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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* A barometer 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.
* Heart rate can be useful information when training, though it is important to understand the limitations of heart rate based training. The heart rate strap that goes across your chest can be intrusive and sometimes can chafe. Polar heart rate monitoring is far better than the Garmin equivalent.
* 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.
=The best - Garmin 310XT=
While not perfect, the best watch for most runners is currently the Garmin 310XT. See DC Rainmaker's [http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/09/garmin-forerunner-310xt-in-depth-review.html full review] for more details.
=Not Recommended - Garmin 405/405CX/410=
The Garmin 4xx series watches use a touch sensitive bezel which does not work well with gloves or when wet. The 410 has an 'improved bezel', but there are [http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/01/look-at-new-garmin-fr410-touch-bezel.html still problems]. I also see more people struggling at the start of marathons with the 4xx watches than all the other devices combined.
=Not Recommended - 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 important]], and while beginners may not need one, buying a watch that prevents you from accessing your data in the future is too limiting. If you're still interested, have a read of [http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/04/nike-sportwatch-gps-in-depth-review.html DC Rainmaker's review]
