GPS Running Watches
Posted by: Brad
Tags: gps, GPS running watch, health, heart pulse watch, map, running
In 2010 there are so many high tech gadgets available that it can be difficult to separate expensive toys from devices that really serve an important function. For example, do people really need a device that takes pictures and videos, plays music, surfs the internet, determines your geographical coordinates, plays TV shows, and takes and receives calls, while not doing any of these things very well? That’s what I call a costly toy. However, a GPS running watch, which does a few really useful things very well, is a great example of technology that really improves peoples lives.
GPS devices have been around for a while now. GPS stands for global positioning system, which is a group of 24 satellites. A GPS device is a receiver which locates four or more of the satellites, calculates the distance to each one, and then uses that info to calculate its own position. Up until recently GPS receivers have been used mostly to help with navigation in cars.
The GPS running watch is a more recent invention. These watches use the GPS to track things like your overall speed, average speed and distance when you are running. Many of these devices also function as a heart pulse watch by measuring your pulse with a sensor, and this measurement of the pace of your heart’s beating combined with the measurements done by the GPS enable the watch to estimate the amount of calories you are burning. This is one of the most useful of all the functions because a major goal when exercising is to burn a certain amount of calories.
A watch like this can cost anywhere from about $150 to $550 new, depending on how many features it has. The more expensive watches start to resemble smartphones in that they do a lot of things but not well, so I would recommend one that is in the $200 to $300 range and has the pulse measuring feature but not that much else. The Garmin Forerunner 305 is a good choice.