Customer Reviews

Apple MA365LL/D Nike+ iPod Sport Kit (OLD VERSION)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been using the Nike+ sensor since December 2006 so I figured I would go ahead and write a review for those who are considering buying this. I'm actually using my second sensor now (my first one ran out of battery, after logging about a year and a half of use and approximately 1700 miles). I run with Asics and use a Marware Sportsuit Sensor Case (basically a pouch for the sensor) to attach the sensor to the top of my laces. In other words, you don't need the Nike+ shoes to use this. If you have an iPhone or iPod touch then you won't need the receiver that plugs into the bottom of the Nano either (it's a built-in app on the iPhone and iPod touch).

Now as for the accuracy. For the most part it's pretty accurate but that's all going to depend on your calibration and whether you're running on a treadmill or on the ground. What I have noticed is that it tends to err towards the average pace you ran during calibration. For example, if you averaged an 8-min/mile during calibration then when you're running slower than an 8 min/mile it will show that you are running faster than you actually are and if you're running faster than an 8 min/mile it will show that you are running a slower pace than you actually are. I have tested this on treadmills and on the track. That being said, it's still fairly accurate, probably within 95% accuracy (assuming you're able to run close to your normal pace). As for varying degrees of accuracy running on the treadmill vs. running on the ground, I'm not exactly sure why that happens, maybe because my stride is a little different on the treadmill. Anyways, what I do for that is I will calibrate on the treadmill when I know I'll be running on the treadmill a lot for some period of time (like in the winter when it's too cold to run outside) and then calibrate on the track when I know I'll be running outside a lot.

After your runs, you plug your iPod or iPhone into your computer and send the workout data to the Nike+ website. Nike has put together a very nice site and this is probably the best thing about using this device. On the site you can view your running stats, set up running goals, challenge your friends to competitions, get running advice, map running routes, and probably some other things. They're constantly updating the site so there are probably some features I haven't used. You can check it out for yourself at [...]. There is a pretty big running community on the site so it's great for motivation and let's face it, the main reason why you would buy a device like this is probably to motivate yourself to run more. For those serious runners, the stats that are tracked with Nike+ may be a little disappointing. You get stats for the entire workout but unfortunately you can't get split times during the run. It does give you your pace at various points in your run but you can't see how long it took you to reach certain points in your run (how long it took you to get to mile 1, 5k, etc).

For those of you who like pros and cons lists...here you go:

Pros:
- Easy to use and fairly accurate (read above where I talk about accuracy).
- The [...]website which is great for motivation (it would be nice if you could see how long it took you to reach a certain distance during your run though)
- Good for those runners who run on treadmills to be able to track their miles.
- Cost. Cheaper than GPS systems and Polar's S1 Foot Pad, which does the exact same thing but retails for $130. Also, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch you can save some money by just buying the sensor that attaches to the shoe instead of the entire kit.

Cons:
- May need to calibrate for better accuracy (on track and on treadmill, at least for me...maybe you'll be lucky and not see a difference)
- Once battery dies in the sensor you need to buy a new one (can't replace battery).

I purchased this about a month ago, and began using it when I got a Apple iPod nano 8 GB Pink (5th Generation) NEWEST MODEL . It's awesome. Synching is just as easy for workouts as it is for music. It comes with a user manual, but the menus and functions are very straightforward. I've found that setting up a workout in advance (which only takes a few seconds) keeps me from wimping out. The workout status that's spoken when you press the center button on the nano (I'm not sure how on the iTouch) apprises you of how much more you're to run and your pace, which is nice.

This is a really nice addition for any athlete that has a iPod Nano and Nike+ shoes.

I started running almost a year ago and getting the ipod + nike sport kit has changed everything! I am more motivated to run and run faster!! so easy to use with the ipod nano 5th generation. btw-I don't have nike shoes and I wear the pod on a pouch and works perfect.

