Running Watch Recommendations

kiwi

kiwi

kiwi

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Joined
30 Jun 2003
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2,237
Location
Sussex
I've been working up my fitness and endurance by running on a treadmill for a few months with decent results. When the gym was closed this week, I took the opportunity to run outside and not surprisingly, my pacing absolutely sucked.

So I'm after a watch that can measure distance to a reasonable degree (not after to the nearest cm, give or take 0.5km would be fine) and obviously my speed too. Not looking to spend a fortune, but will pay enough to get a decent one, no point scrimping!
 
I have the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS enabled watch. Superb watch but expensive, I love the virtual running partner and being able to see what pace you are running at. A serious running watch, that can be used for basic running and indepth training analysis.

Expensive but good
 
It's £87 with the HRM and the footpod, and that's still about £30 off.

It's discounted at the moment because the Forerunner 60 will be released at the FLM.

I've got one with the HRM and footpod and think it's pretty good. The only thing I would swap it for would be the Forerunner 405 GPS.

HRM, knowing how much effort you are putting in, so that you can keep it consistent is just as important as the distance / speed. I've calibrated my footpod against my wifes GPS and now it's about 98% accurate. It was around 95% accurate out of the box. I callibrated it over 18km.
 
Not to crap on the thread but can these watches measure distance in terms of other sports, such as football where you'd run distances within a set perimeter?
 
Slogan said:
Not to crap on the thread but can these watches measure distance in terms of other sports, such as football where you'd run distances within a set perimeter?
Click to expand...

They will measure anywhere you run, but since a footpod clips onto the laces at the front of your shoe I wouldn't recommend it for football. GPS might be better for that although it's going to be less accurate in a stop / start situation than when you are moving at a constant speed (it samples your position every two seconds, I think).
 
I'd go for a Garmin 205. Excellent watch with a lot of features and can be picked up quite cheaply now with the 305s and later 405s just being released.

Can't say I've ever needed a HRM.
 
Thanks chaps. I wouldn't have really wanted to spend that amount on a watch but after reading the reviews I think I'll look at getting a 205 next pay day :D
 
They're really not that expensive now. You should be able to pick one up for £114, or less second hand.

Or here is a second hand 405 if you want to email the owner to enquire.
 
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