Which Running Watch? Opinions please

[marathonmommy]

Really only need one for distance and pace . . .
I would like it to be very accurate with distance.
I am a slow runner and want to get faster , so don't want it to be too dependent on my calibration.
Would like to spend less than $250 . . . opinions please.

 

[Sandy321]

I'd ask on the WISH event/comp thread - many WISHers use Garmins, but I'm not sure which one...

 

[clarabelle]

Not quite what you are asking -but I do enjoy my Nike +
If you already have an I-pod it may be worth looking into

It tells me how far I have gone and at what pace

It does not have a heart rate monitor

 

[crashbb]

For more accurate speed/distance, I'd suggest a Garmin rather than Nike. Garmin uses GPS whilst Nike is basically a fancy pedometer and is very dependent on calibration. If you always run on the same surface, Nike is fairly accurate, but if you sometimes do hills or trails or anything that changes your gait from the normal flat road, it isn't as accurate.

There are a few models (with and without heart rate monitors) but you can definitely get one for under $250.

 

[lil mermaid]

I have a Garmin Forerunner 305 with the heart rate monitor. I got it for Christmas 2008 and love it. Very easy to use, no problems. You can get one on Amazon now for $167.

There are other models of Garmin Forerunners that have more features but they cost more than $250. I have found that the 305 works great for me and gives me all the info that I need.

 

[FireDancer]

If you are looking for accurate distance and time go with a Garmin. Any that fits your budget and has GPS will do the trick. As you go up in price you add some features like a heart rate monitor, saved profile maps, lighter weight, smaller size, or the ability to upload saved runs to websites. All you need though is an entry level or even used Garmin that includes GPS.

Keep in mind that they will not be 100% accurate, especially if the run you are doing is not in a straight line. Consumer GPS units are slightly decalibrated so they can't be used for precision targeting. In a car a couple of feet or yards isn't noticeable but when it comes to running it could mean a tenth of a mile or so. As long as you use the watch often and for races you will always be comparing apples to apples since the unit will have the relative same level of accuracy for all runs.

 

[OK!]

On the off chance you happen to have an iPhone, there's also an app called RunMeter that's supposed to be the best of the apps in terms of accurately calculating distance, pace, speed, etc. It uses the iPhone's GPS to map routes and can compare them to past runs.

I bought it and haven't used it yet (weather's been too cold/gross/rainy); I really wish I'd had it during the WDW half-marathon! It would have been cool to see the route as I went. I'm going to be training for the full marathon in 2011 and considered getting one of the Garmin Forerunner watches, but then found this app for $4.99 and that sealed the deal. I'm really curious to see how well it works.

 

[clarabelle]

ohh
I might try that
I am not good with watches -I need a touch screen!
I seem to always push the wrong button on a watch or HRM