Feedback from Anyone with Nike GPS watches

[dragitoff]

My wife and I have been Garmin runners since we started running, or at least since we started running with GPS watches. I originally had a 110 and then bought a 305. My wife is still using her 210. I loved the look of the 110 and 210's, but when I upgraded, I bought the 305 because I wanted overall pace, current pace, total distance and total time tracked. I could do that on the 305 or some of the other newer models like the 610, but I had so many problems with my 110 and DW's 210 negative charging (charger actually draining batteries rather than charging them) and I had read those problems were common with that style of watch that I went with the older style 305.

The 305 was perfect for me the past 6 months I had it but it completely died with no warning last week. It will no longer charge and the display only comes on for a few seconds when you first plug it into the charger. I got my old 110 out to try to get by with it for a few runs and it does the same thing.

I used my wife's charger since I know it works and it is the same problem. After having 3 Garmin GPS watches and problems with all 3 of them, I'm leaning heavily towards buying a different brand GPS watch this time.

I like the look of the Nike and a few people I know that have them love them. The people I know that have them are more casual runners than I am so they're not the best to ask detailed questions about.

My main needs for my watch are: average overall pace, current mile pace, total distance and total time. Will the Nike watch do that and does it perform well? I don't care about all the other Nike + features so much. What are the pros/cons?

 

[LittleMissGiggles89]

Yes nike will display all that information for you. When you sync you watch to the computer you can choose which statistic you would like shown largest (I have mine set to mileage) then there is a scrolling display above that. What's nice about the scrolling display is you can choose how much or how little info you want it to show. So once your watch is plugged into your computer you check/uncheck what information you want shown. You can change it whenever you'd like as well so it's not like you're stuck after an initial set up. I also have no complaints about the nike watch holding its charge, it lasted for my entire half marathon without any problems. During regular training weeks I charge my watch about once a week. I've been very happy with mine so far and would suggest trying it out!

 

[dragitoff]

Yes nike will display all that information for you. When you sync you watch to the computer you can choose which statistic you would like shown largest (I have mine set to mileage) then there is a scrolling display above that. What's nice about the scrolling display is you can choose how much or how little info you want it to show. So once your watch is plugged into your computer you check/uncheck what information you want shown. You can change it whenever you'd like as well so it's not like you're stuck after an initial set up. I also have no complaints about the nike watch holding its charge, it lasted for my entire half marathon without any problems. During regular training weeks I charge my watch about once a week. I've been very happy with mine so far and would suggest trying it out!

That's great info! Thanks for that feedback. I'm such a creature of habit, especially when it comes to running, that it's hard to make myself try something new but I'm so frustrated with Garmin, I think it's time for that switch.

 

[wiigirl]

That's great info! Thanks for that feedback. I'm such a creature of habit, especially when it comes to running, that it's hard to make myself try something new but I'm so frustrated with Garmin, I think it's time for that switch.

I have to say I am usually a Garmin fan, but the Nike GPS watches are pretty cool and easy to use.

 

[dragitoff]

Has anyone encountered problems with syncing or losing satellite reception? How about problems with distance accuracy? Those were some of the negative things I saw about the watch.

I have to say the Garmins I owned were very good overall when they worked. I'm just tired of the battery issues that so many people have had with them and now I can't use either of my watches.

 

[DoctorK]

I think I lost reception one time for a couple of miles in the year since I bought my Nike+ GPS.

 

[joan4mickey]

I love mine. Easy interface. Large numbers. In fact something went wrong after 3 years (I think it has been that long) and they sent me a new one...NO charge.
I lose GPS under a large highway (I think 8-10 lanes wide) if I am walking but not if I am running.
I ran a certified 10k and it was spot on. At WDW it has been off, but them I can get off course visiting with characters.

 

[LittleMissGiggles89]

Has anyone encountered problems with syncing or losing satellite reception? How about problems with distance accuracy? Those were some of the negative things I saw about the watch. I have to say the Garmins I owned were very good overall when they worked. I'm just tired of the battery issues that so many people have had with them and now I can't use either of my watches.

The watches come with the nike+ foot pod as well. If you lose satellite reception and you have the pod attached to your shoe it'll just switch to tracking that way then switch back to satellite once it becomes available.

Mine distance was off during wine and dine but again that could be because of bathroom, character stops, weaving etc.

 

[dragitoff]

The watches come with the nike+ foot pod as well. If you lose satellite reception and you have the pod attached to your shoe it'll just switch to tracking that way then switch back to satellite once it becomes available.

Mine distance was off during wine and dine but again that could be because of bathroom, character stops, weaving etc.

My Garmin gets off every now and then so I think that is to occasionally be expected with any GPS watch. I only asked about the lost reception because that was one of the few cons I had read on a few websites.

 

[IamTrike]

I have had my nike sportwatch for about 2 and a half years. I run a mix of trials and road and usually run with people that don't have watches. I love my watch but these are some of the cons that I've experienced.

I run in a lot of different locations and seem to have a harder time locating satellites than my buddies with garmins. This problem only occurs if I haven't plugged it into my computer in a week or so. It seems to like have the satellites updated at least weekly. ( this happens automatically when it's plugged into a computer with the nike application installed on it.)

I notice that some mornings it seems to record a slower pace than my buddies with the garmins. This usually goes away after about a mile or two, but I sometimes need to run an extra quarter mile to wind up with the same distance

Some of the pros.

I like the way it looks better than the garmins. It's also waterproof which is nice

The USB adapter built right into the band is nice. I don't have to bring another cord/charger with me on trips.

They offer both foot pod and non foot pod versions. I don't find that I use my Footpod that much.

 

[kappyfamily]

I LOVE my nike GPS! I've had it for about 18 months. I've done 14 halfs in it and only one time did it not sync at a race. It was a super foggy seattle race.... I just leave my watch plugged into my computer when I'm not running, it works great!

 

[dragitoff]

I have had my nike sportwatch for about 2 and a half years. I run a mix of trials and road and usually run with people that don't have watches. I love my watch but these are some of the cons that I've experienced.

I run in a lot of different locations and seem to have a harder time locating satellites than my buddies with garmins. This problem only occurs if I haven't plugged it into my computer in a week or so. It seems to like have the satellites updated at least weekly. ( this happens automatically when it's plugged into a computer with the nike application installed on it.)

I notice that some mornings it seems to record a slower pace than my buddies with the garmins. This usually goes away after about a mile or two, but I sometimes need to run an extra quarter mile to wind up with the same distance

Some of the pros.

I like the way it looks better than the garmins. It's also waterproof which is nice

The USB adapter built right into the band is nice. I don't have to bring another cord/charger with me on trips.

They offer both foot pod and non foot pod versions. I don't find that I use my Footpod that much.

Thank you for the extremely thorough feedback. I think I'm sold on it. Everything I'm reading is generally positive on it and I spoke with the guy at my local running store, who actually uses Soleius (sp?) and sells Garmin, but he said some of the top runners in his running group use the Nike and swear by it. Yes they say it can occasionally be off a little, but I've encountered the same thing with my Garmins (all three of them) so I think that is common with any GPS watch. I've also lost reception occasionally with them too.

On a weird side note. I plugged my old Garmin 110 back in last night and tried to charge it. This morning it worked fine. The distance was off about 0.02-0.03 miles, but it worked. I'm still getting a new watch this weekend and not taking chances that it'll be working the next time I go for a run. My wife and I will run together tomorrow so I'll have the security blanket of her watch. Saturday morning I'm on my own for 13 miles in a new place I don't run often so I will need a working watch.