GPS Watch Reviews
I have been lucky enough to review a number of GPS watches over the past year. Sometimes I am sent these watches to review and sometimes these watches receive such good press that I simply have to buy them to see what the fuss is all about!
If you are in the process of choosing a GPS running, cycling or triathlon watch then the following in-depth reviews should be a good place to start, as I test each product thoroughly so that you don’t have to do the testing yourself.
Note: The Star ratings next to each review represent how reliable, easy to use and practical each watch is and does not compare the level of functionality each watch offers compared to another. Having said that, if a watch is missing something pretty important that all the other watches have then that is reflected by a lower rating.
Check out the the results of the BIG GPS WATCH TEST 2011 to find out what is the Best GPS Watch of all time.
Motorola GPS Watch Reviews
The Motorola MOTOACTV is a next generation touch screen GPS fitness tracker and smart MP3 Player. Not only can you track your daily activity, you can also track over 30 metrics on your run, cycle, walk, elliptical trainer, or step machine. The MOTOACTV can be worn on the wrist, mounded on a bike or worn with an arm band or belt clip. The MOTOACTV is also an 8gb or 16gb smart mp3 player that syncs with your Itunes or music library. The MOTOACTV then works out which music you train best to and collates a playlist for your future sesions. There are so many features on this watch that the best thing to do is read the review but just for a taster, here are some of best features: Wi-Fi sync your training data with MOTOACTV.com, smartphone pairing, record stats with a pedometer or GPS, touch screen, radio, free bonus tracks and race your previous routes, pre-set paces or downloaded routes.
Nike GPS Watch Reviews
The first GPS watch to be created by Nike is perfect for recreational runners who need something stylish and simple to use. The Nike+ on-line running community is the most slick and user friendly out of all the training websites and Nike give you virtual trophies and motivational videos when you complete your running goals. A great feature of the Nike GPS watch is that you can download 5k, 10k, Half or Full Marathon training plans from Nike straight to the watch. It will then prompt you to run the required distance that the schedule dictates on the correct days in order to train you up for your desired race distance.
Garmin GPS Watch Reviews
The Forerunner 610 is the most advanced GPS running watch on the market. It has a full functional touch screen interface that
allows for quick navigation of its many features. Although not suitable for triathlon (not water proof) it is fully compatible with bike cadence and speed sensors, and also is the only Garmin to allow you to switch in-between running and cycling modes. Unlike any other Forerunners you can race a virtual cyclist as well as a virtual runner and can set up and store a wide variety of custom workouts with custom vibration and sound alerts. Made partially out of metal the watch is both durable, comfortable and professional looking as well as being one of the most advanced GPS watches on the market.
An updated version of the two year old Forerunner 405 with an improved touch sensitive bezel, GPS sensor and firmware. Aimed at experienced runners, every feature that you will ever need is packed into this sports watch. Track over 30 training indicators, race against a virtual coach, combine with a cycle cadence sensor, set-up advanced interval workouts and dissect every run in incredible detail using the on-line Garmin Connect training portal.
The most easy to use GPS watch in the Forerunner Range. It gives you all the essential training metrics without the high price tag of other advanced watches. Not a great watch for anyone looking for a cycling watch but this is more than enough for the casual runner as it includes important metrics such as Average Pace as well as Current Pace. Like the 410 the 210 also incluses the most accurate Calorie counter out of all the GPS watches and can be turned into a very powerful training tool with the help of the Garmin Connect online training portal.
A Forerunner for runners and cyclists that need four training indicators displayed on the watch face (unlike the three that the other Forerunners offer)
The best selling Forerunner to date. Although it is over three years old now the Forerunner 405 offers most of the features of the advanced 410 but at half the price.
An entry level sports watch suitable for runners who just want the very basics from a GPS watch. Simple and easy to use but lacks essential features such as average pace that regular runners will find they need to know when out running.
Timex GPS Watch Reviews
One of the most advanced GPS watch on the market to date. Not only does it offer a wide range of Training metrics but it is also waterproof to 50m and has a large display. Perfect for Triathletes, you can set the watch up to automatically switch between sports and can customise virtually every training indicator that the watch records. Also offers a powerful on-line training portal for recording and tracking aspects of your fitness such as health and diet as well as your running, cycling and swimming.
