The average Thanksgiving meal contains 3,000 calories and if you snack all day it can reach up to 4,500 calories. I certainly did my share to raise the average calorie intake. I’m guesstimating I put down 5,000 calories easy. Call me an over-achiever if you want. Now I’m on exercise kick to keep off the unwanted weight during the holiday season. One of my favorite new toys, which motivates me to run more often, is the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit.
If you already own an iPod Nano, the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit adds voice feedback (male or female) and visual display of your run/walk time, distance and pace. The Sport Kit consists of a small sensor (accelerometer) and a receiver that plugs into your Nano. The sensor is designed to fit into Nike+ running shoes but still works with any shoe if you can properly secure it.
Next you will find several Nike+ iPod Sport Kit reviews and a review of the Marware Sportsuit Sensor+, which attaches the sensor to any shoe.
Since I’m a Mizuno and New Balance fan, I haven’t purchased a pair of Nike+ running shoes. On my initial run with the Sport Kit, I placed the sensor between my shoe laces and tongue. It fell out 40 feet into my run but I didn’t realize it until three blocks later. Luckily, I was able to find the sensor before it was run over by a car.
After this initial blunder, I secured the sensor by placing it into a small Ziplock sandwich bag and then tucking the bag underneath the laces. An alternative and better solution is using Glad Press’n Seal wrap to make a pouch and tuck it under the shoe laces (shown top right). Both solutions are cheap, easy and waterproof. My only concern is the durability of the Press’n Seal, so I ordered the Marware Sportsuit Sensor+. Check out other sensor/shoe mods at theappleblog.com.
I’ve run with the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit eight times so far and I really enjoy using it. I’ve used it out of the box and uncalibrated. The distance accuracy is very good as I’ve only seen a 0.01 mile discrepancy on my known 1 mile and 3.25 mile markers. From my experience, if you keep the sensor flat or parallel to the foot bed, the distance and pace accuracy is pretty good uncalibrated. But if you attach the sensor on the top of the shoe tongue or on an angle, calibration is definitely required. I’ve also noticed total distance is less accurate on hilly running routes.
Overall, I still prefer running with the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle because it so small and lightweight. But getting distance and pace voice feedback is extremely useful during my runs. And it’s very helpful if you need to train at a certain pace. For its simplicity, run/mileage tracking, community features at Nikeplus.com and a low $30 cost, I highly recommend the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit to enhance your runs. It could also be great stocking stuffer for people who like to run with their Nano.
Other Nike+ Accessories:
Nike+ Clothing - the Nike+ clothing is expensive at $70+ per shirt. But it’s an option, if you don’t like carrying your Nano in your hand or using an armband. I have a short sleeve seamless top, which works well but you can’t see the Nano display. I prefer looking at the display every now and then during a run.
Nike+ Armband - I don’t like wearing armbands so this accessory is not for me. Similar to the Nike+ clothing issue, you can’t see the display while using the armband.
Last Friday, (RED)/(PRODUCT) RED launched in the U.S. In case you missed the announcement or Bono and Oprah’s shopping spree,
“(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world’s most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
What’s the meaning of the parentheses or brackets? Well, we call them “the embrace.” Each company that becomes (RED) places its logo in this embrace and is then elevated to the power of red. Thus the name – (PRODUCT)RED.
You, the consumer, can take your purchase to the power of (RED) simply by upgrading your choice. Thus the proposition: (YOU)RED. Be embraced, take your own fine self to the power of (RED). What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!” 
There has been debate whether (RED) is a good idea or simply another way for corporations to sell more products, as seen on Read/WriteWeb and MetaFilter blogs. I can understand why some people are cynical about (RED) and large brands perpetuating consumerism.
For better or worse, we do live in a consumer-centric culture driven by large brands. As a complete gearhead, I am guilty of contributing to the consumerism issue. However, when I do buy products, I am conscience of purchasing from stores and brands that are socially or environmentally responsible, for example, REI, Patagonia, and 1% for the Planet.
Getting back to (RED), I think it’s a great awareness building campaign for the AIDS epidemic and poverty issues in Africa. Consumers are going to buy products in our society. If (RED) can capitalize on our consumer-centric culture and divert money to The Global Fund, I say more power to (RED), Bono and Bobby Shriver. I would rather see $10 go to The Global Fund from a purchase of an iPod Nano (PRODUCT) RED, then no money and no awareness raised from a purchase of a normal iPod Nano.
If you want to Shop (RED), the current (PRODUCT) RED partners are:
To learn more about (RED) and Bono’s One Campaign, I recommend reading Bono’s note. Also, the (BLOG) RED is a good way to stay abreast of (RED) news. I have been to Tanzania and have seen first hand the extreme poverty, lack of educational services and lack of infrastructure. So personally, (RED) is a very important cause, which I plan on supporting, as well as donating directly to The Global Fund.
My iPod Shuffle died on me last month. Of the four iPods I own (1st generation Mini, 60 GB Video, 4 GB Nano and a 1 GB Shuffle) the Shuffle was my favorite iPod.
I used it all the time in the gym, running and riding my road bike. Note: You shouldn’t ride your bike wearing earphones… my public service message. After my Shuffle died, I was searching for ways to fix it and then thinking about buying a new one.
I discovered that there is a defect with the iPod Shuffle. PC World wrote about the issue last month. If your iPod Shuffle flashes green and amber lights, it could be in trouble. It appears that the issue occurs more often than the normal iPod defect rate. There’s even a blog devoted to the defect at Shufflers Unite.
After reading about all the troubles, I guess I’ve been fortunate that my Shuffle lasted 15 months trouble free. I did have a glitch 6 months after I bought it but was able to recover it. It also turns out that my Shuffle died due to a dead battery and not the orange/green light issue. So it’s now a USB flash drive.
Despite the defect, I’m still considering purchasing another Shuffle. I’ve been using my Nano running and cycling but I still prefer the Shuffle. Some people have complained about no display screen on the Shuffle but it’s not necessary when you are exercising. If I wanted to skip a song, it was easy to reach into my rear jersey pocket and push the skip button. Whereas with the Nano, it’s not as easy using the click wheel and lack of tactile feel to the buttons. Additionally, the Nano is usually locked to prevent accidental click wheel changes.
I also love the size and weight or lack there of with the Shuffle. I used to stick the Shuffle in my pocket of my running shorts and never noticed it there. The Nano definitely bounces in my pocket. I didn’t think 0.72 oz would make a difference but it does.
If the 1 GB Shuffle total price drops below $75, I will probably get another one despite the defect. Call me a sucker but it gets me through long climbs up Mt. Tam on my bike. Any product that motivates you to work-out harder or longer is priceless.
Posted by: Chuck
Posted in MP3 and Digital Media Players, Personal Audio
Tags defect, ipod, nano, shuffle
