Customer Reviews

Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G (Old Version)

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

First Impressions: The kit is very small and lightweight. Setup is trivial, although I would recommend calibrating the unit. The voices are nice, and it decreases the music volume during announcements to keep a constant listening volume. My main reasonable complaint is that you need to see the screen when starting/stopping. This sounds obvious, but the nike armband (only one available at that time which holds the nano with the nike receiver connected) does not allow you to see the screen. The first problem I encountered was; after changing in the locker room I set the screen where I only had to press the center button to start my workout (no screen necessary for that!). But my the time I stuck it back in the armband, left the locker room, got some water and left the building, it automatically went back to the main Nike+ menu so I had to remove the nano again and go through it again _right_ before starting my run. Along these lines, if you do not memorize how to end your workout with the menu (multiple button presses and menu movements) or don't take the nano out of your armband at the end of the workout to manipulate the menu, it is possible to "end" a run without the run actually being recorded as a run (e.g. after my second run, the total mileage had increased by almost 5 miles, but the "previous run" menu still only showed my prior day run and when connected to my computer, no new run was uploaded).
Note: To remedy this, I now just pause my workout when I'm through and wait for the system to automatically end it for me!

Shoe pod: I do not wear Nike running shoes but I have high arches. I am able to stick the pod underneath my insole just at the bottom of my arch and it doesn't bother me while I run. Also, make sure the pod is flat in your shoe and oriented with the long axis along the length of your shoe. If it isn't snug and oriented properly, your distance will be really off (my first run of 42 minutes was "2.05 miles"). I have more recently cut a recess in my insole right at the base of the arch and now I don't even feel it. Again, be careful and please don't cut into the bottom of your shoe, remember it should be snug because you don't want it sloshing around while you run.

Calibration: People have reported good calibration out of the box, but mine was off. After a couple of weeks I calibrated the system 4 times around lane 1 of a 400-meter track (1 mile) and a course that had previously been 4.76 and 4.69 miles turned into 5.54 miles (much closer to what my map was telling me).

Accuracy: After running for months with it, this unit is much more accurate than I expected. When my GPS works, there's nothing better, but it's very inconsistent in a cloudy city like Pittsburgh. I really like the consistency of this unit. You should be aware that even after calibration, the unit will show longer distances when you run faster, but since most distance runners are fairly consistent during most training runs, this isn't a huge issue. As long as the shoe pod is snug and it's been calibrated, I get better than 95% accuracy, even on hilly courses (better on flats). You probably wouldn't want to use this to determine your 10k race time, but it's wonderful for normal training.

Pros:
1. Very motivational!
2. Works fine out of the box and easily [...].
3. Distance isn't dependent on clear skies and barren land like a GPS (i.e. works fine in downtown areas as well as tree covered trails and cloudy/rainy days).
4. Don't _need_ nike shoes to make it work well.
5. It allows you to "experiment" more on runs, because now you can say "hey I wonder where that leads" and not have to worry about wondering how far you actually ran.
6. Decreases music volume while it tells you your run statistics.

Cons:
1. You almost _need_ to see the screen to work the start and end workout menus. It is possible by touch, but sometimes when your fingers are sweaty the thumb wheel doesn't move as precisely as one would like. It is sort of strange that the only armbands designed to integrate the nike receiver (the nikeplus armbands) don't actually allow you to see the screen, even though it's necessary to use the nikeplus features!
2. No Auto-Pause feature: The entire purpose of this thing is to track your speed and time. You would think that you could set it to pause the time when you stopped moving! I completely don't understand why that is not an option.
3. The pause function needs to be longer. If you pause your workout for more than a few minutes it will automatically end your workout. I am not sure if this has anything to do with the auto-off/sleep function of the Nano, but I have found no settings to control this, after 4-5 minutes it will automatically end your workout.
4. The information announcements could be a little shorter. It's fine, but there should be a "short announcement" option that leaves out "completed", "current pace" and "distance" which is all pretty obvious.

[...].

Final thoughts: This is a great little addition for runners. It actually convinced me to upgrade to a Nano (from a Shuffle) and I can't say I'm disappointed. Although there are improvements I would like to see, I think this is a great offering that many runners would thoroughly enjoy and utilize to help them achieve their running goals. I'm also glad to see Nike is continuing to upgrade the web interface and software features of this device! Keep up the good work!

