Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review Roundup

Chuck — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 02:08:00 -0500

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.

Playlistmag.com: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review - “When Lance Armstrong or Paula Radcliffe told me, through my nano, “Congratulations! You’ve just run your fastest mile.” I felt like they were talking directly to me—even though I knew they weren’t. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit is simple but ingenious, easy enough to use for beginning runners and technophobes alike, while reliable enough for even competitive runners.”
PC Magazine: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review - “With its great community features, the Nike + iPod Sport Kit adds an extra element to running and walking that can actually inspire and motivate you more than simply listening to music and timing yourself.”
The Adventure Blog: Nike+ iPod Review - “If you enjoy running, walking, or hiking, I highly recommend the Nike+iPod system. It’s a very well designed product that is easy to use, offers great value, and should be a benefit to anyone into fitness. It’s online portion should also help you track your data over time, set goals, and make progress in increasing your distance and speed.”
iLounge: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review - “What Apple and Nike have achieved with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit is a nearly unqualified triumph: an expansion of the iPod nano into a digital sport running and walking partner, using add-on technology that works well and is easy enough for anyone to use. While we won’t go so far as to claim that it will replace the need for gyms or even just their treadmills, the Kit’s cool features - voice feedback, big on-screen text focused on your workout goal, PowerSongs, and Nikeplus.com - are generally so well-done for the reasonable price that you can easily look past the system’s few flaws.”
The Final Sprint: Marware Sportsuit Sensor+ Review - “Marware’s Sportsuit Sensor + is a terrific adapter for runners who want the benefits of the new Nike+iPod Sport Kit, but don’t want to spend the extra cash on Nike+ Ready shoes. For only $9.99 it is an investment you won’t regret and we highly recommend it.”

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.

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Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review Roundup