Sports Watches: Ratings of Sources
Total of 36 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
GPS Watches for Measuring Physical Expenditure During Physical Activity
by Jamie Wise, Barron Orr, Kristin Wisneski, Nobuko Hongu
Our Assessment
Researchers at the University of Arizona test four GPS running watches at various speeds on an outdoor track, comparing the data with both a pedometer and an accelerometer. Of the four GPS watches tested,… the researchers select the Garmin Forerunner 305 as the "best pick" for a GPS watch. They think it is user friendly, and they like easy data transfer and audible alerts. However, the bulky size is listed as a drawback.
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Accuracy of Two Fitness-Related Global Positioning Systems for Measuring Distance While Running
by Keefer, Daniel J.; Dupain, Mandi N.; Morgan, Don W.
Our Assessment
Researchers at Millersville University test the accuracy of the Garmin Forerunner 201 and the Timex Ironman Platinum 58681. Twenty-two subjects wore the sports watches on two 5K runs on a track, and both running watches were found to be "fairly accurate" for measuring distance while running.
3. Outside Magazine
May 2009
Outside Summer 2009 Buyer's Guide: Watches
by Will Palmer
Our Assessment
Outside magazine tests 349 outdoor products using reader volunteers to craft its biannual buyer's guide. It highlights six watches, but only two would be considered sports watches. The Timex Ironman Road Trainer Digital HRM is deemed a "killer value," and it includes a heart-rate monitor. Outside calls the Suunto T4C "intuitive," and it can be combined with a GPS Pod for distance and pace.
Wristwear for Explorers
by Dan Nelson
Our Assessment
Men's Journal tests six sport watches and gives each watch an overall rating out of 10. The Garmin Forerunner 405 is recommended for trail runners, but Men's Journal cites the lack of off-road features for… its lower overall rating. Men's Journal gives its highest rating to the Suunto X10 GPS watch, praising the reliable satellite reception and easy-to-use interface. The Origo Granite Peak Titanium Sleek scores above the rest in the accuracy test.
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Running through Heart-Monitor Options
by Danielle Kost
Our Assessment
The Boston Globe tests five heart-rate monitors during outdoor runs and on a treadmill. The testers include Globe staffers and Terrence Mahon, a running coach for Team Running USA. The Globe editors pick the Polar RS100, and Mahon picks the Garmin Forerunner 405 as favorites.
6. Trail Runner Magazine
June 2009
2009 Gear Guide: Watches
by Editors of Trail Runner
Our Assessment
In its 2009 gear guide, Trail Runner highlights four running watches that would appeal to trail runners. Each sports watch gets a brief review, and it appears that at least some of the watches were tested… by staff. Trail Runner likes the Polar RS800CX G3, which it describes as a "training computer," complete with a heart-rate monitor and GPS functionality for calculating pace and distance. Trail Runner also likes the Timex Ironman Road Trainer, Origo Granite Peak Titanium Sleek and HighGear Axio Max.
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2008 Summer Buyer's Guide Watches Reviews
by Damon Tabor
Our Assessment
In its 2008 Buyer's Guide, Outside magazine highlights a number of sports watches, including the Origo Granite Peak Titanium Sleek and Polar RS800G3. Each product only receives a sentence-long description, so there's not much detail about individual fitness watches.
Best of Adventure: Must-Have Gear Photo Gallery
by Steve Casimiro
Our Assessment
Several watches are picked for National Geographic's Best of Adventure awards, including the Polar FT80 and Suunto X10. Throughout the year, National Geographic publishes several buyer's guides, including the Best of Adventure series. It is unclear if the products are tested, and each product only receives a brief review.
Spring '09 Buyer's Guide
by Steve Casimiro
Our Assessment
In its annual buyer's guide, National Geographic Adventure magazine picks its favorite gear in a variety of categories. The Garmin Forerunner 310XT is the only sports watch that scores a mention, and the magazine recommends it as a good choice for trail runners or hikers. Especially notable is the water-resistant casing.
Technology That Works
by Brian Metzler
Our Assessment
Longtime gear reviewer Brian Metzler reviews "six advanced performance tools for runners" for Running Times, including the Polar RS800G3 and the Garmin Forerunner 405 sports watches. Each review includes information on "the buzz" and "why it's cool."
Review: Running Watches
by Mathew Honan
Our Assessment
Mathew Honan evaluates four running watches for Runner's World, and provides excellent information on each watch. He picks the Suunto T4 (now discontinued), Garmin Forerunner 350, Polar RS800 and Timex Ironman Bodylink. Unfortunately, Runner's World hasn't provided much recent coverage of sports watches, and this review is a bit old.
