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A good running watch can provide valuable information while you run{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Watch, including Garmin, Polar, & Suunto}}As of Jan 2018, I'm no longer actively reviewing watches, but this page will remain accessible as well as automating your [[The importance of a training log|training log]]point in time reference. This article is The "what to look for in a concise guide to the best running watches available today at differing prices watch" remains valid and functionality. It does not attempt to cover every watch on I'd recommend understanding the market, but it does call out some to avoidlimitations of GPS for running. =Summary=This is a summary of the watches I'd recommend and those I think are flawedchecking out [https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-running-watch] for a fairly unbiased opinion, but have some particular characteristic you should read [[Stryd| my review of Stryd footpod]] as that makes them worth consideringremains one of the most useful devices for measuring pace and distance. Note I would suggest avoiding "pseudo-marketing" sites that the prices shown below reflect the last time I checked, and the prices proport to fluctuate from time being detailed reviews without providing any critical thinking. A good litmus test is to time. {| class=check what they say about [[GPS Accuracy]] – if they say "wikitableit's all good"then you'll know it's just marketing. ! [[File:Best Watch! Recommendation Reason! With Heart Rate Monitor! Without Heart Rate Monitor! Accessory Heart Rate Monitor! Footpod.png|center|-thumb| {{Garmin 310XT}}400px| The best This flowchart is a simple guide to finding the right watch<span style='color:#FF0000'> </span>for nearly every runneryou.| {{Garmin 310XT with HRM}}$180| {{Garmin 310XT without HRM}}$175| {{Garmin HRM}}| {{Garmin Footpod}}|-| {{Garmin 910XT}}| A version of Use it as a starting point, and read the 310XT with detailed reviews to understand if a few extra featureswatch is really right for you.<br>Better (Click for swimmers & adds an altimetera larger version.)]] | {{Garmin 910XT with HRM}}=What to Look for in a Running Watch=$450| {{Garmin 910XT without HRM}}$400| {{Garmin HRM}}| {{Garmin Footpod}}|-| {{Garmin 610}}| Smaller than the other recommendationsA modern running watch often has a huge number of features, but I think it's best to focus on its ability to answer these basic questions.| {{Garmin 610 with HRM}}$400| {{Garmin 610 without HRM}}$350| {{Garmin HRM}}| {{Garmin Footpod}}|-| {{Garmin 10}}| Small and cheap.| Not supported| {{Garmin 10}} $130| Not supported| Not supported|-| colspan="6"|<center>* '''Worth ConsideringHow far did I run?'''<center/>|-| {{Motoactv}}| If you can live with This is probably the flawskey feature that most runners are looking for, and it's cheap and brilliant (but discontinued)| Not available as requires good [[GPS Accuracy]]. How much the accuracy of a package| {{Motoactv}}Varies between $150 and $250| {{Garmin HRM}}| {{Garmin Footpod}}|-| {{Soleus 1watch will impact your running will depend on the course.0}}| Remarkably cheapOverall, most watches do pretty well in straight lines, but limitedsuffer when things get twisty.| Not supported| {{Soleus 1My testing is a tough challenge for GPS, so it highlights the differences between the great and the appalling.0}}$75-85| Not supported| Not supported|-| {{Polar RC3 GPS}}| Better With the advent of the [[Heart Rate MonitorStryd]]ing footpod that's far more accurate than GPS and doesn't require any calibration, Stryd support is now more important than Garmin| {{Polar RC3 GPS with HRM}} $260accuracy.| {{Polar RC3 * '''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 without HRM}} $200| | |-| {{Polar RS800CX}}| If is rather poor at answering this question, so you need a [[Stryd]] footpod, or use [[Heart Rate VariabilityPace From A Footpod]] displayed and recorded| {{Polar RS800CX}} $290| Not available| | |} =What to look a first-generation [[Footpod]]. An accurate indication of your current pace is important for=There are several features to consider when looking any training program that requires running at a specific pace, and for a runners watchsuccess in racing at many distances. * '''GPS.Where am I?'''It' s not unreasonable to expect a GPS provides an easy measure 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 how far the route you've just run, which or a preloaded course. * '''What's my cadence? '''A display of [[Cadence]] is a critical for your trainingtool and newer watches are able to use an internal accelerometer to provide Cadence without any accessories. While it is possible to map out Other watches may need a run afterwards[[Footpod]] 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, this tends to be tedious and is typically less accurate than GPSa useful feature.There are several additional features to you could consider, though I'd argue none are as important as the above questions. ** GPS is easy '''Weight.''' None of these devices weigh enough to use and accurate enough for most have a noticeable impact on runningperformance, but it is not accurate enough for things like interval trainingthe weight can be noticeable. ** '''Size.''' The errors in GPS average out over size of these devices varies widely, and the larger devices can feel a runlittle bulky, but they cause especially if you have a problem when trying to display current pacesmaller wrist. ** I have [[GPS Accuracy| Analyzed 've provided the size as the Accuracy of Some GPS watches]] for those interested volume in learning morecubic centimeters to give a single number to compare.
