Run tracking device - which one?

Yorky1

Until recently I was using a Garmin Forerunner 305 until it stopped working. I've contacted Garmin but will probably have to replace it.

In the meantime, I've been using Map My Run on my smartphone in an armband but would prefer something wrist-mounted.

I don't want to spend too much but want the right device. I'm not sure what to get - a fitness tracker such as FitBit or a GPS watch.

I'm looking for features that will help me increase my 10km time and post on social media etc.

Can anyone provide any advice?

Thanks in advance.

Ms_Dee

My friend has a TomTom one and absolutely loves it, there are a few different models and a variety of colours. You can track your progress through the TomTom MySports app which is available on Android and iPhones/iPads, you can also check your data or set yourself goals through the website as well as the app and share it through different avenues.

Lowest Price to Highest Price
(More details of products on product links)
TomTom Multi-Sport GPS Watch
TomTom Multi Sport
TomTom Multi-Sport Cardio
Cheapest I have seen today 28/03/16 is at John Lewis and they offer fantastic customer support, can be delivered to a Waitrose store or John Lewis.


There is a fantastic page HERE that compares all of the Fitbits, so you can find the correct one for you, if any. I would have thought the Surge would be perfect for your needs as it has everything you need plus more, GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring included.
Cheapest I have found today 28/03/16 is at Currys/PC World. You CAN share via social media, HERE is how.

I think you are looking at £120-£200 for a decent watch that suits and supports your needs. If you are looking to buy today, Easter deals are still on in some stores.

I'm also looking to buy something similar myself, but am undecided at the moment, I'm entering competitions for them in the meantime too, if I were to win one, then it would make my mind up for me. :rotfl:
I hope you find the perfect one for you.
Good Luck!

RichardD1970

I have the Tomtom Spark (Runner 2 Cardio). Comes with or without music player built in. Heart rate monitor without chest strap.

It syncs with Endomondo (which I use) and most of the popular running apps and posts to FB etc. Comfortable to wear all day and seems accurate enough.

Also consider Polar and Garmin (esp as you already have Garmin) see which have the features you want for the price you are willing to pay.

I quite like the look of the Fitbit watches but they are slightly more expensive and weren't around when I got mine.

My brother, who is a serious amateur sportsman has the Polar V800 but that is £360 :eek:

kabayiri

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I have the Tomtom Spark (Runner 2 Cardio). Comes with or without music player built in. Heart rate monitor without chest strap.
...

I also have the Runner 2 (Spark) and really like it.

I was having reliability problems with my garmin and switched to Tom Tom.

That said, if you are really into technical workouts, I think the Garmins have more advanced programs.

Mr_Singleton

Yorky1 wrote: »

Until recently I was using a Garmin Forerunner 305
I'm not sure what to get - a fitness tracker such as FitBit or a GPS watch.

I'm looking for features that will help me increase my 10km time and post on social media etc.

Can anyone provide any advice?

Fitness trackers are rubbish with a cherry on top for any sort of serious running.

As your Garmin FR310 is pre-historic (8 years old??) by tech standards I'm going to assume that you've got a fairly sizeable Garmin Connect history. Would seem silly to throw all that away to go to another platform.

As you say that you're training for a time/distance target then the best features in my view to accomplish that are Virtual Partner & Virtual Racer. Virtual Racer is only available on the FR630 for around £300 but you can get Virtual Partner on the FR620 for around £180.

Mr_Singleton

kabayiri wrote: »

if you are really into technical workouts, I think the Garmins have more advanced programs.

I'm not into technical workouts but having the data really has improved my running.

Run Dynamics seems at first glance to be a bit gimmicky but seeing things like stride length and cadence means I could see that I could either stride further and lower my cadence or vice versa.

kabayiri

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

I'm not into technical workouts but having the data really has improved my running.

Run Dynamics seems at first glance to be a bit gimmicky but seeing things like stride length and cadence means I could see that I could either stride further and lower my cadence or vice versa.

I had a much more pragmatic reason for changing from the Garmin 6xx series to Tom Tom : I couldn't see the info on the screen without my glasses! That's not great when out on a run.

The bigger screen of the Tom Tom helps in this respect. This probably means the Tom Tom is the better watch for me, but it won't apply to others.

Mr_Singleton

kabayiri wrote: »

I couldn't see the info on the screen without my glasses! That's not great when out on a run.

Gosh, no, no, no!

I pretty much never look at my watch (FR630) when running. I do glance at it to see pace or other metrics I'm interested in but thats about it. I find it much better to review the data at home where I can then think on my next run I'll increase or decrease stride length or cadence etc. You can then set audio/visual/vibrate alerts to achieve those goals.

brat

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Gosh, no, no, no!

I pretty much never look at my watch (FR630) when running. I do glance at it....

Your advice seems confused.

I look at my forerunner from time to time while running, that's about all you need to do to check the info you need/want to check at the time. I reduced the number of data fields per screen to two to increase the font size. That makes it easier to read, especially if, like me, you do a fair bit of trail and fell running, so you don't want to take your eyes off your path for longer than necessary.

Mr_Singleton

brat wrote: »

Your advice seems confused..

Only if you have a problem understanding the difference between 'Look' and 'Glance'

brat

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Only if you have a problem understanding the difference between 'Look' and 'Glance'

Hmmm...

A glance is a short look. A look can range from the shortest glance to the longest stare. So it would appear that 'look' doesn't mean what you want it to.

But that wasn't the confusion i was referring to.

Kabayiri wants to increase the size of font on the screen so that they can see it more easily on the move. Telling them "no, no, no!" while doing it yourself seems either confused or arrogant.

The manufacturers design these devices like watches so that you can easily look at them on the move. That's a primary selling feature. Perhaps you didn't realise...;)