Ok So I went out and got the Nike + Ipod kit from Finishline last week and finally got to test it out today. So here is my official review of the Nike without Nike's plus Ipod Review.

Person:
Semi experienced runner. Ran cross country in high school but fell off since then and only run in spirts since then so right now I am pretty damn slow but I know about pace and form and blah blah blah so I am not out there running hard and running out of breath prematurely but I am in no way a really fast runner. 8-9 minute miles right now till the Asthma calms down which it usually does in a month straight of physical activity.

The Hardware:
Shoes:
Mizuno Wave Creation 6
about 4 months worth of tear and my second pair, love these shoes tend to hate Nike except one pair they had that they discontinued . I didn't get the Nike plus sneakers because of price (already have shoes) plus the only Nike's I wear are Dunks, AF1's or Jordan's....all fashion shoes none for performance.
This picture was taken with the sensor under the tongue.


1gb Ipod: $135 (online)
Sensor + Reciever: $30 plus tax
Armband: Belkin F8Z060 iPod Nano Silicon Sleeve $8.99 (online)


My Setup: $168.99 since I already had the shoes or if you already have running shoes you like.

Nike standard setup:
1gb Ipod: $135
Sensor: $30
Shoes: $85, $90, $100, or $110 depending on the shoe
Armband: $30
Nike + ready shirt (I will make this optional): $65 for loose/or sleeveless summer shirt $50 for shorts
total: $285-$305 (depending on shoe) (w/ shirt and shorts: $395-$420)

Where I put the sensor:


Place: Flatwood's Loop
A pretty good course in a nice area and well kept. A lot of bikers ride there and they hold races there from time to time. The red area is about 12 miles I believe and I in no way ran that entire thing I am not that good at all.


Weather:
83°F
Feels Like
93°F
UV Index: 2 Low
Wind: From SSE at 7 mph
Humidity: 82%
Pressure: 30.08 in.
Dew Point: 77°F
Visibility: 7.0 miles

Performance:
1st Mile Uncalibrated (you can keep it default or calibrate it, I wasn't sure if there was a .25 marking on the ground so I did the first mile on default. While I was running I saw the 400m so I decided to keep running and calibrate it later): said I ran .80 of a mile so I decided to turn it off to run back. (ipod on upper forearm sensor was hitting where my arm bends)

Calibration: running 400m and walking 400m. You have to calibrate both separately.

1st calibration walking: Calibrated walking at a normal pace (ipod on upper forearm sensor was hitting where my arm bends)
1st calibration running: ERROR! Says the sensor says I didn't run the correct distance. It said .25 was .27 miles. (ipod on upper forearm sensor was hitting where my arm bends)
2nd calibration running: ERROR! Still says sensor says I didn't run the right amount. (ipod on upper forearm sensor was hitting where my arm bends)
Reset
2nd calibration walking: Calibrated walking at normal pace (ipod on upper outside forearm sensor was no longer hitting where my arm bends)
2nd calibration running: ERROR! Ok now I am pissed but one good thing though this time it did say .25 when it really was .25 so I am guessing it might have been right on the verge of hitting .26 or just hit .25 so might have been the error BUT since it is accurate I don't really care at this point and am satisfied.

Conclusion:
Since the last calibration it seems ok. I was going to run another mile but at that point I didn't think I would have been consistent since by that time I was hot and tired. So tomorrow I am going to officially try it again and see if it is accurate and update this thread.

Grade: A- as of now w/o Nike shoes only because of the damn error. I don't know how good or if it would be equal with the special shoes. A GPS watch might be more exact but not too familiar with them and thought I would try this first. Astroboy's read out seems pretty accurate since he is damn active and probably wouldn't keep using it if it was faulty.


Anyone else get it....write what you think of it.

 

Nice write up...What are the advantages (other then the error) of the + shoes?

 

Probably keeps it perfectly still and in place. BUT! you can sew something under your tongue if you really feel like it which I might end up doing. A nice little velcro pocket so it doesn't move side to side. I am not completely sure how it works but I remember another review saying on a eliptical machine it did not work so I am guessing it isn't movement. heres a quote from this site: http://paulstamatiou.com/2006/05/24/...-an-ipod-shoe/

So I don't really see why you would need the Nike shoe. Maybe it gets better accuracy but it seems damn accurate to me .

 

It looks like it works like a pedometer....

 

Yeah basically but one of the comments was explaining how much better it is then a normal pedometer.

 

i'll stick with my Garmin Forerunner 201

 

The whole appeal of this thing, at least to me, was in the software. How about some screenshots JJ?

I have one but haven't used it yet, will give it a shot tonight.

 

i agree, my appeal was with the software too, being able to track how well ive been running or how i have improved....

 

Wow, this thing is fantastic! I just took it out for a test spin, jogged a mile and walked a little at the end. This is what it looks like on Nike.com...



You can set goals for yourself...



Challenge friends...



JJ, my username is BEETROOT. Add me and we can get this AZ run club thing going.

 

I need to mess with this to figure out how everything works. I jogged a mile, then walked the last 1/10th and let the dog sniff around and stuff, but it looks like it averaged that walking into my run, even though I hit the stop workout button...

 

Man, that thing would be addicting... I'm always curious to know how many miles I run when I take to the trails and roads. I'd love to know what pace too, but I'd probably be pissed at myself more often than not. For that reason, I hadn't even officially "timed" myself for about 15 years. Finally I took a stop watch to the track a month or two ago and did a mile just out of curiosity. Came in almost exactly 6:30, which wasn't too bad for an old man (I expected to be over 7). I only timed myslelf one other time (same result). If I had that IPod thing, I'd probably time myself constantly and become obsessed with loweiring the times.

