Not bad - but've expected more

I have the Forerunner 220 now for about 2 weeks and have the clock since then about 5 times used to work.
To me and my running habits: I am a sporty amateur runners and a stand by my runs to compare bit on technical "Schnigg-Schnagg" together. Important to me is above all the GPS feature, later to be able to accurately track the route and to see where I was as fast and to compare different sections and rounds. It also gives me extra motivation.

Starting record my runs I have a few years ago with the Nike + system in which a small sensor is "hidden" in the shoe, which records the step frequency and sends it wirelessly to a receiver to the iPod. Again you can later analyze the data on a PC. Although this system calculates the distance and the pace with the number of steps, is this system (which surprised myself) almost exactly. You can also submit calibrate this system by a test track, the distance you know you walk ... also evaluating the PC works perfectly. So far so good. However, I wanted to go for some time yet a bit more and a GPS system was needed in order to really track the runs can.

I realized with my smartphone and the beginning of the app "Nike +", because I could see the old barrels from Schu sensor. Shortly after that, I installed the app "Runtastic" because I just wanted to try something new and also sought a comparison. From this app, I was more than impressed. Countless functions, different analysis options and much more. In addition, this worked extremely reliable and very accurate. The user interface inspired me right away. On the displayed route you could, for example, thanks to colored race route immediately recognize where one where one was slow and fast. All in all just great !! The only drawback: you had the big, heavy smartphone stuck in your pocket, which is extremely annoying, depending on pants and has been many times given me a blue thigh. In addition, you can while running without the phone cumbersome to fumble out of my pocket and to release the keypad lock times just a look on it. Therefore had to go 2 years ago but a Running Watch.

After some discussion, I opted for the Forerunner 220 from Garmin. The service is (I think) intuitively and even during the running super to use. The display can be adjusted individually and you can easily switches while running between two settings. The numbers are represented big for my taste, and can be read easily. In addition, it is very convenient and comfortable to wear in terms of size. However, the search takes a great GPS signal rather long. Approximately 2 minutes elapse in the open air until the signal is found. Waits is not (has happened to me at first) starts running at a completely different place and it is noisy recording over mountains, in the woods and in fact everywhere where one actually is not running (in this case, incidentally, lasted 10 minutes, until I again the right track was). That taught me a lesson and I used the time to stretch before running. Despite waiting the GPS receiver is not really accurate. At least not the way I was used to from my smartphone GPS and "Runtastic" the. While it lacks a lot but not all corners are cut to about 2 meters and one often runs 1-2 feet from the road in a stream or a meadow. Is not dramatic but certainly worth mentioning. Also from Garmin Connect I am not thrilled. Since Runtastic was better, clearer, more intuitive and easy for the eye beautiful for my taste. Among the features are both similar. Toll I find that you can create interval workouts, but at the price standard. The training plans disappointed me. Although there are training plans for example, a half marathon but not for a half marathon with a time limit.

All in all I think the clock well, but I would have expected a lot more for the price. A fast and above all accurate GPS reception particular, can keep up with the phone and a free app. Nevertheless prevails for me the comfort factor of a comfortable clock, when you have all the data at a glance. Therefore, I will keep the clock and use my phone not again.

Oh yes: I would be glad if you rate my rating as "useful" - if I have helped you. :)