Speed and Distance Monitors

Key Benefits

• Know how fast you are running (pace or speed)
• Know how far you have run
• Preset distance marker for automatic lap/split times

The Basics

• A speed and distance monitor acts as a speedometer and odometer during your run; it provides your running speed and distance traveled.
• There are two types of speed and distance monitors: GPS or Foot Pod Accelerometer
• Strengths of GPS units:
  • Works for other activities such as cycling
  • No need for calibration, which allows easy use among spouses or friends
  • Better than 99% accurate in environments with clear view of sky
  • Potential to chart the course that has been traversed
• Weaknesses of GPS units:
  • Accuracy decreases when a clear view of the sky is not available
  • Some models do not account for changes in elevation, which results in reduced accuracy
• Strengths of Foot Pod Accelerometer:
  • Over 97% accurate regardless of view of the sky
  • Calibration of foot pod ensures individual accuracy
  • Measures actual distance of foot travel regardless of elevation change
• Weaknesses of Foot Pod Accelerometer:
  • Less than 5% percent of the population has unusual foot-strike mechanics, which reduce the accuracy of a foot pod
  • Must be calibrated for use by others and then recalibrated for yourself

Key Features

• Displays speed in pace (min/mile or min/km) or speed of distance traveled over time (miles/hr or km/hr)
• Displays current distance traveled
• Records predetermined distance laps/splits automatically
• Recalls average pace for laps/splits
• Predicts finish time based on event distance and pace data
• Charts the course that was traversed
• Uses waypoints to chart key points for backtracking or future runs
• Downloads speed and distance data to a computer
• Is compatible with heart rate monitors with use of one watch