* '''Current pace from a [[Footpod]].''' A [[Footpod]] can be used to provide [[Cadence]] and in some watches it can also provide pace and distance. Unlike GPS, [[Footpod]]s need to be calibrated to provide accurate pace/distance. * '''[[Heart Rate Monitor]].''' [[Heart Rate]] is important information when training, though it is important to understand the limitations of heart rate based training. Having a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] that will record your heart rate is particularly valuable for evaluating your training. The heart rate ** [[Optical Heart Rate Monitoring]] is more convenient, but does not work very well. ** While the chest strap that goes across your chest based monitoring is remarkably reliable, you can be intrusive have problems with chaffing and sometimes can chafepoor reception in some situations, but there are [[Fixing Heart Rate Monitor Problems| Fixes for Heart Rate Monitor Problems]].
Here* '''s a table of these features foe each of the watches I recommend (all have GPS). {| class="wikitable"! Watch! Waterproofing! Pace from FootPod! Heart Rate Monitor! Data Upload! Battery Life! Altimeter|-| {{Garmin 310XT}}| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes| Good (20hr)| No|-| {{Garmin 910XT}}| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes| Good (20hr)| Yes|-| {{Garmin 610}}| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes| Fair (8hr)| No|-| {{Garmin 10}}| Yes| No| No| Yes| Poor (5hr)| No|-| {{Polar RC3 GPS}}| Limited (IPX7)| No| Yes| Yes (but painful)| Fair (13hr)| No|-| {{Soleus 1.0}}| Yes| No| No| No| Fair (8hr)| No|-| {{Motoactv}}| Water resistant with care| No| Yes| Limited| Poor (3-6hr)| 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 MonitoringFirstbeat|things to can do to improve thisTraining Effect]]. =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. * A great feature is the ability to use the optional [[Footpod]] to display your current pace while using GPS for overall pace, distance and route. Only the 310XT, 910XT and Garmin 610 can do this. * The GPS is more accurate than earlier watches, and has a faster startup time. * The housing is fully waterproof (to 50m/160ft), so running in the rain is no problem. * Connection to a PC is wireless, using a USB adapter. This is less hassle than any of the other options I've tried. * The display is big enough to show four readings. I often display current pace, average pace for the current lap, average pace for the run and either heart rate or distance. * You can upload courses and display them. This is great when running somewhere unfamiliar. * There are several optional extras for the 310XT, including the already mentioned [[Footpod]] and heart rate strap. For cyclists there is also a [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Speed-Cadence-Bike-Sensor/dp/B000BFNOT8 speed/cadence sensor] and it works with various power sensors. * 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 measure of running I still had 85% of the battery left. If you're running on how hard a reasonable smooth surface, the [[Footpod]] is often more accurate than GPS. ==For Swimmers - Garmin 910XT==The {{Garmin 910XT}} training run is as 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 numeric 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 here1. [[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 0 to tell the 910XT how long the pool is, but it will detect each lap, as well as your stroke5. * 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 price0, 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). * The touchscreen interface works with gloves and in the rain, unlike most touchscreens found on phones or media players. * 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. * Not the range of accessories that the 910XT/310XT has, such as power meter for cycling. * 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|thumb|none|200px|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 analysis of accessories that the 910XT/310XT has, such as [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or [[FootpodVariability]]. * 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. Heart Rate Variability'''Don't buy the Motoactv . There is you want to swim or if you're likely to forget to check the covers before your run.* '''Limited battery life. '''If you run for less than 3 hours, you're fine with the Motoactv. If you run for between 3 and 6 hours then think carefully. If you run for more than 6 hours, look elsewhere. * '''No usable 'current pace' display.''' Don't try to use the Motoactv to keep you on pace.* '''Difficulty uploading workouts to a training log.''' If you want to keep an automated training log (and you should), the Motoactv will be hard work. {| class="wikitable" |- valign="top"|[[File:Motoactv.jpeg|none|thumb|200px|The {{Motoactv}} with the watch strap (it's available as with a clip instead).]]|[[File:MotoactvCovers.JPG|none|thumb|200px|The covers for the USB port and the headphones have to be growing interest in place for waterproofing. The headphone socket cover is tiny and easy to lose.]]