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nike+ vs run app

howard

howard

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Nov 18, 2002
2,017
4
I'm thinking of getting the nike+ for my iPhone 3GS. I'm wondering though what benefit the nike+ gives me over free running apps such as mapmyride, or other gps based running apps. What do you use and what do you like for run tracking?
 
The only Nike+ advantage there is for you at this point, is the Nike+ online community. I have the Nike+ Sportband. I used Nike+ for a while and accumulated a lot of runs and miles there before I got my iPhone 3G. Had it not been for that I would use RunKeeper exclusively. As of now, when I go for a run, I still use my SportBand, but use RunKeeper on the iPhone to track the run too. Speaking of which, I HIGHLY recommend RunKeeper!! I used the free version and liked it so much, I paid for the pro version. They are ALWAYS working on new stuff and continually improving the app. In general though, an app on your 3GS that uses GPS to track your run will be MUCH more accurate than the Nike+ system will be.
 
TBONE72 said:
The only Nike+ advantage there is for you at this point, is the Nike+ online community. I have the Nike+ Sportband. I used Nike+ for a while and accumulated a lot of runs and miles there before I got my iPhone 3G. Had it not been for that I would use RunKeeper exclusively. As of now, when I go for a run, I still use my SportBand, but use RunKeeper on the iPhone to track the run too. Speaking of which, I HIGHLY recommend RunKeeper!! I used the free version and liked it so much, I paid for the pro version. They are ALWAYS working on new stuff and continually improving the app. In general though, an app on your 3GS that uses GPS to track your run will be MUCH more accurate than the Nike+ system will be.
Click to expand...

I'll have to check it out.

have you used mapmyrun before? I used the mapmyride version during part of a bike ride and it was way off.

possibly a stupid question... but can you use these apps and listen to music at the same time?
 
concerns about running with iPhone?

Do you think there's any reason to avoid running with the iPhone, other than moisture and possible dropping? I know it's solid-state, but if it gets messed up, would running with the device void Apple Care?
 
howard said:
I'll have to check it out.

have you used mapmyrun before? I used the mapmyride version during part of a bike ride and it was way off.

possibly a stupid question... but can you use these apps and listen to music at the same time?
Click to expand...

I use runkeeper. I have never used nike +. The gps for runkeeper is right one. even down to what side of the road i am running on. However, you have to let it get a solid fix before you start running. so i stretch outside with a clear view of the sky before running. While i am stretching, runkeeper is on. and by the time i am ready to go, runkeeper is locked on. it i will start before you obtain the lock, but it is using wifi and cell tower triangulation, which is not as accurate.

runkeeper has a free version. try it. if you end up buying one, i would consider two apps. runkeeper and runmate. there is a previous discussion about the differences between the two. also, with runkeeper you are not tied to one brand of shoes.
 
coolings said:
I use runkeeper. I have never used nike +. The gps for runkeeper is right one. even down to what side of the road i am running on. However, you have to let it get a solid fix before you start running. so i stretch outside with a clear view of the sky before running. While i am stretching, runkeeper is on. and by the time i am ready to go, runkeeper is locked on. it i will start before you obtain the lock, but it is using wifi and cell tower triangulation, which is not as accurate.

runkeeper has a free version. try it. if you end up buying one, i would consider two apps. runkeeper and runmate. there is a previous discussion about the differences between the two. also, with runkeeper you are not tied to one brand of shoes.
Click to expand...

You don't need to have Nike shoes to have the sensor. Just buy one of the items that allows you attach the sensor to your laces.
http://lacelid.com/learn.htm
For example.
 
I know this seems obvious but if you run on an indoor track at all (which I do a lot) Nike + is the only way to go. You obviously can't use a gps based program indoors. Just something to think about while choosing a program.
 
I use the Nike + system exclusively for for several years. I think that it is excellent, although I have not tried any other Iphone running apps. I don't dispute the GPS accuracy of the app mentioned in the above posts, but I simply find the Iphone too big and cumbersome to run with on a regular basis. If I ran on the treadmill more often than outdoors, than I could easily use the Iphone to monitor my runs, either with Nike+ or some other app. But for outside use, no way, I use an older ipod than is quite small. It records my runs, and I can easily clip to my shorts and not get in the way.
 
Nike+. It performs better and I'm a long-term user so I'm more used to it.
 
I agree with coolings. I have been using RunKeeper Pro for a few months and it is great. You can customize work out times, intervals playlists. Voice over cues, your musics, gps works great. Take pics along to way to geo tag and works seamlessly with their website to show your progress and find other runners in your area to run with. Highly recommend it.
 
I've used Nike and Runkeeper Pro

Runkeeper pro is by far the best... Go runkeeper and you'll never go back!
 
I use Nike+, but to all the runkeeper users:

What if you run around an outdoor track? The GPS on the iphone doesnt seem accurate enough to measure this distance. If I'm running down streets then I'm sure its pretty accurate but I'm planning on going to a track nearby soon. It's an outdoor track. Thanks for any feedback :)
 
Pattycerts said:
I use Nike+, but to all the runkeeper users:

What if you run around an outdoor track? The GPS on the iphone doesnt seem accurate enough to measure this distance. If I'm running down streets then I'm sure its pretty accurate but I'm planning on going to a track nearby soon. It's an outdoor track. Thanks for any feedback :)
Click to expand...

Ah, another reason I'm glad I use both Nike+ & RunKeeper. Since I live in a cold weather climate, I end up having to do a lot of indoor running due to ice/snow outside. Thanks for that reminder. It was asked if you can listen to music and use the running apps. I use RunKeeper Pro and it allows me to choose a playlist to start playing when I start my run.
 
Agree that Runkeeper Pro is the way to go. I have it and it's great. I like to look at the maps of my run afterwards, see my splits, etc. I don't think you can beat GPS tracking.
 
The GPS on my 3G iPhone is not accurate enough for most of the runs I do to use with RunKeeper. I run mostly either in my neighborhood or on a park track that loops around it. RunKeeper is quite a bit off in both places because I do doubling back a lot, and the park track has fairly tight corners that it tends to cut short on the GPS. So I default to Nike+ most of the time.
 
I have the Nike+ and also have been using the free version of Runkeeper. I was about to buy the pro version until I did an indoor run the other day. Could not get a GPS fix inside, so it would not work. It allows you to enter a manual run, but instead, I just used my Nike+ for that run. Still not sure if I want to buy the pro version or not.

One other thing to think about with the Nike+, the sensor has to be replaced when the battery dies. There is a write up I saw somewhere on how to replace the battery, but it involves cutting it open and gluing it back together. I think I paid about $20 (US) for a new sensor.
 
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