In world where tracking the awesomeness of your run seem to be more and more imperative - actually, I don't even know what that means.
The Nike + technology includes this little device that fits in a little hollowed out area beneath the insert of your favorite Nike shoe. The device is essentially a pedometer that is pretty darn accurate. It transmits information to either a Nike armband/wrist band or an iPod nano and helps runners or walkers track their distance, time, and speed.
First, you won't feel the device in your shoe. I read a review on another website in which a nice lady was complaining bitterly about how she could feel it in her shoe. Chances are, she failed to remove the little foam patch that currently occupies the little area where the Nike + sensor is supposed to go. Once removed, the sensor will fit in that hole and is flush with the bottom of the inside of the shoe. Once you put the insert back in over the sensor, you'll never know it's there. I also read someone else indicate that they could feel a weight difference once it was in the shoe. This is, in a word, absurd. If your body is so finely tuned that you can detect a weight difference between the shoe with the device and the shoe without it, you are truly an amazing human being, and I suspect you have x-ray vision and can run faster than a speeding bullet.
The reason the product gets 4 stars and not 5 is this: The website is less than impressive. The sensor transmits information to your wristband or iPod and can then be used to track your performance on Nike's website. It's nice that you can do this. The device comes, right out of the box, essentially "accurate" for the average runner, but it can be fine tuned for those that want even more accurate results. Where the website fails though, is its inability to provide some fairly basic information about a run. It can tell you your pace at a number of graphed points on your run, but it doesn't tell you - and this is really sort of nuts - how fast you ran each mile. Rather, when you click on the point on the graph at each mile marker, it tells you your pace at that moment in your run.
There are alternative websites that apparently can provide the "rest of the story" and give you the information you are seeking, and a simple internet search will provide you with their names.... but it is rather odd that Nike hasn't fixed this aspect of the site.
The Nike+ community is, overall, very supportive and pleasant. The site is useful to track your runs, set goals, participate in challenges, etc.
I've compared the accuracy to a gps running watch and I believe that the accuracy is essentially the same. I found that I could access some of the information on the gps watch a little easuer than Nike + but, I found the gps watch to be a bit bulky. I do like how with Nike Plus, you have the option of wearing a wrist band or an iPod Nano, in your pocket or strapped to your arm. This allows users to select an option that is best for their comfort. There are adaptors available that will allow you to use Nike + with other shoe brands. I have NOT tested those.
Another helpful tip.... Nike has finally gotten with the program and made running shoes in a variety of widths. Accordingly, if you, like me, could "never own a pair of Nike running shoes" because they were "too narrow and I have Fred Flinstone feet" take another look. Now that shoes come in different widths, you will be pleasantly surprised. This means the Nike + technology can appeal to a wider clientele - like those of us that are not built like sleek, running machines.
One final note.... I took the Nike + on a hike and found that in steep sections, the device could not be accurrate. This is because you must move at a certain pace with a reasonable stride for the device to work. When hiking a mountain, you often take short steps and move slower than the device can record (or, coming down, longer strides, etc) so don't expect the device to accurately capture that kind of a hike. As for gps technology on mountain hikes, it's a mixed bag by the time you factor in tree cover, pace, stride, etc. Just FYI.
I recommend Nike + I use it, and I like it, and I've been using it for about 5 months now. As a beginning runner, it's accurate enough for me, it's motivating, in a sense, and well worth the investment. With website improvements, this is a 5 star device.
If you have questions, post them in the comment section and I'll answer.... Thanks. Nike + iPod Sensor for Sports Kit (ONLY SENSOR) - NA0013-100
As other reviewers have noted, this sensor didn't work. It is the second sensor I purchased in order to replace the original sensor. I first bought the Nike + iPod 4 years ago and used the original and one replacement sensor. However, after this experience of throwing away $40 on non-working items, and recognizing how difficult this was to calibrate to my individual stride, I have chosen to upgrade to a GPS trainer. - Nike Plus - Nike - Ipod - Running'
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