I got my watch over the weekend and finally got around to a run day and wanted to compare how accurate the apple watch is to my trusty Nike watch. I've been using my nike watch since 2012 for logging runs and it has never failed me. I trust the Nike watch to be 98% accurate with tracking. As you can see from the images below the Nike watch is considerably off compared to the Nike especially the run from 6/2. I ran with the watch and phone both days to get as accurate a reading as possible. So don't count on using your watch to keep great tracking of your outdoor fitness activities.
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Nike GPS Watch vs Apple Watch comparison
- Thread starter msriotdoll
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Honestly, that looks pretty close. I'd say the errors have more to do with elevation and calibration. The more you run with the Apple Watch outdoors (and with your phone), the more accurate it gets. I'm excited to see Nike+ gain the ability to tap into the phone's GPS and AW's HR monitor. That said, the Apple Watch is not really a device mean for serious runners or fitness pros. The Nike watch is far more suitable to that. The Apple Watch is great for noncompetitive users because it has other functionality, allowing you to use just one device.
Running with the watch and phone is a pain. Also if I get stuck in a downpour I don't have to worry about the Nike watch but the AW eeek. I'll stick to Nike for runs. Its far more accurate. I do agree with the above poster that AW is not fully using GPS from the phone to track.
I use both. My AW and my TomTom Runner. The workout data on AW may be off. But the total activity in the activity app will be more realistic if I also wear it on my runs. Sometimes I run 15-20 km and rest of the day I chill. If I do not wear the AW I will not reach my goal while I was running my ass off 
I hope a update will let the watch make full use of the iPhones GPS.
I hope a update will let the watch make full use of the iPhones GPS.
Did you calibrate the watch and the phone first? You said you just got it and this was your first run with it? Try the comparison on the same run in about 2 weeks and let us know if it's any better.
I haven't ran with the watch yet. I gave up running with my Nike watch long ago. I really like music while I run so I just run with my phone. I will use the Nike app or eu tactic app when I run. I like I will have the watch to check the status of my run now.
When I went for my first run it said that it needed at least 20min of activity to accurately calibrate which meant run with the watch and phone.I did. They next day it was off even more with the watch and phone. I will try it again in a couple of weeks.
The Nike GPS watch was made by TomTom, and they have made two successor generations since.
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/sports/running/products/index.html
These or the sport watches from Garmin, Polar are much better suited for running (and way cheaper than an Apple Watch even). It sucks running with a phone. Most people who are seriously into it won't be running with an Apple Watch I would think. But for people who are jogging occasionally it would be fine probably.
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/sports/running/products/index.html
These or the sport watches from Garmin, Polar are much better suited for running (and way cheaper than an Apple Watch even). It sucks running with a phone. Most people who are seriously into it won't be running with an Apple Watch I would think. But for people who are jogging occasionally it would be fine probably.
I know that the Nike watch is made by TomTom. I've been using my Nike GPS watch to run for over 3 years and its great. I guess that until Apple embeds a gps chip into the watch I'll be keeping my Nike. Also now that I think about it the Nike watch is much better suited for down pours than the apple watch.
Not justifying, but the watch and phone needs more than 2 days to learn your pace. i can honestly says after a week and a half, Watch finally got it right
I have been running with it for a week. I get really accurate reading. Runtastic has actually been the one that has been all over the place for me. The Nike app and fitness app have matched up for the most part (.01 or .02 off). I am looking forward to 2.0 and I will just use the one app. Probably Nike since I have the most data logged on it.
After I calibrated my Watch I found that the Watch was pretty damn accurate. Now when I jog I put the Watch in airplane mode and also track on my iPhone. When I compare the two I find that my mileage on the Watch is only off by a few hundredths of a mile off from my iPhone.
After a month and 1/2 I still find the watch to be off. For some reason the Nike+ app is more reliable than the watch/iPhone combo. The app is a lot closer to the distances I was get while wearing my Nike watch.
I still don't understand why the watch doesn't use the phone for distance if it's available.
I still don't understand why the watch doesn't use the phone for distance if it's available.
