using phone for tracking runs

paulb79

just wondering if anyone had any toughts on using your phones gps to track run s , which apps are best have tried runkeeper and endomondo both seem ok

jeffontour

I have ViewRanger, it's pretty comprehensive in it's functionality and you can have it use OSI or other detailed maps if you have them.

I found it much better than Sportstracker but I only have it installed as a backup in case my Forerunner packs in or I do something thick like forget to bring it. My main concern in using the phone is damaging it, I'm hard enough on phones without taking it on every run.

Dow99

I use runkeeper pro for the iPhone - I think it is free for the month of Jan other wise its €7. I had used mapmyrun before but found that runkeeper was better.

tHE vAGGABOND

I use the Nike+ app for iphone..

Its not as great as other app's tbh - but I have between 40 and 50 runs in it, so Im sticking with it as I like the historical record.

TBH since Im using a garmin now I dont really need it, but I use the phone for a ipod while doing training runs, so may as well have the app running too

Hooked

Got runkeeper pro as it's free for January. Let's you access iPod and calls while it's running (excuse the pun). Great map features on the website too for measuring and saving routes! I prefer it to imapmyrun.

TheRoadRunner

Logyourrun app for iPhone is excellent and free

maddogcollins

I use mapmyrun and find it great, You can also listen to your music and make calls/texts while its running.

I tried the nike+ but didnt like it. I have downloaded runkeeper (as it is free at the moment), I might give it a go at some stage.

beefjerky

I use buddyrunner on the HTC Legend. I think it is android app only?! It was free app when I got it, not sure now though.

I find it great, you can set alerts to let you know when you have reached x distance or x time, it gives audio feedback on whatever you want: pace / distance since last marker / overall, just at the end of the workout or no audio feedback at all.

Then at the end it uploads to the website and shows the map of the run, including elevation and pace and keeps a history.

Something else that I have looked at but don't use, you can export your runs to excel where it's broken down in detail.

EDIT: all other phone functions can be used simultaneously, music, texts etc... haven't tried calls yet though!

deniseve

I use Runkeeper Pro as well. I find it really good, expecially the audio updates you get while running, on the distance you've run, how long it's taken you, your pace, and if you're ahead or behind your target pace. I find it's a great motivator.

Dundalk

I use Cardio Trainer on Android, not always accurate but its a very good app and its FREE!

scargill

Another option....sportypal.

I've been using it for about a year - find it very good.

MelissaCB

hey all
I'm training for a marathon and was going to make the investment into a garmin watch. I'm wondering though would it be just as good to use one of these apps, if i get an android phone. What i really want is to know my pace without having to take the device out of an armband, I suppose the swanky features of the watch will be sidelined after the initial buzz wears off.
Any thoughts?
thanks a mil

Krusty_Clown

MelissaCB wrote: »

hey all
I'm training for a marathon and was going to make the investment into a garmin watch. I'm wondering though would it be just as good to use one of these apps, if i get an android phone. What i really want is to know my pace without having to take the device out of an armband, I suppose the swanky features of the watch will be sidelined after the initial buzz wears off.
Any thoughts?
thanks a mil

I have both. The Garmin is a purpose-built device for tracking your runs, whereas the Android is a phone that can do lots of things pretty well. If you already had an Android (or iPhone) I would have suggested that you go ahead an try a run-tracking app. But I wouldn't recommend buying an Android phone for the purpose of tracking runs. Why don't you borrow someone's iPhone or Android and take it for a spin with a run-tracking app and see if it meets your needs?

If you're an occasional runner, the phone will meet your needs. If you're a long term runner, the watch would be a better investment (though I might add they are not necessary to be a successful runner). With the watches, you tend to grow into them, using more features, as time and experience grows. But you can't play Angry Birds on a Garmin GPS watch.

tphelan

to add to Krusty_Clown's inputs. Agree with his approach. Also many of the apps for smart phones have voice commands that will tell you your pace - so no need to be taking it in and out. I was close to buying a garmin a few months ago but got an android around the same time and thought I'd try the apps first. For me, I now don't see a need for a garmin - am not a seriors runner - training for a marathon but for personal goal rather than competing. also with the phone you can pre-programe routes and follow via GPS for those long runs where you might not be aware of the areas etc. also serves for your music/podcasts to listen to.

