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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* Consider using a [[Running With A Smartphone| Smartphone]]; if you already have one they are a cheap option and can have outstanding [[GPS Accuracy]].
For a lighthearted look at running watches, check out [[If Running Watches were Sports Cars]]?
=Comparison=
Here's a table of these features for each of the watches I recommend (all have GPS). For details of the meaning of each column see the reviews referenced in the table.
=Watches for Ultrarunning=
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 navigation.
* The [[Garmin 310XT]], [[Garmin 910XT]], and [[Garmin Fenix 2]] will show an outline of your run and allow you to load a course outline to follow. The [[Garmin 920XT]] has a map display, but Garmin has crippled the 920XT by removing the ability to zoom the display. * The longest battery life that's available with good GPS is 24 hours with the [[Garmin 920XT]], or 20 hours with for the [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]]. If you need longer than 20 24 hours, which is common in 100 mile races, you end up with some compromises. * You can turn off GPS and use a [[Footpod]], which boost the battery life of the [[most Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]] watches to several days. Obviously you lose navigation and while the accuracy of a [[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 minuteless frequently. This can be acceptable on a straight course like the Keys 100 or Badwater, but it can be appalling on twisty trails. ** The [[Garmin 920XT]] gives 40 hours in extended mode, and it has some mapping capabilities, but the lack of zoom cripples this functionality.
** The [[Suunto Ambit2 R]] gives 25 hours in extended mode and the more expensive Ambit2 gives 50 hours. There is some map capability, but it's not as good as the 310/910.
** The [[Polar V800]] gives 50 hours in extended mode, but has no map display.
* You can extend the battery life a little by avoiding using the backlight or changing the display. Showing the map on the 310/910 seems to drain the battery quite fast. I've had 37+ hours out of the [[Suunto Ambit2 R]].
* Another option, depending on the race, is to have two watches and swap part way through.
* Some runners will recharge their watch during a race, but that seems to be more hassle than it's worthas you have to carry a battery pack and the cable.(You can't charge the [[Garmin 920XT]] while it's in use, but you can charge the [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]].)
