hhmmm watches to compare

I love love love my Polar F11.  It does everything I want without being overly complicated or fancy.  However,  I sometimes would like a GPS / distance watch... just to see how far I've gone :)  And honestly,  sometimes,  I get a bit obsessed with running on the treadmill just so I can accurately know how far I've ran.  That's not a good thing.

I live in Seattle for god's sake.  And when it's sunny out,  I can't wait to go for a run down on the waterfront... but ... how far have i gone ?  Far enough for a good workout ?  or far enough for shin splint #1 to act up on the return trip ?

Take a look at these two.  While the price is steep,  often on Craigslist or SlowTwitch you can find deals...   Of course I'm partial to the Polar... but I've never really paid attention to the Timex... could be something to look into... 

Polar RS800

The RS800 tracks so much data, it's like you're running with an NSA clearance. On the go, you can customize the watch's screen to display the basics, plus some advanced features like altitude and stride rate. But to get the most out of it, you'll need to spend some serious time exploring the manual. (Click video below for a guide to setting up the Polar RS800.)

GPS: The Polar's GPS pod is pretty exact when it comes to how far and fast you're going, but it doesn't record any location information. So you're out of luck if you want to look up your run on a map afterward using the GPS data, share your route with another runner, or follow a bread-crumb trail back to the car. 

Foot pod: Polar's S3 was the smallest of all the foot pods--not much bigger than a timing chip--not to mention the most innovative. It's the only one that measures both stride rate (or cadence) and length, important metrics for improving running efficiency. And it displays this info during runs so you can maintain a steady stride. The S3 is also the only shoe pod that set a perfect mark in our distance tests.

HR monitor: The RS800 is practically a mobile cardiology lab, minus the electrodes. It lets you view all your heart-rate numbers postrun, using the desktop software to drill down into your workout to see, for example, how you recovered following a steep climb. 

Perfect for: Although it's probably overkill for the recreational runner, the RS800 is ideal for the competitive athlete who wants to capture every workout metric, improve cardio fitness, and get faster.

Price: $389 (S3 Stride Sensor $140; G3 GPS $140)








Timex Ironman Bodylink

If you can't be bothered to read a user manual, this is the watch for you. It's a snap to use from the moment you strap it on, with several modes showing heart-rate info, speed, distance, and more, at a glance. The catch? It lacks many of the advanced training features available in the other watches. (Click video below for a guide to setting up the Timex Ironman.)

GPS: Timex's GPS accuracy wasn't the greatest--but it did beat the Garmin on the track. Like all of the pods, it had trouble maintaining reception with satellites when used on the trail. It also took a long time to connect with satellites, which is annoying when you're waiting to head out. While you're running, you can set alerts that will sound if you fall off pace, and there are auto-lap functions that you can set by distance, as well as time, to save you some button-pushing and let you focus on your run.

Foot pod: The Bodylink system is GPS only. 

HR monitor: Timex gives you the essentials. You get max, minimum, average, and zone data on your heart rate, including time in zones. One nice extra: a programmable feature that monitors your heart postworkout and displays a summary of your cardiac recovery. While not as detailed as what you get with Polar or Suunto's watches, it does allow you to view a history of your recovery levels.

Perfect: for It's easy to operate on the go, so if you don't like to push too many buttons while you run, you'll be pleased with the simplicity of switching between modes to monitor various performance points. 

Price: $300