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{| class="wikitable"
! Watch
|-
| {{Garmin 310XT}}
| The best watch<span style='color:#FF0000'> </span>value for nearly every runnermoney.
| {{Garmin 310XT with HRM}}
$185
| {{Garmin 310XT without HRM}}
$180
| {{Garmin HRM}}
| {{Garmin Footpod}}
|-
| {{Garmin 910XT}}
| A better version of the 310XT with a few extra features.<br>Better for swimmers & adds an altimeterand the best overall.
| {{Garmin 910XT with HRM}}
$450
|-
| {{Garmin 610}}
| Smaller than the other 310XT/910XT recommendations.
| {{Garmin 610 with HRM}}
$400300
| {{Garmin 610 without HRM}}
$350286
| {{Garmin HRM}}
| {{Garmin Footpod}}
|-
| {{Garmin 10Motoactv}}| Small and cheapIf you can live with the flaws, it's brilliant.<br>(Discontinued, so only buy if it's under $150).| Not supportedavailable as a package| {{Garmin 10Motoactv}} Varies between $130and $250| Not supported{{Garmin HRM}}| Not supported{{Garmin Footpod}}
|-
| colspan="6"|
<center>'''Worth Considering'''
|-
| {{MotoactvGarmin 620}}| If you can live with the flawsNice features, it's cheap.<br>and brilliant (but discontinued)[[GPS Accuracy| poor GPS Accuracy]].| Not available as a package| {{MotoactvGarmin 620 with HRM}}Varies between $150 and $250| {{Garmin 610 without HRM}}|
| {{Garmin Footpod}}
|-
| {{Soleus 1.0Garmin 10}}| Remarkably Small and cheap, but limited[[GPS Accuracy| poor GPS Accuracy]].
| Not supported
| {{Soleus 1.0Garmin 10}}$75-85130
| Not supported
| Not supported
|-
| {{Polar RC3 GPS}}
| Better [[Heart Rate Monitor]]ing than Garmin.| {{Polar RC3 GPS with HRM}} $260220
| {{Polar RC3 GPS without HRM}} $200
|
|
|
|-
| {{Soleus 1.0}}
| Remarkably cheap, but limited.
| Not supported
| {{Soleus 1.0}}
$75-100
| Not supported
| Not supported
|}
=What to look for=
There are several features to consider when looking for a runners watch.
* '''GPS.''' GPS provides an easy measure of how far you've run, which is critical for your training. While it is possible to map out a run afterwards, this tends to be tedious and is typically less accurate than GPS.
* '''GPS Accuracy.''' I've [[GPS Accuracy| Analyzed the Accuracy of Some GPS watches]], and I've found that adding a Footpod to the 310XT/910XT improves their accuracy noticeably. More devices will be added, but 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 [[Cadence]] and in some watches it can also provide pace and distance. Displaying pace from the Footpod provides an accurate indication of current pace, 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. The heart rate strap that goes across your chest can be intrusive and sometimes can chafe.
* '''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.
* '''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. Only one device, the Motoactv, will display maps. * '''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. Here's a table of these features foe for each of the watches I recommend (all have GPS).
