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Best Running Watch

359 bytes added, 11:59, 9 July 2014
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|-
| colspan="6"|<center>'''Worth Considering'''</center>
|-
| {{Fenix 2}}
| The most features, but pricy and patchy GPS accuracy.
| {{Fenix 2 with HRM}}
| {{Fenix 2 without HRM}}
| {{Garmin HRM Run}}
|
|-
| {{Motoactv}}
|-
| colspan="6"|<center>'''Buyer Beware'''</center>
|-
| {{Fenix 2}}
| The most features, but [[GPS Accuracy| appalling GPS Accuracy]].
| {{Fenix 2 with HRM}}
| {{Fenix 2 without HRM}}
| {{Garmin HRM Run}}
|
|-
| {{Garmin 620}}
|-
| {{TomTom Cardio Runner}}
| 45.6 (provisional)0
| 2.2
| 30
=Worth Considering=
These watches are good, but they are not quite good enough to be completely recommended.
==The most features - Garmin Fenix 2==
The Fenix 2 combines the best features of the Garmin 910XT and 620, plus some extras and is the best running watch at the moment. This is a remarkable watch, with a vast array of features, but remains reasonably easy to use. The only flaws are the lack of current pace from a [[Footpod]] and the disappointing results of my [[GPS Accuracy]] testing.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Fenix2 A.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The Fenix 2, showing three data fields and the red colored backlight.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Altimeter.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The altimeter is a nice feature, and here you can see the graph that can be displayed.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Recovery.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The recovery estimate, along with Training Effect is a nice way of quantifying training stress.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Nav.jpg|none|thumb|200px|It is possible to load maps to the Fenix 2.]]
|}
===Fenix 2 Pros===
* When combined with the new heart rate monitor strap, the Fenix 2 will show and record [[Cadence]], 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 Fenix 2 has a display of Cadence, VO, and GCT that gives an indication of how good your current values are, but without the color display of the Garmin 620 this indicator is not as clear. The Fenix 2 can also display Cadence using the internal accelerometer.
* Like several other devices, the Fenix 2 displays Training Effect, an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is. In my unscientific trails, the Training Effect on the Fenix 2 seems similar to the 620, which is a change from the 610/910XT.
* The Fenix 2 builds on the Training Effect to give an estimation of the recovery time before the next workout. While 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 Fenix 2 record this value.
* The Fenix 2 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 when cached, but if I'd not connected it for a while, it could be painfully slow to acquire a lock.
* The Fenix 2 has 5 well positioned buttons that I find much easier to use than even the best touch screen.
* As well as GPS, the Fenix 2 includes a barometric altimeter, which is far more accurate than GPS for altitude. It also includes a thermometer, and while the watch is too close to your skin for accuracy it does give a good general indication.
* For displays of Heart Rate, Altitude, Barometric pressure and Temperature you can also get a small graph that shows changes over time. I've enjoyed this feature.
* There is a prediction of your [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]], which worked well for me, but I would not rely on its accuracy.
* The Fenix 2 is large, but not as big as the 310XT or 910XT and it looks like a watch rather than a dive computer. .
* There is good navigation displays, with options for waypoints and courses. The Fenix 2 can have uploaded maps.
* The battery life is claimed to be 15 hours with normal recording, but I found that 11 hours is more likely. It has options to extend the battery life up to a claimed 50 hours (I've not yet tested the extended mode yet.)
** There is an option only to have the backlight turned on when the sun is down, which is another small, but useful feature. The backlight is also red colored, which prevents the watch from blinding you at night.
* The Fenix 2 will 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 watch and the phone together.
* You can add as many pages of displays as you want, which given how much the Fenix 2 can tell you, is great.
===Fenix 2 Cons===
* The biggest downside to the Fenix 2 compared to the 310XT/910XT/610 is that there is no way of displaying your current pace from the [[Footpod]] while using GPS for overall distance and course. You can configure it to get both pace and distance from the Footpod, but that's not an ideal solution.
* My initial testing for GPS accuracy is a little disappointing, though it's much better than the appalling accuracy of the 620 and 10.
* The Fenix 2 includes an internal accelerometer to give you an idea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod. I found it was too far out to be of any use, giving a display that was off by 1-3 minutes/mile. A lot will depend on your running style and how you use a treadmill.
* You need to have the new "HRM Run" for the running dynamics features. It will display Heart Rate and calculate Training Effect with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation.
==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 great 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.)
|}
=Buyer Beware=
These devices are sufficiently flawed to make them impossible to recommend. They all share a similar problem with [[GPS Accuracy]], probably due to the newer chipsets these watches use. My testing is particularly rigorous and uses a course that reveals flaws in GPS accuracy. Therefore you may not get the kind of results I get, where they lose more than a mile on a 20 mile run. However, I would urge caution before purchasing one of these devices, even though both the 620 and the Fenix 2 are otherwise such great devices.
