Running watch recommendations

[Tam]

I’m looking for a watch to buy as a Christmas present – for a 20-year old boy who does lots of long-ish distance running so I want something that can be used for timing runs, comparing best times and stuff like that. Also needs to be waterproof, easy to read in the dark, big enough buttons to use with cold fingers, and not too expensive. So, if there are any runners on here, all recommendations would be very welcome.

Thanks
Tam

[Parsnip]

I have always sworn by Garmin stuff - most of the decent GPS running watches out there are pretty similar in terms of performance, but the build and quality of the Garmin, along with the brilliant Training Centre software is hard to beat IMO.

I use an old Garmin Forerunner 405 and my only slight gripe is that I would prefer more proper buttons rather than the touch bezel, but it isn't the end of the world, and it would look ridiculous with 6 buttons I suppose - I hardly play with it when running anyway - you can customise what the screen shows you and then just leave it.

What's the budget?

Edited by Parsnip on Wednesday 14th December 09:48

[Tam]

Sadly my budget is a bit below that - I was hoping for about £100

[nick s]

If you can stretch to about 120 quid., then get a Garmin forerunner 305. Brilliant bit of kit. I have the updated Forerunner 310xt and it's amazing. You can analyze every part of your run on the pc after, and it maps your whole route out for you. Definitely recomended! Check Amazon aswell as they are always the most competitive i find!

[Parsnip]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0012XKD24/ref=asc_df_B...

Amazon have a 405 for £120 without the HRM strap - which you can buy separately should he fancy it at a later date. Personally, I would avoid the 305 - it is mahoosive - but I do have little girl wrists.

They also make a few lower budget ones (like the 110) around the £100 mark without the HRM strap, but I can't say I have tried any of them, so wouldn't like to comment, but as I said, the quality of Garmin's stuff and the software package they give you is top notch.

Anopther thing to consider, if he already uses a HRM, he may already have a strap that works with a Garmin, but you would need to check - I know my old Nike and Polar straps worked with the other device, but not with the Garmin.

[Tam]

Many thanks for all your help.

Bit of a detour here - I've been looking at Amazon, and I saw this Timex: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Timex-T5K507SU-Ironman-Tap...

Could it be used as a runners watch? Or would I be better off paying more and getting a Garmin?

[esuuv]

Another vote for garmin here.

You can get the 205 for about 80 quid on Amazon, does exactly the same tracking as the 305, it just isnt compatible with the HRM stuff - still works with all the same software etc.

I honestly dont think you can do better for less than £100 - i had a 305 that was brilliant (until i lost it) - i considered a 405 but didnt like the silly touch bezel thing - I now have a 310XT which is very clever but a little out of the price range.

The 205 / 305 is pretty big but you really dont notice it once you're running - and makes the buttons easier to press.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Forerunner-205-Pers...

[Parsnip]

Tam said:

Many thanks for all your help.

Bit of a detour here - I've been looking at Amazon, and I saw this Timex: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Timex-T5K507SU-Ironman-Tap...

Could it be used as a runners watch? Or would I be better off paying more and getting a Garmin?

Basically any watch will work as a runners watch - if you are a track runner, or happen to have mile markers on your local training loop then a stopwatch and a excel sheet after your run will tell you all you need to know.

What the GPS does is tell you your pace and distance travelled on the fly - really, really useful and something I would struggle to run without now that I have got so used to it - the days of using google maps and guessing pacing are long gone. Not to mention the "ooh" factor of playing back a run afterwards with google maps as a reference: http://connect.garmin.com/player/109693753 - handy to see where you were slow/too fast, but more than anything, the geek in me loves it

I would say avoid the Timex - it seems to be just a very expensive (probably due to the IM name) stopwatch. Either a low end Polar HRM which will do the same as the Timex and give you heart rate or bite the bullet and go for the bells and whistles GPS.

[andy_s]

Myself and my wife run, (I'll not say 'compete' - we're there to make others look good), mountain marathons, ultras and multi-day ultras and consequently train pretty much daily.

I'm old school and have a mechanical centre minute chronograph and mental arithmetic, but my wife has a Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS watch which she finds very useful; virtual pacer, on the fly speed, button operated, downloadable tracking, records of previous runs, mile split times etc etc, all you need without heart monitor levels of tech and for about a ton.

[Tam]

I think a Garmin does look a better choice - just need to decide which one now!

[Rolls]

Garmin IMO - great for connecting up to connect, and properly analysing all of your runs