{| class="wikitable"
! Watch
! [[GPS Accuracy]]
! Weight (oz)
! Size (CM<sup>3</sup>)
! Waterproofing
! Pace from FootPod
! Battery Life
! Altimeter
! Navigation
! Training Effect
! [[Heart Rate Variability]]
|-
| {{Garmin 310XT}}
| Yes6.5 (7.5 with [[Footpod]])| 2.5| 63| Good (50m)
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Good (20hr)
| No
| Map of current route
| No
| No
|-
| {{Garmin 910XT}}
| 8.6 with [[Footpod]]
| 2.5
| 49
| Good (50m)
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Good (20hr)
| Yes
| Good (20hr)Map of current route
| Yes
| Record only
|-
| {{Garmin 610}}
| 7.4 (preliminary)
| 2.5
| 41
| Fair (IPX7)
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Fair (8hr)
| No
| Back to start
| Yes
| Record only|-| {{Garmin 620}}| 3.5| 1.5| 20| Good (50m)| | Yes| Yes| Fair (8hr10hr)| No
| No
| Yes
| Record only
|-
| {{Garmin 10}}
| Yes3.5 (preliminary)| 1.3| 33| Good (50m)
| No
| No
| Yes
| Poor (5hr)
| No
| No
| No
| No
|-
| {{Polar RC3 GPSMotoactv}}| Limited | 1.2| 20| Poor (IPX7with seals in place)
| No
| Yes
| Yes Limited| Poor (but painful3-6hr)| Fair (13hr)No| Full color maps | No
| No
|-
| {{Soleus 1.0}}
| Yes| 2.0| 28| Good (30m)
| No
| No
| No
| Fair (8hr)
| No
| No
| No
| No
|-
| {{MotoactvPolar RC3 GPS}}| Water resistant 6.3| 2.0| 29| Poor (IPX7 with careseals in place)| No| Yes| Yes (but painful)| Fair (13hr)| No| No| No
| No
|-
| [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003G3YBR6 Polar RS800CX]
|
| 3.5
| 48
| Good (50m)
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Months!
| Yes
| No
| No
| Record and Display
|}
==Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring==
The [[Heart Rate Monitor|Heart Rate Monitoring]] of Garmin watches is not as reliable as the Polar systems, but there are [[Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring|things to can do to improve this]].
=Recommended=
This section covers the watches I'd recommend.
==The best value - Garmin 310XT==
The best value watch for most runners is currently the {{Garmin 310XT}}. It is available with a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] for around $50 more. The {{Garmin 910XT}} is better, but not worth the extra cost for most runners.
[[File:Garmin310XT.jpg|thumb|none|200px|Garmin 310XT]]
===Garmin 310XT Pros===
* The 310XT is great value for money at this price level.
* The 310XT is a sophisticated sports watch, but is no harder for a beginner to use than most alternatives. In fact, its size and physical buttons make it relatively easy to use, especially when compared to the 4xx series Garmin watches.
* A great feature is the ability to use the optional [[Footpod]] to display your current pace while using GPS for overall pace, distance and route. Only the 310XT, 910XT and Garmin 610 can do this.
* The 310XT has good GPS accuracy. When it starts up in the same location as the last run it will acquire satellites quickly.The GPS is more accurate than earlier watches, and has a faster startup time. The optional [[Footpod]] also improves GPS accuracy.* The housing is fully waterproof (to 50m/160ft), so running [[Running in the rain Rain]] is no problem. * Connection to a PC is wireless, using a USB adapter. This is less hassle than any of the other options I've tried.
* The display is big enough to show four readings. I often display current pace, average pace for the current lap, average pace for the run and either heart rate or distance.
* You can upload courses and display them. This is great when running somewhere unfamiliar.
* There are several optional extras for the 310XT, including the already mentioned [[Footpod]] and heart rate strap. For cyclists there is also a [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Speed-Cadence-Bike-Sensor/dp/B000BFNOT8 speed/cadence sensor] and it works with various power sensors.
===Garmin 310XT Cons===
* Some people find the 310XT to be rather large, and it is much larger than a normal watch.
* The battery life is good for about 16-20 hours, which is enough for most people. Ultrarunners doing 100 mile or longer races will find this a problem, though it is possible to recharge it while in use.
* For races where the GPS track is not important, you can extend the battery life by turning off the GPS receiver and use the [[Footpod]]. After 12 24 hours of running I still had 85% have most of the battery left. If you're running on a reasonable smooth surface, the [[Footpod]] is often more accurate than GPS. ==For Swimmers The Best - Garmin 910XT==The {{Garmin 910XT}} is a version of the 310XT with extra features, but it's about $150-$200 more expensive. Probably the most useful feature for most runners is the calculation of Training Effect. It can also record laps when swimming, and is better at recording altitude, but it's only recommended if you need those featuresand can record [[Heart Rate Variability]]. If you doncan afford the 910XT, then it't need thems a little better than the 310XT, then but the 310XT is better value. (It's The 910XT is available with the [[Heart Rate Monitor]] as {{Garmin 910XT with HRM}}.) Nearly all of the pros and cons of the 310XT apply to the 910XT, so I won't repeat them here.