Just got back from my first run with the Nike + iPod and I am impressed. The sensor seemed very accurate and a pleasant female voice gave me time, distance and average pace at the push of my Nano's center button. Using the Nano in a Nike armband made it a little hard to find the center button while running at full speed, but I was pressing it a lot, for the sheer novelty of it. Also, data integration with Nike's website was as easy as synching my Nano with iTunes and clicking "yes" to a screen prompt. I was immediately seeing my run's info in a very cool flash based site. Can't wait to add more runs to my datebase.

It may be hard to believe, but this thing actually makes you want to run more. Brilliant!

When this first came out, I gotta say, I rolled my eyes. I'm not known for my athletic prowess... my most frequent exercise is waddling to the fridge... but after I was fortunate enough to attend a demo w/ the travelling Nike van, I became a believer. Packaging genius - you have to buy the shoes, the sport kit and the Nano... but it's a sweet package once you really start using it.

The nano itself is light weight and has no moving parts - so it makes sense to be the iPod of choice for exercising. I don't run unless something I truly fear is chasing me - so I use this for walking with occasional bursts of brief jogging.

Uncalibrated, the pedometer function is 92% accurate... if you calibrate it using a measured walking track, it is 98% accurate. If you do calibrate it, you need to do so once for walking and once for running, as the different gaits have different strides.

After your first run (or in my case, waddle), hooking up your Nano to your Mac (or PeeCee if you must), immediately connects you to the NikePlus website, where your run is graphed. Any place you ran, shows an upswing in the graph. You can challenge other users around the country if you so desire.

I really like the voiceover that very subtly quiets the music to announce "you're at the halfway point - ____miles to go" it's nice to not have to look at the display every few seconds - you can just focus on breathing, avoiding stray dogs, butterflies, etc... with the pseudo coach telling you your stats.

My less than perfect rating is that you have to look at the display to set up your 'run' before you can go. I like the Nike armband (not included in this kit), once it's already on - but I have to select my workout, then walk around to connect to the insert in my left shoe - then start the workout - THEN cram the thing into the armband, then fasten the thing around my fat arm. Since you can't see the display, you have to have the iPod out of the armband, then you have to cram it back in. It would be nice if you could just control it from the armband where the voice would read out the menu listings.

I hear Nike is working on another armband design - but I'm not going to shell out even more $ for an armband only to put this one in a drawer... the armband is ok - they just need to change/update the software so that it reads out the menu items so even a blind person can use it.

I also don't like the fact that if you stop moving long enough, it just stops the workout... it would be nice if it paused (or if you had the option to set it up for this in the settings dialogue) automatically. As I waddle around my neighborhood, I run into neighbors and stray dogs that require a greeting, petting or a defensive posture and I can't always walk uninterrupted. How frustrating to lose your data if someone stops you long enough!

Despite these shortcomings, the combination of feedback during the run, the accuracy level of the pedometer and the online experience is pure genius. My hat is off to Apple & Nike for really getting an awesome product together.

The module that fits in the left Nike+ tennis shoe is waterproof - so you can sweat like a hog or run through a puddle in the pouring rain and the module should (in theory) still be intact. The module is guaranteed for 1000 hours of playing time before it needs to be replaced. The module is 'asleep' when not in use... so it doesn't waste battery life. You 'wake' it by accessing the appropriate menu on your iPod. Because each module and connector have a unique id, you do not have to worry about someone else nearby activating your shoe or vice versa - it's a bit like a bluetooth headset in that fashion.

If you're riding the fence as to whether to invest in this, rest assured that Nike claims that all the shoes they make will eventually be Nike+ capable - so it's not like this is a fad that's going to go bye-bye anytime soon. I'm old, fat and I don't run - but I feel like I can get back into shape with the aid of this gizmo.

Got my sport kit today - let me preface this by stating that I've been running on and off for many years and it's been about 1.5 years since I've run. I have been walking in that time period (we have a dog and we walk almost every day.

I proceeded to hack my old New Balance 715's that I've not been wearing and are about 1/2 way shot. I have a couple other pairs of running (mainly Nike) shoes, so the wife wouldn't let me buy the Nano + Sport Kit + Shoes until I retire a couple pairs. :)

So, I hacked into the insoles with a utility knife and dug a spot for the sensor roughly where it sits in the Nike shoes. Cut and then made it smooth and it sits a little but under the bottom of the shoe. Didn't feel it at all until the end of the run, but I think that may have been due to me shifting the insole - where I felt a little pressure was not where the sensor was.

