Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family
Watch Report reviews Nike Amp+ Remote Control
I'm a fan of watches, so I have been interested in the Nike Amp+ Remote Control for awhile. That's the watch/iPod remote control from Nike that works with your iPod Nano /Nike+ combo. It will let you start, stop, and fast forward music, as well as tell the time and give you one button access to your power song.
I haven't bought one for a few reasons:
- I don't have an iPod nano, so I can't use the Nike stuff
- I haven't seen one in person
Are there any Nike Amp+ Remote Control users out there? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on this product.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Slevin said 9:12AM on 1-31-2008
ive seen it at the apple store but didn't get the chance to play with it. However, does anyone know if you need the nike chip that goes in the shoe? I have the nike ipod nano but not with the chip. would be pretty cool if you dont need the chip that goes in the nike shoe. hit me up if ya know.
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waffffffle said 9:28AM on 1-31-2008
Yes, you need the Nike+ Sport Kit for this watch to function with your nano. It uses the same receiver.
LD said 10:04AM on 1-31-2008
There is no "Nike iPod Nano. There is the Nike+ kit that is the receiver that plugs into the iPod and the chip that goes in/on the shoe.
Are you saying you have the receiver but don't have the chip? Or that you lost the chip? You'd still need the receiver for control by the watch.
waffffffle said 9:33AM on 1-31-2008
Additionally, I should say that I bought this watch a few weeks ago along with the Nike armband and sport kit for my 3G nano. I like the whole system but I do wish the watch had a little bit more functionality. It would be great if the watch had a heart monitor and it transmitted that information to the iPod for tracking. Also, the Nike+ kit doesn't understand the terrain that you are running. I run on a treadmill and changes in the incline are not reflected in the Nike system.
Those two additions would make this combo even better. However I am still very satisfied with all of the gear. I find myself reaching for my regular wristwatch to change the tracks on my iPhone since I have gotten so used to using the watch at the gym.
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Adam said 9:56AM on 1-31-2008
I picked up the Amp+ when it first came out. I ended up returning it because there were too many issues with the 3g iPod nano (fat nano). When stopping my workouts with the Amp+, the entire run would either become corrupted or just delete itself. I believe Apple has issued a firmware update for the fat nano that takes care of this, but I didn't have it that long to find out.
As for functionality, it was excellent. Being able to run and not have to reach around my chest to find the iPod controls was a blessing.
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Peter said 9:59AM on 1-31-2008
Ever since I got this watch, it has been nothing but trouble. The Nike+ Controls work great, but the watch itself sucks. The watch Nike sent me in the mail had a loose clasp so pretty much if I tap the watch, it pops open and the watch is really loose and I need to re-clasp it. I got a replacement watch from Niketown Boston, and it has the same problem. It is a big issue because it makes it impossible to run or do anything active with it because as soon as it gets jostled, it pops open. Nike really needs to fix this!
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honz12 said 11:15AM on 1-31-2008
The Nike+ kit is amazing, I totally love it. I'm glad they posted this video for the watch as I haven't seen one in person and was thinking of getting one. Now that I've seen it it looks a lot smaller than I imagined it. I'm trying to imagine myself pressing the really small buttons while running. I guess I still need to see one in my hand before I splash out for it (for all it is, it is quite expensive imho)
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Scottyboy said 11:40AM on 1-31-2008
Yes the clasp kinda sucks, but it is tolerable. The best part of the watch is being able to change the song & volume. Being a runner here in South Florida it is hot and I sweat a lot. When my sweaty fingers try to change the volume or song, it just does not work well. Couple that with the crappy Nike+ arm band which gets soaked and the watch provides the functionality that I need.
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Greg said 1:11PM on 1-31-2008
I bought one around Christmas time. In fact, I ordered the watch first... then after it arrived I went and got the Nike + thing.
I love it. I looks cool. And it's integrates nicely with the controls of the iPod.
Also, The fact that it looks like a rubber bracelet, and then "Boom!" the clock lights up... it's a conversation piece (for about 30 seconds) if you wear it out at night.
All in all... a nice piece of kit.
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bobm said 3:27PM on 1-31-2008
I use it when running and it's great, now I can wear the ipod on the upper arm and have full control. Previously I was carrying the ipod in my hand and now I can carry other stuff again ( water bottle, dog stick, etc).
It's also nice when doing a normal gym workout since I can hop around between podcasts, etc without having to guess at what buttons I'm pressing.
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Ivan said 5:37AM on 2-02-2008
I bought one of these Nike Amp+ watches the week they came out. I have been using as my main watch now and I am pretty pleased with it.
I integrates nicely with my iPod Nano (1st gen) and Nike+ setup. I
I like running but dislike having an arm band to hold the nano so now I can put it in my pocket (any pocket: shorts, jacket, vest) and am able to control my iPod w/o having to reach for the pockets or change my stride, etc. I works great as a remote control for my nano.
Pros:
- Unlike others that had issues with the clasp, mine is very solid and well-built. No problems there.
- It works well with the nano and Nike+ setup; no weird configuration was necessary. It just worked.
- Battery is replaceable (not that I have had to, but the ability to do so is there)
- Simplicity in looks, nothing big or flashy.
- Uses same receiver as the Nike+ system. Other watches (timex) with similar functionality use their own receiver making it impossible to be able to use both the Nike+ and the other watch-remote
Cons:
- The watch does not have the time displayed all the time. You need to press a button for the time to show on the display.
So if you need to know the time, you need both hands (one pressing the button on the other hand to have the time displayed). This is only an issue if you use it as your 'everyday' watch
- No extra functionality; for the price, I was expecting the watch to at least have a built in timer, or tell date, or have an alarm or similar functions found in other 'running' watches on the same price range. Instead, it is only a remote control for your Nike+ system that just happens to tell time ;)
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Matthew said 12:26PM on 2-04-2008
This watch is awesome. It doesn't offer alot of bells and whistles, but excels at what it was designed for. Who wants to fish their ipod out of their pocket everytime they need to pause it, turn it up, turn it down, skip a song...it just comes in handy and its very easy to use. I think the AMP+ is very comfortable and stylish to boot. The fact that it doesn't always display the time is a positive quality in my book. It's great for running, of course, but I use it for fly fishing, biking,tennis...the AMP+ is my everday watch now and not having to reach into my pocket (or backpack) everytime i need to make a quick adjustment is worth every penny. Although you cant switch between albums with this watch, it is easy to create a sweet playlist and eliminate the need to switch...Bottomline: I like this watch and would encourage people to buy it.
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