Running - Nike+ or GPS watch with heartrate

[Sideways Rich]

I was training for a marathon until I broke my ankle which somewhat scuppered my plans, I'm now back on my feet and ready to train.

Whilst training before I was using the Nike+ Ipod connection to measure distance covered and pace etc, I'm not convinced it was entirely accurate.

Can anyone recommend a GPS watch with a heart-rate monitor built in for running?

[thehawk]

Never used one, but the Garmin ones look very good and their stuff is usually very good quality.

[Rich_AR]

I've got a Polar RS300sd HRM watch. You have a choice of GPS or footpod for the speed/distance measurement. I went for the footpod as I didn't want the GPS thing strapped to my arm.

I also purchased the Polar Link device, which uploads from the wtch onto the Polartraining.com server to keep track.

Overall, its a nice piece of kit, well made and I paid about 180 GBP off Amazon.co.uk. Alot cheaper than they are here in Singapore!

My partner has the Nike+ watch thingy, its ok, lot cheaper but no HRM feature. She finds it easy to use.

Depends how serious you want to and how much you want to spend!

[anonymous-user]

i use a garmin forerunner 305. my training has improved so muc hsince i started using it, just having real time pace displayed is very helpful but getting home and looking at the heart rate trendline is interesting they can be had for under £150

[esuuv]

I have a 305 too - really useful, and the garmin webasite connect.garmin.com is much better than it used to be and really useful for keeping track.

There are newer / much smaller models out now though - do the same job - but you're looking at more like £250.

[ewenm]

Garmin stuff is good but like all GPS-based systems can struggle with signal if you run through woods a lot. My two methods of determining distance are to use MapMyRun.com afterward the run or use the FootPod with my Suunto heart rate monitor for in-run information (useful for when doing 10 x 1k-on-1k-off along the old railway).

IMO spending a bit of time with your local 1:25000 OS map planning a variety of routes is time well spent. You'll know up front how long they are, get to explore different footpaths, and not need a big investment in technology (although shiny kit is always good ).

[Mark-C]

I've got a Garmin 405 and have borrowed a friends 305 HRM and they work fine together. Although the 405 is smaller\neater than the 305 a lot of people prefer the latter because it's cheaper and has a bigger screen that can get a bit ore info on it.

The most useful feature I find on the Garmin is being able to glance quickly and see current rate in minutes/mile.

[a boardman]

this company seem to have a good selection and prices seem quite good as well.

http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/index.html

[neenaw]

I've been using the Garmin Forerunner 110. It's a great piece of kit, pretty simple to use and accurate.

It doesn't have the whistles and bells of the dearer models but I don't need those things n