GPS watch for running and cycling

[2seas]

Can someone please recommend a good GPS watch for both running and cycling? For some reason my google search has thrown up a number of specialised running and cycling ones but nothing that seems to encompass both, which is a bit weird as i'm not sure why they would be different?

It needs to have a HR monitor and i'm happy to pay extra for something quality and accurate.

Cheers!

[nick s]

I've just bought a Garmin Forerunner 310. It's a triathlete's one and does running, swimming and cycling and is absolutely perfect. Comes with an HR monitor aswell and as soon as you get back in from your run or cycle, it uploads straight to your PC wirelessly for data anaylsing purposes. all laid out really nicely aswell.
Can't recommend it enough! Slightly pricier than most at around 280 quid. But well worth it!

here's how it displays it, this is from a easy trail run i went on the other day;

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/118109047

[esuuv]

I'd agree - something by garmin, i had a forerunner 305 which I managed to lose recently whilst running a marathon (long story) i had it for about three years and it was brilliant - records as many parameters as you want.

I've replaced it with a 310XT - which is basically the same, apart from it has nicer menus, it vibrates and its waterproof (so you can swim in it) - you can get bike mounts for them, and cadence, speed, power sensors etc.

One of my friends has one of the newer running specific ones which doesnt really have buttons so really doesnt get on with it.

[ChrisMCoupe]

Interested in getting myself a GPS watch also. In simple terms what does the Garmin 310 do that the 305 doesn't. Having had a quick look, the 310 is over twice the price of the 305. Is it worth it for the average runner?

[ChrisMCoupe]

Just made a quick call to the running shop over the road from work (Runners Need) and they said they would price match the Wiggle price for the 310XT, which is £270. Pretty good service considering they have it listed at £330.

If anyone knows of it cheaper online before 17:30 tongiht, please let me know

[2seas]

ChrisMCoupe said:

Just made a quick call to the running shop over the road from work (Runners Need) and they said they would price match the Wiggle price for the 310XT, which is £270. Pretty good service considering they have it listed at £330.

If anyone knows of it cheaper online before 17:30 tongiht, please let me know

it's at 225 on amazon..

[ChrisMCoupe]

2seas said:

it's at 225 on amazon..

Thanks, they matched this price yesterday. Have yet to try it out, but will do a few runs over the weekend so will report back with my initial thoughts

[RobM77]

I was considering a Garmin myself (Forerunner I think). How does the GPS compare with the running apps on my iPhone? I find them frustrating as they don't work under trees etc, so they usually get my average speed and pace completely wrong.

[lost in espace]

Have you considered using runkeeper if you have a smartphone. Very good indeed.

[RobM77]

lost in espace said:

Have you considered using runkeeper if you have a smartphone. Very good indeed.

That's the main one that I've used actually, on my iPhone 3GS. It can't seem to cope when I run under trees. I'm not talking thick forest, just clumps of trees hanging over the pavement or path that I'm running on. (I wear the iPhone visible in an arm strap by the way). These holes in the route result in it cutting off corners of my route and therefore a) inferring I'm slower than I actually am due to it measuring a shorter distance for a given time and b) on the catch up it records daft speeds like 5 minute miles, which are logged as my fastest pace.

I adore the customisable spoken updates though, they're utterly fantastic. It's just a shame that I can't trust what it's telling me.

[2seas]

ChrisMCoupe said:

2seas said:

it's at 225 on amazon..

Thanks, they matched this price yesterday. Have yet to try it out, but will do a few runs over the weekend so will report back with my initial thoughts

I bought one too! Also bought the HR monitor thingy. Despite being a massive sucker I did manage to resist the cadence thingy... result.

[Tiggsy]

RobM77 said:

That's the main one that I've used actually, on my iPhone 3GS. It can't seem to cope when I run under trees. I'm not talking thick forest, just clumps of trees hanging over the pavement or path that I'm running on. (I wear the iPhone visible in an arm strap by the way). These holes in the route result in it cutting off corners of my route and therefore a) inferring I'm slower than I actually am due to it measuring a shorter distance for a given time and b) on the catch up it records daft speeds like 5 minute miles, which are logged as my fastest pace.

I adore the customisable spoken updates though, they're utterly fantastic. It's just a shame that I can't trust what it's telling me.