10 Picks For Getting Fit Without Breaking Your Budget
by Editors of The Associated Press
Our Assessment
This Associated Press article appears on the Savannah Morning News' website. Editors asked 10 health and fitness magazines to pick one piece of workout gear that provides great value. Women's Health picks… the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. Runner's World picks the Garmin Forerunner 50, calling it a "bargain for runners." Fitness magazine picks the Timex Ironman Road Trainer. Men's Fitness picks the Garmin Forerunner 205.
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7 Best Outdoor Gear Picks for 2009
by Seth Porges
Our Assessment
Popular Mechanics highlights some of the best outdoor gear for 2009, including the Timex Expedition WS4 adventure watch. It likes the widescreen display, which it describes as "enormous," allowing you to view tons of data without scrolling through menus.
Gear Test with Michael Lovato, Professional Triathlete: One Watch, for Work and Workout
by Sarah Toland
Our Assessment
Michael Lovato, a professional triathlete, evaluates five water-resistant sports watches for The New York Times. Out of the five watches, he calls the Nike Torque LI the "best sports watch in the group by far in terms of functionality." He likes the dual display, finding it easy to read and convenient because it shows both split and overall time together.
Fitness Watches
by Editors of CNET
Our Assessment
CNET reviews eight sports watches, assigning each an overall rating and listing pros and cons. The reviews are excellent -- balanced and detailed -- but they are several years old, and most of the watches… reviewed have been discontinued. The Garmin Forerunner 201 gets a "very good" rating from CNET. The site's editors like the customizable settings, waterproof casing, pace alerts and large memory that can store up to 5,000 laps. However, the Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS watch loses its signal repeatedly in two different locations used for testing the watch, which skews the pace data. CNET also reviews the Timex Bodylink, but it finds several design flaws that limit the performance of this multipart watch system.
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TFS Review: Timex Ironman Bodylink GPS System
by Paul Petersen
Our Assessment
Paul Petersen writes a lengthy review of the Timex Ironman Bodylink, giving it an overall rating of 8.3 out of 10 (or very good). This balanced review lists pros and cons, and the watch receives ratings on design, features and performance.
The Ten Best Digital Watches
by Rebecca Armstrong
Our Assessment
Rebecca Armstrong of the Independent, a British newspaper, picks her 10 favorite digital watches, although most are not sports-focused. One choice is the Garmin Forerunner 405, which she calls "scarily efficient" and easy to use.
Slideshow: 7 Gadgets to Help You Get in Shape
by Kelli B. Grant
Our Assessment
Smart Money highlights seven fitness gadgets that can get you in shape in this brief review. Each product gets a short one-paragraph description from the editor of a fitness magazine. None of the products… are tested, and the descriptions are based on features. Fitness magazine editor Pamela O'Brien picks the Suunto T4C, and Natali Del Conte, an editor at CNET TV, tells Smart Money that the Garmin Forerunner 405 sets itself apart by tracking your course so you can find your way back.
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Garmin Forerunner 405
by Mathew Honan
Our Assessment
Mathew Honan reviews the Garmin Forerunner 405 for Wired in a brief but balanced review. He gives the watch an overall rating of eight stars out of 10. The bezel gets high marks for ease of use, and Honan… likes that the popular Forerunner has been shrunk down to resemble a normal sports watch. On a negative note, Honan finds the heart-rate monitor uncomfortable and questions the reliability of the GPS signal on cloudy days.
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Wild Things: Adventure Watches
by Adam Chase
Our Assessment
Running Times highlights two adventure watches that they recommend for trail running, including the Origo Granite Peak Sleek and the Suunto Core. The reviews are detailed but focus mainly on features with few critical comments.
Garmin Forerunner 405
by Sean Downey
Our Assessment
Sean Downey writes a detailed review of the Garmin Forerunner 405 for Runner's World, providing a helpful comparison with the Garmin Forerunner 305. Downey lists negative and positive features of the sports watch.
RW Review: Garmin Forerunner 405
by Editors of Runner's World U.K.
Our Assessment
Runner's World U.K. editors write an extensive review of the Garmin Forerunner 405, and it's clear they prefer this GPS watch to its predecessor, the Garmin Forerunner 305. This review is especially useful for its comparisons between the two popular watches.