I have been using this for about a month now. It took me awhile to figure out setup between the online account and in iTunes. Syncing isn't too difficult once installation is complete. However, sometimes it takes awhile for your accounts to sync in terms of personal bests, longest runs, etc. Don't be alarmed. I don't have a Nike brand shoe so I also bought one of those little pouches that goes inbetween laces- I can't tell that it is there which is nice. One disappointing factor is I thought I would be able to do more with pace analysis. While on your run it will provide real-time updates to your pace- however once uploaded it appears that you can only get exact pace at each mile. I assumed the online program would generate a graph of pace vs time or distance so you could look at things in more detail. It is more of a squiggly line with no X,Y definitions. Perhaps I was expecting something a little more analytical/scientific. Overall I am enjoying using this product and it helps me keep track of my runs and goals quite easily.
Pros
Easy to use
Easy to keep track of mileage and frequency of runs
Different workout settings- including time, distance, basic.
I find it very motivating when the audio feedback tells you how far you have run/how much you have left.
Cons
When your iPod battery dies- you aren't recording your workout (no way to manually enter in workouts online either)to help you keep track when such things happen
Initial installation can be a bit difficult
Overall- I recommend it

This product is great. Easy to setup and easy to use. The data syncs up to the Nike site when you sync your iPod with your computer. One word of advice: using this with the touch or iPhone provides a much nicer interface then with the nano (IMHO), since ending a work out is as easy as touching a button on the touchscreen, I ended up losing a workout because I got lost in the maze of menus on the nano. The nice thing about the Nano is that it isn't as bulky as the touch/iPhone so it fits nicely on the arm with an armband.

This product would be cool if it wasn't so inaccurate. Even after calibrating it, it says I have run a lot further than I actually have.

I've had this for about a month and have really enjoyed using it. I do not have Nike+ shoes and use the Marware case attached to the laces of my shoes, which seems to work fine. I use it with a 2nd generation ipod nano and I guess I'd still call myself a beginner runner - I typically run 9-12 miles a week, 3 miles every other day, usually through a park and sometimes on the treadmill.

Pros:
- Having the ability to just press a button to check my current distance, time, and pace is probably my favorite feature, plus it automatically tells you how far you've run at .5 mile intervals and 100 meter intervals in the last 400 meters of the run. This is great for keeping track of your workout and controlling your pace.
- The Nike+ website is great for tracking progress over time, setting goals, mapping runs, and getting training help.
- It's nice to have the ability to just start running without figuring out a route first.

Cons:
- The only reason I wouldn't give this 5 stars overall is the accuracy, which others have mentioned in reviews. For every 1 mile the Nike+ says I've run, I've actually run 1.1 miles. That doesn't sound like a lot, but over 3 miles that's an extra 1/4 mile. Over five, that's an extra 1/2 mile. That's a lot for a beginning runner like me! I've tried calibrating once, and will try it again soon. It's not something that will stop me from using it, but it is a limitation.
- When it is time to complete your workout, you have to go back to the menu and select "End Workout." This is annoying when your ipod is in an armband and you have to take it out and bother with the menus while you're nearing the end of a run and getting tired. If you stop running first, it will record that stopped time as part of the workout and throw off the calculated pace and time of the run, so I prefer to end the workout while I'm still running.
- With the sensor attached to the ipod it will not fit in a regular armband(Nike+ armbands seem to only be available for the latest generation of ipods). I had to rig something up to be able to carry it while I run. It works, but it's not ideal.

Its works great hard to synce cause u never know when its on or off the only problem i hvae is its not rechargable so when it dies u buy a new one but what does that batt and plastic do to the envorment we all know that answer nike needs to make one thats rechargable and save the planet and people a burden

Works fine, easy to use but they could make it so much better. I'd buy it again only cause it's the best on the market right now.

The nike plus system is great and easy to use but there is a great weakness in the sensor. The sensor uses a battery which is very difficult to replace. In fact, Apple and Nike suggest you buy a new one instead. Beware when buying used because there is no way of knowing how long it was used before and the battery could die very quickly.