GPS watch - worth it?

ninjablossom

I have the Garmin 210 - love it. The running app's started going wonky. Run Keeper was telling me I ran 12k in 20 mins etc. Uploading it via the PC and keeping the log is easy and it's easy to track progress. I also use it when cycling.

Sammy_J

Hi all,

Having reviewed several watches I've decided to buy my fianc! the Garmin Forerunner 910xt. I see you can buy an optional foot pod to go with it, but wondered if it adds much. Does anyone know if it's worth getting a foot pod to go with the watch? Thanks in advance for any advice!

donglemouse

i don't have a foot pod - but my understanding is the main use is if you want to measure cadence i.e. number of strides per minute

if that's something you think it would be helpful to monitor for performance buy one, if you couldn't give a hoot about cadence you probably don't need one

just my understanding - foot pod owners can probably tell you more

pinkmami

Best thing I bought was the Garmin 10. Use it every run & wouldn;t be without.

Idiophreak

If you're interested in data, I'd say get the watch - it will be more accurate and easier to use while running than your phone.

I think there's a lot to be said, however, for running without any kind of data collection...frees you from the pressure to keep to a pace, allows you to use your eyes to see the country and generally...enjoy running more.

I run with my watch 90% of the time, but always make sure I do the occasional one just for fun.

elsie1985

they are essential if you run often. i run a lot of off road miles so you really need one to know exactly how far you have run. i wouldnt say the heart rate monitors are essential as you know in yourself how hard you are working. there are a few online training logs like runningahead where you can write up all of your runs with time distance whether it was a pb or not and then how you felt etc. you can also put in swimming biking weights. i used to write everythiing in a4 books but this was too difficult to keep track of

elsie1985

also if you do any kind of races and there are any signs saying how many miles/k you have done you can always get that data from your watch to see how long there is to go

Johnmcl7

G_Model101 wrote: »

I've never owned one. I see it as a case of, if you've never had one, you won't miss it.

Do you guys who own them just look at the data on the watch or does it draw up spreadsheets to be viewed online and other mental stats related stuff to view on a pc?

I use a similar device for cycling (Garmin Edge 800) and the reason I use one is a mix of both, the primary advantage over a phone or similar is that I can have it mounted on the handlebars and keep an eye on the live data. You can of course look at the data afterwards on a phone just as easily but I prefer a dedicated GPS device because if the phone runs out of power and I need it in an emergency I'm stuffed whereas if the GPS device loses power that's more an annoyance.

I find it useful having the data while cycling as I've a good idea what pace I can manage so I can keep an eye on the speed and distance to stick with that. Conversely when I did a 20 mile walk/30 mile cycle event, I just used a phone in my pocket to track it and didn't check my pace often enough so ended up going too slowly for the first half.

I'm not in any way saying you must have a GPS device on you, I know plenty of people who don't and aren't at all interested in the data but for me I like to have the data while going along and keep a record of it all afterwards.

John

puppey

How much on average are these watches? When I go for runs around the campus, I have the nike run app on my iphone which tracks where I'm running, I never really thought of upgrading to a watch though.

Idiophreak

puppey wrote: »

How much on average are these watches? When I go for runs around the campus, I have the nike run app on my iphone which tracks where I'm running, I never really thought of upgrading to a watch though.

Decent ones are between, say, £80 and £200 depending on your requirements.