 

my name is JesusJuiceJr I would have given you screenshots but the thing was being buggy and wouldn't let me sign in so I said fuck it! They haven't launched the community yet but I can't wait. I know when someone can track how slow or fast I am it pushes you to not be so slow.

Yeah this aspect makes it a lot better. It's like when you are at the park running behind a quick runner. I hope more people join up. BTW did you get the special shoes or just tuck it under your tongue?

 

Oh yeah I heard you can use this on a treadmill as well so all you treaders feel free to join us too. I really hope more people join up.

 

I'm already looking forward to my next run, and only because I want to start adding some stats to this...

I think you should get one and join the club


I just stuck mine under my sock. I'm going to get some velcro or something and try to rig something so it will stick under my laces.

 

I would in a heartbeat if I had an IPod. It's hard to justify buying one since I just bought a Pioneer Inno for XM/MP3.

 

Mine came in earlier today.
Imma head out tomorrow morning for a jog and I'll sign up on nike.com etc. SHould be fun.

 

Imma buy one too.

 

Rootbeer I did 4 miles today...I am gonna beat you muh fucka!

Anyone else get it and want to join the challege post your email...

Mine is: MikeyMyspace@gmail.com

 

So this might be a stupid question, but the ipod still plays music while this thing is plugged in right? I looked on apple.com but it didn't say.

 

^ yeah it plays music, it will just fade out for a second to tell you info about your run...halfway point, pace, etc.

 

This is pretty damn awesome. I want to purchase but have a couple of questions:

1.) I've never owned an iPod nor have I ever run using one. Do the ear buds stay in place comfortably? I've always had bad experiences with them.

2.) Would the shoes be worth it? What are the benefits to the shoes vs. any other pair of running shoes?

 

Ear buds work great on my various portables... it's the wires that get to you sometimes. Getting it to be just the perfect length is an art.

 

Don't think the shoes are worth it. I took my dremel to my pair of running shoes last night. Made the perfect sized location right under my sole insert. Don't even notice it once its in. I also saw on ebay where they have gel heel inserts for those who choose not to buy the nike shoes.

Does anyone know how long these things will last? Since you can't recharge it, the site says it matters how much you use the thing.....but not an average length of time It says the battery will outlast the shoes on some sites though

 

They do, but the sound is pretty crappy. I would recommend getting better headphones.

No benefit. Use your own running shoes and rig something up...

 

Nikes blow for running. I've had Air Max's before and they hurt my feet. Nike's are for the perfect runners with perfect feet and perfect form. I have since moved to Asics Kayanos. Let me tell you, these are 10x better than Nikes. Cushioning over long runs, helps my over pronation and better fit since I do have flat wider feet.

For running, I'd look at Asics, NB and Saucony's.....

 

I just got some Brooks. Much better than my old Nikes.

 

I have Nike TL3 and they are awesome much better then my previous pair..

 

Lance Armstrong congratulated me on my run last night

 

I'm getting my Nike+ Sport pack pretty soon. FedEx says it's here at the damn sortation center.

Any tips on calibration?

 

Where is the IPOD vid compatible version? none yet.. blah~

 

I haven't done it yet because it needs an exact distance to calibrate. I was thinking about going to a track to do it. It has a set calibration of 400 meters... is that 1 lap around a track?


Too big to run with

 

damn you JJ how far did you go today?

 

<--- still need to order mine.


And yes, one lap around a standard track is 400 m. I guess I'll have to go over to Stanford to do my calibration.

 

I'm so out of shape...

This thing is helping though, I push myself harder when I know I have to compete with someone.

 

I did 4 miles

I am trying to do 4 miles every other day but trust me I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo out of shape, I used to do that everyday 2 years ago. If Wstevens gets one we are going to look like sloths

Yes competing with someone is way more fun because being able to go home and see if you are losing/winning makes running so much more fun.

 

I'd imagine its more fun to see that you are winning, but I wouldn't know


Yeah I used to do 5 miles per run, 4-5 times per week, at about 7:30 minutes/mile. Now I'm happy if I can do one mile in 7:30. Getting better though... and this heat is partly to blame. Its tough to run when its 105 degrees.

 

ok this is horsecrap!

I'm in Charlotte and still haven't gotten it yet but it's here in town, it's just not delivered yet!


08/03/2006 02:00:00 Sortation Center Departure CHARLOTTE, NC
08/02/2006 00:53:14 Sortation Center Arrival CHARLOTTE, NC
08/01/2006 10:23:40 Sortation Center Departure NEW BERLIN, WI
07/29/2006 16:07:00 Sortation Center Arrival NEW BERLIN, WI
07/29/2006 00:00:00 Pickup WAUSAU, WI

 

To give you some credit I run early in the mornings because the heat is unbearable. I used to run 4 miles a day at 7 minutes a mile in dead 90 degree weather...now I am doing 8 minutes a mile for 4 miles and lucky if I can get 7 in a solid mile.
edit: add a minute to those times when its hot outside.

That's why I did distance...I would get my ass kicked in speed right about now.

 

I need to start running early in the morning. Need to stop playing video games until 1am.

 

I got it! I can't wait to use it.

Did anyone buy the Nike+ sport arm band with it also? It fits great but I can't see the damn screen...