No GPS? Fail for runners

[Fiestaman]

Seriously? Not sure about you but where I live (at least 20 miles radius) everything have been explored and overexplored. The main reason I do the run is to stay healthy and also makes me feel good. That said, I don't do the same route twice in a row but surely I do same route twice (maybe after few days). It's like eating the same dish everyday or doing same exersice on the gym veryday. I have several routes and I keep switching between them.

I live in the Dallas area and there are places to run abound. Parks and preserves every few miles. What I meant about exploring is my own personal exploring. One can even find enjoyment running through the concrete jungle as long as it's fresh. I just can't run the same route repeatedly, no matter the scenery. You can only look at the same tree so many times.

 

[BvizioN]

I live in the Dallas area and there are places to run abound. Parks and preserves every few miles.

That's different and much better then. I live in urban area, just 10 min walk from city centre. I have to be selective on my routes to not end up going through a lots of trafic lights.

 

[Julien]

Now having lived with my Watch for over a week (and 5 runs) I KNOW Apple made the correct call by not including GPS. Using GPS would require me (and almost everybody) to charge the Watch sometime during the day. There would be no way to make it through a full day after using GPS for an hour or so. Also until Apple allows you to export your specific activity to a GPX file there is no way for everyone (serious runners/bikers) to analyze their data the way they want. The Watch does a great job of taking overall fitness/activity/health data but is not well suited for specific and detailed activity taking, like running or biking.

Maybe in a gen or 2, but until we get a substantial battery life improvement and more software options (GPX export a MUST) then GPS would be more of a negative to the general population.

Still a little odd using (and managing) 2 watches on every run but I'm sure I will get used to it shortly.

 

[freeman727]

Also surprised by this. Was hoping to stop running with my phone because I don't like armbands. I tried both Garmin (310XT I think?) and Nike watches but returned both.

Maybe due to hit on battery life?

I use Tunebelt which keeps phone around the waist. I never liked phone around the arm. The Tunebelt works well with the 6 but I would not like running around with the 6 Plus.

 

[leenak]

I use Tunebelt which keeps phone around the waist. I never liked phone around the arm. The Tunebelt works well with the 6 but I would not like running around with the 6 Plus.

The Spibelt can also be used for the 6 and potentially 6 plus.

 

[PatrickNSF]

The Spibelt can also be used for the 6 and potentially 6 plus.

The Spibelt was too snug for my 6+. I also found it bounced a bit with the 6. After trying on a number of belts at a marathon expo, I ended up switching to Airflow Lite –

http://www.amphipod.com/products/holders/music/electronics/airflow-lite

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Now having lived with my Watch for over a week (and 5 runs) I KNOW Apple made the correct call by not including GPS. Using GPS would require me (and almost everybody) to charge the Watch sometime during the day. There would be no way to make it through a full day after using GPS for an hour or so. Also until Apple allows you to export your specific activity to a GPX file there is no way for everyone (serious runners/bikers) to analyze their data the way they want. The Watch does a great job of taking overall fitness/activity/health data but is not well suited for specific and detailed activity taking, like running or biking.

Maybe in a gen or 2, but until we get a substantial battery life improvement and more software options (GPX export a MUST) then GPS would be more of a negative to the general population.

Still a little odd using (and managing) 2 watches on every run but I'm sure I will get used to it shortly.

I agree with you w/r/t Apple not including the GPS. I may be biased, as I've always run with my Phone anyway. The Watch would need cell service for me to leave a phone behind.

Also, you may be interest in this. Looks like there are people (or, at least, a person) trying to export Workout data –
https://twitter.com/hverlind/status/592053604493701120

 

[latndude]

Not sure what will I do about running now...

My combination for running has been so far , the Nike Sports Watch( I have accumulated many Nike fuel points to this date) , the Polar HEART monitor and Runkeeper ,and also the Jawbone Up 24 . I am not by no means a great athlete ,I just run cause I love it and health reasons. Saying that, and because my route is pretty much the same every day , I see that the use of GPS would not be a must have. I ordered the SS version of the WATCH , now, I'm concerned is too nice for sports , I wonder if sweating and other physical activities will ruin the looks of the WATCH , so I will take a try on approach , see what works for me. If the WATCH maybe combined with the NIKE app is enough I settle for that , from what I have been reading , seems that the heart monitor is not as accurate when u exercise, then again I ll be the judge of that . I think there will be many fine tune ups to the apps and the watch itself in the months to come.One thing is ,there are just too many options and not a definite best solution , between apps and devices, that it would make it easier to choose and stick to it .