Nike SportWatch Powered Included Anthracite
Although the Nike Sportwatch GPS is an excellent choice for any level of runner, it can also be easily used by walkers, bicyclists, and hikers.
The interface is very simple, if not intuitive. The menus are very easy to navigate and contain only useful settings and features. The watch can be set to use GPS, the foot pod, or a combination of the two to measure distance ran. The watch can also be set to timed intervals.
The display is large and easy to read, and can be set to standard black characters with white back drop or inverted. The back-light is activated by flicking or tapping the screen, making it easy to light up while running. The display during the run can display two different sets of data at any time with one set able to be switched during the run. The data to that can be displayed includes: Pace, Speed, Distance, Time Elapsed, Average Pace, Calories Burned, and Clock. Distance can be measured in either standard or metric units.
Another feature that is less functional but still nice is your Records. You can access your total miles ran, fastest mile time, fastest kilometer, your fastest 5k time, your fastest 10k time, and your longest run. Also, you can go to your History and look up your most recent runs.
For tracking distance, the foot pod/GPS combination is very accurate. When GPS signal is weak, the foot pod (a small device that is placed under the insole inside of your shoe) keeps track of the pace you're moving, so when the signal for GPS picks up again it can accurately measure your speed during that signal loss. The foot pod takes some experimenting in finding placement that is not uncomfortable. The best place seems to be the very back of the heal so that more of the back of your foot rather than the bottom of your foot is activating the foot pod with each step. I found this to be the least intrusive place, and it does not bother me while I'm running. The watch has been accurate to the 1/100th of a mile for 8 runs, including through heavily wooded suburban areas.
The way this watch goes above and beyond is when you connect it to your computer. After downloading software from nike plus.com, your watch will automatically upload all of your run data to a profile that you set up. Your profile will display all of your run times, your run routes on a map, your speed during the run, and has a plethora of other features. It can help you set goals with your frequency of running, distance, calories, and speed. You also become connected to the community of Nike runners where you can set team goals, exchange running advice, and download training programs that have specific goals in mind. This is just the surface of the website's functionality.
The watch itself is very sport y looking. It's black face with neon green/yellow back side gives it a very loud look. The band has 9 settings and a very effective clipping system that keeps the strap from flapping loose.
This watch has exceeded my expectations, and while I could do without the the neon coloring, it is a tertiary concern and with little consequence. Stylistically, a lot of people will appreciate it. As far as functionality is concerned, I give it a 11 out of 10. This GPS watch does everything I could want and more.
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I purchased this with buyers remorse. I wouldn't call myself cheap by any means, but more frugal. I decided anyway to drop 200 on this watch and if I didn't like it, simply return it. I coupled this purchase with the polar heart rate monitor, and a holder for the Nike+ sensor.
ReplyDeleteI will say the watch's aesthetics are really nice. Nice clear screen, and you can customize what you see. I am presently using this in Afghanistan and the GPS would not lock on until I updated the firmware. So, with that being said, before your first run, UPDATE THE FIRMWARE! Works flawlessly all the way in the middle of nowhere Afghanistan so I can only imagine how great it works back home in the states.
It seems to be incredibly accurate. Using the GPS and the sensor really ensures that what the watch is displaying is accurate. I was going to buy the Garmin Forerunner, but thankfully, I decided against it.
I would recommend this to anyone in full confidence. It may be expensive for some, but well worth it. Very happy.
To start, I am a recreational runner and typically cover 20 - 25 miles/week. Until now I used a GPS program on my Blackberry to time and measure my runs. It worked okay and provided the basics feedback (distance, pace, calories, etc). It was limited however to about 5 miles before the battery drained. For longer runs I used just a basic sport watch and did the math once I finished. This past week I decided to get the Nike+ watch after reading mixed reviews. Bottom line...I love it. Set up was easy. When I unpacked it I plugged it into the pc to upload the firmware. After that was done I did a few configuration changes to display the distance and pace. Finally I signed up for the free Nike+ online account and I was done. That evening I took it out for a 3 mile run. The distance and pace was recorded perfectly. I sync'd it to my online account (just a matter of plugging it into the USB port) and it showed a wonderful graphic of my route, split times, highest elevation, lowest elevation, slowest and fastest point! And that was just to start. The watch, and online, shows your personal best time, distance, speed, calories, etc. My second run was today...just over 8 miles. Again it recorded wonderfully. Looking at my wrist and receiving instant feedback on distance and pace was great. All the personal best were updated including the best 5k and 10k times. The website even had an olympic runner congratulating me on my "first" 10k. Some watch specifics....