I do not think the running apps on the iPhone are that accurate either when compared with a GPS watch. The most consistent results for me have always come from my GPS watches.
My Apple Watch finally arrives today, so I will try and add to this thread as well. I currently use a Garmin 610 for running and plan to use both the Apple Watch and Garmin to compare. I do not think the Apple Watch will be a true running watch replacement until a GPS chip is added.
For most people it will more than adequate for tracking, but for people who are training for runs, etc I personally do not think it can be considered a replacement yet.
My Apple Watch finally arrives today, so I will try and add to this thread as well. I currently use a Garmin 610 for running and plan to use both the Apple Watch and Garmin to compare. I do not think the Apple Watch will be a true running watch replacement until a GPS chip is added.
For most people it will more than adequate for tracking, but for people who are training for runs, etc I personally do not think it can be considered a replacement yet.
Everyone seems to think that whatever GPS watch they were using before the Apple Watch is the gold standard for comparison. I have run with a Nike+ GPS watch for the last two years and can tell you that it is not really that accurate (or consistent). Running on a calibrated course measured with a police wheel most days, and in numerous races, checking against mile markers it has been my experience that the Nike watch gives results that are on the high side (says you have run further than you did). When I first got the Apple watch I did a double wristed run with the Nike + and Apple Watch. The Apple Watch showed slightly less distance than the Nike+ consistent with the Nike's observed tendency to over report distance. I also found during this experiment that the Apple heart rate results were consistent with the heart rate strap on the Nike. I put my Nike in a drawer and haven't looked back. As far as running with a phone I had never done it before but bought a Nathan waist strap, and after the first couple of runs don't even notice its there. At my age i am probably better off having a phone with me with 911 on speed dial anyway.
FWIW
Jim
FWIW
Jim
I do not think the Nike watch was ever considered the gold standard of GPS watches. It was a solid device meant to get into the hands of people who never thought to run with a GPS device before. When compared to higher end Garmins, Suunto, Polar etc there will be a difference. Some of the mentioned are using multiple GPS standards on the same watch.
All I am saying is for 90% of the people this solution will work perfectly fine and the heart rate tracking is a huge plus.
Running with phone and watch is much closer and seems to be a workable solution thus far which appears to be what you are saying.
My point is related to using the watch as a standalone device.
All I am saying is for 90% of the people this solution will work perfectly fine and the heart rate tracking is a huge plus.
Running with phone and watch is much closer and seems to be a workable solution thus far which appears to be what you are saying.
My point is related to using the watch as a standalone device.
I love my AW for running. I bought it instead of a Garmin 220 and feel it was the right move, for me.
I've been running 5 years w/my iPhone and Nike+ GPS app. So no big deal to run w/AW and my phone now. Only now it is much easier to see pace, distance, time and see if I need to immediately respond to a text or not. Also change a song, volume, etc.
Personally, I think GPS is over-rated for all but elite runners. Or runners that have a very, very specific reason. Heck, races (I run in everything from 5k to half marathons) don't even use GPS for their measuring of an official course.
I do agree consistency is important and I mostly get that. As far as rain...meh...I run in the rain w/phone and AW. No issues. If I have any concerns of rain, I use a cover on my phone. As for watch, a recent reviewer took it swimming and jumped off a high dive board with it. Also put it through a water pressure test. AW passed all. Besides I have Apple Care+ on both phone and watch as insurance.
I've been running 5 years w/my iPhone and Nike+ GPS app. So no big deal to run w/AW and my phone now. Only now it is much easier to see pace, distance, time and see if I need to immediately respond to a text or not. Also change a song, volume, etc.
Personally, I think GPS is over-rated for all but elite runners. Or runners that have a very, very specific reason. Heck, races (I run in everything from 5k to half marathons) don't even use GPS for their measuring of an official course.
I do agree consistency is important and I mostly get that. As far as rain...meh...I run in the rain w/phone and AW. No issues. If I have any concerns of rain, I use a cover on my phone. As for watch, a recent reviewer took it swimming and jumped off a high dive board with it. Also put it through a water pressure test. AW passed all. Besides I have Apple Care+ on both phone and watch as insurance.