Nike+ SportWatch GPS Review

Bought the Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom (USD$199) to replace my current pair of Nike+ Sportband watch.
The watch is currently not available in Singapore as I’m writing this short user review.

Nike+ SportWatch GPS
Nike+ SportWatch GPS

Nike+ SportWatch GPS with Nike+ Sensor
Nike+ SportWatch GPS with Nike+ Sensor

Content inside the Nike+ SportWatch GPS box includes the User Manual, Nike+ SportWatch GPS, Nike+ Sensor and a USB extension wire.

Content inside the Nike+ SportWatch GPS box
Content inside the Nike+ SportWatch GPS box

Comparing the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS (left) with my existing pair of Nike+ Sportband (right).

Nike+ SportWatch GPS & Nike+ Sportband
Nike+ SportWatch GPS & Nike+ Sportband
Screen protector - Let's go
Screen protector – Let’s go
Dual pins for snapping in
Dual pins for snapping in
Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom
Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom
USB connector is hidden at end of the watch strap
USB connector is hidden at end of the watch strap
Flip to access the hidden USB connector
Flip to access the hidden USB connector
Size of watch isn't too big for my wrist
Size of watch isn’t too big for my wrist
Huge LCD display
Huge LCD display, you can cycle through the pace, distance, time, etc using the 2 buttons on the left

Strong tap on the screen will turn on the backlight

Strong tap on the screen will turn on the backlight

Usage/Review:

 

Test setup:
Nike+ SportWatch GPS
Nike+ iPod Sensor
SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter

In an open area with no buildings, syncing the SportWatch GPS with the Nike+ Sensor and the Satellite took less than 12 seconds.
In area with lots of trees and high-rise buildings, the syncing of the SportWatch GPS with the Nike+ sensor and satellite took around 35 seconds.

My running route being accurately recorded
My running route being accurately recorded

The running route around Chinese garden, Jurong Park and Boon Lay way is clearly recorded by the Nike+ SportWatch GPS.

Overall I’m very pleased with the watch as it has the ability to plot the map of my run upon uploading it to the Nike Running website.
Being an existing Nike+ Sportband user, I have no problem using the SportWatch GPS by just following the watch’s on-screen display and instructions.

Ease of use: 9/10
Build: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

Update (Oct 15, 2012): After 1 year and 5 months, the SportWatch GPS cannot be detected as a Nike+ Device anymore via Nike+ Connect although it can still be charged over the USB connection. Guess time to get a new SportWatch GPS or shall I wait for an updated version that doesn’t relies on physical connection and uses Wifi/Blutooth?

Update (Oct 19, 2012):  Decided to switch to using a Garmin Forerunner® 610 instead of getting a new Nike+ Sportwatch GPS watch.

21 thoughts to “Nike+ SportWatch GPS Review”

  1. Hey i know this is a late reply for this post but a quick question.
    Did you buy the sportwatch in the US? And yet it works in Singapore??
    I also live in singapore and I just wanted to make sure.

  2. Hey, where did u buy this watch? I have been waiting for this watch to arrive to sg and till now still not here..

  3. Boss, do you have issue with the watch. Read reviews from unhappy customer about incompatible with Mac OSx and your history all gone in the watch. My colleague is on his way back to singapore from US. Perhaps can ask her to get for me…

    1. Never encounter any problem with history being deleted on my Mac OS X 10.7.
      Some of my friends do encounter the history wipe issue though.

      1. So do you advise me to buy then? How about connectivity issue? Heard it very terrible…sorry cos too many questions as I have a suunto watch already and I do not wish to be involve in techy issues.

        1. Connectivity no issue so far from 4 of my friends who are using it (3 in Singapore, 1 in Hong Kong). Only some face syncing delay ( Some places needs a bit more time to get the GPS sync-up, but generally it syncs in less than 15 seconds).

          My advice will be to buy if your Suunto watch isn’t already GPS ready and you need something simple and affordable like the Nike+ SportWatch GPS.

          Besides that, I use it along with a new Polar WearLink+ sensor for monitoring of my heart rate with the Nike+ SportWatch GPS.

          1. Thank you for your advice..i will ask my colleague to buy for me. Yup my suunto is not gps enabled. I just saw a pre order website in singapore costs like near S$350 wow thats alot!! Thank you once again.

  4. i got my nike plus watch today..been having problems with logging in into the nike running website despite several attempts..any help?

    1. One thing about Nike plus website I feel is that it’s not very stable. I think you should try again tomorrow.

  5. I have this watch since July 2011…the watch is great and all. I’ve been able to view my runs as well as heart rate and GPS in the http://www.nikeplus.com site. Problem I encountered since Jan 2012 is that I’m unable to access the website and view my runs. I initially thought the problem was in my Mac but I also had problems using my PC. I recently traveled to the US and was able to login and see my runs – thus Nike is saying is may be a problem with ISP????

  6. Hi! Just sharing my experiences. Been using the Nike GPS watch for 2 months now (approximately 16+ runs), works well even in KL where I tested the watch on holiday. Usually takes about 15-20 secs to sync with the GPS satellites, but sometimes faster. Downside is the Nike+ website, have to try to log in 10 times before being able to enter.

  7. i just got the watch from my friend today on her trip back from US. was working. but the date was wrong. i plugged it in comp, it says it was charging and loaded the nike+ connect for me. after that it says that it has a error and to plug out and reconnect the watch. after plugging out the watch and reconnecting, the screen went blank. now it does not power on at all. and the computer doesn’t detect it.

  8. Hi there, I do not own any nike+ shoes, so I was wondering if the tracking system can work without the Nike+ Sensor, or is there any method available to attach the Nike Sensor on my shoe?

  9. So how is your nike gps watch now? windows still couldnt read the device? Im thinking of this watch or the garmin 210

    1. Hi, as my Nike+ Sportwatch GPS no longer has warranty, hence can’t send in for any exchange. Currently it just works as a watch and monitoring, but can no longer sync with Nike+ connect software in Windows or Mac.

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