Rating Summary
“Nike+ Sensor is a great way to track your workout miles”
- running addict, tech savvy, a gadget geek, half marathon finisher
- Pros
- Community and activities on nikeplus.com, Share your progress on Facebook, Twitter, No losing GPS mid-run and losing data
- Cons
- Can't replace sensor battery, Multiple steps to set up synch, No GPS to map your workout/run, Shoe pouch/wallet not sold with sensor
Nike Nike+ Sensor —
Let me first say that I've been using the RunKeeper app and have been quite happy with its output until I got the 3Gs. For some reasong the GPS output seems to be worse and so while I miss having my run mapped out for me with detailed pace information linked to the map for any given minute, I thought I'd see what all the Nike+ Sensor fuss was about.
It took a bit of searching, but I finally figured out the following:
1. Nike sells Nike+ shoes that the sensor fits into, but you don't have to buy these in order to use the sensor. Nor are you obligated to purchase the Nike+ Shoe Wallet.
- See blog "10 Different Ways to Attach a Nike+ Sensor to Your Shoe" for some free DIY options http://bit.ly/XofHw (Note: I actually use the USB Shuttle purchased at Office Max)
2. You are also no longer obligated to own an iPod Nano to use the Nike+ Sensor
- Nike now sells the Nike+ Sports Band (http://bit.ly/2425q - this kit includes the Nike+ Sensor). If you run without music this is a great and less expensive way to use the Nike+ Sensor. Your pace, distance, and total time is displayed on the wristband.
- If you own an iPhone 3GS, your phone now has a built in receiver to use the Nike+ Sensor. Just go to General, scroll down until you see the Nike+ icon and turn the system on.
3. Be sure you buy the solution you need.
- It's worth a trip to the Nike store if all you need is the sensor, which they sell for $19.00 (iPhone users).
- The Nike+ Sport Kit includes a receiver that plugs into the bottom of a Nano ($29.00 at Nike store).
4. All those Nike+ workouts you downloaded from iTunes and tried to play on your iPod, but never could? They will now work when you're using the Nike+ system.
5. You must synch your workouts through iTunes. Be sure you tell iTunes to VISIT the nikeplus.com site on your synch. Especially if you're using the iPhone. If you sync your iPhone on iTunes, but fail to send your workout to nikeplus.com you will NOT be able to add it later. You can see it on your phone, but never will it be added to your online Nike+ account.
- I find this a drawback over RunKeeper that automatically synced my runs to my online RunKeeper account.
6. I really enjoy the nikeplus.com website. I love that you can set your own goals, join challenges or challenge others, create your own training plans...and every time you sync your last workout that mileage gets added to them ALL. It's a great motivator to be able to track your mileage and workouts like that.
7. While it hasn't happened yet, the Sensor has a built-in battery that cannot be replaced. I have friends using the same sensor regularly for three years though and haven't needed to replace it yet.
Last edited on Sep 09, 2009