I think the greater value of the garmin would be for more seriors runners than me who are really looking to analyse training log data and need very accurate data etc.

PaulieC

I use RunSat for Windows Phone 7 (available for other platforms too). I tried endomoto and runkeeper, but I found that I preferred this one. It's free (for the nag version, 99c for the nagfree version) and allows you to upload all your runs here, where you get very comprehensive and informative breakdowns of your runs...YMMV

Shane O' Malley

+1 for Android.

I have used Cardiotrainer but no use Runkeeper.

Cardiotrainer is a better app but runkeeper has the better support and website.

Plus i get to listen to the radio, play music or listen to podcasts at the same time.

paulb79

i have been using my android now for a couple of months and have to say no complaints ,best of both worlds tracking plus music. tried most apps but like run keeper

opus

I started using Runkeeper cause my Garmin is gone back to get fixed. During a long run yesterday, it lost the gps lock around 4/5 times but the annoying thing is that it doesn't tell you & the timer keeps running making a mess if you're trying to run a certain pace. To get it working again I just had to start Google Maps which has no problems getting a lock and then Runkeeper would 'see' the gps again.

In the end I set it to report distance/time etc every 500m so that if I didn't hear from it every few mins I'd know something was wrong.

Has anyone else had this problem or is it just me My phone is a HTC Desire with a non-standard ROM so maybe that's my problem.

Shane O' Malley

opus wrote: »

I started using Runkeeper cause my Garmin is gone back to get fixed. During a long run yesterday, it lost the gps lock around 4/5 times but the annoying thing is that it doesn't tell you & the timer keeps running making a mess if you're trying to run a certain pace. To get it working again I just had to start Google Maps which has no problems getting a lock and then Runkeeper would 'see' the gps again.

In the end I set it to report distance/time etc every 500m so that if I didn't hear from it every few mins I'd know something was wrong.

Has anyone else had this problem or is it just me My phone is a HTC Desire with a non-standard ROM so maybe that's my problem.

Must be the non- standard ROM. Using HTC Desire with stock ROM myself and have never lost the gps lock.

TJM

Another vote for Runkeeper on the iPhone. Well thought out interface, nice integration with their web site and mapping. Works well for me - no problems with GPS lock.

One point to consider with all these programs is whether you'll find yourself locked into one vendor, or whether you can export your data. Runkeeper has recently introduced an export data function - without that, I probably would have gone for a more open alternative.

ted1

i use endomondo on the nokia and find it great.

AntiVirus

I've posted here before recommending Endomondo and Sportypal for your smart phones. They are not accurate on any type of phone, I only found this out after I bought a Garmin 410 watch.

I've used Endomondo on Windows Mobile, Android, Windows Phone 7 and iPhone and its been out by a good bit +/- on all of them. The only thing thats accurate is the start and finish times. All your 1km lap times will be wrong.

I was out running with my girlfriend last weekend and she had Endomondo loaded on her iPhone I had my Garmin. I uploaded my course on to Endomondo and compared the 2 runs and every one of the iphones 1km laps where wrong.

The GPS on most mobile phones is not near as accurate as the new Garmin watches.

The only down side of the Garmin watch is the price and that you can't play Angry Birds on them

PaulieC

What were the +/- differences per lap ? On what laptimes ?

AntiVirus

cambo_gueno wrote: »

What were the +/- differences per lap ? On what laptimes ?

Lap as in eash kilometre.

On the Android and WP7 I found that it calculated each kilometre as being about 950 metres in lenght and on the iphone it calculated each kilometre as being about 1050 metres.


