Nike and Tom Tom launch Garmin killer?

copacetic

http://electricpig.co.uk/2011/01/06/nike-sportwatch-gps-sports-watch-review-first-look/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+electricpig+%28Electricpig.co.uk%3A+The+UK%27s+fastest+growing+tech+news+site%29

About time someone launched a decent competitor for the garmin. Someone needed to give them a kick on.
Looks good to me depending on price and feature list, not sure on tap screen to lap.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/nike-sportwatch-gps-with-tomtom-hands-on/
http://gizmodo.com/5725655/nike%252B-sportwatch-gps-is-powered-by-tomtom

mloc123

GPS works in combination with a shoe sensor to keep logging your location even when you're running in the city

Wonder what that is about.. hanging onto the nike+ aspect of the runners maybe.

copacetic

mloc123 wrote: »

Wonder what that is about.. hanging onto the nike+ aspect of the runners maybe.

similar to the garmin footpod, it'll still work with nike+ in your shoes if you want to run indoors also I guess. Treadmill running is the real need for it I guess but possible it will help fill in blanks in gps coverage where a garmin would just draw a straight line to the point you come back into coverage the nike could draw a wavy one equivalent to what the shoes said.

Properly calibrated nike+ in shoes along with the gps watch should give very accurate results.

robinph

Tap to lap.

Were they not paying attention to the great "features " of the 405?

The 3 month battery life is just someone miss quoting from the wrong part of the spec sheet. Once you actually use it for anything other than telling the time the battery life will be back to measured in hours. Using USB interface is good though and probably helps with the battery.

copacetic

robinph wrote: »

Tap to lap.

Were they not paying attention to the great "features " of the 405?

Hopefully you can lock it off, I only enable the bezel on my 405 to switch to training and then disable it straight away. Even then it can be difficult to get it to change modes again at the end of a run.

At least Garmin kept important things like lap to a button I guess.

clubcard

It looks good but doubth it works well.polar tried and failed.I can't see anyone getting near Garmin,too many satelites in the sky;)

copacetic

clubcard wrote: »

It looks good but doubth it works well.polar tried and failed.I can't see anyone getting near Garmin,too many satelites in the sky;)

everyone uses the same sats and tom tom are pretty good at the sat nav end of things.

clubcard

I was told when i returned my polar this was the reason why it wassn't picking up the signal

Krusty_Clown

It sounds pretty good.. Will reserve judgement until the reviews come in.

There is already a decent competitor to the Garmin though, in the form of the Timex Ironman GPS. Not sure that it offers much more than the Garmin range though, arriving on the scene on somewhat of a similar footing.

Krusty_Clown

clubcard wrote: »

I was told when i returned my polar this was the reason why it wassn't picking up the signal

Lol. Someone's taking the pi$$.

robinph

clubcard wrote: »

I was told when i returned my polar this was the reason why it wassn't picking up the signal

Someone didn't have a clue what they are talking about.

There are one set of US military satellites up there, plus a couple of EU and Russian ones but they don't really count. They are all transmitting a bunch of data as they fly over head, the Garmin/ TomTom/ whatever all receive this same data and use that to figure out where you are (they even all have pretty much the same hardware inside to do this).

There is no transmitting of where you are going on, the Garmin/ Tom Tom/ whatever is just like an FM Radio in that respect, anyone can pick up the radio signal bur RTE have no idea who it is that is that is doing so. The same with the GPS signals.

Krusty_Clown

robinph wrote: »

There is no transmitting of where you are going on, the Garmin/ Tom Tom/ whatever is just like an FM Radio in that respect, anyone can pick up the radio signal bur RTE have no idea who it is that is that is doing so. The same with the GPS signals.

Don't be telling lies robinph. Everyone knows the government can track you using your GPS receiver. I work for the government as an athlete tracker. That's why I'm always promoting Garmins. They're the easiest to track.

huskerdu

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Don't be telling lies robinph. Everyone knows the government can track you using your GPS receiver. I work for the government as an athlete tracker. That's why I'm always promoting Garmins. They're the easiest to track.

