This wide range of costs for the running watch would usually make buyers think about just how much they should actually spend for a running watch.

The answer to this question should actually be determined by studying a few different factors. You should be able to know which among these considerations do you value the most, and then decide from there.

Here are some of the factors that you need to deliberate on so that you can decided how much you should spend for your running watches:

Toughness and Durability:

When it comes to running watches, the mantra could actually be “you get what you pay for.” Usually, a running watch that is cheap is just made from substandard materials or those kinds that would break down easily. On the other hand, an expensive watch would usually be made from the toughest and most durable materials. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, this is fairly accurate.

That’s why if you are planning on going through rough treks or jogs in the harshest environment, then you should probably purchase a more costly running watch. However, the strolls around the park or a controlled environment such as an oval, then you could make do with a cheaper watch.

Features:

As with toughness and durability, the more features you get, the more expensive the watch becomes. If you are looking for a complete training system with all the bells and whistles such as voice outputs, virtual training partners, heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, and GPS capabilities, then you have no other option but to actually shell out some money for it.

Remember that these innovations and features need special equipment and software, which are factors that can drive up the entire cost of the watch.

Design:

While it may not be directly related to running, design also plays a part in the cost of the running watch. Watches with lighter design or more ergonomic bands would usually cost more than their generic looking counterparts.

As you may probably surmise, the more advanced you are in your training, the more expensive the running watch that you need becomes. This is because a highly advanced training would require more features that cheap watches cannot provide.

If you are not really interested in running, you could probably just purchase a cheap watch and then purchase new ones as your interest grows, but if you know from the start that you would be fully dedicated to the sport, then you should probably skip the cheap ones and invest in a full-feature running watch.

Related posts:

1. Garmin Forerunner 205/305/405 – Top Running Watch 2009
2. Using Your Running Watch to Improve Training
3. Best Running Watches for 2010

However, training has become more advanced than ever.  Thanks to scientific methods and technological innovations, people have now found new ways of acquiring data and analyzing them to help in improving training.

It seems now that in order to be able to improve your lap times, and  increase your training intensity, you would also need to have the cutting edge equipment. These highly advanced equipment would help in making your exercise more efficient, streamlined and give you better results.

When it comes to training equipment, the first one that comes to mind are running watches. Most runners would take them while they are plying their routes. Before, running watches only gave you your time, and how fast you were able to go from point A to point B. These days seem to be over though, as running watches now have become more advanced and more hi-tech.

Running watches nowadays, aside from providing you with basic time keeping functions are now packed with more features. The Garmin Forerunner 405 for example, not only allows for measuring your time but gives you the capability to study your training pace, your speed and cadence, or even your heart rate when you use it.

These features make calculating your training data that much easier.  It allows runners with a Garmin Forerunner 405 to acquire data that were previously highly difficult to attain. They get all these numbers with just a device that is strapped to their wrists.

A good running watch like the Garmin Forerunner 305, would also help people who like to cross train. Watches like the Forerunner 305 have built in sport profiles to make sure that you could train accordingly even if you are just strolling, running, or even biking. This is further supported by the wide range of available accessories that the Garmin 305 is compatible with.

Another way that training has truly advanced is through the help of computer software that automatically calculates the resulting data from your training. Before, after acquiring the data, the coaches and trainers would have to manually track and chart these in order to form a good analysis from it. The advent of computer software, and high compatibility.

Related posts:

1. Personalizing Your GPS Running Watch
2. Garmin Forerunner 205/305/405 – Top Running Watch 2009
3. Garmin Forerunner 305 Review

Polar FS2C Heart Rate Monitor

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $69.95

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

The Polar FS2C Heart Rate Monitors are made for entry level runners that are looking for fully functional training tools that are very easy to use.

The Polar FS2C Wrist-Worn Heart Rate Monitor has a wide range of heart rate functions as well as usual chronograph features to ensure that you are getting the proper training. Aside from tracking your heart rate data, the Polar Fs2C is capable of providing you with stopwatch, and time of day functionalities.

All of these features of the Polar FS2C Wrist-Worn Heart Rate Monitor can be easily navigated thanks to the highly intuitive one button control interface. A simple touch of the button can take you to the functions that you would need for your training.

With ease of use, and high functionality, the Polar FS2C Wrist-Worn Heart Rate Monitor is a great addition to anyone who would want to start their training programs.

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Related posts:

1. Polar FS2 Heart Rate Monitor Watch Black
2. Polar RS300X SD Heart Rate Monitor Watch with S1 Foot Pod Black
3. Polar RS100 Black Running Series Heart Rate Monitor

Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $499.95

Amazon Price: $375.00

The Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor is an elite level watch that can match the intensity of people who undergo elite level training. It is a complete training solution that encompasses planning, monitoring and even analyzing the training that you are doing.

The Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor watch is capable of tracking maximum heart rate (fitness test-based and age-based), maximum/average of total exercise and of each lap (up to 99 laps), three target zones, and even gives auditory signals when you reach your targets.

All these data can then be tracked and analyzed in your computer. The Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor comes with the Polar’s ProTrainer 5 software, which is an advanced training analyzer for your computers. Simply transfer the data from your watch to your computer through the Polar WearLink W.I.N.D. transmitter and you are ready to go.

Aside from these features, the Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor is also highly adaptable. It can be used in conjunction with a variety of training accessories and even shoes, to ensure that it can be utilized no matter the type of training that you are doing.

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User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Polar RS800
This product is excellent i have been used Polar for more than 10 years, i have the GPS and the foot sensor, as i practice mountain bike, i had some doubts because i have read in Amazon the products is not very good, but i took the risk and no regret, the only issue is the Polar software is excellent but do not have manual, only the help files and this is the only reason they do not have 5 stars.

5 Stars It works for me
I have had my RS800SD for almost a year now, and I love it. Measuring cadence has helped my running more than anything else I have done. This is the main reason that I chose it over GPS units. I took ten minutes off of my half marathon time using it for training.

I have had GPS units in the past, but found that they were not as accurate as the footpod in terms of distance (when calibrated) or altitude. I was within a hundredth of a mile of my treadmill readout on a recent 5K.

Heart rate is accurate as well. I found battery life to be adequate for my purposes. I changed them recently just because it seemed about time to do so, but had about 50 hours of running in on the batteries before doing so.

I love the unit and it has been a great training help.

2 Stars The triumph of form over function
I’ve been a Polar HR monitor owner since the mid 90′s starting with 710i, then 625x, followed by the 725x, and now the RS800SD. I consider myself a serious competitive runner and have been so for over 30 years. Polar introduced me to heart rate monitoring as key component to performance improvement with the book “Training, Lactate, Pulse rate” by Janssen, which is no longer offered by them and may not be published anymore. I have had my VO2, HR curve, and lactate threshold measured in a lab several times over the past few years. I have used this product now for almost a full year and my review will focus on what does all this functionality do to help me improve my running vs some of the other reviews here which seem enamored with purported functionality without connecting the dots for useful training feedback.

The bottom line: This is their flagship product, top of the line and top dollar but Polar seems to have chosen marketing (a shiny sexy small form factor watch with apparently lots of new functions) over solid engineering, useful software functionality, and product reliability. If you already own a 625x or 725x model there is little reason to upgrade as this is an “unfinished product”

The good:

1. Small form factor for watch and footpod

2. Improvement in ergonomics — buttons and watch face are easier to use

3. More memory — you can record longer than earlier models at the 1 second rate

4. Running stride length has been added.

The bad:

1. The footpod and HR strap via blue tooth does not seem any more accurate than previous non-blue tooth models and maybe less so regarding footpod functions. HR measurement seems as accurate as earlier models.

2. Software (Polar Pro Trainer 5) has new functions which are questionable at best and misleading at worst — namely the running “index” function which on a scale of 30 to 76 purports to give you the sum of all calculations with a number which roughly correlates with expected future performance (running times) on various races such as a 5K through a marathon.

3. Customer Service. I was told at first that the inability to record temperature on the watch was a bug in the software. Later was told that the watch could not record temperature (correct). Also was given an excuse as to why temperature was no longer recorded by the watch (users body temperature — hah! — it worked well enough on earlier models). And regarding the index calculation, I was never given the algorithm which could at least help me understand what type of math it was doing (it is a mystery to me and the algorithm seems biased to reward you with a higher index score for a lower heart rate and slow time vs a slightly higher heart rate and faster time). Instead I was given a platitude;

“It is worth to remember that in addition to good Running Index, maximal running performance demands good preparation, optimal running conditions, speed endurance and guts. Training quantity and quality have an affect as well as natural talent. The RunningIndex gives a value measured in current circumstances.”

I especially like the “guts” comment — really happy about that as I don’t know how I’ve gotten by over the past 30 years beating people without “guts”

The ugly:

1. Incomprehensible design decision to modify the altimeter sensor holes from recessed (previous polar models) to flush on the bottom of the watch resulting in erroneous readings as soon as you start to sweat (yes you read that right — sweat) and thus rendering the altimeter function of the watch largely useless unless the watch is worn in such a way (flopping on wrist or strapped to clothing) to preclude the sensor holes from clogging with sweat from your wrist.

2. Software. Looks real nice until you try to modify data. Say you got erroneous distance reading on your last run and you want to easily fix it. You won’t be able to. No simple function to correct the total distance of a run and have that correction evenly applied to entire run. This undermines the whole point of exercise comparison within the software. If you go out on two identical runs but the distance recorded by the watch varies by a few tenths of a mile there will be no easy way to correct the data.

