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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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[[File:RunsWithGear.JPG|right|thumb|300px|As of Jan 2018, I don't normally run with quite this much gearm no longer actively reviewing watches, but my testing involves this page will remain accessible as a point in time reference. The "what to look for in a running watch" remains valid and I'd recommend understanding the limitations of GPS for running with multiple devices concurrently. For this run, I have; iPhone 5s (left arm), Garmin 310XT (left wrist), Garmin Fenix2 (left hand), Garmin 620 and 'd recommend checking out [[Basis Activity Trackerhttps://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-running-watch]] (right wrist), Pebble SmartWatch (right hand)for a fairly unbiased opinion, but you should read [[Best Running MP3 PlayerStryd| my favorite music player, the ClipZipreview of Stryd footpod]] (belt), Garmin Running Dynamics Heart Rate strap (chest), [[Best Running Headphones| as that remains one of the wonderful Koss Portapro headphones]], Garmin footpod most useful devices for measuring pace and temperature pod (on shoes, not shown)distance. I'm gathering GPS Accuracy data on the Fenix2 and iPhone 5s, with the 310XT would suggest avoiding "pseudo-marketing" sites that proport to being detailed reviews without providing any critical thinking. A good litmus test is to act as a sanity check, the 620 giving a what they say about [[CadenceGPS Accuracy]] alert and the Basis because I always wear – if they say "it's all good" then you'll know it's just marketing.]][[File:Best Watch.png|center|thumb|400px|This article flowchart is a concise simple guide to finding the best running watches available today at differing prices and functionalityright watch for you. As well Use it as recommendations for the best watch, I also have a few that are worth considering in spite of their flawsstarting point, and some read the detailed reviews to avoidunderstand if a watch is really right for you. For most runners my top choice is the {{Garmin 310XT}}, which is great value (Click for a larger version.)]] =What to Look for money and in a Running Watch=A modern running watch often has all the a huge number of features you, but I think it're likely s best to focus on its ability to needanswer these basic questions. If that* '''How far did I run?'''s too big and you want something more watch like, then This is probably the {{Garmin 610}} is greatkey feature that most runners are looking for, and it's often available refurbished at a great price. Also, consider using a [[Running With A Smartphone| Smartphone]]; if you already have one they are a cheap option and can have outstanding requires good [[GPS Accuracy]]. (Note, I have How much the accuracy of a Garmin 920XT watch will impact your running will depend on pre-order and I'm about to start testing the Polar V800course. Overall, most watches do pretty well in straight lines, but suffer when things get twisty.)=Summary of Features=Here's My testing is a table of these features tough challenge for each of GPS, so it highlights the differences between the great and the watches I recommend (all have GPS)appalling. For details of With the meaning advent of each column see the reviews referenced in the table.{{:Best Running Watch-table}}There are several features to consider when looking for a runners watch[[Stryd]] footpod that's far more accurate than GPS and doesn't require any calibration, Stryd support is now more important than GPS accuracy. <div style="float:right;">__TOC__</div>* '''GPS.How fast am I running?''' GPS provides an easy measure of While you can work out your average pace from your distance and time, you'll often want to know how far fast you've runre currently running. Unfortunately, GPS is rather poor at answering this question, so you need a [[Stryd]] footpod, which or use [[Pace From A Footpod]] and a first-generation [[Footpod]]. An accurate indication of your current pace is critical important for your any training. While it is possible to map out program that requires running at a run afterwardsspecific pace, this tends to be tedious and is typically less accurate than GPSfor success in racing at many distances. However, * '''Where am I?''<span style='color:#FF0000It'>s not unreasonable to expect a GPS is not accurate enough enabled watch to tell you where you are or how to get back to display your current pace'''</span>the start. The Garmin 910XT, 310XT and 610 can Navigation varies from a simple compass needle showing the direction to return to the start to a display current pace from of the Foodpod while using GPS for distanceroute you've just run or a preloaded course. * '''GPS Accuracy.What's my cadence? '' I've A display of [[GPS Accuracy| Analyzed the Accuracy of GPS watchesCadence]], is a critical training tool and I've found that there newer watches are wide differences in accuracyable to use an internal accelerometer to provide Cadence without any accessories. The Other watches may need a [[Footpod]] or the newer Garmin 620 and Garmin 10 are especially poorwatches can use the running dynamics heart rate strap. InterestinglyA Cadence alert will help you stay in the right cadence range, adding and is a Footpod useful feature.There are several additional features to the 310XT improves their accuracy noticeably. you could consider, though I've not tested all d argue none are as important as the watches yet, but more devices will be added as time allowsabove questions. (My testing methodology requires me to run 100s of miles with each watch.)
