8,153
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
no edit summary
* Consider using a [[Running With A Smartphone| Smartphone]]; if you already have one they are a cheap option and can have outstanding [[GPS Accuracy]].
=Comparison=
Here's a table of these features for each of the watches I recommend (all have GPS). For details of the meaning of each column see the reviews referenced in the table.
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}
=What to Look for in a Running Watch=
* '''How far did I run?''' This is probably the key feature that most runners are looking for, and it requires good GPS accuracy. How much the accuracy of a watch will impact your running will depend on the course. Overall, most watches do pretty well in straight lines, but suffer when things get twisty. My testing is a tough challenge for GPS, so it highlights the differences between the great and the appalling.
* '''How fast am I running?''' While you can work out your average pace from your distance and time, you'll often want to know how fast you're currently running. Unfortunately, GPS is rather poor at answering this question, so you need [[Pace From A Footpod]]. An accurate indication of your current pace is important for any training program that requires running at a specific pace, and for success in racing at many distances.
* '''Where am I?''' It's not unreasonable to expect a GPS enabled watch to tell you where you are or how to get back to the start. Navigation varies from a simple compass needle showing the direction to return to the start to a display of the route you've just run or a preloaded course. The Motoactv and Fenix 2 can display preloaded maps showing roads and names, and while the Epix shows and Leikr show full color maps.
* '''What's my cadence? '''A display of [[Cadence]] is a critical training tool and newer watches are able to use an internal accelerometer to provide Cadence without any accessories. Other watches may need a Foodpod or the newer Garmin watches can use the running dynamics heart rate strap. A Cadence alert will help you stay in the right cadence range, and is a useful feature.
There are several additional features to you could consider, though I'd argue none are as important as the above questions.
Choosing a watch for an ultramarathon requires some tradeoffs and there's no simple answer. The main factor is battery life, and some runners will want navigation.
==Battery Life==
* The claimed battery lives don't hold up in the real world, with some watches going longer, others much shorter.* If you want the maximum battery life, you have to avoid the backlight, the use of map/course displays, and don't press the buttons unless you have to. * In my testing, the longest battery life that's available with good GPS is 24 hours with the [[Polar V800]], then 22 hours with the [[Garmin Fenix 3]], 19 with the [[Garmin 920XT]], or and 17 with the [[Garmin Epix]]. * Of the watches where I've not tested the battery life, there's 20 hours for the [[Suunto Ambit3| Suunto Ambit3 Peak]], [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]]. * If you need much longer than 24 20 hours, which is common in 100 mile races, you end up with some compromises.
* Some watches can extend the battery life by only taking a GPS fix less frequently. This can be acceptable on a straight course like the Keys 100 or Badwater, but it can be appalling on twisty trails.
** The [[Garmin Epix]] gives 50 hours in extended mode (UltraTrac), but its GPS accuracy is lacking and the map display tends to eat the battery life. (UltraTrac appears to use a variable recording frequency.)
** The [[Garmin 920XT]] gives 40 hours in extended mode using UltraTrac and variable recording frequency.
** The [[Suunto Ambit2| Suunto Ambit2 R]] gives 20 hours in extended mode (60 second GPS sampling) and the more expensive Ambit2 gives 50 hours. There is some course display capability, but it's not as good others.
** The [[Polar V800]] has a stated battery life of 13 hours, but without Bluetooth I found it lasted for nearly 24 hours! The extended mode increases the rated life to 50 hour (I got just over 50 hours), and you can charge it on the run. The V800 has no map or course display.
** The [[Garmin Fenix 2]] will give 50 hours in extended mode, but it has mediocre [[GPS Accuracy]] even in normal mode and it has the occasional "lost satellite reception" problem.
* You can turn off GPS and use a [[Footpod]], which boost the battery life of most Garmin watches to several days. Obviously you lose navigation and while the accuracy of a [[Footpod]] can be better than GPS, the Footpod does not do so well if you're taking [[Walking Breaks]] or running on twisty single track.
