Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G (OLD VERSION)

by Apple

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches ; 6.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001GQ3DRE
• Item model number: MA365LL/C
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Nike + iPod Sport Kit
Transform your iPod nano or iPod touch (2nd gen) into a personal workout coach with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. This wireless sensor and receiver combination works exclusively with your Nike+ shoes and iPod nano or iPod touch to give you real-time feedback during workouts and let you track your performance on your Mac or PC.

Your personal trainer. Your favorite workout companion.
Thanks to a unique partnership between Nike and Apple, your iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; or iPod touch 2G becomes your coach.

Tune
Insert the wireless sensor inside the custom, built-in pocket beneath the insole of your Nike+ shoe, and then plug the receiver into the Dock connector on your iPod nano. The iPod touch (2nd generation) includes built-in support for the system--no receiver necessary.

Run
Now start your workout. As your run or walk, the sensor sends information to your iPod, tracking your time, distance, pace, and calories burned. If you choose, real-time, spoken feedback can even alert you to milestones throughout your workout.

Sync
Back at your computer, sync your iPod to transfer your workout data to iTunes and nikeplus.com. There, you can evaluate your performance history, set goals, and even challenge other runners to a virtual race.

What's in the Box?
Wireless sensor for Nike+ shoes, wireless receiver for iPod nano, printed documentation.

Product Description

Now there's a way to upgrade your iPod into an interactive personal trainer! It's easy, simple, and completely wireless. Sync your info statistics (after your workout) with your PC or Mac computer at home. Now your iPod keeps you in tune while you listen to tunes. Thanks to a unique partnership between Nike and Apple, your iPod nano or iPod touch (2nd generation) becomes your coach, your personal trainer, and your favorite workout companion. Insert the wireless sensor inside the custom, built-in pocket beneath the insole of your Nike+ shoe, then plug the receiver into the Dock connector on your iPod nano. The iPod touch (2nd generation) includes built-in support for the system no receiver necessary. Now start your workout. As your run or walk, the sensor sends information to your iPod, tracking your time, distance, pace, and calories burned. If you choose, real-time, spoken feedback can even alert you to milestones throughout your workout. Back at your computer, sync your iPod to transfer your workout data to iTunes and nikeplus. There, you can evaluate your performance history, set goals, and even challenge other runners to a virtual race. So save money on physical instructors and take your Nike+ and iPod for a run outdoors or a workout at the gym. Then keep track on your progress. Your lifestyle really goes up a notch with the Apple MA365LL/C Nike + iPod Sport Kit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you use it properly, it works great, February 25, 2009

By 

Johny Brandon Deloach "Brandon" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G (OLD VERSION) (Electronics)

I was skeptical about buying this because I'd read so many bad reviews. Nike and Apple both live on hype, so how good could it really be? After a lot of online research on how to position the chip in your shoe and calibrate it properly, I decided to buy. I followed the steps (listed below) and have had no trouble. I did a one mile calibration and 3 weeks later the Nike+ was accurate to 200 feet on my half marathon! Incredible for something that costs $30. Maybe GPS is for hard core runners, but this would be fine for your average running fan. And the cool online running log is a great bonus you don't get with the geeky full feature GPS systems.

The secret to making it work right:
1: position the chip face up, facing forward on your shoe

2: The chip must be held so it doesn't jiggle at all. (if you have nikes, this isn't a problem, but I don't so I cut a hole in my sole and made my own chip holder. I've see people use the lace holders with success, but it has to be really tight.

3: calibrate it for at least a mile on flat ground and try to run a consistent pace that is normal for your running. If you improve your average running time, you should recalibrate with the new pace for maximum accuracy.

(Was this nerdy enough for everyone?)

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, but you don't need this kit if you have an iPod Touch, April 11, 2009

By 

Ember (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G (OLD VERSION) (Electronics)

I wasn't going to read all the reviews, but among the several I did read, it was not once mentioned that if you have and iPod Touch, you DO NOT need to buy this kit. You don't need the receiver that's included because the Touch has that function already built in. So save yourself $10 and just buy the sensor alone.

I'd also like to add that despite the impression you may get from the reviews here, this product is not just for hard-core athletes or people who run marathons. Frankly, I couldn't even *jog* my way out of a paper bag. I use the Plus for walking, and it works perfectly. I set it to a certain amount of time and start walking. The pleasant voice alerts me when I'm halfway done, and then every minute for the last five minutes. This is great because I know when to start heading back home or to the car.

Also, I own neither the Nike shoes nor any sort of "holder" for the sensor. All I do is tuck it under my shoelaces, face up and near the toes. It sits in there snugly and since I'm only walking, I have no fear of it falling out.

I love this little device. It's great motivation to exercise. One small change I would make is to have the sleep switch be a sliding on/off switch instead of a button; as it is now, you can't tell at a glance if you've turned it off or not. Other than that, Nike+ has all the excellence and quality I've come to expect in my 20 years as an Apple customer.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I love it, but..., May 20, 2009

By 

L. Sharpe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod touch 1G, 2G, 3G (OLD VERSION) (Electronics)

I've been using my Nike+ system for 10 months, and wanted to share both the good and the bad:

THE GOOD
1. Nike+ can be calibrated for use with a treadmill. I live in a cold climate and found that entering challenges, etc in the winter was very motivating and helped me keep up with my running at a time when I would normally slack off.
2. The website is great! I love having a mileage/speed log and being able to enter challenges with runners from all over the world.
3. Easy to use. I know there are many reviewers who have experienced trouble with the sensor. I have 760 miles on mine with no issues, and find the system very easy to set up and calibrate for daily use.
4. Inexpensive. A great starting point, especially if you already run in Nike shoes, which I do. The external foot pouch appears to affect the device's accuracy. It is not as accurate as a GPS watch, but the price point is a lot more manageable.

THE BAD
1. It is not very accurate. I run with a friend who has a Garmin 305, and my Nike+ is almost always off to a certain extent (I do calibrate it regularly).
2. It becomes less accurate over time and distance. For example, it will be spot-on for a three mile run, but for a 10 mile run, its accuracy drifts. Others have mentioned this, and I have found it to be true as well.

Bottom Line: If you want a great motivational tool that will track distance and speed with reasonable accuracy, you'll love Nike+. If you run indoors some of the time, you'll love it. If you are training for races and/or are just more concerned with exact time and distance, you will be better served with a GPS watch.