A week with the Nike + iPod Sports Kit

I just bought this kit, and the nano...and used it in my shoe wallet thingy...and am totally frustrated. It only sort of worked.

1) I ran 12 miles and it said I ran 1.3 (which is just a tiny bit off).

2) When I tried to calibrate it--it kept saying I hadn't gone the 400m distance even when I'd been running for twenty minutes.

Has anyone else had this problem?
Is it the shoe wallet? Or the battery being bad? Or am I just such a slow runner that it really takes me 2 hours to run 1.3 miles?

two more suggestions:

1. Instantaneous rates are recorded; why not plot the speed vs distance graph with axes? All of nikeplus's graphs without labels are pleasing to the aesthete, but putrid to the statistician.

2. Make a "track workout" option that includes taking 'split times'. Track workouts--where one runs a predetermined set of distances with breaks in between on a 400m track--are really common among runner, and most everybody would appreciate seeing their 'split times' for certain sections of a longer run. For example, one of my runs includes a ~.5 mile hill; usually, I'm not as concerned about my overall time as I am about my time getting up that hill. Having a 'split' option (just like any $5 walmart stopwatch) would be welcome.

*Also note, you can listen to podcasts without the work-around in the article; just start playing the podcast first, then start your workout. Of course, it's still clunky, but for 30+ minute podcasts, it's sufficient.

I haven't been entirely happy with the accuracy of the sport kit. Other people on this site seem to confirm what I'm experiencing. If I keep a steady pace that is close to what I calibrated, the unit is somewhat accurate. If I change up my speed, even a litte bit, I get some obviously incorrect data at the end of the run. This morning it was significantly off. It reported a 3.45 mile course as 2.94 miles which of course screwed up the reported pace. It was fairly accurate for the first 1.3 miles, but really got off after that. I believe it was because I slowed down a bit after that point. (I didn't slow down THAT significantly however.) It also has been a bit inconsistent on measuring the same routes which again, means the pace speed will be incorrectly reported and I can't easily track my progress. I've only had it a couple of weeks so the verdict is still out, but I haven't been entirely happy so far.

I used the Nike Sport kit during a soccer game. I coincidentally have Nike soccer shoes (without a hole for the sensor), but cut a hole into a pair of Shock Doctor inserts for the sensor to go into. It worked flawlessly. I ended up running about 6.2 miles and burned about 900 calories. Kicking the ball throughout the game didn't seem to interfere with performance. I wouldn't do it again - having the Nano strapped to my arm was kind of annoying and it kept slipping, but I have always wondered how much I was running each game.

Good review David. I haven't used the Nike offering but I did review the MotionLingo Adeo which conceptually is the same. Benefits: works with ANY MP3 device, has GPS, provides much more data, and automagically integrates with Google Maps so you can see your routes online. Con: pricier at $149. Here's the review for those interested: http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2006/07/motion_lingos_a.html

The introduction of a wireless centre and play/pause button would be ideal. The control could be incorporated into a DriFit wristband resembling a simple watch, *heck* even throw a small lcd display onto it for kicks.

The reason I say this (on a serious note) is because I currently run in a summer DriFit shorts/T-shirt combo and the shorts have a neat zippered pocket at the back just below the waist band. Although this is an ideal size and location for my Nano+receiver, it is very difficult to press the feedback button without accidentally pressing pause.

Nike already sells a wristwatch made from a sweat band. How hard could it be to add a button to control the feedback announcement from your Nano?

I know what you'll probably suggest! "Go out and buy a Nike+ running top complete with forearm pocket for your Nano"?.. Simple answer to that is 'I can't stand wearing those stupidly tight tops'..

andrew,

Garmin, Polar and Suunto have been making heart-rate monitors for runners for a long time. I believe Garmin is the only one that offers Mac support.

I bought the Nike+ Zoom Air Moire shoes this weekend with the kit, and couldn't be happier. I needed new running shoes and these shoes are not only stylish, but lightweight and keeps your feet cool with the little air pockets around the suede.

Hearing Lance Armstrong and Paula congratulate me on a long run or a fast mile is a nice touch. I used scissors to cut a space for the sensor in my apple nano armband and it works great.

I have yet to log into the nike plus website since i've been away from my computer but looking forward to it. I also want to compare my 18 minute 2 mile run that burns around 300 calories with what the ipod reports, have not tested it's accuracy yet but was able to calibrate once already.

i like the idea about integrating the nike website login with itunes, they already do it for the itunes music store so i think they could manage to do it. A+++ product for me

I went out and bought the kit immediately, and I love it. Not a fan of their workouts, though, but I'm quite biased, since I do tech work for Podfitness. My honest experience with downloading the workout wasn't that great. Forcing your music on me in a spinning class is one thing, but having to hear what Nike thinks I want again & again was off-putting.

Two thumbs up on the device, though, I think I'm going to stick it on my shoe all day and track my day's activities.

#12 I have the same problems when I'm doing interval work. Also, I calibrated on the treadmill, so I think mines off. But when running intervals on a treadmill (not tried outdoors yet), the kit reads all sorts of crazy.

my other suggestions for improvments:
Keep the music playing. when I'm done with a work out, end the workout and get the feedback, I want the music to keep playing. I hate having to click back to the main menu to start my tunes.

Allow users to make greater custom workouts (even if you have to make them on Nike's site and download them to your iTunes then to nano). I'd like to be able to do intervals and have a tone/beep when intervals change. (I know about the script answer, but it should be integrated into this kit).

Have the voice prompt on the Basic workout. I realize that it counts up to half then down and the basic is an open ended workout, but even if it's just a straight time count, that's fine. I want the auto-prompt.

There should be a way to change the music without pausing the workout.

Does anyone know, are Lance Armstrong and Paula Radcliffe the only celeb voices? I've only gotten those two for longest workout (time) and fastest mile.