Well they might if they had a coherent IT policy and a proper computer infrastructure, but they dont, so in Ireland we are all safe from goverment tracking.

Krusty_Clown

huskerdu wrote: »

Well they might if they had a coherent IT policy and a proper computer infrastructure, but they dont, so in Ireland we are all safe from goverment tracking.

Sure all I need is Garmin Connect, Notepad, a UHF aerial and my tinfoil hat. I see you are home right now. Krusty knows all. :eek:

robinph

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Don't be telling lies robinph. Everyone knows the government can track you using your GPS receiver. I work for the government as an athlete tracker. That's why I'm always promoting Garmins. They're the easiest to track.

That's why I have multiple GPS devices on me at a time, so that they all interfere with each other and you can no longer track me as I go on my evil missions. Muhahahaha!

Otherwise you'd be able to track the fillings in my teeth, and I can't be having that.

Krusty_Clown

Another preview of the Nike+ Sportswatch GPS. $200, which seems like a good price. Looks like they may be competing in the entry level Forerunner 110 type market. Full review in a couple of weeks.


Compatible with the Nike+/Apple footpod (which personally I don't rate at all).

mloc123

I see Lance has one already based on his twitter anyway

TFBubendorfer

mloc123 wrote: »

I see Lance has one already based on his twitter anyway

I bet he did not have to pay for it, though

mloc123

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I bet he did not have to pay for it, though

Maybe not with cash but I am sure he gave up another bit of his soul for it

irlirishkev

Bought one of these and it arrived today. It's my first gps watch so I've nothing to compare it to, but I have to say I'm very impressed so far. It does everything I was looking for and more. Happy days!

copacetic

Interested to see how it works out for you, the FR 601 release has possibly taken the lead again for me in potential 401 replacements

mloc123

I don't think this has been posted in here, so...

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/04/brief-look-at-nike-sportwatch-gps.html

Krusty_Clown

copacetic wrote: »

Interested to see how it works out for you, the FR 601 release has possibly taken the lead again for me in potential 401 replacements

In my mind there just isn't enough to warrant upgrading from my 405 (as I just don't to the tunney-level of data analysis), so until my 405 breaks, I'm happy with the one I have. I do reckon the watch will ultimately break though. With 6,582 miles it's already had a solid innings.

copacetic

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

In my mind there just isn't enough to warrant upgrading from my 405 (as I just don't to the tunney-level of data analysis), so until my 405 breaks, I'm happy with the one I have. I do reckon the watch will ultimately break though. With 6,582 miles it's already had a solid innings.

Possibly not, but it looks much better has an extra data field and no touch bezel!!! My bezel really gets to me, only enable it to get in and out of training mode and even then it can be erratic.

godtabh

irlirishkev wrote: »

Bought one of these and it arrived today. It's my first gps watch so I've nothing to compare it to, but I have to say I'm very impressed so far. It does everything I was looking for and more. Happy days!

Were did you get it?

plodder

I don't mind the bezel on the Garmin 405. But, two things I don't like are the display and the double button push to lock the bezel. 9 times out of ten I end up starting the timer prematurely. Also, my deteriorating eye-sight has got to the stage that I can only see one field on the display at a time. So, I like the look of the big numbers on that new watch . Actually, a third thing I don't like is the wireless USB dongle. It looks like the Nike/Tomtom uses a more sensible USB cable. I guess that means it doesn't do wireless data and there's probably no HRM then. So, it looks like they're positioning it as easier to use and possibly less functional than the Garmin 405.

Won't be throwing out the Garmin any time soon. But, if I were in the market for a watch, I'd be looking at this one pretty seriously.

irlirishkev

godtabh wrote: »

Were did you get it?

Bought online at sweatshop.co.uk. I've used them a few times. Good site.

There's no shortage of online reviews of this watch, both written and video, but my 2cents..

GPS link up time can be hit and miss. From an impressive few seconds, to a frustrating 15mins today. No idea how this compares to other GPS watches. I know sometimes my satnav takes ages to find a signal so..

It's a delight to use once running. Scrolling through the sub display is simple. You can see everything clearly at a glance too.

