Runner’s Apple iPod MP3 Player Review
Apple iPod nano, Nike+ and Otterbox
Even though I am no longer competing as a distance runner, I still like to keep an eye on my splits. My running watch is good at giving me my splits but I was looking for something that could store this information on my laptop (or on the web) for future reference. When Nike and Apple introduced the Nike+iPod Sport Kit to listen to music and track your performance it grabbed my interest. When I read that this kit could also give you distance run information it was too much to resist. I went out and purchased the iPod nano, the Nike+iPod Sport Kit and a Nike+ Armband for the nano.
The one element that Nike lists as being part of the system are the Nike+ shoes. What’s special about the Nike+ shoes is that the shoes are made with a cut out for the sensor. This sensor is important since this is what will be used to measure distance traveled and to give you your pace. This sensor will be read by another small piece that will be attached to the bottom of your nano. Unfortunately for me, Nike shoes don’t really suit me. About the only Nike running shoes I used were their racing shoes. But using something other than the Nike+ running shoes means you have to figure out a way to attach the sensor to your shoes. To get around this, I inserted the sensor in a running wallet that goes on my shoes (I also use it to carry my keys). If you go this route, you have to make sure the sensor does not move within the wallet else you will get inaccurate readings. (There are specially designed shoe wallets available for the sensor – check out Podophile’s blog for some good ideas: http://podophile.com/2006/11/30/nike-ipod-shoe-hack-and-sensor-accessory-round-up).
I started going through the calibration procedures but I soon realized this kit was not going to work for me. My initial concerns were over the armband: I run in Houston’s intense heat and sun which means I have to worry about my sweat shorting out my iPod (just read my other iPod reviews). I also am not too crazy about armbands because I don’t want its outline sunburned on my arm. I started using this kit when the weather was still cool but once the heat started up and the t-shirts came off, I noticed that my sweat was starting to make its way to my nano! This meant it was time to look for a replacement for the armband.
Even before the heat set in, I was considering an alternative to the Nike+ Armband. The problem with the armband is that you are limited to what controls you have access to. You can skip back and forth, pause and turn the nano off and on but you can’t control the volume. The lack of volume control was a problem for me since not all songs were at the same sound lev. And even if I could get all these issues worked out, I did not find Nike+ accuracy to be that great (one reason I purchased the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS unit – expect a review on this one).
Otterbox
I stopped using my nano in my runs until I found, ordered and received an Otterbox for it (www.otterbox.com). This little box is designed to protect its contents from the elements and it even allows you to swim with your nano if you have waterproof headphones (forget about suba diving – it’s only good for 3 feet). What’s great about this little box is that it allows access to the volume control! The only button that is out of reach is the lock button on the top of the nano but that is no big deal for me. The only drawback I find to the Otterbox is its size. To deal with this, I simply attach it to the backside of my shorts.
Using the Otterbox means I can’t use my Nike+. As with most other armbands or cases for the nano, there is not enough room in the Otterbox to attach the pick up unit to the bottom of the nano. My new Garmin GPS unit now logs my runs which means I am over Nike+.
Something else I have been considering …
Swimman (www.swimman.com) has come out with a way to waterproof second-generation iPod Shuffles. You can either purchase the Shuffle from them for $150 (no waterproof headphones included) or you can send in your Shuffle along with $75 and they will waterproof it for you. (Keep in mind that this is only for the second-generation shuffle.) Considering how small the new Shuffles are, this is something else I am seriously considering.