[[File:Garmin-910xt.jpg|thumb|none|200px|Garmin 910XT]]
===Garmin 910XT Pros===
* The pros of the 310XT also apply here.
* The 910XT displays and records Training Effect, an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is.
* The 910XT can record swimming, but it does this with an accelerometer rather than GPS. You have to tell the 910XT how long the pool is, but it will detect each lap, as well as your stroke.
* The 910XT has a barometric altimeter, which is far more accurate at recording altitude changes than GPS.
* The 910XT will not display [[Heart Rate Variability]] but it is possible for it to record [[Heart Rate Variability]] for later analysis. This recording can be enabled from the firstbeat.com ATHELTE software (there's a free trial).
===Garmin 910XT Cons===
* The cons of the 310XT also apply here. * The biggest downside for most people over the 310XT is the price, which is $100 more than the 310XT.* While the 910XT is slightly slimmer than the 310XT, it is still rather large, and it is much larger than a normal watch.
==Smaller – Garmin 610==
The {{Garmin 610}} is smaller and overcomes many of the issues seen in the 4xx range (see below). With the release of the 620 the price of the 610 has started falling, so it has become better value. While the 620 has many more features than the 610, the 610 is better at the critical features of [[GPS Accuracy]] and displaying pace from a Footpod.
[[File:Garmin610.jpg|thumb|none|200px|{{Garmin 610}}]]
===Garmin 610 Pros===
* Smaller The 610 is smaller than the 910XT/310XT/305/205 and closer to the size of a traditional watch.
* Like the 310XT, it can use the optional [[Footpod]] to display your current pace while using GPS for overall pace, distance and route. Only the 310XT, 910XT and 610 can do this (so far).
* The 610 displays and records Training Effect, an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is. I don't think the algorithm in the 610 is quite as good as the 620, it's still useful.
* The touchscreen interface works with gloves and in the rain, unlike most touchscreens found on phones or media players.
* Good GPS accuracy The 610 will not display [[Heart Rate Variability]] but it is possible for it to record [[Heart Rate Variability]] for later analysis. This recording can be enabled from the firstbeat.com ATHELTE software (uses the SiRF SiRFstarIV with the Instant Fix IIthere's a free trial).
===Garmin 610 Cons===
* The battery life is rather short. It is claimed to provide 8 hours, but based on experience with other Garmin devices, the actual live may be quite a bit less. This is likely to cause an issue for slower marathon runners or ultrarunners.
* Not the range of accessories that the 910XT/310XT has, such as power meter for cycling.
* No display of course maps. ==Budget - Garmin 10==The {{Garmin 10}} is the cheapest GPS enabled watch that Garmin makesor mapping of your current route, and price wise it fits between the cheaper {{Soleus 1.0}} and the more expensive {{Garmin 310XT}}. I think but ithas a simplistic 's worth the extra $30 over the {{Soleus 1.0}} for the ability back to download data and automatically maintain your [[The importance of a training log|training log]]. However, the price of the {{Garmin 310XT}} has been steadily falling, and I believe the upgrade is well worth the price difference if you can afford it and donstart't mind a larger watch. [[File:Garmin10.jpeg|thumb|none|200px|The {{Garmin 10}} showing the variety of colors and the two sizes that are available.]] ===Garmin 10 Pros===* Smaller than the 310XT/305/205 and closer to the size of a traditional watch. * Available in two sizes with either a 2.5cm or a 2.1cm screen, as well as several colors. * The limited functionality makes it easy to use. ===Garmin 10 Cons===* The battery life is rather short. It is claimed to provide 5 hours, and this is likely to cause an issue for slower marathon runners or ultrarunners. * Not the range of accessories that the 910XT/310XT has, such as [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or [[Footpod]]. * No display of course mapsarrow. =Worth Considering=
==Brilliant, but flawed – Motorola Motoactv==
The discontinued {{Motoactv}} was a revolutionary running watch, using a color touch screen, GPS and including an MP3 player. It was more like a smartphone than a traditional GPS watch; the Motoactv was brilliant, but it was also flawed. When it was originally introduced at $250, these flaws were too severe for it to compete with the Garmin alternatives. The price of the Motoactv tends to vary, but it is often available for under $150, and at that price the Motoactv is worthy of considerationgreat value for money. If you can live with each of these four flaws, then the Motoactv is a great buy. (See the cons section for more details on each.)
