Running watch or stick to iPhone and App?

GaryMo

I'm just getting into running and have done four in the past 10 days, today's being my first parkrun which I really enjoyed.
I've been using my iPhone 6 clipped onto my shorts with the Runtastic app and a set of bluetooth headphones. That gives me the benefit of listening to music and having an audio alert at every 1km and pace for that km.

I'd love the ability to run at a particular set pace. Is there an app that would allow that? I've not seen it on Runtastic but then again, I could have missed it or would I need to look towards a dedicated running watch, maybe the Garmin Forerunner 220?

It does seem that I can do most things with the equipment I have now but if there's real benefits to making the move then I'd be prepared to pay for that.

What do you use?

PSM1

I use a Garmin and love it. Do not like using headphones running as I can not hear what is going on around me. Cycle paths etc around me are a real pain with all these plugged in runners who are oblivious to what is happening around them. Easy to look at your wrist to see how going and can set alerts for heart rate or pace.

GaryMo

Thanks. An iPhone 6 is a little big to carry around on a run and today's was in slight rain.
If the rain would have been heavier then there could have been a moisture issue which could work out expensive.
I must have looked the the Forerunner 220 on Amazon around 10 times this weekend. May just click the order button!

Wull

I too have been looking at the Garmin watches all weekend. There are so many to choose from it can dive one crazy! Figured the forerunner 15 suited my needs. Really want to be able to count my daily steps as well as tracking a run or bike ride.

Is the iPhone runtastic free?

GaryMo

I use the runtastic pro app which isn't free. The basic one is though. I got the pro one free a while ago but think it's £2 something.

GaryMo

I bought a Garmin Forerunner 220 and love it. Its just so simple to use compared to a phone.

Thug

I use MapMyRun on my iPhone's 6 that is strapped to my upper arm. I also use a BT heart rate monitor too. Does everything i need.
The one time you don't take your phone will be the one time you need it.

GaryMo

I still take my iPhone 6 and have bought THIS to store it in. I'd feel a little bit isolated without a phone with the potential of an injury 3 or 4 miles from home.
I just feel a proper running watch gives far easier access to data on the move. Also I would have ended up paying the best part of £50 for a decent Polar HRM so once I deducted that off the price of the Forerunner 220 which came with a HRM it cost me £113 which isn't too bad at all.
I had tried a cheaper Bluetooth HRM but had real issues with the poor quality strap so had to send it back for a refund.

Roadkill6mm

I use a Garmin 310xt - which is quite old though still available from places like Amazon. It's great - I have it displaying my current mile pace, my actual pace, time and distance.
I also have a quick release strap and the cycle mount so I can whip it off my wrist and fit it to my bike in seconds (it was designed as triathlon watch)
I find it so much easier and better using a dedicated GPS watch rather than my phone - far easier to get the info you want straight away. Plus with the 310 there are other things you can do such as programme a 'virtual partner' - set the pace you want and it'll tell you how far in front or behind your target you are in both distance and time. Very handy!

Jsnatch

I use my iphone, i mostly go on bike rides tho and i stick it in my camelbak, when running i just make sure i have zip pockets or my shorts usually have a inner pocket.