|[[File:MotoactvGarminDisplay.JPG|none|thumb|200px|The display of the Motoactv is wonderful at night. This comparison with the 310XT gives some idea possibility of the difference, but this is with the 310XT illuminated, which only lasts a few seconds.]]|} ===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 color display is nice, and the simple monochrome display of other devices seems stale and dated by comparison. * The combination of a touch screen and physical buttons works quite well. The screen works when wet, though I found some occasional problems when there was just a drop of sweat rather than a soaking. I also found that heavy rain drops may act as screen presses, which is annoying. * I love having a continually lit display for [[Running in the DarkHeart Rate Variability]]. You can press a button on a Garmin (HRV) to illuminate the display, but the Motoactv is much betterevaluate training stress. * The inclusion of an MP3 player is nice, and it claims to learn what songs make your run harder. Personally I prefer using a separate MP3 player, but having the While only one device that does both has some appeal. * The Motoactv will display a true map of the area, showing the street layout, which is a huge improvement over the breadcrumb display of the Garmin watches. If you could upload a route then this would be great for running in a new city. * 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. HoweverHRV, there are also many reports of using the Motoactv in torrential rain, which I've done myself. I suspect the issue is several that the Motoactv has small covers will record HRV for the headphone jack and the USB port, and if they are not in place, water can get in and destroy the watchlater analysis. * The battery life of the Motoactv is quite poor compared with other devices. If you use Bluetooth headphones and use the default setting the battery is dead in 3 hours. With no Bluetooth and the 'extended battery' setting it should last for 6 hours. This is probably plenty for most runners, but you have to remember to keep it plugged in, as the battery seems to drain faster than I would expect. * Like any 'GPS watch, the display of your current pace varies too much to be of any use. This is an intrinsic problem with GPS, and I found the Motoactv was out by up to a minute/mile. This is why I recommend the Garmin 310XT/910XT/610 as they can display your current pace from the [[Footpod]] while still using the GPS for everything else. You can use the Pre-cache'lap average pace' to get a reasonable idea of your pace, but if you need to hit a specific pace for a training run or a race, you're better off with one of the Garmin 310XT/910XT/610 and a [[Footpod]].* The Motoactv Some newer watches will upload your workout to Motoactv.com via a wireless network, so you don't even need a PC, which is a great idea. The problem is that it's hard to upload your workouts to any other training log. You can download each workout as a CSV file and upload it to another tool, but that sometimes requires going via a conversion program. * The Motoactv will support a [[Footpod]], including the {{Garmin Footpod}}, and it can use predicted positions of the FootPod to show your pace/distanceGPS satellites for faster initial acquisition. This only pre-cache works if you select to run outdoorsremarkably well, which turns and the GPS off. The bigger problem is that there is no way of calibrating the Foodpod, so there data 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 downloaded automatically 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 connected 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 claimed battery life is 8 hours, which is a little shortinternet. However, I've read reports of people getting longer battery life. * The initial acquisition of the GPS satellites data 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 only valid for a few issues with the accuracy and reliability of the Polar [[Heart Rate Monitor]]ingdays, 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 so after that it's not quite as good as time the cheaper Garmin 310XT. * It's much harder to get your data from a Polar device will fall back 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]].* It's only waterproof to [http://www8.garmin.com/footnotes/IEC_60529_IPX7.html IPX7], which 3'/1m usual approach of scanning for 30 minutessatellites. It might be showerproof, but not much more than that. ==If you need Heart Rate Variability – Polar RS800CX=Comparison=[[File:PolarRS800CX.jpg|thumb|none|200px|Polar RS800CX]]The [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003G3YBR6 Polar RS800CX] is becoming something of a specialist device. ItHere's claim to fame is that it can display [[Heart Rate Variability]], and as far as I know, this is the only device that will do this. Even the new [http://www.amazon.com/Polar-RCX5-Heart-Monitor-Black/dp/B004UHDSE4 RCX5] does not support this feature. ===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 a table of that feature. * The battery life of the RS800CX is measured in months not hours. This should not be an issue these features for most runners.