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Best Running Watch

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Watch, including Garmin, Polar, & Suunto}}
[[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.)
* '''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.
* '''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.
* '''[[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.
* '''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.
* '''[[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.
=Comparison=Here's a table of these features for each of the watches I recommend (all have GPS). {{:Best Running Watch-table}}=GPS Accuracy=[[File:GPS Accuracy.png|none|thumb|600px|An infographic of [[GPS Accuracy]] of running watches. The top right corner represents the most accurate watches. (This graphic uses ISO 5725 terminology.)]]
=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.
=If Running Watches were Sports Cars for Ultrarunning=While [[All models are wrong| all analogies are flawed]]Choosing a watch for an ultramarathon requires some tradeoffs and there's no simple answer. The main factor is battery life, they as few watches can sometimes be usefulrelied on to lost more than 20 hours with GPS active. This is a lighthearted look at what type of sports car each of the watches I've reviewed would be. think there are three main approaches to this problem:* # [[Garmin 310XTCharge On The Run]], [http://www.edmunds.com/lotus/elise/ Lotus Elise]. While it's not the latest car, the Lotus Elise produced in the 2000's This is a stunning automobile that surpasses many far more expensive and modern machines. It lacks the bells and whistles little cumbersome as you might typically have come to expectcarry a battery pack and an adapter, like electric windows, stability control, ABS, seat cushions, but it makes up for it or at least have them in the driving experienceyour drop bag. * Not all watches support [[Garmin 910XTCharge On The Run]], [http://wwwand only a subset of them do so with reasonable convenience.edmunds# Use two watches.com/lotus/exige/ Lotus Exige]. The Lotus Exige This is an updated version of the Elise, also rather inconvenient and while they appear identicalexpensive, the subtle changes though you may be able to use to the Exige make it a superior, but cheaper watches rather than one more expensive sports carwatch. * [[Garmin 610]], [http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mx-5-miata/ Mazda Miata]. Like For the 610second part of your run, the Miata is far more than the sum of its parts. It offers good value second watch won't have your full time and a wonderful overall experience. Itdistance, so you's small size and light weight provide ll need to make a sublime driving experience, even without note from the powerfirst watch and do some math. (Doing math late in an ultra is as difficult as it sounds.)* Polar V800, [http://en# Extended battery life.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Atom Ariel Atom]. The Atom is a superlative track car, with outrageous power A number of watches allow you to weight ratio and a mechanical simplicity that lets it reduce the GPS accuracy to one thing really wellgain greater battery life. However, This lack of accuracy can be offset by using the Stryd Footpod for the first part of the Atom lacks many things race (they claim that you might expect in a car, like roof or bodyworkStryd lasts 20 hours. The Atom might look ) Another approach is to turn the uninitiated like GPS off entirely and rely on a half-finished carfirst generation [[Footpod]], waiting to have the final parts added inwhich case many watches will last several days. In While the same way, the V800 has superb GPS accuracy, but much of the expected functionality seems to be missing, leaving it feeling equally incomplete.* a first gen [[Running With A Smartphone| SmartphoneFootpod]]can be better than GPS, the Footpod does not do so well if you're taking [[http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/camaro/ Camaro Z/28Walking Breaks]]. The Camaro Z/28 doesn't look like a sports car, and it's expensive for a Camaro ($75K), but its performance or running on the twisty single track is quite amazing. While it's stripped downAnd some runners will want navigation. I see three main approaches to I wish I could provide, simple, the Z/28 does have a rear seat and some trunk spaceclear cut advice, but unfortunately things are not so it's more versatile than many other sports carseasy. You won't get ll need to think about how long you'll be running for, the attention or kudos of some of the other cars, but if all features that are important to you care about is speed, this is for and how much compromise youcan live with. Have a read of [[httpFile://wwwCharge On The Run - Fenix3 (2).caranddriverjpg|center|thumb|200px|[[Charge On The Run]] is an option for ultras.com/features/chevrolet-camaro-z-28-at-lightning-lap-2014-feature Car & Driver]]==Battery Life==* The claimed battery lives don's Lightning Lap t hold up in the Z/28] where they said "In Turn Onereal world, with some watches going longer, others much shorter.* If you want the Z/28 matched maximum battery life, you have to avoid the Porsche 918 by posting 1.16 g'sbacklight, the highest grip weuse of map/course displays, and don've ever recorded in that cornert 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 [[Suunto Ambit2 REpson SF-510]], [http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/golf/ Golf GTI]. The GTI combines a good driving experience 24 hours with flexibility and functionality. It's not the best sports car, but it's one you can use as a family car as well. * [[TomTom Cardio RunnerPolar V800]], 22 hours with the [[http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/veloster/ Hyundai VelosterGarmin Fenix 3]]. The Veloster offers great styling and some unique features, but the overall result does not quite make it competitive 19 with the better options mentioned here. Still, you have to applaud the innovation.* [[Garmin 620920XT]], and 17 with the [[http://www.edmunds.com/ferrari/458-italia/ Ferrari 458 ItaliaGarmin Epix]]. Like the 620* For ultras lasting less than 20 hours, the 458 is elegant, effectivesuch as 50 miles or 100 Km, you have plenty of choice and desirablebattery life should not constrain you too much. However they both have * For 24 hour races or 100 mile races where you expect a fatal flaw; finish in the 24-30 hour range the 620 has appalling [[GPS AccuracyEpson SF-510]] is worth considering though the battery life is one of its few good points. ==Navigation==For some ultras (and 458 bursts into flames shorter trail runs), navigation is a problem. I've been lost on the occasional race and burns to the groundit's a horrible experience. TheyEven when I're both almost perfectve been on course, but sometimes almost is not enoughthe doubts and stress of worrying can be an enormous drain. (In spite My first GPS watch was purchased so that I'd have an outline of the problems, course I still love my 620 was running and there were many races where I continue to seek a solution to was glad of its problemscomforting conformation. Remember that using the navigation features of these watches will dramatically reduce their battery life.)* The [[Garmin Fenix 25X]], and the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamborghini_Countach Lamborghini CountachGarmin Epix]]. Even nowhave a display that shows full color maps, the Countach looks like a supercar of the futureso for navigation, but even in its heyday it was not a great sports carnothing else comes close. In the same way(Well, the [[GPS AccuracyLeikr]] problems relegate Fenix 2 to being best looked atis even better, not usedbut it has a short battery life. ) * The [[Garmin 10310XT]], Miami Vice's Ferrari Daytona. Sadly, while it looked like Sonny Crockett drove a 1972 Ferrari Daytona, in reality it was a fake based around a Corvette C3. In the same way, the [[Garmin 10 looks like a GPS sports watch910XT]], but its [[GPS AccuracyGarmin 920XT]] tells you otherwise. * , [[Soleus 1.0Garmin Fenix 3]], [http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/prius/ Toyota Prius[Suunto Spartan Ultra]]. Like the Prius, the Soleus is cheap. And just as the Prius is will show an outline of your run (breadcrumbs) and allow you to load a long way from a sports car, the Soleus is a long way from being what you need in sports watchcourse outline to follow.

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