Smartphone vs Garmin vs ????

[KANdoit]

Can anyone comment on which might be better than the other and why?

[MuirDragonne]

At the moment, I'm "just" using an iPod to play the podcasts and using google maps to plot out mileage. I'm hoping to get the Nike+ sensor in the post before my run on Friday so I can try it out. From what I've seen, the Nike+ app looks pretty good. Time will tell, though!

[KANdoit]

I've tried runtastic, runkeeper and endomondo on my HTC Desire smart phone. They're all OK/good. I've been wondering what extra (if any) a garmin running watch would give me. I have a suspision that Garmins and their ilk have been usurped by the GPS smart phone apps. Ie the new phone technology has eaten into the GPS niche previously occupied by garmins. I was wondering if anyone could confirm this.

[shelleymcb Graduate]

ok. I dont have a fancy phone. mine does have radio though

I have a walkman for my music. & a garmin forerunner 110 & chest monitor strap. the garmin does everything I need: pace, distance (you can actually see how far you've run when you are running) heart rate & time. all I need. & then, once home, you can upload it to the computer & see lots of graphs ~ great for the geek in me.

when I first started c25k I used my mobile but it was a pain, cause when I got a message it cut to message.

so for me. garmin for distance/speed etc & walkman for alllllllll my music. it is amazing how much stuff you can get on one of these.

happy running x

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Hi Kandoit, I was going to buy a Garmin but found they were just too big for my small wrist. I couldn't afford an Iphone and to be honest as I only use my mobile a quite rarely £500 was just o.t.t. So I ended uo buying a new Ipod Touch, which gives me the GPS, text messages, email, camera Podsats, and Apps plus loads more.

I'm using Runtatsic which was free for basic App, then I upgraded to Pro version. It has GPS tracking, you can play your own music while running, it maps your routes and reports are good too. There are fancy charts and grphs too. Below is some of the info you get from a run. Hope this helps and good luck in what ever you decide to get.

Split Table

Show as:km/mi

Distance Pace Speed Avg. Duration Elevation gain Elevation loss

1.00 km 6:31 min/km 9.20 km/h 6:33 0 m 0 m

2.00 km 6:35 min/km 9.09 km/h 13:20 4 m 9 m

3.00 km 5:05 min/km 11.77 km/h 18:29 7 m 0 m

4.00 km 7:09 min/km 8.38 km/h 25:23 0 m 11 m

4.56 km 9:02 min/km 6.64 km/h 30:22 9 m 0 m

Comments

Distance4.56 km

Duration00:30:22

Average Pace06:39 min/km

Average Speed9.01 km/h

Calories273 kcal

Elevation(gain/loss)20 m / 20 m

[tantrumbean Graduate]

I don't want to take my phone everytime and the smartphones tend to be quite bulky - the garmin just replaces my normal watch and I have to admit I love mine (despite having tiny wrists )

[Alaiyo Graduate]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I think the breakdown is basically thus:

Garmin: pros - small, lightweight, rugged (resistant to breaking), can measure pulse

cons - fairly expensive since it can only be used as a tracking device, no music

Smartphone: pros - plentiful from many manufacturers, can also be used for everything from phone to clock to calculator to document file to camera to... everything

cons - if you just want a tracking device, a phone probably costs more, it probably doesn't measure pulse, is bigger/heavier, easier to break

Bottom line: if you are serious about the running, especially long distance in all weather, and want ideal running gear, the Garmin is probably where it's at. If you are running mostly as a hobby and don't need/want the best of the best, and are not completely anti-tech, the phone may be a better value.

[tantrumbean Graduate in reply to Alaiyo]

Ah, but you have forgotten to mention the most important bit: You can attach the garmin to your dog's collar and find out how fast they run!!!! So far, mine has reached a top speed of 26.2mph - we are working on improving this!

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to tantrumbean]

ha ha ha, i love this!

[shelleymcb Graduate in reply to tantrumbean]

thats soooooo funny. hadnt thought of that. hehehe

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Thats priceless just like your dog! lol