Keeping track of mileage outdoors - Nike+ or something else?

[bunnyfoo]

I'm hoping to eventually transition my running from the TM to the outdoors starting in March (as long as the weather cooperates). I've never run on anything but the TM so I was wondering what everyone else uses to keep track of their speed, distances etc.

Does anyone have the Nike+? It seems like a neat little toy or is there something else that's better?

TIA :)

[ironz]

I have the Timex speed/distance setup, but I don't use it all that much. I have friends who love their Garmins.

I don't get too bogged down in the technical stuff...so I will either run on a route that I know the distance (we have a marked trail here), or I will map it out on www.mapmyrun.com That website is a great resource for you to map out your own running/walking/biking, or you can search for routes in your area.

You can also do measurements on google earth...under tools, then "measure" by "path"

[JimB.]

I use a Garmin Forerunner 301.

I have "heard" that the Nike + is has some accuracy problems, but I do not know that for a fact.

[princessrunner]

I have a Garmin forerunner 205 and I would never workout without it again. I know for a fact that the Nike+ has accuracy problems. Never good to find out that you thought you were running 6 miles and you were actually running 5.5. Never good to find out you thought you were at a 9:45 pace but you were actually at a 10:30 pace. Such a kick in the pants!!!

I like the Garmin because it is accurate, I can keep track of my workouts and it works whether I am XC skiing, running, or biking. Love, love, love my Garmin!!! :love:

[shell78]

I have and use everything everyone has mentioned so far!

1) I use mapmyrun to get a general sense of mileage to plot out a general route. You can miss corners and not get direct lines if you plot the run from too far out on the satellite, but it will do the job for figuring out distance.

2) I first started with the Nike+. It does suffer from inaccuracy as you can only calibrate it for 2 paces (running and walking). As you vary from that pace, the inaccuracies start to creep in. My first sensor was fairly accurate with no calibration (to within 0.1 miles over 5 miles). That died while it was still under warranty and my second and current sensor is much more inaccurate right out of the box (to 0.2 miles over 3 miles). I think it is a good sort of beginner tool for general purposes as long as you realize (a) you are not running the distance it is telling you and (b) therefore your pace is incorrect. Also if you already have a nano, it is a fairly cheap investment to get it going. I think it is $29 for the sensor/transmitter pack. You don't need the special Nike shoes, you can buy a pouch to tie the transmitter (the accelerometer) to your laces (Marware is the brand I have, see Amazon.com)

3) I have a Garmin 305 that I bought in Nov. of last year. That is great. It claims accuracy to within 10 meters. I don't know if I buy that, but ok. It's a nifty toy and you can set up all sorts of different workouts and have a virtual training partner, make it alarm on certain conditions, etc. It's pricey, but cheaper than it used to be given the introduction of the Garmin 405.

Really, all 3 options are fine. It's just a matter of how much you want to spend - free, a little bit, a lot!

[smileyk8]

i currently use a nike plus and i have to agree it's not that accurate on a treadmill. I think it's a lot better on real roads though for some reason! To be fair to it, i don't have nike plus trainers and so it sits in a shoe pouch on top of my trainer which must affect it's accuracy. It's not great, but i still love it and the motivating comments you get at the end :)

In my opinion it's a good starting place, but if your serious and running a long way wanting perfect distance and pace measurements i would skip to a garmin. Good luck

[joan4mickey]

Wow-just got home from looking at the Nike+ and was going to start a thread...
The shoes are great-at least in the store, very comfortable and light. And it is great that I have come here and had some questions answered. Now...do I make the investment: Shoes $90. ipod thing $30 and I would have to borrrow my daughters ipod (mine is 1st generation-won't even hold a charge).

[MiniGirl]

I love my Garmin. I have the 305. I love that I can go anywhere and still know my milage and pace. Right before the half, as my miles were increasing, it was so much fun to just take off and explore different areas. (Safety first, of course.) I have it set up to beep at me if my pace gets too slow, and it also has a different beep that I set up for run/walk intervals.

One big downside is that I really dislike my elliptical now. I want to be outside!!

[lenshanem]

Garmin! I couldn't run w/o it now. I had been using the Nike+, but it was always way off. I kept trying to recalibrate it, but it never matched up.

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I have used the Nike + for a while now. Yes I find some inaccuracies when I have it dual calibrated but if I only have it calibrated for running it comes in about .01 behind what the treadmill or the mile markers that tell me I have gone. So as you can see it is fairly accurate but I have found that the shorter the calibration distance you do the more accurate it is. I usually use the .25 mile setting. But that has just been my experience.