3. Temperature. Previous models recorded temperature as a data point whenever you took a lap marker or finished the run. This model does neither requiring you to manually enter the temperature into the software.

4. The running index calculation does not take into consideration temperature (AMAZING! since the book noted at the beginning of this review showed clearly that there is a positive correlation between high temperatures and higher heart rates — you work harder to cool youself). The lack of temperature calculation (an identical run can have HR vary by 10 BPM based upon temperature) seriously undermines the usefulness of the running index function.

5. No way to tell software about different running conditions for a given distance and have that taken into consideration on the index calculation. Five miles run on a track are treated the same as five miles run on sandy roads or trails. So when you go into the comparison graphs which purportedly allow you to see at a glance trends in your running, you cannot account for different conditions on runs. Neither different temperatures or different running surfaces are considered on calculations. This seriously undermines the usefulness of comparing weeks worth of training runs in order to come up with a performance trajectory and let you know are you ready for that next race.

Until this product I rarely even considered any other HR monitoring tool. Polar may not have made “pretty” watches, but they worked. They made tools for athletes interested in maximizing their performance. The marketing department has apparently taken over the company from the engineers. The company may have “jumped the shark” with this watch and software. I hope I’m wrong and Polar surprises with its next watch. It needs to actually delivers useful functions for serious athletes and not take away functions offered from previous models (temperature and an altimeter which works reliably). And if they are going to go to the trouble of providing a number which tells all — the index number — then they better explain how that number is calculated and provide the user with the ability to modify the formula (temperature and surface conditions to start with) in order to meet variable conditions if their engineers and exercise physiologist have not already thought of everything.

And keep the marketing department out of product design until functions are firmly set and don’t represent a two steps forward, two steps back design as we see with this model.

1 Star Polar, freight and importation taxes
What bothered me the most was the fact that Amazon didn’t inform that I must pay further taxes when I would withdraw the product at the Post Office.

4 Stars Nice option for runners
I already owned most of suunto and polar heart monitors. The RS800SD is the one of my favorites. It has nice options of screens and it is very light. It seems not so robust as the 625x or 725x (I owned both). As some colleagues wrotes seems to me also that the S3 pod is not so accurated as the S1 but is lighter. I also own the RS400, if you are not looking for the running index, it comes with the S1 and coded transmitter that is easier find find spare parts (also once is a little bit darker than RS800 I prefer the looking). The main issue with Polar is the Irda interface. I already bought one Irda connector (universal non polar) that is working very well with the S725X but it is not with RS800 or RS400. Now I ordered the original Polar connector but once I use the windons Vista I am expecting problems (based on users reviews). Polar should pick an easier system suc as wired connection or bluetooth. Last point, the RS products are not designed for multi sport (biking for example)

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Related posts:

1. Polar S625X Heart Rate Monitor Watch
2. Polar RS200 Running Heart Rate Monitor
3. Polar RS200sd Heart Rate Monitor Watch Black

Some runners are also cycling enthusiasts, while others do both and may be in training to participate in a duathlon.

A duathlon is an event that features one running leg, followed by a cycling leg, and then another running leg in a format that is very similar to a triathlon, minus the swimming.

Many of the running watches on the market today have features that render them suitable to be used in both running and cycling.

There are various attachments and accessories that coordinate well for use on a bicycle.

For example, one accessory of a running watch that adapts well to cycling use is the foot pod, used to measure stride length. This feature is great to use when cycling, to measure pedal cadence.

If you have a digitally recorded, mapped report of cadence during your entire cycle ride, you will have vital information that can be used to improve your performance. This is especially handy for competitive cyclists!

Another feature found in many running watches that adapts very well to cycling enthusiasts is the heart rate monitor.

Many of the top rated running watches either come with a heart rate monitor, or are compatible with a heart rate monitor, usually in belt form.

The belts are designed to be comfortable while running or exercising, and can easily be worn while cycling, as well.

The heart rate monitor will wirelessly transmit your heart rate information back to the wrist or handlebar display on a bicycle, so that you can easily read it while running or cycling.

This provides instant, immediate feedback on how your body—specifically your heart—is responding to the activity.

The information is also recorded in a post-ride report that is analyzed when you plug the display into your home computer. Some GPS running watches also record changes in altitude; you would be able to see how your heart rate responded to inclines, for instance.

Everything is all analyzed together: distance, speed, time, heart rate, cadence or stride length and more. This can be an invaluable training tool for you!

So, although running watches are great for runners, they are equally wonderful and useful for cyclists, too!

Related posts:

1. These 5 Features in a Running Watch Can Improve Your Sessions
2. Advanced Runners Need a GPS Running Watch
3. Got a Runner on Your Christmas List? A GPS Running Watch Makes a Great Gift!