Many months ago, I bought myself a Nike+ iPod kit to track my runs. Recently, I was given the newer Nike+ Sport Band which does exactly the same thing, albeit a bit differently. This is a comparative observation of the pros and cons for those who want to run with Nike+ yet can’t decide which one to get.
The obvious difference between the two items is that the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit requires an iPod nano for it to function. The Nike+ SportBand is independent of any 3rd party device and can be worn as a watch when not in use to track runs.
So as not to kill off their watch line, the Nike+ Sport Band does not include many customizable functions for telling time. No backlight is included and the way time is adjusted is through a sync with your computer’s USB port. Eek! The USB connector of the Nike+ band is curved in design, which makes it rather annoying to plug it into laptops because you’d have to tilt the device off a platform.
Perhaps the biggest gripe with the Nike+ Sport Band is its calibration. A lot of people including myself, Bong, and Phoebe have clocked in less miles than we ran. And the margin for error is quite huge. I clocked in about 6.8k in distance but the band only reported 5.4k. The margin seems to be similar throughout the Internet – we lose about 1k in every 5 kilometers. This would have been excusable, except that the earlier version – the Nike+ kit for the iPod is pretty darn accurate. Firmware update, Nike?
Accuracy aside, both devices work pretty well, factoring in the “style” by which you run. My most ideal set up would be to use the Nike+ SportBand as my distance tracker and listen to music on my nano. Why so? Why not just use the iPod kit? Well …
Without taking into account the heavier bulk of the iPod, the Nike+ kit should be more favorable except that when running, the Nike+ application on the iPod limits my navigation for songs. I can only browse through set playlists and not my entire library ala carte. This means I can’t switch to audiobooks, podcasts and well …. video (ever tried watching video while running? Crazy s#!t!). There is a fix to this – which would be to drag your pre-selected media onto a “Running Playlist” which you can always load.
Another huge advantage of the iPod set up is that you get audio notifications when you’ve set records – there’s nothing like Lance Armstrong’s voice congratulating you for your longest run to date.
In terms of pricing, the Nike+ Sport Band is cheaper by slightly more than P1,000.00, retailing at P2,300. The Nike+ iPod Sports kit goes for roughly P3,500.00. Both can be bought from Nike outlets and sports hobby shops.
Bottomline
If you don’t have an iPod, the Nike+ SportBand is the obvious choice. You get a USB chargeable watch (one charge lasted me 3 weeks!) and a neat Nike rubber statement band. The Nike+ iPod kit is less out of the box as you have to have both your iPod and the small white receiver for it to work. Choose: more convenient device with slightly inaccurate data vs. running with music, but slightly bulky.
Do any of my readers own one (or both!) of these? What’s your feedback, especially with the calibration of the Nike+ SportBand? It’s a pain!
16 replies on “Nike+ SportBand and Nike+ iPod kit comparison”
Running with music, but slightly bulky. The band is hot though!
Jayvs, can the sportband track steps or just the distance? Can it function like a pedometer?
Thanks for the review Jayvee. This comes just in time since me and my wife just recently got into running and I’ve been meaning to get the sports band. Very odd though for the it to have a glitch with calibration.
The iPod Nike kit costs P3500???? is that the local street price?
Wow mahal ha. I got mine from Amazon for only a little over a thousand pesos.
I thought it was selling around 1800 locally which is reasonable enough.
Anyway, yes, the Nike+ is a pedometer and can track your speed.
Learn more at http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/
No I did not get paid by Apple to plug them (I wish), it’s just that I really LOVE my Nike+ Kit.
Major factor in getting me into running.
Leo
leo, the funny thing — the price fluctuates. i was surprised myself. if at a later date i see a price drop / increase, ill post it here. this was the price the last time i checked.
the nike+ ipod kit costs around 1990, the nike+ sportband is around 2300 (i think). i would strongly suggest that you avoid the sportband as it is not waterproof as nike claim it to be. at the nike+ forum they report a lot of complaints (mostly on the lcd display) about this item.
@cruel – the price went down again? in the sept issue of T3 the sports band is pegged at, can you believe, 3,500!
yup, its been like that for about a month now. last year they bundled it with the nike+ shoes, you’ll get the kit for free.
hi jayvee, if that’s the case the nike+ sports band is cheaper there in manila. in the US it retails for $59 (@46 = Php2714). sayang, i had a collegue get it for me in the US pa naman. mas mura pala dyan
How could I forget… I bought a Nike+ SportBand (for Php2,636 because of a 20% discount) and a new pair of Nike+ shoes to go with it JUST to join the darn Nike Human Race event last month. And it was super fun!
Hmm, funny… in my case, my SportBand almost always registers an extra 1-2km from the actual distance I run. And this is probably because I do not run at a constant pace? In any case, the Nike+ SportBand is indeed INACCURATE. But at least (for me) it gets you motivated to run just so you can use this cool-looking and expensive hi-tech stopwatch.
To Jayvee and other bloggers who own a Nike+ SportsBand: Kung libre kayo this Sunday (Oct. 5), there’s this “Hope In Motion 3 Fun Run/Walk” event in Alabang. There’s a 10k event. We can all test the accuracy or inaccuracy of our SportsBand.
We can call ourselves Team Inaccurate Nike+ SportsBand (of Bloggers). Hehe. Game?
Nike just recently released a new version of the sports band. Where did you get your sports band? Thanks.
Have tried looking around for the sports band in the nike outlets with no luck.
Where can i get one and how much? I heard it’ll be launched here officially on the 15th nect month. How true is this? Thanks!
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