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!!!

 

[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

 

[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 go

I 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.