A four-step approach to buying a GPS Running Watch
If you are serious about your sport, whether it's running, cycling, hiking, windsurfing or even skydiving, a GPS watch can be a powerful tool for keeping track of it, measuring and improving your performance.
An advanced GPS sports look accurately can measure:
- Speed
- Distance
- Height above sea level
What's more, many watches with GPS plotting 3D maps on a driving route that can later be downloaded to PC or Mac and then reviewed and analyzed in a custom software package.
Combining this with sophisticated sports watch functions such as memory storage / Recall, interval timers, heart rate zones and speed, pace and distance warning and you get a complete workout wristwatch computer, able to take you to the next level!
As with all these features can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming when you first start shopping around for the right look. Since most GPS watches are quite sophisticated, This makes it difficult to know what your needs and those features are nice, but probably not the ones you use in day-to-day.
Our guide takes you through the process and familiarize you with the most important questions you need to ask yourself if you compare watches. With, the most common questions clear in your mind, selecting the correct model may be a breeze.
Step 1: Determine how the watch is used, there are different types GPS watches for different purposes, your purchase decision depends on how you use your GPS watch, so this is an important thing to be clear.
This may seem obvious, but knowing which of these categories you fall into can save you time and effort.
Some watches will meet fitness and sports, among other things, these models have many features that suit runners, cyclists, triathletes and other athletes, such as memory storage and retrieval, interval timers, rate monitors and speed and distance alerts. Other models have navigation features that allow you to mark locations, plot courses, then navigate between waypoints in your area. Some watches will even support both.
GPS Sports Watch Watches models below use GPS for fitness and performance.
- Garmin Forerunner 101, 201, 301, 205, 305, 405
- Timex Ironman Bodylink Heart Rate T5F011
- Timex Ironman Trail Runner Bodylink Heart Rate Monitor Watch T5J985
- Ladies Timex Ironman Trail Runner Bodylink Heart Rate Monitor T5G311
- Timex Ironman Triathlon T5E701
- Timex Ironman T5E691 Men's 100-Lap Speed + Distance Watch
- Polar Computer Training GPS Watch FT60M
- Polar Multisport GPS Computer Heart Rate Monitor RS800G3 Watch
- Suunto t3c Multisport Pack
- Suunto T4C Multisport Pack
- Suunto t6c Multisport Pack <
- GlobalSat Personal GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
Navigation GPS watches watches below use on GPS for navigation.
- Garmin Forerunner 101, 201, 301, 205, 305
- Suunto X10 Sports Wristop Computer Watch Altimeter
- Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch
- Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch
- GlobalSat Personal GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
Step 2: Question - Decide whether you real-time reliability of the signal A common complaint about GPS systems is the signal fail without warning?.
This is GPS watch a lot of older models with chipsets. This problem can be solved somewhat by making sure you only use your GPS watch in places where there is a clear, unobstructed view of the sky - that is not about tall buildings or trees.
The latest GPS watches use the SiRFstarIII chipset, which is more sensitive and reliable than older chipsets. This does not mean that the older watches are not good choices, which significantly dropped in price making them great value for money, but the decision as a high RELIABILITY is important will affect your choice.
If you only want your site not often localized, then a high reliability is not such a big deal.
For example, say you kayaking on the Amazon River, you reach a fork and need to decide whether to go left or right ... chances are You probably will not be too concerned if your GPS signal drops out occasionally, as long as you can quickly retrieve when needed.
On the other hand, I you running your fifth London Marathon, and should know your exact kilometer pace the 10 km mark in order to know if you work too fast or too slow - a signal drop out is very undesirable.
An alternative to GPS, which may be worth considering a foot pod, device turn-on your leg or cadence measures and calculates speed and distance and all other statistics based on your good leg speed only. When a correctly calibrated foot pod can be very precise and does not suffer from signal obstruction, such as a GPS unit does.
GPS sports watch models with older chipsets These GPS watches use older chipsets. They are generally less likely to link to the satellites and the signal to lose more.
- Garmin Forerunner 101, 201, 301, 205, 305, 405
- Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch
- Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch
GPS Sport These watch models with modern chipsets GPS watches use a modern chipset such as the SiRFstar III or equivalent.