If you're thinking of updating the 3GS to a 4 or 4S bear in mind it solves the GPS issues.

I use runkeeper for running, cycling and kayaking and the commbo of accurate results, on the fly info and the website cant be beat.

Worth thinking about before you drop similar money of something else.

[RobM77]

Tiggsy said:

RobM77 said:

That's the main one that I've used actually, on my iPhone 3GS. It can't seem to cope when I run under trees. I'm not talking thick forest, just clumps of trees hanging over the pavement or path that I'm running on. (I wear the iPhone visible in an arm strap by the way). These holes in the route result in it cutting off corners of my route and therefore a) inferring I'm slower than I actually am due to it measuring a shorter distance for a given time and b) on the catch up it records daft speeds like 5 minute miles, which are logged as my fastest pace.

I adore the customisable spoken updates though, they're utterly fantastic. It's just a shame that I can't trust what it's telling me.

If you're thinking of updating the 3GS to a 4 or 4S bear in mind it solves the GPS issues.

I use runkeeper for running, cycling and kayaking and the commbo of accurate results, on the fly info and the website cant be beat.

Worth thinking about before you drop similar money of something else.

Great, thanks very much! My girlfriend and I both have the same problems with our 3GSs using RunKeeper or similar. My 4S is in the post though, so I look forward to trying it!

[NDT]

ChrisMCoupe said:

Just made a quick call to the running shop over the road from work (Runners Need) and they said they would price match the Wiggle price for the 310XT, which is £270. Pretty good service considering they have it listed at £330.

If anyone knows of it cheaper online before 17:30 tongiht, please let me know

I just bought a 310xt and some trainers from Runners Need - I'd agree, service there was really good.

[RobM77]

RobM77 said:

Tiggsy said:

RobM77 said:

That's the main one that I've used actually, on my iPhone 3GS. It can't seem to cope when I run under trees. I'm not talking thick forest, just clumps of trees hanging over the pavement or path that I'm running on. (I wear the iPhone visible in an arm strap by the way). These holes in the route result in it cutting off corners of my route and therefore a) inferring I'm slower than I actually am due to it measuring a shorter distance for a given time and b) on the catch up it records daft speeds like 5 minute miles, which are logged as my fastest pace.

I adore the customisable spoken updates though, they're utterly fantastic. It's just a shame that I can't trust what it's telling me.

If you're thinking of updating the 3GS to a 4 or 4S bear in mind it solves the GPS issues.

I use runkeeper for running, cycling and kayaking and the commbo of accurate results, on the fly info and the website cant be beat.

Worth thinking about before you drop similar money of something else.

Great, thanks very much! My girlfriend and I both have the same problems with our 3GSs using RunKeeper or similar. My 4S is in the post though, so I look forward to trying it!

Just a quick update that for the record, yes, the GPS chip in the 4/4S/iPad2 is an upgrade over that in the 3GS. I upgraded to a 4S a few weeks ago at launch and my running app (Runmeter) now works perfectly. Thanks for the tip

[Tiggsy]

cool...google for the heart rate plug in. Just ordered mine and it adds HR monitoring to the phone/runkeeper.

[RobM77]

Tiggsy said:

cool...google for the heart rate plug in. Just ordered mine and it adds HR monitoring to the phone/runkeeper.

Do you think it's worth the hassle of strapping the thing on to yourself? Genuine question - I was thinking about them whilst I was out running last week.

[Tiggsy]

No question, I use it in running to make sure it keeps low so I can cover distance (as I run for endurance, fat loss over time) and I use when running to watch recovery between sets as I do high intervals and need to see when I'm recovered enough.

Also a great guide to your fitness - running a set distance faster doesnt always mean you are getting "fitter" if it kills you! Having a lower average HR over the set distance for a given time is a better guide IMO.

[LotusMartin]

RobM77 said:

Great, thanks very much! My girlfriend and I both have the same problems with our 3GSs using RunKeeper or similar. My 4S is in the post though, so I look forward to trying it!

I can second that - my 3GS was flipp'n terrible with GPS signal when running through woodland with runkeeper - the 4S is totally reliable now - locks on in seconds.

[m444ttb]

I use a Garmin 410. Great piece of kit although I find the battery can be a bit flakey if I don't try and run it down fully and charge over night every week.