You get a nice summary of your run, either when paused, or after you finish. Then when you upload, you get all your stats, plus graphs and maps etc.. The Nike website is a bit slow though.

Not sure what else to say.. So far so good!

gerard65

irlirishkev wrote: »

From an impressive few seconds, to a frustrating 15mins today. No idea how this compares to other GPS watches.

15 minutes:eek: Thats very poor. The longest I've had to wait for my 205 is about 3 mins, lately its been only seconds.

irlirishkev

gerard65 wrote: »

15 minutes:eek: Thats very poor. The longest I've had to wait for my 205 is about 3 mins, lately its been only seconds.

Yeh it pyssed me off a bit alright. I'm taking it out for a decent run tomorrow (hopefully, .. it's the gf's bday today so we'll see what happens). The first thing I'm gonna be looking at is the time it takes to sync up to the gps.

nellocono

I know this is an old thread but I would like to resurrect it as I am on the market for a new watch...

Anyone got any further reviews of this? Would you recommend it over say a Garmin 110?

ecoli

Dunno how sold I am on this. Ran a tempo run other day with a training partner. My Garmin 305 had 5.52 average pace while his had 6.00 despite him actually finishing his ahead of me by 20-30m

Bit alarmed at the discreprancies

nellocono

hmmm..yeah some reviews I read said a similar thing regarding the watch calculating distances. However, it went on to say that after upgrading the software the watch seemed to be much more accurate.

I wonder did he ever upgrade the software since he purchased it?

gottarun

nellocono wrote: »

I know this is an old thread but I would like to resurrect it as I am on the market for a new watch...

Anyone got any further reviews of this? Would you recommend it over say a Garmin 110?

Depending on your budget and what you want to get from it.

I have the Polar RCX5 having recently upgraded my FR305 and I love the fact that my recording are available for my swim sessions as well as the run & bike.

On the user side of things the online polar personal trainer integrates really well with the unit. The software will adjust your training programs to suit the level of improvement that is going on. If you are overtraining reverse adjustment will be made and your effort controlled.

I have to say while the 305 is a super GPS watch and training computer, the RCX5 beats it down.

nellocono

That Polar looks like a pretty nice device but I am only in the market for a GPS for running..Considering an entry level watch either a Garmin 110 or the Nike Sportswatch.

I really just want to like the Nike watch as I think it looks pretty cool. Unfortunately there seems to be widespread concerns regarding locking on to satellites and in-accurate data reporting...:mad:

Krusty_Clown

nellocono wrote: »

That Polar looks like a pretty nice device but I am only in the market for a GPS for running..Considering an entry level watch either a Garmin 110 or the Nike Sportswatch.

I really just want to like the Nike watch as I think it looks pretty cool. Unfortunately there seems to be widespread concerns regarding locking on to satellites and in-accurate data reporting...:mad:

Would you not consider the Forerunner 305? Cheaper than the 110, but does so much more. The size isn't for everybody though.

nellocono

I think the 305 is too big and clunky...and its not much cheaper than the 110 so would opt for the 110 first...

Still not given up on the Nike yet so will hold tough for a couple of weeks before I make up my mind.

Krusty_Clown

nellocono wrote: »

I think the 305 is too big and clunky...and its not much cheaper than the 110 so would opt for the 110 first...

Still not given up on the Nike yet so will hold tough for a couple of weeks before I make up my mind.

You're right. They're about the same price. But despite it's age, the 305 does so much more. It is a lot bigger, but does so much more.
I can't see any selling points for the Nike, other than it looks cool.

TFBubendorfer

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I can't see any selling points for the Nike, other than it looks cool.

You just mentioned the one selling point that is most relevant to a lot of people. I have to admit, my own first reaction was, wow that thing looks a lot better than my 305.

tunney

robinph wrote: »

Someone didn't have a clue what they are talking about.

There are one set of US military satellites up there, plus a couple of EU and Russian ones but they don't really count. They are all transmitting a bunch of data as they fly over head, the Garmin/ TomTom/ whatever all receive this same data and use that to figure out where you are (they even all have pretty much the same hardware inside to do this).

