Nike + Sport Band

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

While it has its limitations, I have mostly come to like the Nike+ system. After some bad experiences, I avoided Nike products for many years, then decided to try the Free Run+ shoe a little over a year ago. I became a big convert to this shoe (see my recent RR review). I thought the Nike+ system was just for iClones, so I ignored that little oval plug under my left insole for months, then I saw a sport band while waiting for my wife to buy shoes. For years I trained with a full-featured Polar training watch/pedo that I like a lot, but the chunky footpod is irritating and failure prone, and the acoustic upload system is almost unusable. The Polar needed a new battery ($25), so I thought I'd give the sport band a try instead.

What it does, it does pretty well, and what it doesn't do, it doesn't do. You can barely tell you have the watch on, and you can't tell you have the sensor on at all (if you wear Nike+ shoes). The USB interface is brilliant in its simplicity. That's the most impressive feature to me. I think the price is very fair as well.

The minimalist design that makes it so unobtrusive and easy to use does have a downside. Most of the data review and processing functions normally found in a running watch (e.g., calculation of lap times and average pace) can only be accessed on your PC after you upload data. There are no alarm or pacing functions. The LCD display is rudimentary, small, not backlit, and can be tough to read through my polarized sunglasses. The viewing angle is a lot better if you wear it on the inside of your wrist as the directions suggest. Customization of the display is virtually non-existent. You can toggle distance, current pace, run time, time of day, and calories, and you can pause a run. That's it. No averaging or splits. All of this I am willing to live with as a reasonable tradeoff for the pros listed above.

I do find the software/website a little irritating. It does what I need it to do. It allows me to monitor distance and pace on the road and track my training and shoe wear mileage. I wish you could correct mileage on runs where the wrong calibration run was selected (this can only be done on the PC, before your run, which is a major flaw). I also wish you could just enter a calibration factor like I did on my Polar. Instead, you have to select a calibration run currently on the watch (tough luck if there isn't one). Getting accurate distance and pace from a pedometer requires experience and knowledge of your stride variability. Weather, terrain, and adjusting pace to different distances or running partners can all affect the calibration, so just because you calibrate for one set of conditions doesn't mean all runs will be accurately calibrated. It seems to me that they could add more flexibility to the software for experienced runners. I'd happily trade that for the useless social networking features. I really couldn't care less about taunting my friends online or trying to help my city run more miles than LA.

I also have some concerns about durability. I bought my sport band in March, and a couple of weeks ago, it went out on me. I wasn't even wearing it at the time. The display just started going blank and working intermittently. I suspect a bad battery or possible moisture intrusion. It does seem kind of flimsy. The good news is that my local retailer replaced it for me no questions asked. I didn't even have a receipt. I don't think I'd recommend wearing it as your daily watch though.

All in all a good training aid. If you are really obsessed with getting completely accurate distance and pace recordings, or if you want a heart monitor or virtual pacing partner functions, you will need a GPS watch. Be advised that there are drawbacks to those too, beyond the price. My wife has a Garmin Forerunner 205, but it is bulky and uncomfortable (think dive watch on steroids), has terrible charge life (always dead when she wants to use it), and doesn't work if it can't see the sky. Trees, buildings, and even heavy cloud cover can block the sat signals. The pedo at least is unaffected by anything other than your cadence.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I used this product with the Nathan Sensor Pocket. Unfortunately I had to constantly calibrate my runs. Miles run were always over or under my workout. Never close (for example, 6 miles only logged 5.5 miles, 8 miles loggeg 9.6). The Nike + Sport Band is very durable, stylish, and nice but the sensor does not work well in this type of setup even after multiple calibration. After further review, I found out that Nike does not support this type of setup. The lack of support for NON-Nike shoe users (I run with Mizuno)shows Nike's lack of flexibility to incorporate other users. Waiting for my Garmin 210 to arrive to see if it is better.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I usually run with a Garmin GPS for accuracy, but I also like to run with the NIke + for enjoyment. I use an iPod Nano and the Sportsband, depending if it's a race or not. What I enjoy most about the Nike system is the website and joining the Challenges. The BIG problem is that the Sportsband's software is very buggy and at times will not upload my runs. Many times I have to make sure I wipe the USB connect point with rubbing alcohol to assure it will connect--sometimes that doesn't help. Also, since it's just a accelerometer, it's not as accurate as a GPS watch, even when you calibrate it, but it's pretty close. All in all, it's well worth the money, but I think if you are more than a casual runner and want to know your true pace, you'd be better served by paying more for a Garmin.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I received the old version for Christmas '08 and the screen promptly went out. Nike replaced it and the screen on the new one developed two large blotches on either side. I kept that one and waited until this new version came out and Nike exchanged my messed up one for a brand spanking new one. The new version is supposed to be water resistant (my old ones went bad just from being in my bag with a wet towel). My two biggest complaints, which are a carryover from the previous version is that when it is "working" you can scroll through everything but the time (distance, time elapsed, calories burned, etc) and you can't read it in the dark (no Indiglo feature).