Suunto GPS Watch Reviews
The Suunto Quest is an advanced heart rate monitor that you can hook up to either a GPS pod or a Footpod in order to keep track of
your distance. The best thing about the Suunto Quest is that it tells you exactly how intense your training is and how much recovery time you need after each run. You can also download training plans to the watch and it will tell you exactly how close to your daily mileage or intensity goal you are during your run. The new and Impoved Suunto MovesCount online training portal is incredibly social and easily rivals Garmins Connect portal
The most professional looking GPS watch ont he market. This advanced GPS watche from Suunto the T3d is notjing like any other GPS watch as it tracks your long term fitness automatically and lets you know exactly how hard you need to push yourself on each run in order to meet your pre-determined long term fitness goals. The watch recognises when you become fitter and adjusts its ‘training intensity’ display so keep pushing you towards your goals. Also a very professional looking watch that is much more stylish and wasy to understand than any other GPS watch due to graphical as well as numerical displays.
Polar GPS Watches
I have only recently started reviewing Polar watches so here is the collection so far:
The Polar FT7 is a simple and good value for money heart rate monitor watch that tells you if you are fat burning or training your fitness. The watch is not GPS enabled but I have marked it down for other reasons such as the lack of a lap/split functionality. The watch is waterproof to 30m and is available in four colours in a professional and understated design so if that is the kind of thing that you are after then this may be the watch for you.
Thank you very much for the comprehensive reviews; it’s great to have an actual user providing feedback. I am trying to decide between the 410 and the 610; based on your usage, which do you prefer?
Cheers,
Tom
It would be great to see these models side by side covering the same criteria as a matrix. It would make it easier for me to chose. eg. Not all reviews talk about the battery, an how easy they are to read(i wear reading glasses but not when running). the sort of comparison i would like to see are. Ease of setup, ease of use, readability, back-light, features, battery life, website(its features and functions), on board training(downloadable to the watch), designed for(triathlon, running, biking, beginner, professional etc).. these were a few of my thoughts i am sure there are a lot more but it would be good to see this
Hi Pete
Thanks for your feedback. I am working on a comparison table at the moment but it is taking longer than expected as I am trying to make the tests are fair as possible so that we have an accurate and unbiased comparison across the board!
If you have any specific GPS watches that you want me to look into, that I haven’t reviewed here then let me know and I will see if i can source the specific models from somewhere.
Cheers
Hi. I’m wondering. Of all the GPS running watches u’ve tested, which has the attention-catching alerts? I noticed only Forerunner 610 has vibration alerts. Is there any others that has vibration alerts? Can the alerts on watches u’ve tested be adjusted (ie. volume high/low)? I’m worried the alerts won’t catch my attention during my run. I’m already used to the iPhone Nike+ app that’s speaks out my data. Appreciate your opinion on this.
Hi Asfarina – The Forerunner 610 is the only watch that I know of that has Vibration alerts. I have only tested about half of the advanced running watches available on the market though so the new Forerunner 910XT may have vibration alerts. Does anyone else know if this is the case?
Hi Ross- Suunto apparently has a watch above the T3d (the T6d) I would like to read one of your detailed reviews on. I find very little about this other than the blurb from Suunto. Thanks for the great user friendly details!
I really need to get my hands on one of those but Suunto dont seem to have any review copies available for the next few weeks. Have a look at the Suunto Quest Review in the meantime…
http://www.runtheline.com/2507/suunto-quest-review
Ross,
I’ve been hooked on Suunto for 2 years now and have massive amounts of incredibly useful data…it seems to me it’s the gap in your assessment as it does everything the Garmins do and so many more things than any of the other Suunto’s do…
Hi Ross,
Thanks for the great reviews, it is really hard to find such good information.
I have currently have the polar rs300x with a foot pod, but I want something more accurate and to assist me in achieving my goal of running my first marathon next year. Do you feel a gps watch is a better pro former ?
Thanks for you advice.
Brad
Hi Brad, A GPS watch is much more accurate if you are doing long distance stuff as long as you have good reception! A foot pod watch isnt a bad shout as long as you have it calibrated properly and you dont think that you stride length will change too much over the course of the Maraton. Up to you buddy but I would go for something like the Forerunner 405, 410 or 610 if you plan on using it solely for running.
Ross
I have been looking into getting a good GPS watch and was curious on how the GPS works in remote areas, such as Afghanistan? Not only how well the GPS works but which one is the most durable and reliable. If anyone has any knowledge or insight on this I would greatly appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Paul
Hey Paul, I used the Garmin 305 in Iraq and Afghanistan, it worked like a charm. Yes, it is older model, but I would imagine that you should be fine with a more recent model as well.
I used it in a couple of creative ways…use your imagination…it was a great tool in my bag for a back up E&E tool…
I used it daily in Qatar, Iraq, Afghanistan, then later while on leave in Sweden, going through the Archipelago too!
Over all, I would recommend it! I have had mine since 2005 (?)…
Stay safe, Cheers, MTF!
Army Spec Opns MSG
@Paul – Just wondering why you need a watch to work in such a location. Aren’t those places still very dangerous to travel in?