He Says Monitors Have as Many Bells and Whistles as You Need. And Maybe More.
by Howard Schneider
Our Assessment
Three top sports watch manufacturers, Polar, Garmin and Suunto, provide multiple test watches for The Washington Post. Even though the running watches are tested, the author focuses more on the brands… rather than on specific watches. Howard Schneider calls the Garmin Forerunner 405 an "engineering marvel." Even though it's expensive, you don't have to pay extra for the GPS like you do with Polar or Suunto watches. In addition, those pods "seem antiquated" when compared with the Garmin. The author recommends Garmin over Polar or Suunto for trail runners, thanks to navigation features that can help you find your way out of the woods, although it's an "energy hog."
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Road Tested: Garmin Forerunner 405
by Alla Byrne
Our Assessment
Shape magazine evaluates the Garmin Forerunner 405, calling it a "useful tool for serious runners." Alla Byrne lists pros and cons of the fitness watch, and it's apparent that the watch has been tested by at least one person.
Watch This
by Editors of Women's Health
Our Assessment
Women's Health picks eight "smart gadgets," including several sports watches. Each watch only gets a brief review, and there are no critical comments or comparisons with other watches.
Wrist Action
by Noah Johnson
Our Assessment
Men's Fitness highlights five watches, three of which would be suitable for running. Calling it "ideal for running," the Nike Triax Fury 100 earns praise for a ventilated wrist strap and easy-to-use interface. The Freestyle Nomad impresses with numerous features, and Men's Fitness likes the stylish design that looks good off the trail.
Fitness Watches
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Amazon.com lists a good number of sports watches, and some popular models receive hundreds of individual reviews. Some newer watches only receive a few reviews, but Amazon.com is the best source for owner-written reviews of sports watches.
Review: Sport Watches
by Steve Halsall
Our Assessment
Steve Halsall, a personal trainer, reviews the Garmin Forerunner 405 and the Polar ProTrainer 5 for The Daily Mirror, a British newspaper. He thinks the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch is a great value, and finds it comfortable, easy to monitor and a good choice for running or cycling. He rates it slightly lower on appearance, but it scores highly on performance and value.
Best Sports Watch: The Best Running Watches and How to Choose the Right One
by Editors of SportsWatchInformant.com
Our Assessment
This website goes into great detail about the top sports watches from the major brands: Timex, Garmin, Suunto and Polar. Using comparison charts, the unidentified editors pick their top choice from each… sports watch maker, and pick the Garmin Forerunner 305 as best. A note from the web administrator at the end of the article suggests that the Garmin 305 will be superseded by the Garmin 310X and that the Garmin 405 will be superseded by the Garmin 405CX. We found this to be a helpful website, but we wish we knew more about the people behind it.
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2009 Editor's Choice Awards
by Karina Evertsen
Our Assessment
Women's Adventure tested 1,000 outdoor products over the course of six months to come up with its Editor's Choice awards. Some products get a short review, but others -- like the Garmin Forerunner 405 -- are just listed with no description.
Top Running Monitors: Speed + Distance & Heart Rate
by Contributors to RoadRunnerSports.com
Our Assessment
RoadRunnerSports.com is an online retailer specializing in running shoes and gear. On the site, customers can leave feedback on the products they purchase. There are a number of reviews for several popular sports watches, including the Garmin Forerunner 405. The other running watches on the site receive fewer reviews.
Suunto X10 Review
by Editors of Navigadget.com
Our Assessment
Navigadget.com provides a lengthy review of the Suunto X10, complete with pictures and a comprehensive list of features. It's clear that Navigadget.com likes the Suunto X10, as it finds that this adventure watch has few drawbacks.
Suunto Core Packed with Tech for the Outdoors
by Dave Phillips
Our Assessment
In this older review, Dave Phillips at CNET evaluates the Suunto Core. He calls Suunto "one of the most technically advanced sports watch companies in the marketplace today." The review is detailed although brief, but there are no comparisons with other watches.
Our Favorite Running Gear and Accessories
by Editors of Fitness
Our Assessment
Fitness magazine calls the Nike Kylo Run one of its favorite pieces of running gear, praising the stylish design and easy-to-read display.
The Best New Gear for 2008
by Alice Oglethorpe
Our Assessment
Fitness magazine's Gear Girl calls the Polar RS800G3 the "sports watch of my dreams," and she includes it on a list of the best new fitness gear items of 2008. She likes the all-in-one functionality of this running watch, which monitors speed, distance and heart rate.
Gear You've Gotta Get
by Editors of Women's Health
Our Assessment
In an article on the latest workout gear, Women's Health highlights the Garmin FR-60 as "gear you've gotta get." In a brief review, Women's Health says this is the first watch that can pick up your workout data wirelessly from a treadmill.
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