Affordable training aid for amateur runners

The Sigma RC 1209 measures except the time the heart rate, speed and distance traveled. This is made possible by the R3 sensor, a 3-axis accelerometer that is mounted either on the chest belt or using a clip on your belt. The heart rate, there are of course only with chest strap.

For the measurement of distance / speed the clock actually works only as a pedometer, but provides yet amazingly accurate results.

1. Energy Supply
Important to me was that I did not have to worry about the state of charge of a battery me or maybe the clock must send in when the end of life of the battery is approaching, as is the case with some GPS watches. The RC 1209 has a battery that can be easily opened with the included key in the bottom of the clock. Of course, the battery can also be easily replaced in the R3 sensor.

2. Heart rate monitoring
The chest belt is a textile belt which does not slip even with sweaty body. The measurement and data transmission to the clock functions with absolute reliability.

3. speed, distance measurement
The RC 1209 shows the speed to either km / h or min / km, switchable, the distance traveled are displayed. As the clock only evaluates acceleration information and the associated stride of the runner does not know, it must first be calibrated.

4. Calibration
Calibration is separated for the two sensor positions performed chest / belt and for each position separately for running and normal walking. You do not calibrate all four variants, but are of course only be measured accurately calibrated variants. I have calibrated Running (R3 on chest strap) and going (on a belt clip).

With Google Earth to serve any routes can very precisely measure. Is best to select a route profile which is the later runs most similar. I chose a 3.5km route that leads both on the forest floor as well as asphalt and contains gradients. So were the calibrated control runs so far in the range of +/- 2.5% deviation.

5. Conclusion
An inexpensive clock that displays a control of HF, speed and distance traveled for the amateur runners with sufficient accuracy. It is positive that no battery maintenance is necessary. The only hurdle is the calibration that you require several attempts with me until the desired accuracy was achieved. Belt clip and chest strap may look a little 'durable', therefore a point deduction.