Watch IT! GPS Watch Matrix

Between X Country and our Runners club I have tried to advertise to the groups the benefits of having a nice running watch.

For me having a watch that tells my distance, pace and time ultimately becomes my training partner.
NUMBERS don't lie.

Here are a few other reasons having a GPS watch benefits you:

1. GPS watches track your, distance, pace, heart rate, calories and time. Many watches are also multi sport.
2. Most of the GPS watches also have a site that will upload all your runs. This helps you to have a log of your runs.
3. I like having different settings for different runs, Example: when I was training for my Ultra I set my watch on interval training. This feature beeped at me every "X" amount of time that I set it for.
4. Another feature that I really like is the Virtual Pacer. You can set your watch up to a selected pace. When you reach your target pace it tells you. It also tells you (By Beeping) if your are going ahead or behind your pace.
5. Many GPS watches show you the elevation of the route you ran.

With most of us getting into training mode I thought it would be good to do some GPS watch comparisons.

1. Timex/Model Easy Trainer:
   
   $99.95 /Distance/Pace/Speed: Charge USB: GPS Battery Life 8hrs: Workout Memory 30: Online NO: Compatible with NONE: PROS-Simplicity, Price, size.
2. Soleus 2.0:
   
   $149.95/Distance/Pace/Speed: Charge USB:GPS Battery Life 8hrs:Workout Memory 100: Online Data Upload /PC Only: Compatible with NONE: PROS-Current and Total Distance, Pace, Speed, Size
3. Garmin Forerunner 10:
   
   $129.95/Distance/Pace/Speed: Charge USB: GPS Battery Life 4hrs:Workout Memory 7: Online Maps, Performance Data Upload: Compatible with NONE: PROS-Simplicity, Price, Calories, Alarms when pace is too fast/slow, Auto Pause, Customizable Screen, Size.
4. Garmin Forerunner 220:
   
   
   
   
   
   $249.95 W/Heart rate Monitor $199.95 W/o: Distance/Pace/ Speed: Charge AC/USB: GPS Battery Life 8hrs: Workout Memory 1000 miles: Online Maps, Performance Data Upload: Compatible with Heart Rate/Foot Pod: PROS-Same as Above Plus Longer GPS life and Online Training
5. Garmin Forerunner 620:
   
   $399.95/Distance/Pace/Speed: Charge USB:GPS Battery Life 8hrs: Workout Memory 1000miles: Online Maps, Performance Data Upload Wireless: Compatible with Heart Rate/Foot Pod: PROS-Same as Above Plus Virtual Racer, Virtual Partner, Customizable Display, Custom Workouts, Pace Alert
6. Nike + Sportswatch:
   
   $149/$169 w/Foot Pod: Distance/Pace/Speed: Charge USB: GPS Battery Life 8hrs: Workout Memory 50: Online Maps, Performance, Data Upload: Compatible With Heart Rate, Foot Pod: PROS-Nike+Connect, Constant updates to software, Large Font Visibility
7. Timex Ironman Run Trainer:
   
   $189.95 W/O Heart Rate Monitor: Distance/Pace/Speed: Charge USB: GPS Battery Life 8hrs: Workout Memory 15: Online Maps, Performance, Data Upload: Compatible with Heart Rate, Foot Pod: PROS-Customizable Display

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The RUNDOWN:
Distance:8 miles
*I ran the first 4 miles with the Road Runners group. We did a easy run.
I had plans to go the gym and do the cold plunge until Jama put on this puppy dig face while asking me if I was up for another 4 miles. It was just pure torture. I caved, knowing I shouldn't have, I did. We did the same route again for another 4 miles. Our average pace was 9:04. This was with walk breaks. I added them every mile.
Directly after finishing I hit the Gym for 17 minutes in the Cold Plunge. It feels more like the death plunge it is so stinking cold. But I feel like I have new legs when I am finished.

What Do You Run With? Please share any of your thoughts on GPS watches.

Anita