* The RS800CX is the size of a conventional watch, and because each of the long battery life, it can be used as one.* Includes a barometer for altitude watches I recommend (all have GPS has very poor accuracy for altitude). * There is a Polar [[Footpod]], the [http{{://www.amazon.com/dp/B005RXZ1YU Polar S3+ Stride Sensor], which works nearly as well as the Garmin equivalent, but it's larger and more expensive. * Fully waterproof.Best Running Watch-table}}=GPS Accuracy==RS800CX Cons===* It's Expensive at around $290.* 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:PolarG3GPS Accuracy.jpgpng|none|thumb|none|200px600px|The rather clunky GPS and arm band]] =Not Recommended=These watches have flaws or a price point that makes them unattractive. ==Suunto Ambit==The main attraction An infographic of the [http://www.amazon.com/Suunto-Ambit-Watch-Black-Size/dp/B006N0LIG6 Suunto Ambit] is it's 50 hour battery life. However, to get the long battery life you have to select a mode which only takes a [GPS fix every 60 seconds GPS fix which gives poor accuracy. Other problems that prevent me from recommending it:* Difficulty in upload the data to other software.* No [[FootpodAccuracy]].* The big advantage of GPS over a footpod is it will show you a map of where you've been and with the Garmin running watches, you can upload a course to follow. The Ambit does not do that type of display.* The price; at $500 there are better options available cheaper. For top right corner represents the same price you could buy two 310XTs, three MOTOACTVs, or five Soleus 1.0 most accurate watches. ==Garmin Fenix==Like the Suunto Ambit, the $400 [http://www(This graphic uses ISO 5725 terminology.amazon.com/Garmin-Hiking-Exclusive-Tracback-Feature/dp/B008KEPUQC Garmin Fenix] claims a 50 hour battery life. However, there are reports that the battery life is much shorter in practice. ==Garmin 405/405CX/410==The Garmin 4xx series watches use a touch sensitive bezel which does not work well with gloves or when wet. The [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Enabled-Sports-Watch/dp/B0046BWRUK Garmin 410] has an 'improved bezel', but there are [http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/01/look-at-new-garmin-fr410-touch-bezel.html still problems]. I also see more people struggling at the start of marathons with the 4xx watches than all the other devices combined. ==Nike+ Sportwatch==There is a lot to like about the Nike+ Sportwatch, but it has one weakness that I believe is unacceptable. The software for the Nike+ does not allow you to use the data from your runs in anything other than the Nike web site. A [[The importance of a training log|training log is important)]], and while beginners may not need one, buying a watch that prevents you from accessing your data in the future is too limiting. The Motoactv is a far more capable watch than the Nike+, though it too has some flaws. ==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.
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 ''Main article: [[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 phonesWith A Smartphone]] have Ant+ support built in. ''
comment: batch update
* '''Waterproofing.''' Even if you don't swim, having good waterproofing is important to prevent your watch being destroyed by the rain or sweat.
* '''Data Upload.''' The ability to record your workout and store it in a training log such as [[Dailymile]] or [[SportTracks]] is vital. All of the recommended watches here have that ability. I'd strongly advise even a new runner to store their data so that they can look back over the months and years to understand their progress. A watch that can upload to a PC makes recording your workouts much easier.
* '''Battery Life.''' How much battery life you need depends on how long you run for. It's best to have a watch that will last quite a bit longer than your longest run. I list the claimed battery life in my table, along with the results of my testing. For my tests, I do everything to maximize battery life without compromising GPS accuracy. That means normal GPS sampling frequency, but no backlight, no map display, and no button presses. I also ensure Bluetooth, WAAS and GLONAS are disabled. I don't test devices that I've had for a while, as the battery tends to degrade over time. * '''Charges On The Run'''. For ultrarunners, one option to use a watch for longer than the built in battery lasts is to charge the watch while running. This involves connecting the cable and carrying a USB battery pack. It's cumbersome, but it can work. A value of "Yes" means that the watch will accept charge while recording and displaying as usual. Some watches have a "yes" with a caveat, such as the display not functioning or difficulty in connecting the cable while wearing the watch. An asterisk after the yes indicates a Garmin device that needs to be set with the USB mode to "Garmin" not "Mass Storage". A value of "no" means that charging is impossible.