[Tiger Lily 03]

Garmin here! I love my Garmin. Currently I have a 205

I checked Amazon.com and see that you can get the 205 for about $160 and the 201 for about $115

I think that my Garmin is the BEST investment in a running toy I have ever made and thoroughly love it. I am able to vary my length or path at a whim and know that I am training w/in the goals I've set.

Save your pennies for this inexpensive sport.

Shell has given great advice.

Let us know what you decide.

[hockeygirl]

I have been using my Nike+ for just over a year, and unlike the others have said, I find it to be quite accurate. On the running trail where I work out there are mile markers every 0.1 miles and my Nike+ is always right on. So, it has worked quite well for me.

Interestingly enough, I have an older Garmin that I find is NOT accurate at all...in fact it is always off by more than 0.2 miles. I guess I have one of the older ones that doesn't work so well, especially in the wooded areas where I train.

[swim-mom]

I just completed the C25K and I know my route outside is 3.1 miles, but the Nike + says it is 5.65K...........I like the encouragement and the roundabout distance to go aspect. I am not sure if I will use it over the long hall, but it is a great tool right now for me at this moment.

I have thought about finishing it, but I figure the more I run the more my time will increase, therefore the NIKE+ will still be off. I just like the time aspect more than anything. Once I start running, it starts keeping track of my time!!!! As a newbe time is everything :)

[toefungus]

I was looking into the Garmin 205. Does it display the speed of how fast you're running (10mph ect..)? The best price I've found so far is $157, has anyone found anything cheaper?

[twoWDWfools]

I have the Garmin 205 and love it! Only been able to take it out on the road twice considering the weather we've had but it is going to make it much easier!

I got mine from eBay for $130 - brand new. Might want to try there.

[Caseydilla]

I'm totally new here(looking into doing the Disneyland half) and hope you don't mind a new face. I run with a Garmin Foreunner as well. I love using it and I feel lost without it!

Is there a place I should post an intro here, btw? :)

[joan4mickey]

Those with the nike plus HELP

I put the thing in my shoe, downloaded update to my daughter's nano but get the message "no sensor detected"

i went to the apple support site rechecked everything including battery life. but still can't get it to go

[shell78]

Those with the nike plus HELP

I put the thing in my shoe, downloaded update to my daughter's nano but get the message "no sensor detected"

i went to the apple support site rechecked everything including battery life. but still can't get it to go

Does the Nike+ menu show up on the nano? You may need to reset the nano if not, I know there is directions in the manual for the sportkit about what to do if the menu doesn't even show up, but I don't have the manual near me right now.

Did you walk around a bit because it needs to recognize data coming from it and that usually happens only when you are walking since it uses accelerometer technology. If you didn't do this, try walking around with the nano, it may take a few seconds (10-15?) to find it.

second, are you sure that the shoe sensor is on? there is a button you can push w/ a paper clip on the bottom. It usually is on right out of the box, but you can try that if walking around doesn't work.

[joan4mickey]

Thanks Shelll

Yes, the nike + promp show on the nano, yes i have walk (actually a whole workout tonight-just kidding), yes, i have switched the little button thing on and off on the bottom of the sensor

I have also spent much time searching the internet for an answer-i'm just exasperated and now i don't know what:scared:

[Tiger Lily 03]

I was looking into the Garmin 205. Does it display the speed of how fast you're running (10mph ect..)? The best price I've found so far is $157, has anyone found anything cheaper?It will display a standard screen and there are 2 screens that you can customize. I have my customized screen to show total average pace, total miles, total time and time of day. I have the lap screen set to sound at every mile. There is where I get the average pace for each mile. I have the general screen in what is shipped being current pace, total time and total miles I think. hth

Those with the nike plus HELP

I put the thing in my shoe, downloaded update to my daughter's nano but get the message "no sensor detected"

i went to the apple support site rechecked everything including battery life. but still can't get it to goI have had this happen to me. I ended up disconnecting the Nike+ from the Ipod unit and reconnecting it. That helped me. Otherwise, I guess you may have to do the entire reset as described above. That sure is miserable isn't it.

[joan4mickey]

Thanks Tiger lily

I've done that too.

Oh, the weather is going to be warm Sunday and I was hoping to use that thing to do my long run outside...so far all my training has been inside. I'm a warm weather person and don't do much in the cold.

