Adidas miCoach (Nike armband/shoe sensor)

Muff Richardson

Hi all,

Does anybody know of anywhere they stock the adidas miCoach unit and also a decent stock of compatible runners for the unit itself? I have tried Dundrum and the usual haunts of mainstream sports shops, champion sports, lifestyleand they don't have the unit but also the runners they have are jot compatible with it. Any info on where to go would be much appreciated.

Alsoif anyone has any feedback on using it positive or not it would good to hear, after a fair but if research I have decided to go for it over the Nike products but could still be swayed if anyone can say otherwise about either product.

Thanks a mill.

Muff.

Krusty_Clown

Any particular reason you want to buy such an expensive pedometer? You could buy a decent Polar HRM, and a pedometer for less than that. At that price you could also pick up a GPS watch as an alternative, and have enough change left over for a Mars bar.

Muff Richardson

Hi Krusty,

thanks for the response, the reason I was interested in the micoach is because the HRM and pedometer are integrated as one with the website and seems a useful way of tracking progress, the real time audible coaching seems like a novel factor too although I'd say I'd grow tired of it. Its 140 euro which isn't cheap but with all these things combined I thought it would be roughly the same as garmin, polar etc. could be wrong, if you know of any other such packages Im all ears. the micoach is pretty much sold out everywhere I've looked which is a good sign I guess. Have read a lot of negative feedback to the nike +, seems to be very gimmicky and inaccurate, not that the micoach is perfect but it seems to be better.

What do you use yourself? Or recommend, I run about 3 times a week, as much as I can at the time which is a bad way to train I know, just looking for a routine and take it a bit more seriously.

Muff.

huskerdu

If you intend spending 150 quid, there are a few options ( GPS or pedometer, different options for quality of HRM) you should first list all the features that you want/need and compare all the options .

Do you want the accuracy of GPS over a pedometer ?
Do you want to see real time pace as you are running ?
Do you want to do interval training and have a device that can help you do this ?
Will you use the HRM enough to need the Polar one, which is more accurate that the Garmin one, but will you really use it enough to need a more accurate one ?
Do you need it to be waterproof ?
What battery life do you need ?

Krusty_Clown

Hi Muff (great name btw), I stuck with had great fun with a Nike+ for around 2 months, before becoming incredibly frustrated with how inaccurate it was. The verbal coach was great fun for a while, but built on an inaccurate engine, it was hard to celebrate your fastest ever mile, when you know you've only covered a half a mile, even if it is in a world record time. While I'm sure the MiCoach has greatly improved on the Nike+, the foundations are still the same. It works on a similar principal, using an accelerometer instead of an internal pendulum, but the premise is much the same.

I might come across as biased (and biased I may be, but only because I appreciate the technology, rather than having a vested interest), but if you're willing to spend €140, I would save that €10 and buy the Garmin 305 I linked to above, for €129.50. It comes with a hear rate monitor, all data will be presented together (either via a website, or using an app you can install on your PC), and if needs be you can fork out extra for a foot-pod, so you can use it indoors on a treadmill. It will record where you run, including elevation profiles (showing the uphills and the downhills), and with the €10 you save, you could buy a couple of cheap pedometers, for those treadmill days!

seanynova

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi Muff (great name btw), I stuck with had great fun with a Nike+ for around 2 months, before becoming incredibly frustrated with how inaccurate it was. The verbal coach was great fun for a while, but built on an inaccurate engine, it was hard to celebrate your fastest ever mile, when you know you've only covered a half a mile, even if it is in a world record time. While I'm sure the MiCoach has greatly improved on the Nike+, the foundations are still the same. It works on a similar principal, using an accelerometer instead of an internal pendulum, but the premise is much the same.

I might come across as biased (and biased I may be, but only because I appreciate the technology, rather than having a vested interest), but if you're willing to spend €140, I would save that €10 and buy the Garmin 305 I linked to above, for €129.50. It comes with a hear rate monitor, all data will be presented together (either via a website, or using an app you can install on your PC), and if needs be you can fork out extra for a foot-pod, so you can use it indoors on a treadmill. It will record where you run, including elevation profiles (showing the uphills and the downhills), and with the €10 you save, you could buy a couple of cheap pedometers, for those treadmill days!