The problem with the phones is that the GPS isn't near as good as on the Garmin.

Shane O' Malley

The software is only as good as the the gps hardware on the phone.

For most users it will not make any difference.

TFBubendorfer

Shane O' Malley wrote: »

The software is only as good as the the gps hardware on the phone.

For most users it will not make any difference.

I disagree. A false reading of 50 meters per km DOES make a difference.

Having said that, my main gripe with using a phone rather than a Garmin would be having to carry that thing round with me while running.

Shane O' Malley

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I disagree. A false reading of 50 meters per km DOES make a difference.

Having said that, my main gripe with using a phone rather than a Garmin would be having to carry that thing round with me while running.

Only if it was out by 50m in the same direction every km.

Also not all phones will give the same poor reading.

It also depends on how the phone is carried, how many sat fixes it is getting and number of readings per min.

I used mine in a 5k race last weekend. It matched the official timings, distance and did not have me running through any buildings which 50m errors would have.

The iphone gps on the 3gs version is know to be poor. The version on the iphone 4 is better.

Samsung android phones have a number of gps issues but HTC are generally considered good.

2 Wheels Good

Have a HTC Wildfire and use Runkeeper. Seems to work well once it has a sat lock. Have zoomed in on the map after and it doesn't make many mistakes with the routing.

PaulieC

I presume it depends on the GPS hardware your phone has? A tracking app is only as good as the data it's using

iceage

Runkeeper Pro on I Phone. Brilliant App. Had to change the distance reminders to one mile increments but get a buzz everytime I'm reminded I've just blitzed another mile

It was free for all of January this year, well worth a look. I use a Polar HRM for the rest.

ted1

could the +-50m be put down to gradients??

William Gates

This may be a silly question but are u charged data usage for using these apps?

I only ask as I would be using them abroad and it'd cost a fortune.

Shane O' Malley

iceage wrote: »

Runkeeper Pro on I Phone. Brilliant App. Had to change the distance reminders to one mile increments but get a buzz everytime I'm reminded I've just blitzed another mile

It was free for all of January this year, well worth a look. I use a Polar HRM for the rest.

It is still free. They decided to keep it like that.

They also have courses that you can follow on your phone to train you to a particular level.

PaulieC

William Gates wrote: »

This may be a silly question but are u charged data usage for using these apps?

I only ask as I would be using them abroad and it'd cost a fortune.

I don't pay data for mine anyway. It might depend on your phone though. Try turning off your mobile data and see if it track

Shane O' Malley

It will still work without data but can be a bit flakey after the run. (I think it is trying to send the result of the run back).

Has never lost a run on me though and i use it without a data connection quite often. I use a HTC Desire

AntiVirus

ted1 wrote: »

could the +-50m be put down to gradients??

No, there out on the flat sections too.

Log on to Endomondo and select people out now. The live tracking would all be uploaded by a smart phone. Most of them are incorrect if you map the 1km points. Just zoom in closely and look at the route there currently running, there all over the road.

Here's someone out now using a Smart Phone! They're all over the place!! :-D

http://www.endomondo.com/profile/998270

MelissaCB

Thanks, I'll borrow a phone and see how i get on.:)

ted1

i'll bench mark endomodo odd the car tomorrow

opus

Shane O' Malley wrote: »

Must be the non- standard ROM. Using HTC Desire with stock ROM myself and have never lost the gps lock.

I tried the My Tracks app from Google for a recovery run yesterday where I didn't care about knowing the pace & it never lost the gps lock either so it's strange indeed. Will be trying Runkeeper again this week so hopefully it will behave itself.

Used the old school approach of a stop watch & pace band for a 10m race today so was glad it's possible for me to survive without a gps

PaulieC

Just checked a run from last saturday, tracked with my phone...It's generally accurate, but I definitely wasn't running where it thinks I was in the attached...this is the output from the Water treatment plant in poolbeg