Changes

This article is a concise guide to the best running watches available today at differing prices and functionality. As well as recommendations for the best watchof Jan 2018, I also have 'm no longer actively reviewing watches, but this page will remain accessible as a few that are worth considering point in spite of their flaws, and some time reference. The "what to avoid. For most runners my top choice is the {{Garmin 310XT}}, which is great value look for money in a running watch" remains valid and has all I'd recommend understanding the features youlimitations of GPS for running. I're likely to needd recommend checking out [https://thewirecutter. If that's too big and you want something more com/reviews/best-running-watch like, then the {{Garmin 610}} is great, and it's often available refurbished at ] for a great price. Alsofairly unbiased opinion, consider using a but you should read [[Running With A SmartphoneStryd| Smartphonemy review of Stryd footpod]]; if you already have as that remains one of the most useful devices for measuring pace and distance. I would suggest avoiding "pseudo-marketing" sites that proport to being detailed reviews without providing any critical thinking. A good litmus test is to check what they are a cheap option and can have outstanding say about [[GPS Accuracy]]– if they say "it's all good" then you'll know it's just marketing. For a lighthearted look at running watches, check out [[If Running Watches were Sports Cars]]?=Upcoming Reviews=I am currently testing File:Best Watch.png|center|thumb|400px|This flowchart is a simple guide to finding the Garmin 920XTright watch for you. Use it as a starting point, and read the review will be published soondetailed reviews to understand if a watch is really right for you. (Click for a larger version. )]] =Summary of FeaturesWhat to Look for in a Running Watch=Here's A modern running watch often has a table huge number of these features for each of the watches , but I recommend (all have GPS). For details of the meaning of each column see the reviews referenced in the table.{{:Best Running Watch-table}}There are several features think it's best to focus on its ability to consider when looking for a runners watchanswer these basic questions. <div style="float:right;">__TOC__</div>* '''GPS.How far did I run?''' This is probably the key feature that most runners are looking for, and it requires good [[GPS provides an easy measure Accuracy]]. How much the accuracy of how far you've runa watch will impact your running will depend on the course. Overall, most watches do pretty well in straight lines, which is critical for your trainingbut suffer when things get twisty. While it My testing is possible to map out a run afterwardstough challenge for GPS, this tends to be tedious so it highlights the differences between the great and the appalling. With the advent of the [[Stryd]] footpod that's far more accurate than GPS and doesn't require any calibration, Stryd support is typically less accurate now more important than GPSaccuracy. However, * '''How fast am I running?'''<span style=While you can work out your average pace from your distance and time, you'color:#FF0000ll often want to know how fast you'>re currently running. Unfortunately, GPS is not rather poor at answering this question, so you need a [[Stryd]] footpod, or use [[Pace From A Footpod]] and a first-generation [[Footpod]]. An accurate enough to display indication of your current paceis important for any training program that requires running at a specific pace, and for success in racing at many distances. * '''</span>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. 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 allows. (My testing methodology requires me to run 100s of miles with each watchabove questions.)

** 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.

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 navigationas 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:* The # [[Garmin 310XTCharge 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 [[Garmin 910XTCharge On The Run]], and [[Garmin Fenix 2]] will show an outline 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 allow distance, so you 'll need to load make a course outline to follownote from the first watch and do some math. (Doing math late in an ultra is as difficult as it sounds. )* The longest # 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's available with good GPS is Stryd lasts 20 hours with the [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]]. If you need longer than 20 hours, which ) Another approach is common in 100 mile races, you end up with some compromises. * You can to turn the GPS off GPS entirely and use rely on a first generation [[Footpod]], in which boost the battery life of the [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]] to case many watches will last several days. Obviously you lose navigation and while 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. * Some watches can extend the battery life by only taking a GPS fix once per minuteAnd 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. This can You'll need to think about how long you'll be acceptable on a straight course like running for, the Keys 100 or Badwaterfeatures that are important to you, but it and how much compromise you can be appalling on twisty trailslive with. ** [[File:Charge On The Run - Fenix3 (2).jpg|center|thumb|200px|[[Suunto Ambit2 RCharge On The Run]] is an option for ultras.]] gives 25 hours ==Battery Life==* The claimed battery lives don't hold up in extended mode and the more expensive Ambit2 gives 50 hoursreal world, with some watches going longer, others much shorter. There is some * If you want the maximum battery life, you have to avoid the backlight, the use of map capability/course displays, but itand don's not as good as t press the 310/910buttons unless you have to. ** The 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]] gives 50 , 22 hours in extended mode, but has no map display. ** The with the [[Garmin Fenix 23]] will give 50 hours in extended mode, but it has mediocre 19 with the [[GPS AccuracyGarmin 920XT]] even in normal mode , and it has 17 with the occasional "lost satellite reception" problem[[Garmin Epix]]. * You can extend the 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 little by avoiding using the backlight or changing the display. Showing the map on the 310/910 seems to drain finish in the battery quite fast. I've had 37+ hours out of 24-30 hour range the [[Suunto Ambit2 REpson SF-510]]is worth considering though the battery life is one of its few good points. * Another option==Navigation==For some ultras (and shorter trail runs), depending navigation is a problem. I've been lost on the occasional raceand it's a horrible experience. Even when I've been on course, is to the doubts and stress of worrying can be an enormous drain. My first GPS watch was purchased so that I'd have two watches an outline of the course I was running and swap part way throughthere were many races where I was glad of its comforting conformation. * Some runners Remember that using the navigation features of these watches will recharge dramatically reduce their watch during a race, but that seems to be more hassle than it's worthbattery life. * The [[File:RunsWithGear.JPG|none|thumb|300px|I don't normally run with quite this much gear, but my testing involves running with multiple devices concurrently. For this run, I Garmin Fenix 5X]] and the [[Garmin Epix]] have; iPhone 5s (left arm)a display that shows full color maps, Garmin 310XT (left wrist)so for navigation, Garmin Fenix2 nothing else comes close. (left hand)Well, Garmin 620 and the [[Basis Activity TrackerLeikr]] (right wrist)is even better, Pebble SmartWatch (right handbut it has a short battery life.), * The [[Best Running MP3 Player| my favorite music player, the ClipZipGarmin 310XT]] (belt), [[Garmin Running Dynamics Heart Rate strap (chest)910XT]], [[Best Running Headphones| the wonderful Koss Portapro headphonesGarmin 920XT]], [[Garmin footpod and temperature pod (on shoes, not shown). I'm gathering GPS Accuracy data on the Fenix2 and iPhone 5sFenix 3]], with the 310XT to act as a sanity check, the 620 giving a [[CadenceSuunto Spartan Ultra]] alert will show an outline of your run (breadcrumbs) and the Basis because I always wear itallow you to load a course outline to follow.]]