+1, i had a nike plus also before....it wasnt as inaccurate as krusty's but it was fairly poor all the same. i got frustrated with it and got the garmin 305(as it was the cheapest option at the time) and have never looked back, its fantastic....some negatives are thats it big! but, its very light and the screen is big, which makes reading the data much easier when on the run.

if the 305 is cheaper than the micoach - then there is only one option really...

Krusty_Clown

seanynova wrote: »

+1, i had a nike plus also before....it wasnt as inaccurate as krusty's but it was fairly poor all the same. i got frustrated with it and got the garmin 305(as it was the cheapest option at the time) and have never looked back, its fantastic....some negatives are thats it big! but, its very light and the screen is big, which makes reading the data much easier when on the run.

if the 305 is cheaper than the micoach - then there is only one option really...

It might be big, but at least you don't have to buy a special shoe, with a small James Bond style sarcophagus carved out of it, so you can insert your MiCoach sensor.

seanynova

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

It might be big, but at least you don't have to buy a special shoe, with a small James Bond style sarcophagus carved out of it, so you can insert your MiCoach sensor.

i remember reading an article about the cushioning being compromised in the nike shoes as there is a 1 x 0.5 x 0.2 inch section mission in the sole of the left shoe, where as the right shoe has all of its cushioning throughout....not sure if it make "much" difference but as tesco says, every little helps!

i love the 305, and have no problem with its size, im sure some do but i find it straight forward to use, easily read, light as a feather and has really helped me with training! wont change it unless i have to.

Muff Richardson

Hi all, thanks very much for your varied responses...I am starting to ditch the idea of getting a micoach! Although I am now swamped by choices, which is a good thing but quite hard to narrow down to suit what I need it for.

@ Krusty and seanynova, thanks for all the advice, I am looking at the watches and it might be the right choice.

@ Huskerdu, those questions were very useful in trying to select, thanks.

Basically I dont think I am as serious a runner (or as fit:)) as you guys/girls. I am a regular squash player and run from time to time, with bad planning, i.e. when i couldnt be bothered to run anymore I stop, so I wanted a plan to start on a 5k programme, to 10k, half marathon over the course of a year. So all I wanted was a programme which could be integrated with online records of progress, distances and heart rate. Do these watches formulate programmes with the software? Is there any audible training integration options? I think this is a great feature for motivation. If its left purely up to me I'll probably stop at the first spar I pass by and get a mars bar and bag of cheese and onion well, maybe not that bad I just think its a nice feature for motivation. I have an iPhone 4 but from what I am reading no matter what the GPS app you use it still drops out giving unreliable readings at the end of a workout.

Again, thank you all for your input. The feedback/support given on these boards to individuals and strangers always amazes, i'd give back if I had anything worthwhile to offer in the running area.

Muff.

Krusty_Clown

Muff Richardson wrote: »

Hi all, thanks very much for your varied responses...I am starting to ditch the idea of getting a micoach! Although I am now swamped by choices, which is a good thing but quite hard to narrow down to suit what I need it for.

@ Krusty and seanynova, thanks for all the advice, I am looking at the watches and it might be the right choice.

@ Huskerdu, those questions were very useful in trying to select, thanks.

Basically I dont think I am as serious a runner (or as fit:)) as you guys/girls. I am a regular squash player and run from time to time, with bad planning, i.e. when i couldnt be bothered to run anymore I stop, so I wanted a plan to start on a 5k programme, to 10k, half marathon over the course of a year. So all I wanted was a programme which could be integrated with online records of progress, distances and heart rate. Do these watches formulate programmes with the software? Is there any audible training integration options? I think this is a great feature for motivation. If its left purely up to me I'll probably stop at the first spar I pass by and get a mars bar and bag of cheese and onion well, maybe not that bad I just think its a nice feature for motivation. I have an iPhone 4 but from what I am reading no matter what the GPS app you use it still drops out giving unreliable readings at the end of a workout.

