amazon.com/Polar-G5-GPS-Sensor-Set/dp/B005F5J3JY an add-on GPS box] you strap to your arm, which is a rather poor solution. The GPS has a battery life of only 20 hours and requires recharging.
* There is no display of course maps.
* This is a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] and it objects if you try to use it without the monitor.
[[File:PolarG3.jpg|thumb|none|200px|The rather clunky GPS and arm band]]
=Not Recommended=
==Garmin 305/205==
The 305/205 are the earlier generations of Garmin GPS watches, and occasionally they can be found quite cheap. However, with the price drop of the Motoactv, these Garmin watches no longer offer reasonable value for money. =Using 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 have a smartphone, this is the cheapest option.* Carrying a phone allows you to [[Running Safety| call for help]].* You may be able to use the smartphone as an MP3 player.* It is possible to use a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or even a [[Footpod]] with a smartphone. ** The [http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Bluetooth-Smart-Heart-Sensor/dp/B007S088F4 Polar H7 heart rate monitor] works with iPhone 4S/5 for $63. This will work with RunKeeper, MapMyRun(+), EndoMondo (Pro), Runmeter, and others. (Android phones not supported.)** 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. ==Smartphone Cons==* A smartphone is usually bulky and has to be mounted on your upper arm, making it hard to see the display.* 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.* The GPS accuracy of most smartphones is not as good as the latest GPS watches.