Polar A300 Fitness Watch and Activity Monitor Review

I’ve been using some form of activity tracker for a few years now. For a while I had a Fitbit (which went missing in Florida a few years ago), but my go-to device for the past year or so has been the Garmin Vivofit. For the most part I really like the Vivofit – solid […]

Review: Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Bluetooth Headphones With Heart Rate Monitoring

Over the past year I’ve reviewed a few optical heart rate monitors that allow runners to do away with the traditional chest strap. Both the Mio Link and Scosche Rhythm+ performed well, though I preferred the latter due to the fact that its fabric band was more comfortable and allowed it to be placed in […]

Scosche Rhythm+ Plus Wrist/Arm Mounted Optical Heart Rate Monitor Review

Last summer I reviewed the Mio Link wrist-mounted heart rate monitor and found it to be a great alternative to a traditional chest strap HRM. It measured my heart rate accurately, and synced perfectly with both my Garmin 620 and Vivofit. I had to return the Link to the manufacturer after writing my review, but […]

Another Example of a Garmin Forerunner 620 Tracking Problem

Several months ago I wrote a post in which I discussed GPS accuracy issues I’ve experienced with my Garmin Forerunner 620. Though on the whole I like the watch, I still experience episodes where it seems to flip out and lose track of real-time pace and/or the correct track. This often manifests as the watch […]

Biggest Drawback of the Apple Sport Watch For Runners: No On-Board GPS

The big news yesterday was Apple’s announcement of two new iPhones as well as the Apple Watch. Like most people, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the announcement of the Watch since rumors have consistently hinted at a slew of fitness-related features. Done well, the watch had the potential to be a game changer in the fitness […]

Timex Introduces Ironman One GPS+ Smart Watch

I’ve reviewed a number of GPS fitness watches over the past few years. One of the most impressive was the Motorola MotoActv – it had a beautiful touch-screen, could play music via Bluetooth, and was solid on the tracking side. Unfortunately the MotoActv had some fatal flaws, namely poor battery life and ineffective waterproofing, particularly […]

Mio Link Wrist Mounted Heart Rate Monitor Review: A Runner’s Perspective

In the past I have not been a regular user of a heart rate monitor while running. I’ve used them on and off, and have found heart rate data to be a good way to monitor my effort, but I’m not a huge fan of chest straps since they occasionally chafe me and it’s just […]

Garmin Forerunner 910XT GPS Watch Review

My first ever GPS watch was the Garmin Forerunner 205. I loved that watch and used it on every run for several years. It was rock-solid when it came to tracking, the battery seemed to last forever, and it carried me through multiple marathons without issue. My only real issue with the 205 was that […]

Garmin Forerunner 10 (FR10) Review: Great Performance in a Small, Low-Priced Package

Update 7/8/2014  –I have now posted a review of the Garmin Forerunner FR15. The FR15 is basically an update to the FR10 that adds step counting, heart rate monitor sync, and longer battery life. One of the first reviews I wrote here on Runblogger was of the Garmin Forerunner 205 GPS watch. That was way back in April of 2009! […]

Motorola MOTOACTV GPS Workout Recorder Review: Close, But Not Quite There

For the past three months or so I’ve been using the Motorola MOTOACTV GPS on almost every single one of my runs (disclosure: this product was a media sample provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review purposes). About a month into using the MOTOACTV I was prepared to write a review […]

Soleus GPS 1.0 Watch Review: A Minimalist GPS Watch at a Minimalist Price

Although I tend toward minimalism in my footwear, I’m a major tech geek and stats junkie, and a GPS watch is a constant companion on my runs. I’ve flirted with the thought of running “naked” more often as espoused by my friends Mossy and Robbo of the Naked Runners Podcast, but I can’t seem to […]

Running Gear Review: Garmin Forerunner 205/305 GPS Wristwatch

This review of the Garmin Forerunner 205/305 GPS Wristwatch follows up on my review of the Nike+ system (see here). I’ve used both of these systems extensively (> six months of regular use each), and my goal here is to explain why I much prefer the Garmin Forerunner. If you want a personal running computer […]