* '''Poor water resistance. '''Don't buy the Motoactv is you want to swim or if you're likely to forget to check the covers before your run.
* '''Limited battery life. '''If you run for less than 3 hours, you're fine with the Motoactv. If you run for between 3 and 6 hours then think carefully. If you run for more than 6 hours, look elsewhere.
* '''No usable 'current pace' display.''' Don't try to use the Motoactv to keep you on pace.(This is true of all GPS watches unless you can display the pace from a Footpod.)
* '''Difficulty uploading workouts to a training log.''' If you want to keep an automated training log (and you should), the Motoactv will be hard work.
{| class="wikitable"
|[[File:MotoactvGarminDisplay.JPG|none|thumb|200px|The display of the Motoactv is wonderful at night. This comparison with the 310XT gives some idea of the difference, but this is with the 310XT illuminated, which only lasts a few seconds.]]
|}
===Motoactv Pros===
* With the recent price reduction the Motoactv is less than $150, which is far cheaper than any comparable product.
* The Motoactv will display a true map of the area, showing the street layout, which is a huge improvement over the breadcrumb display of the Garmin watches. If you could upload a route then this would be great for running in a new city.
* The dimensions of the Motoactv are more pleasing than the Garmin 310XT/910XT. It still has a large display, but it is much thinner.
===Motoactv Cons===
* The {{Motoactv}} is discontinued, but still available.
* 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.
* 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.
=Worth Considering===Most advanced, but poor accuracy- Garmin 620==The Cheapest – Soleus 1Garmin 620 is an intriguing device, adding some cool advanced features but its poor GPS accuracy prevents me recommending it fully. This is a real shame as other than the accuracy problems I love using the 620.0===Garmin 620 Pros===* The 620 is small and light, but the display is quite legible for its size. I find it much easier to read than either the 610 or the 10. * When combined with the new heart rate monitor strap, the 620 will show and record [[File:Soleus10Cadence]], Vertical Oscillation (VO) and Ground Contact Time (GCT). This is fascinating data, but it's not clear how to interpret and use VO or GCT. This confusion is compounded by the way that a higher Cadence will result in a lower VO and lower GCT simply because of the faster turnover. The 620 has a nice display of Cadence, VO, and GCT that gives a color coded indication of how well you're doing. * Like several other devices, the 620 displays Training Effect, an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is. In my unscientific trails, the Training Effect on the 620 seems to match my subjective evaluation of a training session better than other implementations.jpg|none|thumb|200px|* The Soleus 1620 builds on the Training Effect to give an estimation of the recovery time before the next workout.0While this is only an estimation and there are no studies that evaluate it, there is the possibility that it might help prevent [[Overtraining]]. There is also a display of your recovery after the first mile or so of each run, which is again a nice idea. Sadly, if you miss the message, there does not appear to be a way of recalling it, nor does the 620 record this value. * The {{Soleus 1620 will cache the locations of the GPS satellites for the next few days, which will reduce the satellite acquisition time when travelling to a new location. In my usage the satellite acquisition was very rapid. * The touchscreen works better than any other I've tried while running.0}} * There is one a prediction of your [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]], which worked well for me, but I would not rely on its accuracy. * The 620 will upload your workouts to Garmin Connect via WiFi without needing a computer. It will also link to a smart phone to upload a workout as it takes place, which is nice for folks tracking you during a race, though it means wearing the cheapest on watch and the marketphone together. * The 620 will not display [[Heart Rate Variability]] but it is possible for it to record [[Heart Rate Variability]] for later analysis. To enable this recording, you need to download a special FIT file from the firstbeat.com web site. ===Garmin 620 Cons===* The [[GPS Accuracy]] of the 620 is disappointingly poor. I found the 620 consistently worse than the 610 or the 310XT when I ran with multiple devices. The 620 would sometimes be over a mile out on a recommended price 20 mile run!