ReplyDeleteAfter my 8.3 mile, 69 minute run the battery was only slightly drained. I read some complaints about the watch clasp but it secures tightly and the plastic band is very comfortable. The usb connector is cleverly hidden and you can plug it into the pc with or without the provided cable. The display is easy to read in bright Arizona sunlight. My first run was at night and a tap of the watch face illuminated the background. The uploads to the website were flawless and you can even view the run history on the watch.
I've had the watch for less that a week but so far it is worthy of 5 stars. After more runs I will update my review if anything negatively occurs. Hope this helps!
I would like to post my personal observations and feelings about this SportWatch.
ReplyDelete1) the band is relatively small. My wrist is not big at all, but I have to close it on a next to last row of holes. This can be an issue for men over 200 pounds or with broad bones.
2) build quality is awesome, the band is comfortable and doesn't become rigid on a hand even at -20C (tested)
3) alarm noise is not loud and it's not ajustable. For me this is a drawback, becase sometimes I can't hear it in the morning.
4) water resistance is enough to forget about the watch while having shower (tested) or visiting hammam (tested). Although I wouldn't risk to swim in it.
5) backlight feature is very cool and usefull
6) GPS satellites are usualy found in 2 minutes in a city, my mobile phome needs much longer time for this. So, compared to Android's Endomondo Nike+ SportWatch is faster, more compact and usefull.
7) charges from USB, no batteries needed.
By the way, thank you Nike for an USB cable provided!
I like this watch so much that I often wear it with business clothes without hesitation. In my opinion it's a great gift both for men and women.
I waited several weeks, 58 miles, and wearing everyday to review this watch. I was worried about some negative reviews but so far it has surpassed my expectations. The satellite links quickly, heart rate monitor works great, and the shoe pod is a nice backup. I run alot on treadmills and the shoe pod was a must because I wanted to track my runs indoors as well. The battery life is outstanding (several 9 mile runs and no problem) and if you turn off the GPS you can wear it for days as regular watch. I have average size wrists so it fits right and looks awesome. If you are a big person wih large wrists it may be a little snug...if you have tiny wrists it would be difficult to wear it daily. The Nike dashboard is cool and I love all the stats. hard not to like it...we will see about durability but so far so good. If you want a cool lookijng, functional running watch...don't wait..get it...I chose the all black model.
ReplyDeleteI've run 6 marathons so far (a little over 1 per year), and always love to have new technology to play with during training. I bought the Nike Sportwatch shortly after it came out. I was not impressed. It really liked a lot of critical features, and the website was constantly having issue.
ReplyDeleteMultiple months and 600+ mileson it later, I'm happy to say that I really enjoy it. Nike has been incredible about this launch. Every couple of months they've continuously added more and more new features. The website is still slow, but they are launching a new one in ealy 2012. The new features on this watch put it among the best out there.
New features:
- Walk/Run timer (interval timer as well)
- Avg, Pace
- Improved Mapping
- Set time on the device (no computer needed)
- Incredibly fast satellite connection (even in the city)
- Auto calibration of foot pod
- Faster upload speeds to add your runs
- Integration with Facebook
All in all, a great watch. This one will work for new runners and advanced runners. The only people that this isn't a great choice or is ultramarathon ruuners. Battery life with GPS is 8-10 hours...not long enough for a 50-80 KM.
Having owned Polar RS800, Polar RCX5, Garmin 305, Garmin 310XT, and Garmin 210, I would put this up there as one of my faorites. The website is the best one out there, and the sites detailed training programs are worth using to achieve your best time yet.