GPS watches - Running

[X5211]

I have been training for a marathon for a couple of months and now fancy getting myself a watch. I have been mainly looking at the Garmin FR 15, FR220 and FR620.. Any recommendations of others to look at. I don't really need load of fancy features or want it too bulky/heavy.

[Z4monster]

I got the TomTom Runner Cardio GPS Watch for Chrimbo and like it. It's probably a little bigger than the ones you mention but there is a version without HRM which is cheaper. The software is good and links instantly from Mytomtom to Runkeeper which I've used for a while.
Good functionality on it and does what I want.

My only snag was that the software doesn't work with my phone so I have to Connnect via USB to my laptop once I get home. However as it gets charged this way it's not really an issue.

Just need to remember to stop it at the finish line when I do Parkrun. Alkways forgot on my phone and now do the same with the watch.

[272BHP]

What do people use GPS watches for? surely for running a normal sports watch is all that is required unless you are testing new routes?

Genuinely curious.

[addey]

I've recently got a Polar M400 which I'm very pleased with so far. I did a bit of research (mainly on this site http://www.dcrainmaker.com/ which has very comprehensive reviews). I like the fact you can configure the data screens to show the info that you want on a run. I can sync with my phone via Bluetooth straight after a run or download via USB to the laptop and the Polar website seems quite good with plenty of info. You can get them for about £120 so I'm not sure what extra you get when spending £200+

272BHP said:

What do people use GPS watches for? surely for running a normal sports watch is all that is required unless you are testing new routes?

Genuinely curious.

Accurate real-time speed and distance

[AndStilliRise]

I use a Garmin 405 which has been replaced with a new model now. Had mine for 4/5 yrs now and love it. Gsrmin support have also been excellent on the times I had to use them, even the out of warranty times!

At some stage I fancy a Garmin 620 due to the metrics it provides.

[272BHP]

addey said:

Accurate real-time speed and distance

I would question the accuracy of most of these devices though, I have run with a few guys who had different GPS systems and some differed by about 200M over a 5K run.

And why do you need real-time speed and distance info? how many routes do you run? if you really want to test yourself over a set distance then surely finding a running track is the best solution? no two road routes are the same as the profiles would be completely different - a track at least is accurate and flat.

I have a favourite little uphill interval section that I regularly run, I would estimate it to be about 600M but it could be anything from 580M to 620M - does it matter? - not a jot, all that matters is if I can match or exceed the times I usually do.

I like a gadget as much as the next man, but the data these devices put out just add complexity for no real gain.

[AndStilliRise]

272BHP said:

I would question the accuracy of most of these devices though, I have run with a few guys who had different GPS systems and some differed by about 200M over a 5K run.

And why do you need real-time speed and distance info? how many routes do you run? if you really want to test yourself over a set distance then surely finding a running track is the best solution? no two road routes are the same as the profiles would be completely different - a track at least is accurate and flat.

I have a favourite little uphill interval section that I regularly run, I would estimate it to be about 600M but it could be anything from 580M to 620M - does it matter? - not a jot, all that matters is if I can match or exceed the times I usually do.

I like a gadget as much as the next man, but the data these devices put out just add complexity for no real gain.

On the Garmin there is a VR partner. You can set it so that it will run at a desired pace and you can then measure your progress against it. For instance running a marathon in 3hrs 30 min is 8 minute miles.

One less thing to think about I guess but helps me run at desired paces.

[ewenm]

272BHP said:

What do people use GPS watches for? surely for running a normal sports watch is all that is required unless you are testing new routes?

Genuinely curious.

With all the online resources now (Strava etc) people like stats more than ever. A GPS watch allows you to upload your data and compare it to yourself and others. That can be motivating to get people out running more.

I tend to find my GPS watch most useful for doing tempo runs (so a good sustained pace on a flat traffic-free route). You're right that the readings are sometimes a bit weird but it gives me a good idea of pace in the effort. A normal stopwatch is enough for track sessions (time per lap is my metric there) or steady running (run to feel rather than specific paces).

[Nimby]

272BHP said:

What do people use GPS watches for? surely for running a normal sports watch is all that is required unless you are testing new routes?

Genuinely curious.

Orienteering. (Yes it's a running sport.) Afterwards you can upload your route choice to Routegadget and compare with other runners, or just see where you went wrong. You aren't allowed to use GPS during the race to navigate.

[Sarkmeister]

272BHP said:

What do people use GPS watches for? surely for running a normal sports watch is all that is required unless you are testing new routes?

Genuinely curious.

As mentioned above, nobody uses then for actual route finding (ie telling you where to go). I use mine for all the reasons mentioned so far, along with interval training (it will prompt me to go faster/slower and set a target pace for each).

It is easy to become a little bit obsessed with the data the watch is showing, so I sometimes run without it. However, I probably wear it 9 times out of time as I enjoy keeping an accurate record of the runs I have done.

[SimesJH]

I only use a GPS watch for swimming (Garmin Swim) and although they seem a gimmick, it logs my lengths, distance, stroke rate, stroke efficiency and a few other things that I simply cannot do in my head.

