Nike+ SportBand with SwitchEasy RunAway Review

Bought the Nike+ Sportband (available in Pink & Yellow) from Nike Wheellock Place in Singapore and the SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter from Epicentre which is just opposite the same Nike store.

Test setup:
iMac 24″ (Snow Leopard)
Asics Gel-Kayano 14
Nike+ Sportband
Nike+ iPod Sensor
SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter

After installing the Nike+ Utility. Connect the Nike+ SportBand Link to the USB Port on the iMac to customize settings as well as charging the battery.

After charging and customization of your user settings on the Nike+ SportBand Link, connect the SportBand Link back into the band.

Using the SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter with non Nike+ shoes

Conclusion – Pros

• The Nike+ SportBand material is very comfortable to the wrist
• Nike+ iPod Sensor works well with the SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter. Out of box calibration is very accurate with the Nike+ SportBand over a 600 meters test run
• SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter is firmly secure and does not move around if correctly installed amongst the shoelaces
• Toggle button (on the side) of the SportBand Link allows easy cycling through your distance, pace, time and calories burned
• Be part of the biggest online running community, the Nike+ website allows you to upload your runs, share and communicate with your friends who are also on the Nike+ community and lots more.
• SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter is cheap to replace

Conclusion – Cons

• Out of box calibration is slightly off for walks. Accuracy for a 600 meters walk incurs additional 5 to 10 meters. If you want spot-on accuracy, perform the calibration in a stadium (walk and run of the same distance) and adjust it against the Nike+ utility.
• Plastic locking pin of the SwitchEasy RunAway Adapter looks fragile, might break when you are running amongst packed runners
• Due to curve design of the Nike+ SportBand Link, upon inserting into the USB slots at the back of the iMac, it’s physical build took up 2 x USB slots
• Nike+ SportBand Link do not have backlight feature. Not suitable for running in limited light conditions.

Overall combined usage rating: 8.5/10