* '''Altimeter. '''An altimeter will measure the atmospheric pressure and give you altitude. This is more accurate than GPS, but will require calibration to adjust for weather related pressure changes.
=Using a Smartphone=
Most smartphones have a GPS built in and support various applications that allow them to function as sports watches. These phones can have remarkable levels of [[GPS Accuracy]] as well as many other advantages. =Watches for Ultrarunning=Smartphone Cons==* A smartphone Choosing a watch for an ultramarathon requires some tradeoffs and there's no simple answer. The main factor is battery life, as few watches can be relied on to lost more than 20 hours with GPS active. I think there are three main approaches to this problem:# [[Charge On The Run]]. This is a little cumbersome as you typically have to carry a battery pack and an adapter, or at least have them in your drop bag. Not all watches support [[Charge On The Run]], and only a subset of them do so with reasonable convenience.# Use two watches. This is usually bulky also rather inconvenient and has expensive, though you may be able to use to be mounted on cheaper watches rather than one more expensive watch. For the second part of your run, the second watch won't have your upper armfull time and distance, making it hard so you'll need to see make a note from the displayfirst watch and do some math. (Doing math late in an ultra is as difficult as it sounds.)* # Extended battery life. A smartphone mounted number of watches allow you to reduce the GPS accuracy to gain greater battery life. This lack of accuracy can be offset by using the Stryd Footpod for the first part of the race (they claim that Stryd lasts 20 hours.) Another approach is to turn the GPS off entirely and rely on a first generation [[Footpod]], in which case many watches will last several days. While the accuracy of a first gen [[Footpod]] can be better than GPS, the Footpod does not do so well if you're taking [[Walking Breaks]] or running on your arm makes twisty single track.And some runners will want navigation. I see three main approaches to I wish I could provide, simple, clear cut advice, but unfortunately things are not so easy. You'll need to think about how long you a potential target 'll be running for theft, reducing your the features that are important to you, and how much compromise you can live with. [[Running SafetyFile:Charge On The Run - Fenix3 (2).jpg|center| safetythumb|200px|[[Charge On The Run]]is an option for ultras.]]==Battery Life==* Most touchscreens do not work well with gloves, The claimed battery lives don't hold up in the rainreal world, or with sweaty handssome watches going longer, others much shorter. * Few smartphones are waterproofIf you want the maximum battery life, you have to avoid the backlight, the use of map/course displays, so a specialist case will be required and don't press the buttons unless you have to protect it.* The In my testing, the longest battery life that's available with GPS accuracy on is 30 hours with the [[Epson SF-510]], 24 hours with the [[Polar V800]], 22 hours with the [[Garmin Fenix 3]], 19 with the [[Garmin 920XT]], and 17 with the [[Garmin Epix]]. * For ultras lasting less than 20 hours, such as 50 miles or 100 Km, you have plenty of most smartphones choice and battery life should not constrain you too much. * For 24 hour races or 100 mile races where you expect a finish in the 24-30 hour range the [[Epson SF-510]] is worth considering though the battery life is not as one of its few good as points. ==Navigation==For some ultras (and shorter trail runs), navigation is a problem. I've been lost on the occasional race and it's a horrible experience. Even when I've been on course, the latest doubts and stress of worrying can be an enormous drain. My first GPS watch was purchased so that I'd have an outline of the course I was running and there were many races where I was glad of its comforting conformation. Remember that using the navigation features of these watcheswill dramatically reduce their battery life. * The [[Garmin Fenix 5X]] and the [[Garmin Epix]] have a display that shows full color maps, so for navigation, nothing else comes close. (Well, the [[Leikr]] is even better, but it has a short battery life.) * The [[Garmin 310XT]], [[Garmin 910XT]], [[Garmin 920XT]], [[Garmin Fenix 3]], [[Suunto Spartan Ultra]] will show an outline of your run (breadcrumbs) and allow you to load a course outline to follow.