If you're a serious runner, or even a casual one I think you've made a great decision to get a new watch, I'm certainly glad I did. I purchased the Nike Plus watch for over a year now and I'm very happy with it. About a month ago I purchased the heart rate monitor to go along with it and it's worked great as well. Here's some pros and cons that I've experienced:
Pros
- Basic and easy to use
- Can use with heart rate monitor
- GPS works well
- While running it provides you with a lot of information at the touch of a button - distance, calories burned, elapsed time, heart rate, pace, etc.
- Nike website - when you load your runs it will take you to a specific site which is fantastic. You can rate your run, label the type of surface you ran on (trail, road, etc.), describe the weather, and mark which shoes you used for the run - which I like because I can keep track of how many miles I'm putting on my shoes. It also shows you an overhead map of where you ran and you can click on different images - satellite and heat map - which is pretty cool.
- Colors - Nike now offers this watch in several colors
- Shoe pod - you can use the small Nike pod that comes with the watch if you're going to run indoors and it will track your run. You don't have to have a Nike+ shoe either, I purchased a little velcro holder for $5 and I just wrap it around one of the laces.
Cons
- The GPS can take a little while before it's ready in cloudy/overcast conditions. Not a terrible problem but I'm sure it's probably the same with all other GPS watches
- I would say that every 5 out of 10 times I hook up the watch to my computer I have to reload the software. A buddy of mine has the same problem with his Nike watch. It's not a huge problem, it only takes a minute or two, but gets a little annoying sometimes.
- it does not have the capability to "beep" for the run/walk or Galloway method of running . . . that I know of anyway
- the heart rate monitor is about $60 to $70 extra and is not included with the watch. Not a huge issue just thought I would mention that in case you're thinking that it's included with it. If you do buy the Nike watch and want to purchase the heart rate monitor make sure you get the Polar one that has a small red box that says "Works With Nike +" symbol on it. Any other one will not work with the Nike+ watch. Trust me on that one.
Overall it's been a pretty good watch, I'm glad I purchased it. I've heard nothing but good things about the Garmin watches as well, I'm sure they have their pluses and minuses too. I don't have any personal experiences with them to steer you in that direction. Good luck with your decision, you'll be fine either way.
