GPS watches for running

[poke2001]

we discussed activity trackers a week or so ago, now I'd like some opinions on GPS watches. I currently use my iPhone during runs for music, but use my Fitbit app or sometimes mapmyrun for distance, pace, etc. I'm a gadget person so I've been looking at the various watches. My problem is, I'll probably still have my phone for music, but want something I can watch my current pace. I've got a habit of speeding up too much at times and wearing down faster....and, like I said, I like gadgets.

I've looked at the Garmin Foreruuner 220 (much more than I need, now, at least) and the Suunto Ambit2 R. Both are in the $225-$250 range. Honestly, I wouldn't mind one that looks decent enough to wear as a regular watch as well.

So, anyone use a gps watch they like?

 

[OSUDD]

Since you are a gadget guy, have you considered the Apple Watch? If you have Bluetooth headphones you can leave your phone behind

 

[poke2001]

Since you are a gadget guy, have you considered the Apple Watch? If you have Bluetooth headphones you can leave your phone behind

I thought you had to have phone with the Apple watch. It can store a playlist? I have looked at that, I just hate going that high in price, but I guess I'd get more use than just running.

 

[poke2001]

I just looked it up. You can put music on it, but it doesn't have a gps, I would need the phone still. That seems to be a miss by Apple. Maybe their gen 2 will have that fixed.

I like apple products, but I don't get the watch yet. I just got excited, but then let down after digging further.

 

[OSUDirt]

I use a Nike watch that I believe is made by TomTom. Works great. You can set it up to show whatever you wanna see while running. I've got it showing pace and mileage. And have it set up so it beeps every mile, but you can customize that. Got it at a Nike outlet store for around $100. Totally recommend it.

 

[OSUDD]

Yeah it doesn't have GPS but it's actually quite accurate with distance etc. I run the same route every time out and Runkeeper has it as 4.2 miles, Apple Watch as 4.4 miles but since it gets better each time you use it it's getting closer to 4.2. You don't however get to map your routes or anything without the phone

 

[poke2001]

Does it show route or just calculate distance based off of steps and accelerometer? How would it get better without calibrating against an actual GPS (the Ambit2 R calibrated itself against the gps to give fairly accurate distance indoors).

 

[poke2001]

Google is my friend. So, it works like the Ambit2, you have to use the phone a couple of times to calibrate your stride at various paces. I guess that would be ok...although I sort of like seeing the actual route i took, to store for later runs.

I'll have to consider that I suppose. I really like the Garmin Forerunner 220, but $250ish for something is only wear 4 times or so during a week is tough to justify. I'd love an everyday watch that has this functionality, the Apple watch would have the added benefit of not needing the phone on me...

 

[PDT816]

I'm not sure what you gain by adding a watch if you've already taking your cell phone with you on runs. Most running apps will do everything and more if you buy the premium license and it's ~$20 instead of $250

 

[poke2001]

For one, I like gadgets, but the phone isn't really convenient to look at while running since it is strapped to my arm or in a pocket. I'd like to get realtime feedback on pace, distance, heart rate etc. the various apps I've used all give feedback, but at predefined intervals.

The one thing I like about the Garmin 220 is the vibration alerts you can set for low or high pace and heart rate. I can't really get that with a phone, without constantly watching.

I guess the reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet is that I do have the phone with me which gives me all the info I need after a run and periodically during the run, the little bit more a watch will give probably isn't worth the money.

 

[PDT816]

I can set the interval to whatever I want on my running app for audio feedback through by bluetooth headphones. You might check your settings.

From everything I've read, all the HRM on watches blow goats as well. I'd like nothing better to ditch my chest strap hrm, but they appear to still be the only accurate option.

 

[OSUDD]

Yeah I haven't really gotten into the HRM on the Apple Watch yet. From what I understand it's pretty good but haven't figured out the way to use historical run data to show heart rate etc

 

[PDT816]

The Apple watch is terrible in the middle of a workout. We played around with our buddy's yesterday and it was off by 45 bpm while running on the treadmill.

I'm not bashing Apple, they are all that bad if they have optical sensors when you are moving

 

[poke2001]

Well, so far seems like just sticking with phone is the best for me.

 

[NeekReevers]

Well, so far seems like just sticking with phone is the best for me.

I run 5 times a week and just purchased a Garmin Vivoactive and love it, I've owned a Forerunner 205 and 210, and both were good watches. I was figuring on upgrading to the 220 when I stumbled across it. It's Garmins first stab at a smart watch. It has the running capabilities of the forerunner series, fitness and activity monitoring, and some smart watch features like receiving texts, calendar alerts, etc. For me, I was mainly concerned about the running features and the rest is just a bonus. It's about the same price as the 220 and IMO makes the 220 obsolete. Also has golf gps apps if you're into that.

Here's a good review of it and this site has great fitness gadget reviews in general.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/04/garmin-vivoactive-in-depth-review.html