* To make the poor GPS accuracy even more annoying, there is no way of displaying your current pace from the [[Footpod]] while using GPS for overall distance and course. (Earlier versions of $99the firmware would always display the pace and distance from the Footpod when it's connected, but often available from Amazon for $75this was fixed in a recent update.)* The 620 includes an internal accelerometer to give you an idea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod. While firmware updates have improved the accuracy, I found it was too far out to be of any use, giving a display that was off by 1-853 minutes/mile. While A lot will depend on your running style and how you use a treadmill. * There is no map display or navigation, but on a device this small it has some significant limitationswould be hard to make that useful anyway. * The battery life is a little short for ultramarathons, but it is basically functionalfine for the most runners. ==Simple - Garmin 10==The {{Garmin 10}} is a simpler watch than most, with only a few functions, which makes it good for the technophobe. However, the [[GPS Accuracy| GPS Accuracy of the 10 appears rather poor]], which prevents it being a recommended device, even at this price. The 10 is the cheapest Garmin GPS enabled watchthat Garmin makes, but at $130 and price wise it fits between the cheaper {{Soleus 1.0}} and the more expensive {{Garmin 310XT}}. I think it's nearly twice worth the price of extra $30 over the {{Soleus 1.0}} for the ability to download data and automatically maintain your [[The importance of a training log|training log]]. (There are other GPS watches by Soleus that have better functionalityHowever, but their the price makes them unattractive when compared with of the {{Garmin 310XT}} has been steadily falling, and I believe the upgrade is well worth the other watches hereprice difference if you can afford it and don't mind a larger watch.)[[File:Garmin10.jpeg|thumb|none|200px|The {{Garmin 10}} showing the variety of colors and the two sizes that are available.]]===Soleus 1.0 Garmin 10 Pros===* The big attraction of Smaller than the Soleus 1.0 is 910XT/310XT and closer to the price, which is half that size of the next cheapest a traditional watch I'd recommend (the {{Garmin 10}}). * This is Available in two sizes with either a 2.5cm or a smaller watch2.1cm screen, similar in size as well as several colors. * The limited functionality makes it easy to the Garmin 610use. ===Soleus 1.0 Garmin 10 Cons===* There is no upload From preliminary testing, the GPS Accuracy of data the 10 appears to a PC (which also means no firmware updates)be remarkably poor.* No support The battery life is rather short. It is claimed to provide 5 hours, and this is likely to cause an issue for a slower marathon runners or ultrarunners. * Not the range of accessories that the 910XT/310XT has, such as [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or a [[Footpod]].* The claimed battery life is 8 hours, which is a little short. However, I've read reports No display of people getting longer battery lifemaps or other navigation. * The initial acquisition of the GPS satellites is slower than the better watches like the 310XT/910XT.
==Better Heart Rate Monitoring – Polar RC3 GPS==
[[File:Polar RC3 GPS.jpeg|thumb|none|200px|Polar RS800CX]]
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===
* Over the years I found the quality of Polar accessories to be much higher than Garmin. I've never had a Polar accessory fail on me, but I'm currently on my fourth chest transmitter and my third [[Footpod]].
* I've had a few issues with the accuracy and reliability of the Polar [[Heart Rate Monitor]]ing, but I've had to create a page dedicated to solving issues with [[Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring|Garmin Heart Rate Monitoring]].
* It's available in several colors.
===Polar RC3 GPS Cons===
* The biggest flaw in the RC3 GPS is that it's not quite as good as the cheaper Garmin 310XT.
* 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. It's 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.
* 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.
