How will it record mileage without GPS?

Great topic!

Do you have an iPod 5g nano, the latest model? Nike is about to put out a HRM for that, and it will be a really cheap, efficient way to get tunes, mileage tracking and an HRM in one package on the cheap. The current package, Nike +, is pretty good and the only mileage tracker I've used. I've noticed that it's not especially accurate, but it's a decent approximation. It works with the 3g, 4g, and 5g nano.

As far as dedicated ones, I've had good luck with the Polar series. They are super cheap, especially on eBay. If I were in your shoes, I'd get the base polar model for about $50, and then a Refurbished nano 4g for $100, and a Nike+ kit. That's $180 to do everything you want!

I use a Garmin for running and love it. You may think you don't need GPS, but if you are ending up buying multiple things to get what you want, I would go ahead and get the Garmin 305 and have it all in one neat little package.

It records mileage with a shoe sensor. Civilian GPS is probably not accurate enough for running. The military requires it to be "selective" so no one can use one to pilot a model airplane with a bomb. That's the logic, no joke.

I've never had problems with my gps's accuracy. I've used it for years...

I was going to say the same thing, syako - I think mileage and GPS are the same (unless you use the Nike + system or an iPhone app, etc.)

I used to use Nike +, but no matter how many times I calibrated it, it was always about .09 miles off. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it makes it nearly an entire mile off once I would run 10 miles and thus was basically useless to me.

So, I finally sprang for the Garmin 405 before I started my marathon training last spring, and it was a great decision. With a heart rate monitor, it's $350. I lucked out and purchased mine for 20% off, plus a $50 rebate through Garmin (not sure if the rebate is still going on). If it's still more than you want to spend, you could look into buying the older versions, which a lot of people still use.

Even if not 100% accurate, my Garmin is still way better than Nike + was at it's best for me. During my marathon, my Garman was spot-on with the mile markers until about halfway through, which was to be expected considering I criss-crossed on the course a lot to go to drink stops and porta potties. It ended saying I ran 26.6 instead of 26.2, whereas my Nike + would have been over 2 miles off at that point.

Chloe, that's exactly the percent that I've calculated it was off too! What it less or more? Mine was .09 under.

Come to think of it, civilian GPS is going to be off by about 20 meters per mile - so that would still make it was more accurate that the Nike +.

Speaking of the Nike+, I love, love the powersong feature. You develop a Pavlovian response in time to that.

I don't listen to music when I run, which I think is another reason I like the GPS so much, don't have to have an ipod!

I have a Garmin that I've used for training for a number of half marathons, and I really love it. It makes me realize that I need to slow down on those long runs! The only downside that I've had is that I live in a large city and it takes awhile for it to register if I'm running in the downtown area.

Mine was .09 under as well!

The thing I miss most about Nike + is how I could pre-set a distance and have it countdown how far I had left (100 meters to go . . .) I just really liked that feature for some reason.

I also liked the power song!

That's so weird that it would be off by the same percent. I assumed it was because I'm six foot two, and it throws the stride calculation off. So strange!

Syako, how can you not have an iPod? That is like, required equipment!

I think for price and what you want the Nike Imara is great. It is pretty simple and I had one for 2 tri seasons before upgrading to a GPS

I'm anti-apple, plus I just don't like running with music, so it's not something I even need.

Anti-Apple? And also congregating with LSU fans? (I went to Ole Miss) We are THROUGH! j/k.

We didn't even have a chance.

I have a Garmin 305 and I used that for my long run and my marathon run. The only complain I have is about the size of the watch. I have very small wrist, and it is still loose when I use the very last hole from the watchband.

Anyway, I just got a watch from my husband from Amazon - it is made by tech4o - http://www.tech4o.com/

It is cheap - 59.95 without the heartrate, and 69.95 with the heartrate monitor (order online from Amazon). You need to spend a little bit time to calibrate it, and it is off a little bit compare to my GPS, but I wear it on my midweek run where I just go for 6-8 miles.

Take a look at that ..

Definitely recommend the 305. I have the 205 and am very happy with it. Most of my friends have the 305 and love it. Amazon is definitely the cheapest place for it.

http://irunyourun.wordpress.com/

Thanks so much for your suggestions and sharing your experiences, ladies!

P.S. I wasn't aware that GPS was used on some of the HRM's as the means to measure mileage (as opposed to just tracking where you've been). Thanks for clearing that up for me.

The Garmin 405 is just $250 on eBay. I've already told my husband that I want one for Christmas.