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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.)

** 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.

* '''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.

=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. {| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"| style="height:150px; width:150px;" |[[File:Garmin310XT.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]] | style="height:150px; width:150px;" |[[Filethink there are three main approaches to this problem:Lotus_Elise.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2"| # [[Garmin 310XTCharge On The Run]], 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. |- valign="top"|style="height:150px; width:150px;" |Not all watches support [[File:Garmin-910xt.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Charge On The Run]] , and only a subset of them do so with reasonable convenience.|style="height:150px; width:150px;" |[[File:Lotus_Exige# Use two watches.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | [[Garmin 910XT]]This is also rather inconvenient and expensive, Lotus Exigethough you may be able to use to cheaper watches rather than one more expensive watch. The Lotus Exige is an updated version For the second part of your run, the Elise, second watch won't have your full time and while they appear identicaldistance, the subtle changes so you'll need to the Exige make it a superior, but more expensive sports carnote from the first watch and do some math. |- valign="top"|style="height:150px; width:150px;" |[[File:Garmin610(Doing math late in an ultra is as difficult as it sounds.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]] )|style="height:150px; width:150px;" |[[File:Mazda_Miata# Extended battery life.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | [[Garmin 610]], Mazda MiataA number of watches allow you to reduce the GPS accuracy to gain greater battery life. Like This lack of accuracy can be offset by using the 610, Stryd Footpod for the first part of the Miata race (they claim that Stryd lasts 20 hours.) Another approach is far more than to turn the sum of its parts. It offers good value GPS off entirely and rely on a wonderful overall experience. It's small size and light weight provide a sublime driving experience, even without the power. |- valign="top"|first generation [[File:Polar_V800.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Footpod]] |, in which case many watches will last several days. While the accuracy of a first gen [[File:Ariel_Atom.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Footpod]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | can be better than GPS, the Footpod does not do so well if you're taking [[Polar V800Walking Breaks]], Ariel Atom. The Atom is a superlative or running on twisty single track car, with outrageous power to weight ratio and a mechanical simplicity that lets it to one thing really well. However, the Atom lacks many things that you might expect in a car, like roof or bodyworkAnd some runners will want navigation. The Atom might look I see three main approaches to the uninitiated like a half-finished carI wish I could provide, waiting to have the final parts added in. In the same waysimple, the V800 has superb GPS accuracyclear cut advice, but much of unfortunately things are not so easy. You'll need to think about how long you'll be running for, the expected functionality seems features that are important to be missingyou, leaving it feeling equally incompleteand how much compromise you can live with.|- valign="top"|[[File:IphoneCharge On The Run - Fenix3 (2).jpg|nonecenter|thumb|x150px200px|[[Charge On The Run]] |[[File:Camarois an option for ultras.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|- valign="top"=Battery Life==|colspan="2" | [[Running With A Smartphone| Smartphone]], Camaro Z/28. * The Camaro Z/28 doesnclaimed battery lives don't look like a sports carhold up in the real world, with some watches going longer, and it's expensive for a Camaro ($75K)others much shorter.* If you want the maximum battery life, but its performance on you have to avoid the track is quite amazing. While it's stripped downbacklight, the Zuse of map/28 does have a rear seat course displays, and some trunk space, so it's more versatile than many other sports cars. You wondon't get press the attention or kudos of some of the other cars, but if all you care about is speed, this is for buttons unless youhave to. Have a read of Car & Driver's Lightning Lap in the Z/28 where they said "* In Turn Onemy testing, the Z/28 matched the Porsche 918 by posting 1.16 glongest battery life that's, available with GPS on is 30 hours with the highest grip we've ever recorded in that corner."|- valign="top"|[[File:ambit2r.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]] |[[File:VW_Golf_Gti.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|Epson SF- valign="top"|colspan="2" | [[Suunto Ambit2 R510]], 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. |- valign="top"|[[File:TomTomCardioRunner.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Polar V800]] |, 22 hours with the [[File:Hyundai_Veloster.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Garmin Fenix 3]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | , 19 with the [[TomTom Cardio RunnerGarmin 920XT]], Hyundai Veloster. The Veloster offers great styling and some unique features, but the overall result does not quite make it competitive 17 with the better options mentioned here. Still, you have to applaud the innovation.|- valign="top"|[[File:Garmin620.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Garmin Epix]] |[[File:Ferrari_458.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | [[Garmin 620]]* For ultras lasting less than 20 hours, Ferrari 458 Italia. Like the 620, 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]] and 458 bursts into flames and burns to is worth considering though the ground. They're both almost perfect, but sometimes almost battery life is not enough. (In spite one of the problems, I still love my 620 and I continue to seek a solution to its problemsfew good points.)|- valign="top"|[[File:Fenix2_A.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]] |[[File:Lamborghini_Countach.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|- valign="top"Navigation==|colspan="2" | [[Garmin Fenix 2]]For some ultras (and shorter trail runs), Lamborghini Countachnavigation is a problem. I've been lost on the occasional race and it's a horrible experience. Even nowwhen I've been on course, the Countach looks like a supercar 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 future, but even in course I was running and there were many races where I was glad of its heyday it was not a great sports carcomforting conformation. In Remember that using the same way, the [[GPS Accuracy]] problems relegate Fenix 2 to being best looked at, not usednavigation features of these watches will dramatically reduce their battery life. |- valign="top"|* The [[File:Garmin10.jpeg|none|thumb|x150px|Garmin Fenix 5X]] |[[File:Ferrari_Daytona.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | and the [[Garmin 10Epix]]have a display that shows full color maps, Miami Vice's Ferrari Daytona. Sadly, while it looked like Sonny Crockett drove a 1972 Ferrari Daytonaso for navigation, in reality it was a fake based around a Corvette C3nothing else comes close. In the same way(Well, the Garmin 10 looks like a GPS sports watch, but its [[GPS AccuracyLeikr]] tells you otherwiseis even better, but it has a short battery life. ) |- valign="top"|* The [[File:Soleus10.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Garmin 310XT]] |, [[File:Toyota_Prius.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Garmin 910XT]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | , [[Soleus 1.0Garmin 920XT]], Toyota Prius. Like the Prius, the Soleus is cheap. And just as the Prius is a long way from a sports car, the Soleus is a long way from being what you need in sports watch. |- valign="top"|[[File:Motoactv.jpeg|none|thumb|x150px|Garmin Fenix 3]] |, [[File:Tesla_Model_S.jpg|none|thumb|x150px|Suunto Spartan Ultra]]|- valign="top"|colspan="2" | [[Motorola Motoactv]], Tesla Model S. Like the Motoactv, the Tesla is a technological marvel, with advantages to all the others listed here. The Tesla is will show an all-electric car that is safe outline of your run (breadcrumbs) and fast; the Motoactv is actually allow you to load a miniature Android Tabletcourse outline to follow. However, both suffer from 'range anxiety' as their battery life is limited. |}