* 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]]The {{Soleus 1.0}} is one of the cheapest on the market, with a recommended price of $99, but often available from Amazon for $75-85. While it has some significant limitations, it is basically functional. The {{Garmin 10}} is the cheapest Garmin GPS watch, but at $130 it's nearly twice the price of the Soleus 1.0. (There are other GPS watches by Soleus that have better functionality, but their price makes them unattractive when compared with the other watches here.)===Soleus 1.0 Pros===* The big attraction of the Soleus 1.0 is the price, which is half that of the next cheapest watch I'd recommend (the {{Garmin 10}}). * This is a smaller watch, similar in size to the Garmin 610.===Soleus 1.0 Cons===* There is no upload of data to a PC (which also means no firmware updates).* No support for a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or a [[Footpod]].* The claimed battery life is 8 hours, which is a little short. However, I've read reports of people getting longer battery life. * The initial acquisition of the GPS satellites is slower than the better watches like the 310XT/910XT.
=Not Recommended=
These watches have flaws or a price point that makes them unattractive.
==Suunto Ambit==
The main attraction of the [http://www.amazon.com/Suunto-Ambit-Watch-Black-Size/dp/B006N0LIG6 Suunto Ambit] is it's its 50 hour battery life. However, to get the long battery life you have to select a mode which only takes a GPS fix every 60 seconds GPS fix which gives poor accuracy. Other problems that prevent me from recommending it:
* Difficulty in upload the data to other software.
* No [[Footpod]].
* The big advantage of GPS over a footpod is it will show you a map of where you've been and with the Garmin watches, you can upload a course to follow. The Ambit does not do that type of display.
* The price; at $500 there are better options available cheaper. For the same price you could buy two 310XTs, three MOTOACTVs, or five Soleus 1.0 watches.
==Garmin Fenix==
Like the Suunto Ambit, the $400 [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Hiking-Exclusive-Tracback-Feature/dp/B008KEPUQC Garmin Fenix] claims a 50 hour battery life. However, there are reports that the battery life is much shorter in practice.
==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 [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Enabled-Sports-Watch/dp/B0046BWRUK Garmin 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.
==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. The Motoactv is a far more capable watch than the Nike+, though it too has some flaws.
==Garmin 305/205==
The 305/205 are the earlier generations of Garmin GPS watches, and occasionally they can be found quite cheapare getting hard to find. However, with With the price drop drops of the Motoactv, other devices these Garmin watches no longer offer reasonable value for money.
=Using a Smartphone=
Most smartphones have a GPS built in and support various applications that allow them to function as sports watches.
==Smartphone Pros==
* If you already have a smartphone, this is the cheapest option.
* You may be able to use the smartphone as an MP3 player.
* It is possible to use a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] or even a [[Footpod]] with a smartphone.
** The [http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Bluetooth-Smart-Heart-Sensor/dp/B007S088F4 Polar H7 heart rate monitor] works with iPhone 4S/5 for $63. This will work with RunKeeper[[Runkeeper]], MapMyRun[[Mapmyrun]](+), EndoMondo (Pro), Runmeter, and others. (Android phones not supported.)
** The [http://www.amazon.com/Wahoo-Fitness-WFFisica01-Key-iPhone/dp/B0042WGO3Y Wahoo Key] is a $55 dongle that adds Ant+ support to an iPhone 4S/4/3GS. This allows you to use the {{Garmin HRM}}, {{Garmin Footpod}} and other Ant+ accessories. It works with most apps including RunKeeper, MapMyRun(+), EndoMondo (Pro), Runmeter. Note that the dongle may cause problems finding a waterproof case.
** The [http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Adapter-iPhone-Monitor-Cadence/dp/B005ZSYEOK Garmin Ant+ Adapter] is similar to the [http://www.amazon.com/Wahoo-Fitness-WFFisica01-Key-iPhone/dp/B0042WGO3Y Wahoo Key] but it has limited app support.
** The [http://www.amazon.com/Zephyr-HxM-Delivers-BlackBerry-Smartphones/dp/B002PL33AQ Zepher HxM] is a $79 (+shipping) heart rate monitor that works with Android and Blackberry phones.
** Some [[https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%7bf3027e90-f8de-11e0-73d0-000000000000%7d| Sony Ericsson android phones]] have Ant+ support built in.
==Smartphone Cons==
* A smartphone is usually bulky and has to be mounted on your upper arm, making it hard to see the display.
* Most touchscreens do not work well with gloves, in the rain, or with sweaty hands.
* Few smartphones are waterproof, so a specialist case will be required to protect it.
