My Nike+iPod Runners Review - Page 2

Silock · 12-22-2006, 03:00 PM

I must say, I'm impressed. For only $40, this thing works more than adequately. The only downside is the lack of GPS, but again... it's only $40. GPS units are far, far more expensive and I haven't found one that has all the cool, unique features that the Nike account gives you.

The shoe sensor is fairly accurate out of the box. It slightly overestimated the distance I ran before I calibrated it. I ran 800m and it told me I had gone 810. Not too shabby. I then calibrated it, and it was accurate down to 10 meters over the course of 1600. I'm impressed.

The feedback it gives you during your workout is really cool. It's a lot more convenient than having to look down at a watch and do a bunch of math. You can just concentrate on the running and it tells you how far you've gone, how much time you have remaining, and what your current pace is. Very slick.

Once you get done with your workout, it records the data and when you connect your iPod to your computer, it automatically uploads the data to the Nike website where you can track your progress.

I started recording my workout in the middle of my interval training session. I used the first half of my workout to get it calibrated. I'm not really as concerned about the accuracy of the distance it records, because it can change based on elevation or you changing your stride length. But overall, it's accurate enough. What I really like is the fact that it records the pace you're on. You can see that I was getting tired near the end of my training session. The intervals were 80% of max speed for 3 minutes followed by a 3 minute slow recovery run. The end shows my 10 minute cooldown. What I'm really excited about is being able to track the effort I give on my runs. Some days, you just don't feel like you ran that fast, but maybe you did. And some days, you might feel that you went quick, but you really didn't. With this, I'll know the truth and I'll be able to either kick my ass harder the next time to make up for it, or know that I can go a little easier because I did so well yesterday.

The actual tracking isn't as useful for me as most people, because I usually do specific workouts when I run, and I don't usually just set a distance or time and go. I'm usually doing some form of training, which makes this thing a little more inaccurate.

The website is cool in that you can join a user group and compete with people around the country, or if your friends have one, you can challenge them to a race, even though you're not in the same city as them.

All in all, for $40, this is a bargain. Highly recommended. And no, you don't have to buy the special Nike+ shoes, but you do have to have an iPod Nano.

TN_Chief · 12-22-2006, 05:55 PM

Oops. Here's a link to the ones I bought. At least you can see what it looks like and what I'm talking about.

http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/ipod...ano-002458.php

PS- if you're able to find one: flip it upside down when you put it on, so that the sensor/headphone jack are facing up. This allows you to read the display right side up.

Silock · 12-22-2006, 06:16 PM

That one does look like it would work better.

NewChief · 12-22-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Kinda... I mean, you'd have to pick the songs out yourself. It won't automatically change to the next song, but it does make you select a playlist when you start the workout. So, you could just manually go on to the next song.

I downloaded a couple of the Nike+ workouts from the iTunes Music Store. I got Increase Your Endurance 1, Increase Your Speed 1, and Anywhere Anytime Workout. They're definitely not for beginners. They're difficult workouts if you take them seriously. They're guided workouts, which is nice, because you don't have to look at a watch or anything and can just listen to the voice telling you when you're halfway through the interval, or what is coming up next. The tracks change automatically, too. Oddly, though, those tracks only work on the iPod Nano. If you have a different iPod, they don't work.

Yeah, that's what I want. I want something that I can basically program it to tell me my intervals without having to look at a watch. Lately, I've been doing Sprint 8 workouts which are 30 second sprints with 1.5 minute cooldowns, which is pretty esoteric. So I'd need something I could program myself, not just a pre-programmed download.

Silock · 12-22-2006, 09:33 PM

You could try and write an Applescript for that, but I've never seen anything quite that advanced.

http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/

They have forums. You could try poking around in there and see if anyone can help you out with that.

**Gonzo** · 12-22-2006, 09:37 PM

I just bought an Ipod Shuffle. Kicks ass.
Goes well with my new IMAC.

Mecca · 12-22-2006, 09:38 PM

I only run if someone who's ass I can't kick is chasing me......

12-22-2006, 03:00 PM
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	My Nike+iPod Runners Review I must say, I'm impressed. For only $40, this thing works more than adequately. The only downside is the lack of GPS, but again... it's only $40. GPS units are far, far more expensive and I haven't found one that has all the cool, unique features that the Nike account gives you. The shoe sensor is fairly accurate out of the box. It slightly overestimated the distance I ran before I calibrated it. I ran 800m and it told me I had gone 810. Not too shabby. I then calibrated it, and it was accurate down to 10 meters over the course of 1600. I'm impressed. The feedback it gives you during your workout is really cool. It's a lot more convenient than having to look down at a watch and do a bunch of math. You can just concentrate on the running and it tells you how far you've gone, how much time you have remaining, and what your current pace is. Very slick. Once you get done with your workout, it records the data and when you connect your iPod to your computer, it automatically uploads the data to the Nike website where you can track your progress. I started recording my workout in the middle of my interval training session. I used the first half of my workout to get it calibrated. I'm not really as concerned about the accuracy of the distance it records, because it can change based on elevation or you changing your stride length. But overall, it's accurate enough. What I really like is the fact that it records the pace you're on. You can see that I was getting tired near the end of my training session. The intervals were 80% of max speed for 3 minutes followed by a 3 minute slow recovery run. The end shows my 10 minute cooldown. What I'm really excited about is being able to track the effort I give on my runs. Some days, you just don't feel like you ran that fast, but maybe you did. And some days, you might feel that you went quick, but you really didn't. With this, I'll know the truth and I'll be able to either kick my ass harder the next time to make up for it, or know that I can go a little easier because I did so well yesterday. The actual tracking isn't as useful for me as most people, because I usually do specific workouts when I run, and I don't usually just set a distance or time and go. I'm usually doing some form of training, which makes this thing a little more inaccurate. The website is cool in that you can join a user group and compete with people around the country, or if your friends have one, you can challenge them to a race, even though you're not in the same city as them. All in all, for $40, this is a bargain. Highly recommended. And no, you don't have to buy the special Nike+ shoes, but you do have to have an iPod Nano.
Posts: 19,908

12-22-2006, 05:55 PM	#16
TN_Chief Herm Edwards is...Kim Jong-il Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eden Prairie, MN Casino cash: $10004900	Oops. Here's a link to the ones I bought. At least you can see what it looks like and what I'm talking about. http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/ipod...ano-002458.php PS- if you're able to find one: flip it upside down when you put it on, so that the sensor/headphone jack are facing up. This allows you to read the display right side up.
Posts: 1,049

12-22-2006, 06:16 PM	#17
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	That one does look like it would work better.
Posts: 19,908

12-22-2006, 09:33 PM	#19
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	You could try and write an Applescript for that, but I've never seen anything quite that advanced. http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/ They have forums. You could try poking around in there and see if anyone can help you out with that.
Posts: 19,908

12-22-2006, 09:38 PM	#21
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-702950	I only run if someone who's ass I can't kick is chasing me......
Posts: 115,380