- Garmin Forerunner 205, 305, 405
- Timex Ironman Bodylink Heart Rate T5F011
- Timex Ironman Bodylink Trail Runner Heart Rate T5J985
- Timex Women's Ironman Trail Runner Bodylink Heart Rate Monitor T5G311
- Timex Ironman Triathlon T5E701
- Timex Ironman T5E691 Men's 100-Lap Speed + Distance Watch
- Polar Computer Training GPS Watch FT60M
- Polar Multisport GPS Computer Heart Rate Monitor RS800G3 Watch
- Suunto t3c Multisport Pack
- Suunto Multisport Pack t4c
- Suunto t6c Multisport Pack
- Suunto X10 Wristop Computer Sport Altimeter Watch
- GlobalSat Personal GPS Sport Watch with Heart Monitor
Step 3: Consider comfort and style and "Coolness" While many features are probably the main reason for buying a GPS watch in the first place, if you like your watch in an informal atmosphere and the sport is obvious you find one you like the look of. But I'm sure you do not have to tell.
The latest watch from Garmin, the Forerunner 405 has a pair fewer opportunities than it predecessor, the 305, but looks pretty darn cool, while the Forerunner 305 is more like a brick on your wrist! Suunto T-Series watches models that support GPS so natural in the city and on the track.
Also consider the watch easy to fit your wrist. If you are more comfortable with an external GPS device that you you can enjoy small wristwatch, watch while a GPS unit is much larger.
Step 4: Other criteria often the most heavily promoted features of popular products, are not the ones you are really interested this is an unfortunate part of marketing, but fortunately we have dug deep and come up with a list of some less obvious features that might be just what you need.
- Sunrise & Sunset Time: Forerunner 405, 205/305
- Fitness Computer Opponent: Forerunner 405, 305/205 (Virtual Partner Feature)
- Target Tracking: Forerunner 405
- Touch Sensitive Bezel: Forerunner 405
- Wireless Data Transfer: Forerunner 405
- Competing against Historical Sessions: Forerunner 405, 205/305 (training mode)
- While Distance Interrupted: Forerunner 205/305
- 4 customizable field display: Forerunner 205/305
- Vertical Speed: Suunto X9 / I, x 9m / i, Timex Bodylink Trail Runner T5J985
- Height Alert: Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i, Timex Bodylink Trail Runner T5J985
- Thermometer: Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i
- Barometer: Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i
- Barometric altimeter: The Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i, Suunto t6c Multisport Pack
- Weather Alarm (Pressure): Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i
- Stats Height: Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i, Suunto t6c Multisport Pack, Polar RS800G3
- Compass Feature: Precursors 101, 201, 301, 205, 305, 405, Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i, Timex Bodylink Trail Runner T5J985, Globalsat GH-615B/615M
- 6400 MILS bearing display: Suunto X9 / i, x 9m / i
- Beat variation in heartbeat intervals reports: Polar RS800G3
- EPOC: Suunto t6c Multisport Pack
- Training Effect: Suunto T3C and t6c Multisport Pack
A note on the power Let's be clear. GPS Watches suck a lot of juice! Fortunately, many models use rechargeable batteries.
There are generally two types of GPS Sports Watch - which you wear on your wrist and who require an external device to your body. The watch type are almost always chargeable, whereas external GPS watches typically use AA or AAA batteries.
Most offer approximately 8-14 hours of continuous GPS tracking and let the GPS to be turned off when not needed, saving energy.
For you ultra-distance runners, maybe even 15 hours is not enough. Fortunately, popping a spare battery in an external GPS is a trivial task, even on the run. For everyone else, I 8 hours gambling time, GPS is more than enough.
A Note on Water Use and cats, like fire, add GPS Watches not mix well with water. Most units can survive a few splashes, or accidentally dropped in the kitchen sink, but using your watch for swimming and diving is certainly not recommended, and the signal can not be expected that precisely in these circumstances.
This is unfortunate for triathletes who would watch a GPS valuable tool for recording and evaluating their performance across multiple disciplines
By now you (hopefully) a better understanding of what sports watch GPS unit for you. You may even know what you want. If you are pretty sure what you want, but want more information, visit our website, where we have more information about GPS and other types of sports watches have.
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