New Gear: Nike+ SportWatch GPS

First off, I feel like your Grandmother having to go through the history of these Nike+ running products, but, at the same time, it’s nice to see the product innovations from Nike.

In the early days, they had the Nike+ SportsKit (I had one!), then the Nike+SportsBand (I had the first version and 2.0!), followed by the Nike+ FuelBand (which I didn’t even bother to check out).

Just a week ago, Nike launched the Nike+ SportWatch GPS—yes GPS!—here in Manila.  Finally, Nike comes up with a GPS watch! Footpods and calibration are just too cumbersome and most of the time inaccurate based on my experience.

– the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS retails for P8,495 –

Nike sent me a product for testing and I used it for an easy 10k run last night. Usually, I test a product for a week or two before I post about it. But, let me give you my feedback already because I’m just pleasantly surprised:

PROS
1) It was accurate! It was! It was! Admittedly, I had my doubts about the accuracy of this product given my experience with the Sportsbands of the past.  But, this time, I compared the distance and pace with the readings of Garmin Forerunner and it was spot on down to the average pace.
2) User friendly. I spent less than 5 minutes going through the manual, downloading the Nike+ software, and starting the watch for a run.
3) Attractive. Love its look. Cool and sleek. My favorite part: the end of the strap is a USB plug! So creative.
4) Fun. True to the Nike spirit, it’s a fun watch to have. It congratulated me for my first run. Almost like having a buddy out there on the road with you.
5) Tap watch. Timex has a tap watch and Garmin 910 can be tapped too. This watch can be tapped for the backlight and laps for convenience.
6) Connect to the Nike+ community. I used to join the challenges here. As a beginner, they helped to motivate me to run longer distances or, at the very least, look forward to each day’s run.
7) Works as a regular watch so you can use it even for non-running days.
* Note: You can read about other features below. I mentioned those that, for me, were significant features that should be highlighted.

CONS
1) A bit pricey compared to the older Garmin models.
2) Durability.  I’m a bit concerned about its durability. I ran with it under the rain and I must admit I was quite worried about it.  I’m not quite sure if this would last you over 2 years.

Press release from Nike…

NIKE AND TOMTOM UNVEIL GAME-CHANGING NIKE+ SPORTWATCH GPS
New Watch Delivers World’s Most Dynamic Running Experience

PHILIPPINES, MAY 31 – NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) and TomTom (AEX: TOM2) have collaborated to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom and will launch in Philippines on June 1. The new running watch will provide athletes with the most dynamic and motivational running experience in the world thanks to its unique functionality, beautiful design, and direct connection to www.nikeplus.com, the world’s leading running community with more than 6 million members.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed for high-performance with an extremely clear and readable user interface that delivers the information necessary to the user while in-run. It adds personalization and motivational features to the running experience, including audible sounds, challenges, run reminders and more.

“The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is a game-changing product that furthers our commitment to provide all athletes with unparalleled motivation and the tools to get better,” said Stefan Olander, VP of Nike Digital Sport.

“It is part of TomTom Consumer’s strategy to move into the fast-growing sports and fitness market. This true partnership with Nike combines the strengths of two leading companies to deliver a game-changing product for runners,” said Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director, TomTom Consumer. TomTom is the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions.

On-Watch Experience
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed to be simple and intuitive with only three buttons and a Tap Screen for navigation. During the run, the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS captures location information while showing runners their time, distance, pace, and calories burned on an easy-to-read screen featuring a customizable layout. Throughout the run, the GPS receiver works in tandem with the shoe-based Nike+ Sensor to deliver highly accurate pace and distance data.

On-watch features include:
• Tap Screen for setting laps and activating backlight
• Run History with data from past runs
• Personal Records including those imported from Nikeplus.com
• Quick Start with optional shoe-based Nike+ Sensor
• Heart Rate Monitor compatibility

Some of the unique motivating factors the Nike+ SportWatch GPS offer runners on-screen include:
• Recognition (or “Attaboys”) for personal records
• Run Reminders that appear after five days if a run has not been logged
• Post-run acknowledgement and encouragement

Post-Run Experience
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS plugs neatly into any USB port on a Mac or PC, then immediately launches the Nike+ Connect interface which automatically transfers information to www.nikeplus.com.

“With more than 150 million runs logged since its launch in 2006, Nikeplus.com captures the pulse of the running world everyday,” added Olander.

Nikeplus.com presents runners with the GPS mapping, total miles, pace and elevation data for their most recent run in a rich and engaging way that will be familiar to users of the popular Nike+ GPS iPhone application.

“Providing runners with accurate pace, distance and location information during and after their run gives them the information they need to better train and track their progress,” added Vigreux.

Data from each run is automatically applied to all current Nike+ Challenges, Nike+ Goals, and Nike+ Coach programs in which the runner is participating.

Additional Features at Nikeplus.com
Athletes who want to get the most out of their run and from the Nike+ SportWatch GPS will have access to a huge catalogue of run routes logged by Nike and published by other runners on streets and trails around the world.

Each run will be graphically mapped with the help of TomTom technology, and include route notes, elevation and length. Runners will also be able to find the perfect route by searching the catalogue by location, length, difficulty, and even landmarks.

Since the 2006 launch of Nike+ in partnership with Apple, a variety of Nike+ enabled devices have been introduced to help runners reach their full potential including the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano and iPod touch, the Nike+ SportBand, and the new Nike+ GPS App for use with the iPhone.

Nike+ Sportwatch GPS will retail at Php 8,495 and available through the following stores:

NIKE PARK
• Bonifacio High Street
• Trinoma
• Glorietta 4
• Robinsons Galleria
• Robinsons Ermita Manila

NIKE STADIUM
• Rockwell Powerplant
• Alabang Town Center

RIOVANA
• Bonifacio Global City
• Regis Center, Katipunan

RUNNR Bonifacio High Street