Sorry to raise this one again. Does the Timex SDM need to be on your sleeve or can it go under? Is it heavy? (I've only got skinny arms)Does it not look daft?Is it easy to measure mile splits with it? Does it still work when its overcast? How accurate is the NIke SDM over the same course the next time you run it? What about battery life? Where is the cheapest place in the UK anybody has seen these to buy? Thanks a lot everyone, if you can answer any of these then I'm grateful! Nobody I've spoken to seems to know the answers and it is a tricky decision....
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It cost me £200
The transmitter box is about the size and weight of a computer mouse, it goes on your arm using a well made elasticated velcro strap (can be worn under clothing) or can be attached to your belt using a belt clip (this gives weaker signals though).
It doesn't look daft, it's fine when overcast but trees/buildings/large amounts of metal(?) can affect transmission to the unit.
The 50 lap unit does not beep to warn at mile or km splits - the 100 lap unit apparently does, so you have to keep a check on your watch and press the lap button to measure splits.
Afterwards split info is excellent - giving pace, max speed, avge speed, time, distance etc. of each split.
I haven't got through my first set yet but battery life is supposed to be 12 hours from the transmitter (which takes 3xAAA batteries)
Hope that info helps - and I am well impressed with the timex SDM !
Unless you are running in very open countryside, you need to wear the Timex receiver on your arm. On your belt it loses the signal too often. Unlike Aluaka I do think that the receiver looks a bit daft on your arm - but then it doesn't bother me what people think of me when I am running, so I don't really care.
I would recommend the 100 lap version, which is the one I have. It is about £20/30 more, but its major advantage is that you can set it to alert you at each of your splits.
This has certainly been my experience of a handheld GPS - fine for measuring distance and average speed but not really any good for instantaneous velocity.
I thought the Nike might be better in that respect since it should be a lot more sensitive to velocity although it's probably less accurate for overall distance and therefore speed.
I measure my routes on a map using Trailgauge so the overall distance is probably as accurate as you can get but I would really like a speedo type device for speed training and thought that the Nike SDM might be most suitable for that.
I now have a Timex and am getting used to that. My two regrets have been that the pace information sometimes goes very wonky and that affects the session averages, and it doesn't automatically record lap times like the Nike one does - a feature I loved.
In summary, I do think the Nike would be a better system, but it really isn't worth getting one now. My local shop (where I bought the Timex) don't even stock the Nike SDMs because of the problems.