So, I grabbed the dog and we went for a very slow start back to running..... Ended up doing a 15 minute mile with running and walking for 30 mins. Slow, I know, but at least I'm out there. The lady's voice was very good announcing my progress (and she sounds sort of hot! :)

Got home and when I ended my workout about 2 minutes after the 30 minute mark, I took off my shoes, grabbed a glass of water and my car keys and went to drive the route. Driving is not the most accurate as you are not going the exact route you did - sidewalks, turns, etc, but it's close. Drove the whole thing and the car registered 2.0 miles. The Nike sensor registered 2.06. As close to perfect as I can get. Much better than when i tried to fine tune my previous pedometer.

Uploaded to the Nike site and that was painless Set a goal for myself to get to 13 minutes/mile over the next 15 runs (3 weeks).

Needless to say, I give this thing an A++++. I can run in Nikes, so my next shoes will be the Nike Plus shoes - either the Shox or the Air Max 180. I love the design of the Moire, but at 260, I'll probably kill them (or they'll kill me) way too quickly.

If you're on the fence, it's a great running tool!

If you own a Nano and are a runner or would like to become one buy this kit and the Nike armband. I tucked the sensor under the laces and taped it with double sided tape on my non-Nike shoes. I took it to the local high school track to calibrated it and it is very accurate(I checked on Google Earth and it has prove almost exact). The arm band is kinda important because it is the only I know of that will fit the nano with the kit and it has a raised center button making it easy to get feed back and activate the power song. This thing is combined with Nike sports music is already produced some of my best runs!!!!

The Nike+ system has really been a good motivator for me. As a new runner, I need all the motivation and positive reinforcement I can get. The challenges and goals are a good way to keep on track as well.

I didn't buy the Nike+ shoes - I use mine with the Marware Sportsuit Relay set up. It's a great system and a lot cheaper than spending $100 for a pair of running shoes when I already have a couple good pairs in the closet.

Both products are highly recommended!

I bought this for my wife with an Ipod, the Nike arm band and a pair of Shox Navina+ running shoes. My wife is an avid runner and she's been looking for something to motivate her since she doesn't have a running partner. (I only run when chased) Surprisingly she had never heard of this system before and when I presented it to her she looked at it, and me, like I was insane. After some reading (primarily the comments posted here) she set it up, and was off for a test run. Over 1 hour later, and 8.47 miles, she returned as if she had just won the lottery. SHE LOVES IT. She set up her account online to upload her data and she was setting goals and getting excited about the whole deal. She says it worked flawlessly and was something she would use everyday. I spent $29 each for the kit and the arm band at Target. The shoes were a bit of a hunt but I found a pair for $99 at Champs.

It's the best gift I ever gave to my wife (and myself). When she's happy I'm happy (wink) and I no longer have to pretend that I'm going to turn off the football game and go running with her "someday."

Using this in combination with the Workout Mixes that you can download from iTunes ($10-15) has made me work out more than I ever do! Last week I ran 3.25 miles on two different days just by completing the "Increase Your Speed" program. You get great music along with the encouragement of a personal trainer to keep you motivated. It costs a lot less than a real personal training solution and you don't have to let people know that you "need" that motivation to stay in shape. I can't praise it enough, and for only $30 bucks!?

I can't run with Nike shoes because of ankle problems. I slipped the Ipod Sport Chip into my Shoewallet (can be purchased at Amazon, key word shoewallet) on my Asics Gel Kayanos and it worked perfectly. I love the information the Ipod Sport provides and I love how seamlessly the chip fits into my shoewallet accessory. I would highly recommend this product.

I've taken the Nike+ system for (4) runs now totaling about 15 miles... and I must say that I'm impressed for $29.00 (you can buy direct from Apple or Nike for this price and have free shipping). The unit is small, concise, and easy to use... it is true that you need to see the screen which can be a little complicated while running, but overall a great product. Getting it calibrated exactly "on the money" seems to be a little challenging but the farthest I've ever been off was 1/10th on a 5mi. run. The alternative to the Nike armband and Nike+ shoes is the Marware Sportsuit Relay (I bought off Amazon for $29.99) this armband is made to accomodate the Nike+ system and has a clear screen with wheel access and can be worn on the wrist for easier visibility... the armband also comes with a velcro shoe pouch to attach the electronic pedometer shoe sensor to your laces so you don't need to buy the $100 Nike shoes. Overall great product... would definitely recommend for runners... the "Power Song" feature is also great for motivation during mid-run.