There is no transmitting of where you are going on, the Garmin/ Tom Tom/ whatever is just like an FM Radio in that respect, anyone can pick up the radio signal bur RTE have no idea who it is that is that is doing so. The same with the GPS signals.

The EU ones is the Gallileo system, possible more accruate than the GPS system. Yanks not too happy about not having total control of all positioning systems.

Krusty_Clown

tunney wrote: »

The EU ones is the Gallileo system, possible more accruate than the GPS system. Yanks not too happy about not having total control of all positioning systems.

...and is expected to hit your patch of sky some time in 2018 (if it ever gets completed).

jimbo21

i am looking to buy my first watch for running ,Garmin or Nike+

Krusty_Clown

jimbo21 wrote: »

i am looking to buy my first watch for running ,Garmin or Nike+

Garmin.

gottarun

Given the choice - Garmin.

irlirishkev

After a few months usage with the Nike Watch, these are my thoughts.

Lots of positives. It has everything I need during a run, and gives me everything I want to look at after a run.

During a run, you can have - Time, distance, elapsed, instant pace, average pace, intervals, auto-laps, manual-laps etc..

After a run, you get the map, the breakdown of your run with split times, interval times etc, depends how you set it up.

It picks up the sat links very quick 95% of the time, and has no trouble with overcast days or running under trees etc..

There *is* a known issue with accuracy at the beginning of runs, whereby when you look at the map after your run, it might have you running on the wrong side of the road, but it will correct itself after a short period. It's never given me an incorrect distance however (when I double checked with map my run). Nike say they're working to correct this, and they have been pro-active since the release of the watch - they released a firmware upgrade to include average pace, which wasn't there originally.

Tbh, the Nike+ site is a bit pants. It's slow at times, and a bit annoying interface wise.

Overall, I love it. I never had any other GPS watch so I can't compare. It was definitely cheap compared to other GPs watches that do as much.

Not sure what else to say. Any questions, ask and I'll try to answer.

gerard65

Summary of Nike+ Sportswatch in Runners World.
Good
Picks up signal in under 10secs
Simple functionality
Large and clearly defined numbers
Useful split screen effect for rotating through date

Bad
Signal strenght is variable, even in open ground
Foot sensor is slow to kick in
Buttons not easily accessible on the run.

irlirishkev

gerard65 wrote: »

Summary of Nike+ Sportswatch in Runners World.
Good
Picks up signal in under 10secs
Simple functionality
Large and clearly defined numbers
Useful split screen effect for rotating through date

Bad
Signal strenght is variable, even in open ground
Foot sensor is slow to kick in
Buttons not easily accessible on the run.

I've never used the foot sensor so can't comment on that.
I've never found signal strength to be a problem myself
Bit confused about buttons not easily accessible. There's only 3, and they're big enough.. or am I misunderstanding?

gerard65

irlirishkev wrote: »

I've never used the foot sensor so can't comment on that.
I've never found signal strength to be a problem myself
Bit confused about buttons not easily accessible. There's only 3, and they're big enough.. or am I misunderstanding?

Runners World run alot of ads for garmin so maybe they were been overly picky.;)

jimbo21

himm still not sure what to go for ill wait and see

Krusty_Clown

irlirishkev wrote: »

After a few months usage with the Nike Watch, these are my thoughts.

Great feedback, irlirishkev, thanks!

It picks up the sat links very quick 95% of the time
There *is* a known issue with accuracy at the beginning of runs

I reckon these two points are somewhat at odds. If the Nike watch 'waited' until it was receiving data from more satellites, then it would likely be more accurate at the start of runs. Acquiring satellites very quickly likely comes at a cost to accuracy at the earlier part of your run. I wonder is Nike using this as a selling point, at the cost of accuracy?

jimbo21

what price would you expect to pay for a garmin 610 Hrm+foot pod+cadence sensor

Krusty_Clown

jimbo21 wrote: »

what price would you expect to pay for a garmin 610 Hrm+foot pod+cadence sensor

I could do that research for you, or you could just take a look at Amazon.co.uk.
Suffice it to say that it would cost a lot, maybe around £450.

Do you really need a foot-pod? Spend a lot of time on treadmills?