Again, thank you all for your input. The feedback/support given on these boards to individuals and strangers always amazes, i'd give back if I had anything worthwhile to offer in the running area.

Muff.

Hi Muff, in my opinion, it doesn't really matter if you are a a sociable jogger or very serious high mileage 7 day a week runner, you would still be best advised to get the best possible value for money and best solution for your current and future running needs.

I would suggest that you skip the Garmin and the Adidas MiCoach for the time being, and try something significantly cheaper, like Nike+ GPS app for the iPhone. At only $1.99 it's hard to go wrong. It'll give you a feel for how useful things like voice feedback really are, and highlight any potential problems with the GPS. (Also worth trying Endomondo, which another poster recommends and is free). Even if the GPS is unreliable, the information provided will likely come close to the MiCoach in terms of accuracy.

The when you've used these apps for a while you can make a more informed decision and make the right purchase for you. You may opt to get something more running-focussed (like the Garmin) or something more integrated with vocal support/mp3 playback like Nike+ or Adidas MiCoach. Go for the cheap/free option first, and make the more significant investment later!

xebec

I'd echo what Krusty is saying about trying cheaper options before committing to the more expensive running gadgets... My flatmate in London has started using the RunKeeper free app on his iPhone and finds it works reasonably well - he's getting similar distance readings for runs to what I'm getting on my Garmin.

Cabaal

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi Muff (great name btw), I stuck with had great fun with a Nike+ for around 2 months, before becoming incredibly frustrated with how inaccurate it was. The verbal coach was great fun for a while, but built on an inaccurate engine, it was hard to celebrate your fastest ever mile, when you know you've only covered a half a mile, even if it is in a world record time. While I'm sure the MiCoach has greatly improved on the Nike+, the foundations are still the same. It works on a similar principal, using an accelerometer instead of an internal pendulum, but the premise is much the same.

Also used the Nike+, while I did find the pace and millage accurate (checked against GPS) I found the verbal couch was inaccurate as hell.

Often it would say congrats on the longest run yet it was far from it, over the past 10 months its said congrats on another 500km yet I've only done about 860km to date so it only should have said it once :rolleyes:

If your spending 150 then go with something with GPS, atleast I didn't feel hard done by given I only had spent 30e and tbh it serves its job well enough.

I'd recommend spending alittle before spending alot,

misterdeeds

Muff Richardson wrote: »

Hi all,

Does anybody know of anywhere they stock the adidas miCoach unit and also a decent stock of compatible runners for the unit itself? I have tried Dundrum and the usual haunts of mainstream sports shops, champion sports, lifestyleand they don't have the unit but also the runners they have are jot compatible with it. Any info on where to go would be much appreciated.

Alsoif anyone has any feedback on using it positive or not it would good to hear, after a fair but if research I have decided to go for it over the Nike products but could still be swayed if anyone can say otherwise about either product.

Thanks a mill.

Muff.

look up john buckley sports they stock all that stuff and they deliver aswell tho the web site isint so good so ud b better off ringing them and explaining what ur looking for hope this helps u

siooo88

i know this post is from a few weeks back so you may have already made a purchase of one of the products mentioned already.

But I would agree with testing put the nike GPS app for the iphone to see how you find the audible training. Just on the MiCoach, you do not need adidas runners to use it, it comes with a clip that can attach onto any brand of footwear, thats what makes it more adaptable than the nike + chip. It works based on motion rather than impact. With the pacer you can store 10 workouts at a time out of a possible 3,000+ workout programmes, e.g. 3km,5km,8km,10km,half marathon, marathon, speed interval training... etc... it is also sport specific, so you were saying you play squash, (I don't know if they have a squash specific workout) but it has a huge amount of different sport workouts to choose from..e.g. soccer, rugby, tennis, etc... you can also hook your ipod up to the pacer so you can listen to music while your training, the pacer controls the volume of your music for when the person is speaking to you.

You may have already purchased another product but just to give you some information and they are available in elverys sports, suffolk street.

Siooo