[lenshanem]

My Nike+ kept doing weird things right before I stopped using it, too. I lost several runs. I called Nike+ support and got nowhere...

DH still uses his and has never had a problem. :confused3

[joan4mickey]

Went this morning and exchanged the nike plus kit...put it together before leaving the store and it read the sensor in just a few seconds. Yea!

[smileyk8]

Went this morning and exchanged the nike plus kit...put it together before leaving the store and it read the sensor in just a few seconds. Yea!

i'm really pleased you got this sorted. Just had a dodgy one maybe? I have to say i've just been for a run outside and after saying it wasn't very accurate, just got the most accurate reading off my nike plus ever! It was only 0.2mile out!!!! I hope you get on well with this one :goodvibes

[joan4mickey]

I went to the gym a while ago and calibrated it, so..............tomorrow I'm off for my 8 mile run. It will be my longest ever. I'm following the 10 weeks to a 15K by Hal Higdon. Happy trails!

[BamaEd1]

The easiest thing for me to do is to use the gmap pedometer (google maps) and just plot your route. It tells you the distance and all you have to do is keep up with your time. Runner's world mag has a free training log on their site that has the gmap linked to your routes if you want to use it.

[kzmarathon]

I have used both the Garmin and the Nike + and have found both to be pretty accurate. I had to calibrate the Nike + several times and learned that the lace pouch has to be pretty tight to reduce inaccuracies. I recently ran an 8 mile race and crossed the finish line with 8.01 on the Nano. Once I get back home, I would like to wear both at the same time and compare distances just out of curiosity.

I prefer the Nike + because I really don't have to think - it tells me how far and fast I have gone and let's me know when to stop running. My running routes back home are quite shaded from buildings and trees and the Garmin seemed to lose satellite quite often - the Nike + lets me just get out and run.

Z

[joan4mickey]

I'm taking my nike+ out for a spin today. I got it to within .05 so I go 1.05 and it says a mile. It should be nice today-over 60. Don't know how some of you run outside in sub 60 weather.

[Raenstoirm]

I use the Nike+ as well. It is pretty good. It has the same inaccuracies as my pedometer (roughly) verses the TM, so I am happy with it. I also have it in a pouch on my shoe not in it, so I just figured that was the problem. Right now I am doing the C25K program on a TM, but soon I will be moving it outside. My town holds a 5k every labor day (which I plan to run this year) and I have the map of it, so once I move outside, I will just use the map and get "close enough".

[scoolover]

I was looking into the Garmin 205. Does it display the speed of how fast you're running (10mph ect..)? The best price I've found so far is $157, has anyone found anything cheaper?

It doesn't tell you how fast you are going but what your pace is. I am not sure it is always very accurate but it does okay.

I have been told three times that I will be arrested if I show up again in the areas I wander suing my 205. Usually the public water areas. It is a nifty little toy but gets me in trouble as I have the explorer mentality when I use it.

[Barbday62]

Are you sure about that not showing the speed?

Mine is a garmin 205 and I feel its been very accurate where I live. I have 4 windows of info showing at once when I am out. One is my speed (ie 4.3 MPH) and one window is the current time and the next window is how long I been out on the course and the last is the total distance I have done.

I love my garmin. I read earlier Garmins were not as reliable but I did a lot of research and this one has great reviews and Im very happy with it so far. (I got mine at Christmas time for $149 at Amazon.com) I especially love how you download your info after your wrok out right into the computer.

[SamSam]

Are you sure about that not showing the speed?

Mine is a garmin 205 and I feel its been very accurate where I live. I have 4 windows of info showing at once when I am out. One is my speed (ie 4.3 MPH) and one window is the current time and the next window is how long I been out on the course and the last is the total distance I have done.

I love my garmin. I read earlier Garmins were not as reliable but I did a lot of research and this one has great reviews and Im very happy with it so far. (I got mine at Christmas time for $149 at Amazon.com) I especially love how you download your info after your wrok out right into the computer.

Yay! Glad to read your positive viewpoint. My Garmin just arrived today and I'm charging the battery now. I'm as excited as a kid in a candy store at the thought of using it for the first time! A question for you Garmin users; do you find it uncomfortable to wear or is it fine once you're used to it? I have a small wrist and it looks huge to me.

