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Best Running Watch

259 bytes added, 18:55, 25 September 2015
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* The [[Garmin 310XT]] is great value for money and has all the features you're likely to need. (The [[Garmin 910XT]] has more features, but tends to be a little more pricy.)
* If the 310XT is too big and you want something more watch like, then the [[Garmin 610]] is great, and it's often available refurbished at a great price.
* The [[Garmin Epix]] has full color maps for navigation, something that's great when running in a strange town or out in the wilderness. It supports the [[Connect IQ]] downloadable apps to make it extensible. * For The [[GPS AccuracyGarmin 920XT]]can be thought of as a cut down version of the Epix, the with slightly better [[Polar V800GPS Accuracy]] is , but lacking some of the bestother features. * The [[Garmin 920XTSuunto Ambit2]] and [[Suunto Ambit3]] is the first of the Garmin are both great watches to support downloadable apps using , with excellent [[Connect IQGPS Accuracy]]. This provides For most runners the type cheapest of extensibility you get with apps on a smartphonethe range (Ambit 2 R/Ambit 3 Run) are the best choice, and could but for ultrarunners the extra battery life of the (Ambit 2/Ambit 3 Peak) may be revolutionaryworthwhile. * The [[Garmin 620]] is a lovely watch, but it's more expensive than the 610 and you can't get your current pace [[Pace from a [[Footpod]]. * I rather like For [[GPS Accuracy]], the [[Suunto Ambit2 RPolar V800]], which has some nice features at a reasonable price. The more expensive versions of is the Ambit2 are worth consideringbest, but I would avoid the updated Ambit3it falls short in many other areas. (The biggest change with the Ambit3 is to use Bluetooth sensors rather than Ant+. At the current time there is far better sensor support for Ant+ than Bluetooth.)
* 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.
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}
=What to Look for in a Running Watch=
There are several A modern running watch often has a huge number of features , but I think it's best to focus on its ability to consider when looking for a runners watchanswer these basic questions. <div style="float:right;">__TOC__</div>* '''GPS.How far did I run?''' This is probably the key feature that most runners are looking for, and it requires good GPS provides an easy measure accuracy. How much the accuracy of how far you've runa watch will impact your running will depend on the course. Overall, most watches do pretty well in straight lines, which is critical for your trainingbut suffer when things get twisty. While it My testing is possible to map out a run afterwardstough challenge for GPS, this tends to be tedious so it highlights the differences between the great and is typically less accurate than GPSthe appalling. However, * '''How fast am I running?''<span style='color:#FF0000While you can work out your average pace from your distance and time, you'll often want to know how fast you'>re currently running. Unfortunately, GPS is not rather poor at answering this question, so you need [[Pace from a Footpod]]. An accurate enough to display indication of your current pace'''</span>. The Garmin 910XTis important for any training program that requires running at a specific pace, 310XT and 610 can display current pace from the Foodpod while using GPS for distancesuccess in racing at many distances. * '''GPS Accuracy.Where am I?''' IIt've [[s not unreasonable to expect a GPS Accuracy| Analyzed enabled watch to tell you where you are or how to get back to the start. Navigation varies from a simple compass needle showing the Accuracy direction to return to the start to a display of GPS watches]], and Ithe route you've found that there are wide differences in accuracyjust run or a preloaded course. The Garmin 10 Motoactv and Fenix 2 can display preloaded maps showing roads and Polar M400 are especially poor. Interestinglynames, adding a Footpod to and the 310XT improves their accuracy noticeablyEpix shows full color maps. I've not tested all the watches yet, but more devices will be added as time allows. (My testing methodology requires me to run 100s of miles with each watch.)* '''Current pace from a [[Footpod]].What's my cadence? ''' A display of [[FootpodCadence]] can be used is a critical training tool and newer watches are able to use an internal accelerometer to provide pace and distanceCadence without any accessories. Other watches may need a Foodpod or the newer Garmin watches can use the running dynamics heart rate strap. Displaying pace from A Cadence alert will help you stay in the Footpod provides a far more accurate indication of current pace than GPSright cadence range, which and is important for any training program that requires running at a specific paceuseful feature. Unlike GPS, [[Footpod]]s need There are several additional features to be calibrated to provide accurate pace/distanceyou could consider, but this is relatively easy. For most runners, once the Footpod is calibrated it will display though I'd argue none are as important as the right pace across a wide range of pacesabove questions.
* '''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.
** Optical heart rate monitoring is more convenient, but does not work very well.
** While the chest strap based monitoring is remarkably reliable, you can have problems with chaffing and poor reception in some situations, but there are [[Fixing Heart Rate Monitor Problems| Fixes for Heart Rate Monitor Problems]].
* '''Cadence'''. A display of [[Cadence]] is a critical training tool and newer watches are able to use an internal accelerometer to provide Cadence without any accessories. Other watches may need a Foodpod or the newer Garmin watches can use the running dynamics heart rate strap. A Cadence alert will help you stay in the right cadence range, and is a useful feature.
* '''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. The Motoactv and Fenix 2 can display preloaded maps showing roads and names.
* '''[[Firstbeat| 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.
=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 Epix]] has a display that shows full color maps, so for navigation, nothing else comes close. * 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]] will also display an outline of your run, but Garmin has crippled the 920XT by removing the ability to zoom the display. ==Battery Life==* The longest battery life that's available with good GPS is 24 hours with the [[Garmin 920XT]], or 20 hours for the [[Suunto Ambit3| Suunto Ambit3 Peak]], [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]]. If you need longer than 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 most Garmin 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 less 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 Epix]] gives 50 hours in extended mode(UltraTrac), but it's its GPS accuracy is lacking and the map display tends to eat the battery life. (UltraTrac appears to use a variable recording frequency.) ** The [[Suunto Ambit3| Suunto Ambit3 Peak]] has 20 hours with normal GPS recording, and 30 hours at 5 second sampling, which is great. It will go as high as 200 hours with 60 second sampling. There is some course display capability, but it's not as good others. There's also the cheaper [[Suunto Ambit3| Suunto Ambit3 Run]] that gives 15 hours at 5 second sampling, or 100 hours at 60 second sampling. ** The [[Garmin 920XT]] gives 40 hours in extended mode, using UltraTrac and it has some mapping capabilities, but the lack of zoom cripples this functionalityvariable recording frequency. ** The [[Suunto Ambit2| Suunto Ambit2 R]] gives 25 20 hours in extended mode (60 second GPS sampling) and the more expensive Ambit2 gives 50 hours. There is some course display capability, but it's not as good others.
** The [[Polar V800]] gives 50 hours in extended mode, but has no map display.
** The [[Garmin Fenix 2]] will give 50 hours in extended mode, but it has mediocre [[GPS Accuracy]] even in normal mode and it has the occasional "lost satellite reception" problem.
* You can turn off GPS and use a [[Footpod]], which boost the battery life of most Garmin 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. * You can extend the battery life a little by avoiding using the backlight or changing the display. Showing the course outline or the map seems to drain the battery quite fast. I've had 37+ hours out of the [[Suunto Ambit2| Suunto Ambit2 R]] in extended mode with these tricks.
* 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 worth as 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]].)==Navigation==* The [[Garmin Epix]] has a display that shows full color maps, so for navigation, nothing else comes close. * 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]] will also display an outline of your run, but Garmin has crippled the 920XT by removing the ability to zoom the display. ** The [[Garmin 920XT]] has some mapping capabilities, but the lack of zoom cripples this functionality. *
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