GPS running watch question

[orangeguy]

I am thinking about buying a GPS running watch but I am not quite sure they do what I really want them to do, I’m wondering if somebody here can tell me please. What I would like is something that I can set to notify me (with a bleep or similar) when I reach a certain distance, for example if want to run 5k then set it to notify me at 2.5k so I can turn around, is that something these devices do?

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Yes you can typically set splits or intervals of any length you want. Default will be 1mile or 1km but you can change it. Depending on specific device of course. But that's a pretty basic function

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

I can’t see my runnwatch so have no idea until I get my specs on 🤓 Bit of a faff

I have the bog standard garmin forerunner 10

You can get an app which talks to you to let you know the numbers you’ve requested. Endomondo is free and I found that quite stable, unlike some 🙂

If you have an iPhone there’s a free health app on it which tells you how far you’ve gone. My husband’s got one on his android phone too

[tony_a Graduate10]

They can do that, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that free apps on your smartphone like Strava can also do similar - I used to have Strava set to to announce each half or full km for example which sounds like it might do the trick for what you want.

GPS running watches are great though. I got a Garmin recently and am really happy with it.

[Hidden]

Garmin is the way to go. They are designed for serious runners. I have mine set to buzz after each kilometer.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I really like Garmin

Loads of really complicated data that I ignore but lots of helpful stuff too

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The complicated stuff starts to make sense as time goes on. There was an interesting online article I read that explained what it all meant, but I didn't bookmark it, unfortunately. I didnt understand cadence till i read it.

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

Yes- you would only need a very basic GPS watch for such a basic requirement. A free Running App like RUNKEEPER would be perfectly adequate for that.

[Beach-runner Graduate10]

Hi there I have a Tomtom run 3. It's superb. I have Bluetooth earphones so it tells me every km, half time and 10% before end. The GPS function gives good maps, there are other settings for programme but I-m not very technical. I wanted GPS and music. Good luck.

[martinhermanus]

I used a heart rate monitor chest strap with a cell phone. Great one can see the time and heart rate. Upgraded to a polar 430 can't see the time or heart rate as I run. Great having my arms free. Gives you some interesting information. Can become a technology junky. Try to keep it simple. Depends on your budget. If you have lots of money no problem if you are on a tight budget a cell phone will do the trick.

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Thanks everybody for your replies and help, it looks as though the Garmin Forerunner 25 might be the one then, but not the pink version

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I use MapMyFitness. If you take your phone with you for music, you could just use this? I set it so it tells me my pace every km, but you can change it to different distances.

[orangeguy Graduate10]

I’m afraid I’m quite old school when it comes music, I tend to take a tiny mp3 player and either listen to music or audio books on that. Currently I plan and map my runs in mapometer.com which is ok but anyway the family are buying me a Garmin Forerunner 25 for my birthday which is only a few weeks away, so looking forward to trying that out soon.