The watch has improved my swimming a lot and takes much of the guesswork out of things.

I imagine the running watches do similar.

Very impressed by the Garmin product.

[chris_c201]

I got the Garmin Forerunner 210 last year and very impressed with it. Massively motivating when running on my own as i always know my pace and whether i'm on track for PB's etc.

Went from going for general jogs to consistently pushing myself to try and break arbitrary targets i set myself.

HRM also a good way of tracking exertion, fitness improvements and calories burned.

Garmin connect for logging activities and comparing splits over the same routes etc also a useful tool.

All in all c£100 well spent!
Chris

ETA - Reason i went for this watch was that it's small and i actually wear it as my day to day watch as well.

Edited by chris_c201 on Monday 16th February 13:14

[Sarkmeister]

SimesJH said:

I only use a GPS watch for swimming (Garmin Swim) and although they seem a gimmick, it logs my lengths, distance, stroke rate, stroke efficiency and a few other things that I simply cannot do in my head.

The watch has improved my swimming a lot and takes much of the guesswork out of things.

I imagine the running watches do similar.

Very impressed by the Garmin product.

The Garmin Swim watches don't use GPS (difficult to get a signal inside). They use an accelerometer type thing to work out your stroke rate and when it thinks you turn in the pool.

[Roger645]

Sarkmeister said:

SimesJH said:

I only use a GPS watch for swimming (Garmin Swim) and although they seem a gimmick, it logs my lengths, distance, stroke rate, stroke efficiency and a few other things that I simply cannot do in my head.

The watch has improved my swimming a lot and takes much of the guesswork out of things.

I imagine the running watches do similar.

Very impressed by the Garmin product.

The Garmin Swim watches don't use GPS (difficult to get a signal inside). They use an accelerometer type thing to work out your stroke rate and when it thinks you turn in the pool.

Not sure about the Swim watches but the Fenix 2 uses GPS for open water swim. I have not yet tried out how accurate it is yet though.

[Sarkmeister]

Roger645 said:

Not sure about the Swim watches but the Fenix 2 uses GPS for open water swim. I have not yet tried out how accurate it is yet though.

Yep, my Garmin 910XT can use GPS for open water, though it doesnt work very well as my hand is in the water most of the time. Works better under my swim cap but I'm convinced I'll lose it doing that.

The Garmin Swim watches, and the 910XT when in the pool, don't use GPS. The technique it uses is still very accurate if you consistently swim up and down. It just gets a bit confused when you have to stop half way because you are about to crash into someone.

[EdJ]

Z4monster said:

I got the TomTom Runner Cardio GPS Watch for Chrimbo and like it. It's probably a little bigger than the ones you mention but there is a version without HRM which is cheaper. The software is good and links instantly from Mytomtom to Runkeeper which I've used for a while.
Good functionality on it and does what I want.

My only snag was that the software doesn't work with my phone so I have to Connnect via USB to my laptop once I get home. However as it gets charged this way it's not really an issue.

Just need to remember to stop it at the finish line when I do Parkrun. Alkways forgot on my phone and now do the same with the watch.

I've got the same watch. It's brilliant and I love not having to wear a chest strap for my HR.

[ATG]

I used to use a Suunto X10 GPS watch. Battery is now dead and case has failed. Real shame. Very nearly a great bit of kit. It was a proper navigation tool. You could upload routes, it would give distance and bearings and talked OSGB grid refs so it was easy to use with a map. you could also use it to record routes and therefore help track exercise. If you're objective is to go run 10km to control the size of your gut and aren't too bothered about shaving 10s off your PB, then having a watch that tells you how far you've gone is handy. You just scoot out the door in whatever direction you want and keep going until you've racked up the distance.

[Roger645]

Sarkmeister said:

Roger645 said:

Not sure about the Swim watches but the Fenix 2 uses GPS for open water swim. I have not yet tried out how accurate it is yet though.

Yep, my Garmin 910XT can use GPS for open water, though it doesnt work very well as my hand is in the water most of the time. Works better under my swim cap but I'm convinced I'll lose it doing that.

The Garmin Swim watches, and the 910XT when in the pool, don't use GPS. The technique it uses is still very accurate if you consistently swim up and down. It just gets a bit confused when you have to stop half way because you are about to crash into someone.

Given my swim speed mine will be permanently confused! I had a quick look at the manual and it says for indoor swim you just set the pool length and it works out the rest.

[Sarkmeister]

Roger645 said:

Given my swim speed mine will be permanently confused! I had a quick look at the manual and it says for indoor swim you just set the pool length and it works out the rest.

I'm not the greatest swimmer either. It's quite worrying when I spend 45mins doing front crawl, and when I upload the data it thinks I did some of it breaststroke.

[Sarkmeister]

Apologies for going on about swimming on a running watch thread, anyway...

I personally would just go with the best Garmin model you can afford. I've never had any problems with mine, and neither has anyone else I know in the running club. They also seem the most compatible with places to upload on the internet.

The 620 is lovely, but may be over the top if you dont need all the extra data.

The lowest models dont have proper customisable interval training functions, so check this if you do this type of running.