[SamSam]

Me again.:) Used my Garmin 205 for the first time and LOVE it! I used it on a 4 mile route that I have walked many times and being able to see my mph was fantastic. I found out that when I took out my warm up and cool down, that I was walking much faster than I previously thought.
Also, I discovered that if I ran for a few minutes, my walking immediately following was really slow. I never realized I did this, so I think it will help me keep from slowing down in the future. Also, being able to see my MPH helped me keep my speed up. I'm defnitely not a geeky type person (techie), but I love my new Garmin and I really feel that it will help me prepare for future races.

[DisneyDudet]

I'm looking into a Garmin. I can't decide between a 205 or 305. What are the differences? I know the 305 has a heart rate monitor; is that a hassle?

And.. do you say it like Jar-min or with a soft G like Google?

[dsnyfan21]

It's a soft G like Google.

I have a garmin forerunner 205 (the one without a heart monitor) I LOVE my Garmi (that's its nickname) I love being able to personalize different things on it like auto pause when you stand still. I have a few intersections I have to cross and sometimes I have to wait a while. On the screen with 4 windows I use total time, distance, pace and the current time. These can be changed to whatever you want them to be. I wouldn't do my training without it
I had a problem at the beginning wearing it because of sweating and it sliding down to my wrist. I solved that by used a thin wrist sweat band under the Garmi and that solved it for me.
You can reset the Garmin after a warmup and then start your full run and then reset to do a warmdown.

I have preordered the 405 and can't wait.

[DisneyDudet]

Is this something for those starting out, or those who are going for longer distances, and are nearing their marathon?

My LR this week will be 5 miles, and I'm doing the Full.

When would I need a device like this?

[cryssi]

Hi all, I'm glad to see that a lot of people like/recommend the 205. DH's friend who does 1/2's recommends it wholeheartedly, too. I almost bought it yesterday at sport chalet, but it was $249! I see that I can get it online for cheaper, so I will probably order it next week, since timing yourself by looking at a cell phone and checking distance by driving it is just not going to cut it, I don't think... :rotfl:

[skfulkers]

Here’s my take on the Garmin/Nike + thing: either one probably works fine, depending on what you want to do and where you train. I have a Garmin 305 and I absolutely love it. I would never work out without it. I use it for long runs, short runs, and everything in between. I use it while biking and during spin classes as well for heart rate and speed data. It definitely IS a training partner. Next to my running shoes, it is the only piece of equipment I wouldn’t run without.

However, depending on WHERE you run and/or workout, the Garmin may not be the best option. Strictly treadmill running would be better suited by a standard heart rate monitor and simply using the speed/pace data on the treadmill. Indoor track running or wooded/building areas would be better accomplished with a foot pod (ie—Polar, Nike + etc). Garmin makes a foot pod attachment for the 205/305 as well, but I can’t comment on the accuracy.

Having said all of that, let me comment on what I dislike about the Garmin that I wish I could change:

1.) It is bulky. Like some have said, it feels like you’re carrying a laptop on your wrist. Sure, you’ll eventually get used to it, but it’s still big and gets sweaty. The new 405 addresses this problem, but it doesn’t help all of us with the 200 and 300 series.

2.) The adapters to mount it to your bike and the optional cadence sensor, foot pod, etc feel like true “afterthoughts” that weren’t meant to be part of the original product (ie—the zip ties that are required to mount the cadence sensor and bike mount, etc). I feel Polar does a much better job of integrating all of these accessories into one well-thought-out package.

3.) You can wear the Polar or Garmin 405 models as a standard wrist watch when you’re not working out. If you wear the 205 or 305 around, you’ll look like you’re trying to coordinate a space shuttle launch.

4.) I’m sure it’s “water resistant,” but I would still hesitate to swim while wearing the 305, whereas I would feel more comfortable wearing the Polar in the water. Don’t ask me why, maybe it’s just perception.

5.) You will definitely lose a signal in the woods or around tall buildings, as would be expected, but when the signal is regained, it seems like the rest of the run is never quite accurate. I remember during the Chicago Distance Classic, I lost a signal during the downtown portion of the race, and even the remaining 8 miles or so I noticed my Garmin jumping all over the board as far as pace, distance, etc. I think I ended up with a Garmin run distance of 32.4 miles on the 13.1 mile course. That made for a nice average pace. :)

All of those items, however, do not keep me from loving the Garmin. I would (and do) recommend it to everyone as one of the first “non-shoe” related running purchases. Glad yours seems to be working for you!

Steve

[cryssi]

FYI anyone interested in the Garmin 205...I ordered it from buydig.com on Sunday...it was shipped Monday and I received it today! :yay: It should just about be charged now. Best price I found, plus free shipping...how do ya beat that? :thumbsup2