* '''Current pace from a [[Footpod]].''' A [[Footpod]] can be used to provide pace and distance. Displaying pace from the Footpod provides a far more accurate indication of current pace than GPS, which is important for any training program that requires running at a specific pace. Unlike GPS, [[Footpod]]s need to be calibrated to provide accurate pace/distance, but this is relatively easy. For most runners, once the Footpod is calibrated it will display the right pace across a wide range of paces.
* '''Navigation.''' The primary purpose of GPS in these devices is to measure distance, but some of them can also provide navigation. This 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.
=Not RecommendedComparison=These Here's a table of these features for each of the watches I recommend (all have flaws or a price point that makes them unattractiveGPS). {{:Best Running Watch-table}}==Garmin 405/405CX/410=GPS Accuracy=The Garmin 4xx series watches use a touch sensitive bezel which does not work well with gloves or when wet. The [http[File://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Enabled-Sports-Watch/dp/B0046BWRUK Garmin 410] has an 'improved bezel', but there are [http://wwwAccuracy.dcrainmaker.com/2011/01/look-at-new-garmin-fr410-touch-bezel.html still problems]. I also see more people struggling at the start png|none|thumb|600px|An infographic 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 importantGPS Accuracy]], 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 running watches, and are getting hard to find. With The top right corner represents the price drops of other devices these Garmin most accurate watches no longer offer reasonable value for money, though they offer great GPS accuracy if you can find one. ==Adidas Fit Smart==(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 neithergraphic uses ISO 5725 terminology. 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).]]
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Watch, including Garmin, Polar, & Suunto}}
* '''Weight.''' None of these devices weigh enough to have a noticeable impact on running performance, but the weight can be noticeable.
* '''Size.''' The size of these devices varies widely, and the larger devices can feel a little bulky, especially if you have a smaller wrist. I've provided the size as the volume in cubic centimeters to give a single number to compare.
* '''Waterproofing.''' Even if you don't swim, having good waterproofing is important to prevent your watch being destroyed by the rain or sweat.
* '''[[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.
** Note that the [[Heart Rate Monitor|Optical Heart Rate Monitoring]] of Garmin watches is more convenient, but does not as work very well. ** While the chest strap based monitoring is remarkably reliable as the Polar systems, you can have problems with chaffing and poor reception in some situations, but there are [[Garmin Fixing Heart Rate MonitoringMonitor Problems|things to can do to improve the Garmin HRM issuesFixes for Heart Rate Monitor Problems]].* '''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.
* '''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.
* '''[[Firstbeat| Training Effect]].''' This is a measure of how hard a training run is as a numeric value of 1.0 to 5.0, based on an analysis of [[Heart Rate Variability]].
* '''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.
=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. These phones can have remarkable levels of [[GPS Accuracy]] as well as many other advantages. =Watches for Ultrarunning=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 also rather inconvenient and expensive, though you may be able to use to cheaper watches rather than one more expensive watch. For the second part of your run, the second watch won't have your full time and distance, so you'll need to make a note from the first watch and do some math. (Doing math late in an ultra is as difficult as it sounds.)# Extended battery life. A 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 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'll be running for, the features that are important to you, and how much compromise you can live with. [[File:Charge On The Run - Fenix3 (2).jpg|center|thumb|200px|[[Charge On The Run]] is an option for ultras.]]==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 GPS 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 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 one of its few good 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 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 watches will 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.
