Changes

Best Running Watch

1,413 bytes removed, 09:56, 7 August 2014
no edit summary
* The Suunto web site (movescount.com) has remarkably good analysis and data from the Ambit2.
* The "R" version of the Ambit2 is available in black or white, with the white version intended for women. I tried the white version as I have smaller wrists and I found the materials used for the strap are remarkably soft and comfortable.
* If you're prepared to pay more, you can get other versions of the Ambit2 that provide extra functions. (** There's also a Sapphire version that uses "sapphire glass" which is far tougher, but given the extra cost it's only worth considering if you're really tough on your watches.)** Suunto has announced the Ambit3, but that's only worth considering if you are intending to buy the more expensive Ambit2 or Ambit2 S. The Ambit2 still offers far better value for money. The main changes for the Ambit3 are some activity monitoring functionality, smartphone uploads, , and a swap from Ant+ to Bluetooth sensors.
{| class="wikitable"
!
! Ambit2Amb threeit2
! Ambit2 S
! Ambit2 R
* 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 '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 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. Support for GPX export has been added.
* The Motoactv will support a [[Footpod]], including the {{Garmin Footpod}}, and it can use the FootPod to show your pace/distance. This only works if you select to run outdoors, which turns the GPS off. The bigger problem is that there is no way of calibrating the Foodpod, so there 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 when the Motoactv was swinging widely.
==Better Heart Rate Monitoring – Polar RC3 GPS==
[[File:Polar RC3 GPS.jpeg|thumb|none|200px|Polar RS800CXRC3 GPS]]
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===
* It's much harder to get your data from a Polar device 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 for 30 minutes. It might be showerproof, but not much more than that.
==If you need Heart Rate Variability – Polar RS800CX==
[[File:PolarRS800CX.jpg|thumb|none|200px|Polar RS800CX]]
The [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003G3YBR6 Polar RS800CX] is becoming something of a specialist device. Its 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, though some of the Garmin devices will record HRV for later analysis. 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 of that feature.
* The battery life of the RS800CX is measured in months not hours. This should not be an issue for most runners.
* The RS800CX is the size of a conventional watch, and because of the long battery life, it can be used as one.
* Includes a barometer for altitude (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.
===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:PolarG3.jpg|thumb|none|200px|The rather clunky GPS and arm band]]
==The Cheapest – Soleus 1.0==
[[File:Soleus10.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The Soleus 1.0]]