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I've been using the sportband for a couple of years now and for the most part I love it.

Pros: lightweight, small, looks nice, easy to use, fairly accurate after you calibrate it, good value.

Cons: I've gone through two sportsbands because the display got messed up both times by moisture (easily happens if you get really sweaty or run in a light drizzle). Fortunately for one of those times I got a free replacement as it was within the one-year warranty. As someone else reviewed, the software is fun, like joining challenges and tracks your runs nicely. However it can be buggy.

Overall, great for recreational and everyday use--especially if all you care to know is your pace and mileage. Unlike a Garmin it does not take into account elevation, won't map out your runs, and it can't be used for biking. Still it's a good value.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I like the challenges on Nike+ - the competition is a motivator. With the Sportsband, I don't have to wear my iPod (or can us the tiny Shuffle) on runs.
I used my Garmin to calibrate it, and it's pretty accurate - usually within .1 to .2 mile after a 10+ mile run.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

Bought the Nike + Sport Band for my wife and she loves it! Once synced with the Nike site you can keep track of all of your run time, set goals, etc... Came with the sensor too!

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

This is a great device for measuring the pace, distance, calories burned and total time of a run. I have used the Nike+ with my ipod, so this was an easy fit for me.

The battery lasts a long time and the band is well made. I was wearing it as a watch all day until I scratched it, so no more of that. I have found it to be very accurate after a calibration run.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

You don't need nike shoes to use this device. There are lots of different ways to attach the sensor to your shoe. I have been using nike+ with new balance shoes for the past 3 years and haven't had any problems.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

Nowhere on the site does it say you need to also have Nike shoes. The description implies the footpod is compatable with any type of shoe, but that is clearly not the case.

I don't know who I'm more angry with - Nike for making a product that is a cheesy way to lock you in to their shoes

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

Fairly reliable but distances for same run can vary by .1 to .2 miles, even after calibrating. I have had a lot of software problems and have had to repair the program 4-5 times.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I run 4-5 times a week and this does exactly what I want. Its great for what it is, basic functions and easy to use, if your looking for more than your current pace, time and distance then invest in something else. I keep it with me daily so just in case I feel like running a few miles or so I can just slip this little bad boy on and Im ready to go. I have a garmin 610 and while its great, its also bulky and I dont necessarily need all the functions for my basic daily runs. The website for this product is ok, it has the basics as well; nothing fancy. The battery is great! It lasts me about a week or two and when I need a charge I just quickly plug it in my computer at work or home. I also use this with the amphipod zip pod and the only problem I had was I once placed it upside down and my run info was all screwed up but that was my fault not the product's.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

Accuracy is really good. Motivates me to run farther, and cost less than the GPS models. I feel lost without it. Highly recommend it for runners who do about 18 miles a week. Not sure how it would do on a half marathon. I plan to find out someday.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

What a great running tool. umber easy to use and reliable.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I absolutely love it. I was a little worried because I have wrist the size of a child's and I hate things that are lose around my wrist. But it actually fits. Its easy to use, lightweight, and it really keeps you motivated.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

This is one of the better products that I have used during my runs. I am just a fan of how light this watch is, not only does it greatly serve its purpose but it isn't bulky to the point where running with it uncomfortable. The only downside is the initial distance track, unless you know exactly the distance of where you run you cant get an exact distance, but it does give you a really close measure

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

It's easy to use -- better than the Ipod attachment, because you don't have to constantly re-link it to multiple pairs of shoes. Once it's linked, it stays linked. You just push a button and run. You can toggle between pace, time, calories, or distance. Because it's a pedometer -- it measures the steps you take -- the distance does not usually reflect the race distance. This is because, unless you run the tangents (and run perfectly straight, without weaving between other runners) you run longer than the race distance. I prefer this to GPS, because I like to know how the weaving between the runners is affecting my distance. Because I am used to the device, I can compare my runs to previous efforts, etc.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

the product is good for tracking your miles, calories, etc.. The most difficult thing I've encountered is downloading the program on your computer. If you are an apple user there is no problem, But you'll have problems if you are a Windows user.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I love this watch. Just a few cons about it. I wish it had a light so I could see what it says at night. Also, I had to buy a new one recently, because the usb popped out while I was walking. And didn't notice til it was too late and couldn't find it. So that was a bummer. It seemed to stay in place, but after awhile it became looser. Overall, though I really love this thing, it's simple. And I love the nike running site, definitely keeps me motivated.

Comments about Nike + Sport Band Monitors:

I use the Nike+ sport band to keep track of my weekly runs. It keeps me on track by holding me accountable and giving me feedback on my long runs. Also, I can sync my runs to Facebook, which gives my friends and family a chance to join me as workout buddies and give me motivation from a distance! I also use the band as a sporty watch when I'm not using it to track my runs. Since I do not own an iPod, the band is the perfect substitute.