Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G Review

I was skeptical about buying this because I'd read so many bad reviews. Nike and Apple both live on hype, so how good could it really be? After a lot of online research on how to position the chip in your shoe and calibrate it properly, I decided to buy. I followed the steps (listed below) and have had no trouble. I did a one mile calibration and 3 weeks later the Nike+ was accurate to 200 feet on my half marathon! Incredible for something that costs $30. Maybe GPS is for hard core runners, but this would be fine for your average running fan. And the cool online running log is a great bonus you don't get with the geeky full feature GPS systems.

The secret to making it work right:
1: position the chip face up, facing forward on your shoe

2: The chip must be held so it doesn't jiggle at all. (if you have nikes, this isn't a problem, but I don't so I cut a hole in my sole and made my own chip holder. I've see people use the lace holders with success, but it has to be really tight.

3: calibrate it for at least a mile on flat ground and try to run a consistent pace that is normal for your running. If you improve your average running time, you should recalibrate with the new pace for maximum accuracy.

(Was this nerdy enough for everyone?)

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Product Description:
Nike + iPod Sport Kit
Transform your iPod nano or iPod touch (2nd gen) into a personal workout coach with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. This wireless sensor and receiver combination works exclusively with your Nike+ shoes and iPod nano or iPod touch to give you real-time feedback during workouts and let you track your performance on your Mac or PC.
Your personal trainer. Your favorite workout companion.
Thanks to a unique partnership between Nike and Apple, your iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; or iPod touch 2G becomes your coach.
Tune
Insert the wireless sensor inside the custom, built-in pocket beneath the insole of your Nike+ shoe, and then plug the receiver into the Dock connector on your iPod nano. The iPod touch (2nd generation) includes built-in support for the system--no receiver necessary.
Run
Now start your workout. As your run or walk, the sensor sends information to your iPod, tracking your time, distance, pace, and calories burned. If you choose, real-time, spoken feedback can even alert you to milestones throughout your workout.
Sync
Back at your computer, sync your iPod to transfer your workout data to iTunes and nikeplus.com. There, you can evaluate your performance history, set goals, and even challenge other runners to a virtual race.
What's in the Box?
Wireless sensor for Nike+ shoes, wireless receiver for iPod nano, printed documentation.

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Apple MA365LL/D Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review

I've been using the Nike+ sensor since December 2006 so I figured I would go ahead and write a review for those who are considering buying this.I'm actually using my second sensor now (my first one ran out of battery, after logging about a year and a half of use and approximately 1700 miles).I run with Asics and use a Marware Sportsuit Sensor Case (basically a pouch for the sensor) to attach the sensor to the top of my laces.In other words, you don't need the Nike+ shoes to use this.If you have an iPhone or iPod touch then you won't need the receiver that plugs into the bottom of the Nano either (it's a built-in app on the iPhone and iPod touch).

Now as for the accuracy.For the most part it's pretty accurate but that's all going to depend on your calibration and whether you're running on a treadmill or on the ground.What I have noticed is that it tends to err towards the average pace you ran during calibration.For example, if you averaged an 8-min/mile during calibration then when you're running slower than an 8 min/mile it will show that you are running faster than you actually are and if you're running faster than an 8 min/mile it will show that you are running a slower pace than you actually are.I have tested this on treadmills and on the track.That being said, it's still fairly accurate, probably within 95% accuracy (assuming you're able to run close to your normal pace). As for varying degrees of accuracy running on the treadmill vs. running on the ground, I'm not exactly sure why that happens, maybe because my stride is a little different on the treadmill.Anyways, what I do for that is I will calibrate on the treadmill when I know I'll be running on the treadmill a lot for some period of time (like in the winter when it's too cold to run outside) and then calibrate on the track when I know I'll be running outside a lot.

After your runs, you plug your iPod or iPhone into your computer and send the workout data to the Nike+ website.Nike has put together a very nice site and this is probably the best thing about using this device.On the site you can view your running stats, set up running goals, challenge your friends to competitions, get running advice, map running routes, and probably some other things.They're constantly updating the site so there are probably some features I haven't used.You can check it out for yourself at [...].There is a pretty big running community on the site so it's great for motivation and let's face it, the main reason why you would buy a device like this is probably to motivate yourself to run more.For those serious runners, the stats that are tracked with Nike+ may be a little disappointing.You get stats for the entire workout but unfortunately you can't get split times during the run.It does give you your pace at various points in your run but you can't see how long it took you to reach certain points in your run (how long it took you to get to mile 1, 5k, etc).

For those of you who like pros and cons lists...here you go:

Pros:
- Easy to use and fairly accurate (read above where I talk about accuracy).
- The [...]website which is great for motivation (it would be nice if you could see how long it took you to reach a certain distance during your run though)
- Good for those runners who run on treadmills to be able to track their miles.
- Cost.Cheaper than GPS systems and Polar's S1 Foot Pad, which does the exact same thing but retails for $130.Also, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch you can save some money by just buying the sensor that attaches to the shoe instead of the entire kit.

Cons:
- May need to calibrate for better accuracy (on track and on treadmill, at least for me...maybe you'll be lucky and not see a difference)
- Once battery dies in the sensor you need to buy a new one (can't replace battery).

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Product Description:
Transform your iPod nano, iPod touch (2nd generation), or iPhone 3G S into a personal workout coach with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. This wireless sensor and receiver combination works exclusively with your Nike+ shoes and iPod nano, iPod touch, or iPhone 3G S to give you real-time feedback during workouts and let you track your performance on your Mac or PC.

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NIKE + IPOD SPORT KIT-USA Review

I just got back into running after a five year break.This was hands-down the best investment I made (after new sneaks of course.)My favorite aspect of it is the competitive nature of the website that is linked when you upload your runs to iTunes.(It's a Nike site.)On the site runners can track their progress, become "friends" with other runners to offer encouragement, and even challenge other runners to online "races."There are also customizable "goals" that can be set up such as, "Run 30 miles in the next four weeks," or "Go on 8 runs in the next two weeks" to keep runners personally motivated.(I used to do this with a paper/pen on my fridge!)Challenges (races) are broken down by levels so a newbie runner like myself, is not competing against someone who logs 30miles a week.

It took me a few runs to get the hang of the controls (I was constantly having to take my nano off my arm to check the screen), but now it's easy.

Why five stars:
-Nike's website is amazingly simple to use. I can't wait to get out for a run to move up a space (or two) in my races.Coming home and plugging in my ipod has turned into, "Ewwww, I wonder if I moved up a spot on the scoreboard?!"
-Easy to learn.Simply plug into your ipod - no advanced knowledge required.Lace up sneaks, and run.
-My husband (who's not into running) just bought a pair of sneakers because he was so impressed with my excitement over the online challenges. I think it brought out his competitive nature.(I give him three weeks before he has his own Nike+)
-At anytime during your run you can hit a button to get an update on your pace, distance and time.(Also automatically let's you know every 10 minutes - or by distance - and at the "halfway" mark.)

Note:You do NOT need to buy Nike+ shoes to use this system.Plenty of off-shoot brands make sensor cases that attach to shoelaces of any running shoe.I found mine for under $7.

The only thing that kinda bums me out is that there are no replaceable batteries, so when it's out of juice you have to buy a new sensor. (About $15, which isn't bad.A new battery would probably cost about that much anyway.)

Also - remember that while the sensor is in motion - it is using battery!Be sure to take them out of your running shoes if you use them for other activities.(Supposed to last 1000 "active hours.")

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Product Description:
Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit

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