==Small, advanced, but poor accuracy- Garmin 620==
The Garmin 620 is an intriguing device, adding some cool advanced features but it has appalling GPS accuracy that prevents me recommending it. This is a real shame as other than the accuracy problems I love using the 620. However, I've had the 620 record only 12 miles on a 13 mile run, something that I consider unacceptable.
* The battery life is a little short for ultramarathons, but it is fine for the most runners.
* You need to have the new HRM for the new features. It will display Heart Rate and calculate Training Effect with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation.
==The most features except the one you want - Garmin Fenix 2==
The Fenix 2 combines the best features of the Garmin 910XT and 620, plus some extras and it could be a great running watch if it were not for the [[GPS Accuracy]] problems. This is a remarkable watch, with a vast array of features, but remains reasonably easy to use.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Fenix2 A.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The Fenix 2, showing three data fields and the red colored backlight.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Altimeter.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The altimeter is a nice feature, and here you can see the graph that can be displayed.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Recovery.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The recovery estimate, along with Training Effect is a nice way of quantifying training stress.]]
|[[File:Fenix2 Nav.jpg|none|thumb|200px|It is possible to load maps to the Fenix 2.]]
|}
===Fenix 2 Pros===
* When combined with the new heart rate monitor strap, the Fenix 2 will show and record [[Cadence]], 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 Fenix 2 has a display of Cadence, VO, and GCT that gives an indication of how good your current values are, but without the color display of the Garmin 620 this indicator is not as clear. The Fenix 2 can also display Cadence using the internal accelerometer.
* Like several other devices, the Fenix 2 displays Training Effect, an indicator of how hard or effective a training session is. In my unscientific trails, the Training Effect on the Fenix 2 seems similar to the 620, which is a change from the 610/910XT.
* The Fenix 2 builds on the Training Effect to give an estimation of the recovery time before the next workout. While 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 Fenix 2 record this value.
* The Fenix 2 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 when cached, but if I'd not connected it for a while, it could be painfully slow to acquire a lock.
* The Fenix 2 has 5 well positioned buttons that I find much easier to use than even the best touch screen.
* As well as GPS, the Fenix 2 includes a barometric altimeter, which is far more accurate than GPS for altitude. It also includes a thermometer, and while the watch is too close to your skin for accuracy it does give a good general indication.
* For displays of Heart Rate, Altitude, Barometric pressure and Temperature you can also get a small graph that shows changes over time. I've enjoyed this feature.
* There is a prediction of your [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]], which worked well for me, but I would not rely on its accuracy.
* The Fenix 2 is large, but not as big as the 310XT or 910XT and it looks like a watch rather than a dive computer. .
* There is good navigation displays, with options for waypoints and courses. The Fenix 2 can have uploaded maps.
* The battery life is claimed to be 15 hours with normal recording, but I found that 11 hours is more likely. It has options to extend the battery life up to a claimed 50 hours (I've not yet tested the extended mode yet.)
** There is an option only to have the backlight turned on when the sun is down, which is another small, but useful feature. The backlight is also red colored, which prevents the watch from blinding you at night.
* The Fenix 2 will 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 watch and the phone together.
* You can add as many pages of displays as you want, which given how much the Fenix 2 can tell you, is great.
===Fenix 2 Cons===
* My testing for [[GPS Accuracy]] shows similar appalling accuracy to the 620 and 10.
* The biggest downside to the Fenix 2 compared to the 310XT/910XT/610 is that there is no way of displaying your current pace from the [[Footpod]] while using GPS for overall distance and course. You can configure it to get both pace and distance from the Footpod, but that's not an ideal solution.
* The Fenix 2 includes an internal accelerometer to give you an idea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod. I found it was too far out to be of any use, giving a display that was off by 1-3 minutes/mile. A lot will depend on your running style and how you use a treadmill.
* You need to have the new "HRM Run" for the running dynamics features. It will display Heart Rate and calculate Training Effect with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation.
==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 is grim]], which prevents it being worth considering, even at this price. The 10 is the cheapest GPS enabled watch that Garmin makes, and price wise it fits between the cheaper {{Soleus 1.0}} and the slightly more expensive {{Garmin 310XT}}. I think it's worth the 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]]. 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 don't mind a larger watch.
* The limited functionality makes it easy to use.
===Garmin 10 Cons===
* The [[GPS Accuracy | GPS Accuracy of the 10 is truly awful]], and is even worse than the 620.
* 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]].
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