Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G (OLD VERSION)
by Apple Computer
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List Price: Our Price: $20.00 You Save: $9.99 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G (OLD VERSION)
Customer Review: This product will motivate you to run!
Summary: 5 Stars
When Nike and Apple introduced this, i was very disappointed that you required a special shoe only available from Nike for a high price. Then after some research, I discovered the Marware Sportsuit Sensor Case for Nike+ and figured I'd give the product a shot.
After 2 weeks of using it, I can honestly say this has completely exceeded expectations. Even with the 3rd party "pouch", the device has been surprisingly accurate. I am not a distance runner (not yet) but my regular runs of 3-4 miles are accurate within 0.05 miles after a single calibration! For something this inexpensive, that is very impressive.
If the accuracy wasn't enough, some of the other features make this even better. The ipod will read back your real time stats of Distance, Time, Calories and pace with a single push of the center button, and you also get milestone alerts too (such as "Half way point" or "One mile to go"). Another cool feature is the "power song". You predetermine a song that will pump you up in case you need the extra motivation, and then hold down the center button to access it.
Lastly, the online tracking of your progress gives that extra motivation to get off your couch and set some goals for yourself!
Bottom line: If you want to make running fun and like extra motivation, get this device!
Customer Review: Awesome, but you don't need this kit if you have an iPod Touch
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't going to read all the reviews, but among the several I did read, it was not once mentioned that if you have and iPod Touch, you DO NOT need to buy this kit. You don't need the receiver that's included because the Touch has that function already built in. So save yourself $10 and just buy the sensor alone.
I'd also like to add that despite the impression you may get from the reviews here, this product is not just for hard-core athletes or people who run marathons. Frankly, I couldn't even *jog* my way out of a paper bag. I use the Plus for walking, and it works perfectly. I set it to a certain amount of time and start walking. The pleasant voice alerts me when I'm halfway done, and then every minute for the last five minutes. This is great because I know when to start heading back home or to the car.
Also, I own neither the Nike shoes nor any sort of "holder" for the sensor. All I do is tuck it under my shoelaces, face up and near the toes. It sits in there snugly and since I'm only walking, I have no fear of it falling out.
I love this little device. It's great motivation to exercise. One small change I would make is to have the sleep switch be a sliding on/off switch instead of a button; as it is now, you can't tell at a glance if you've turned it off or not. Other than that, Nike+ has all the excellence and quality I've come to expect in my 20 years as an Apple customer.
Customer Review: The Motivator I've Been Looking For
Summary: 5 Stars
If only I knew about this product sooner...
All I can say is "wow". This product would be worth it at twice the price. I've owned this little gem for about three weeks and it has been the best running motivator I have ever had. It's ability to track your runs on NikePlus and the open-API means that you will find a world of applications others have written that interact with it. One of my favorites is the Twitter app that posts by runs automatically to Twitter so the whole world knows about it!
I will say that if you don't have the Nike+ shoes that this product may be dissapointing -- I've heard mixed reviews from others I know who have used it in non-Nike shoes and the accuracy just isn't there. However in my Nike Shox it works great and it is incredibly accurate.
The only drawback to the product is that the battery is non-replaceable. I hope in a future release this is corrected because its such a waste (of money and resources) to have to get a new one about once every 12 months (if you use it religiously). Whatever you do, do NOT wear it when you are not working out or you will run the battery down.
If you are serious about running, or even walking, this is must have gear. It's going to be a great motivator and one of those things you will want to use to track your progress as you prepare for the next marathon or for the next few pounds lost.
Customer Review: If you use it properly, it works great
Summary: 4 Stars
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?)
Customer Review: Nike and Apple tell me what to do...
Summary: 4 Stars
I have to admit I'm a big fan of Apple to the point where I started running in part because this device sounded really, really cool. I've found the sport kit reliable, easy to use and remarkably accurate. In addition, the software tracking end on Nike's website provides some great feedback. Where I've never had the patience to keep a running journal, this software does it for me automatically.
I've had problems with over training and under training. Now I'm using one of the 'Coaching' programs through Nike to balance improvement with lower risk of over training. While getting a training schedule is good, I don't like the limits of flexibility with the training. For example, if the schedule gives me two days off and I run a day early, it doesn't count as a 'training' run. Also, one can't just move a workout from one day to another, or shift a whole week. To change the workout, you have to create a new event, then make it match the origional one and delete the origional occurrence. If I shift a work out after actually doing the run, the existing run doesn't count as a workout. So usability could use some improvement.
This said, it is, however, amazing to see how much more regularly I run, and how evenly I improve with the most basic parts of the site.