Running apps (Android)

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

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Anybody have one they would recommend? I'm looking for something that will log runs and inform me of distance/pace via audio prompts. I'd also really like it to be able to play music that is controlled by my MM100 headphones. These are bluetooth and have a next track/previous track button in case I add something alarming to my playlist. I'd also like it to sync to a web account so I can see stuff on my big computer. It would also be really nice if it would works with a heart rate monitor strap but TBH I don't have one that works with my phone anyway. Oh also it needs to run for at least 3 hours on a full charge. Running BT and GPS. That shouldn't be a problem but some of them are very thirsty on power for GPS.

I don't need to share my run on Failbook or have other people tell me how awesome I'm doing.

I've tried the Nike+ one and it's OK but the remote control buttons don't work (they do with a the regular music player) and also it just crashed and wiped my data instead of syncing it.

I'm using a Samsung Galaxy 3 if it makes a difference. No, I have no idea what flavour of Android that is now.
 
I use Endomondo, mainly because it also integrates well with my Garmin. There is a website, it supports HR straps too but this is phone dependent.

Your 3hr on a full charge will again be phone dependent and is quite a big ask. To be honest, (brace yourself this solution costs money) if you are serious about fitness tracking and stats it is worth picking up a Garmin running watch. There's a wide selection available at a variety of price points. Battery life won't be a problem and the Garmin Connect website they upload too is very good. I still use Endomondo for the social aspects though. This just leaves your smartphone doing music and emergency rescue duties.
 
This review was on the Gadget Show a while back - doesn't mention music though.
 
MapMyRun is amazing, lots of useful stats. Also syncs with MyFitnessPal for food logs/journals.

Should you want it to it will rank parts of your route against random people that have run the same stretch. It also has a Facebook style activity feed if you have friends who use the app.
 
Thanks.

@ChrisJ_SLH I hadn't realised 3 hours would kill a phone. That seems a shame. In the near future I'll either give up or buy a proper watch if phones really are that limited. Currently use a Suunto cheapie HRM to check that the gym isn't actually killing me.

Watching the Iwan Thomas test now - I think that's saying I need a new phone since the Galaxy 3 doesn't have BLE :( Finished it now. It seems he gives a bad rating if an app doesn't do what he wants........

May persevere with Nike+ for a bit. Hate that a stupid crash (probably because the online account had made me change my password and the mobile app doesn't allow for this) wiped out data. That seems a bit of a flaw.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Thanks.

@ChrisJ_SLH I hadn't realised 3 hours would kill a phone. That seems a shame. In the near future I'll either give up or buy a proper watch if phones really are that limited. Currently use a Suunto cheapie HRM to check that the gym isn't actually killing me.

Watching the Iwan Thomas test now - I think that's saying I need a new phone since the Galaxy 3 doesn't have BLE :( Finished it now. It seems he gives a bad rating if an app doesn't do what he wants........

May persevere with Nike+ for a bit. Hate that a stupid crash (probably because the online account had made me change my password and the mobile app doesn't allow for this) wiped out data. That seems a bit of a flaw.
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I'm not saying that 3hrs will kill every phone but it will make a massive dent in your battery life running gps especially if it is keeping the screen on too.

I started out with Nike+ for a bit and the website was always a complete nightmare for me. I think I had to load safari or something to get everything paired up. I presume this has all been fixed now though.

One other consideration of watch vs phone is that it is easy to glance at your wrist to see your watch and not so easy to glance at your upper arm (phone holder) or pocket to see your phone screen. I see people running carrying their phones and personally that would get right on my ****. Horses for courses I guess though.
 
ChrisJ_SLH said:
One other consideration of watch vs phone is that it is easy to glance at your wrist to see your watch and not so easy to glance at your upper arm (phone holder) or pocket to see your phone screen.
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Good point. However, most of them also have voice prompts. So every mile (or whatever you choose) they interrupt the music to give you time, distance and pace. That's enough for me for the moment ;)

One reason I like the phone ones is they have a "get me home" feature - either explicitly or you can look at the map. That seems rare in watches. I've been lost in the woods before......
 
JonathanRyan said:
Good point. However, most of them also have voice prompts. So every mile (or whatever you choose) they interrupt the music to give you time, distance and pace. That's enough for me for the moment ;)

One reason I like the phone ones is they have a "get me home" feature - either explicitly or you can look at the map. That seems rare in watches. I've been lost in the woods before......
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I'm crap at judging my own pace and I tend to go off like a bat out of hell and over cook it, for this reason I like a ready indication of instantaneous pace.

You're right about the 'get me home' feature, it only tends to be the higher end Garmin's that have it. Staggering around the woods while breathing heavily is never a good option, it can get you into all sorts of bother.;)
 
ChrisJ_SLH said:
You're right about the 'get me home' feature, it only tends to be the higher end Garmin's that have it.
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If I read the reviews right then Garmin have just dropped that feature from their new running watches. Baffling.
 
JonathanRyan said:
If I read the reviews right then Garmin have just dropped that feature from their new running watches. Baffling.
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You're right, 620 and 220 don't have the 'back to start'. Can't imagine why.

My 910xt has it, my old 310xt had it, as does my wife's 305. Can't say that I've ever used it although to be fair it would have saved me an impromptu long run on a couple of occasions.
 
Just in case anybody's still with me......I said some very rude words about Nike+ this morning.

Did my Monday morning workout and saw the weather was nice so slipped on my lovely new Asics gels and hit the fields. After about 15 minutes that nice running chap told me that I'd finally run 1/4 mile. Even I ain't that slow. I got home after an estimated 1.5 hilly miles to see it had registered 0.6 miles and there's no way to reason with it.

It had also taken 4 goes to start it - the app doesn't seem to like starting if you have the music app paused in the b/g. Now some checking seems to indicate it doesn't work well unless you're on a road with clear view of the sky and lots of wifis networks to ping. Which isn't good for trail running.

Going to try Strava but I suspect there's a new Suunto watch in my near future.
 
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