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Nike + iPod Sensor

Good, but you have to buy one every year

Written by SB from Bellingham

15-Nov-2007

My wife and I have really liked using the Nike + Ipod system for the last year or so. We both like how it keeps info about each of our runs and I know I definitely run more after buying it. However, be aware that you'll need to buy a new sensor every year. We bought ours at the same time last year, and this year, within a few days, both of ours had ran out of juice and needed replacing - $40 + shipping for two of them. Still worth it, but it would be nice if future versions had a way of replacing the battery.

485 of 611 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Needed this a month ago...

Written by MB from Richfield

14-Sep-2007

This is a great product, but a little advertising would have been nice. A month ago I needed a sensor and had to buy the entire kit. I would have much rather bought just the sensor. This should have been out since the kits started selling.

391 of 607 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

protest to Nike, to make the sensor accept replacement batteries

Written by CP

12-Feb-2009

I've used my iPod with the Nike Sensor for almost a year and when I found that I had to replace the whole unit when the battery died, I was flabbergasted. Not only for the costs of replacement but the effect on our environment. I love the product, but if a competitor came out with a sensor with a replacement battery I would be buying their product versus Nike. Hopefully the more people that protest to Nike about the non-replacement of batteries the more likely Nike will listen to the voice of the customer.

114 of 127 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

You can turn off the sensor!

Written by TB from Mississauga

7-May-2008

I see a lot of complaints about the battery life, here is a trick I learned from my switch easy sensor case:
if you look on the back of the sensor, there is a little round button, hold it down for 3 seconds and it will go to sleep. To activate it again, just hold it down for a second or two. Of course this is much easier if it's not in the sole of your shoe. I've had mine for over a year, and it's just low now.

This is an awesome device!

78 of 92 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Great, but why not a green option

Written by AO from Beverly

10-Aug-2008

As many others have said, an excellent product in terms of integration with the Nike+ site, and a joy to use... except for the battery life. On the one hand, $20 a year isn't a bad deal to replace the sensor when the battery dies, but with car remotes lasting years, and with the stated goal to be a greener company, can't Apple do a little better than everyone tossing sensors into the rubbish every year? How about a sensor recycling program where we can drop off old sensors at our local Apple Stores?

69 of 79 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Worked great for me

Written by RS from Buffalo

12-Oct-2008

It seems that a lot of people had trouble with the batteries in the sensor. I've have mine for 13 months, and it finally told me that the battery was low. I've run 1400 miles on my first sensor. I think that its great!

61 of 65 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Can be used with other shoes, and how to elongate battery life.

Written by AB from Fayetteville

16-Aug-2009

The concept behind this is amazing. You need to calibrate it at a gym for accuracy, and it is super easy. Once you put it into your Nike shoes, it is hard to get out. So, if you wear your shoes for things other than running, then it is a hassle to remove and reinsert the foam, and it will wear the battery out much quicker. I was under the impression that the sensor is motion activated, and if you carry it around in your purse then it could drain the life. My sensor has lasted over a year, but I am not an avid runner. I bought it for the walk to run program on Nike.com and it has helped motivate me alot. My neighbor is an avid runner, and she dislikes Nikes shoes. She sealed the sensor in duck tape and punched holes in the tape and she ties it in between her laces and shoe tongue. It works great and saves on her battery life, since she can remove it. That will be my next move, Nike shoes or not!

58 of 61 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Terrible Battery Life, Shame On You Apple

Written by JB from Philadelphia

11-Oct-2008

Like others, I have had terrible battery life issues with this product. My original sensor lasted approx. 3 months, and my replacement sensor lasted 4 months. I run a couple times a week on average. Apple should make a unit with a replaceable battery or warranty the battery for at least a year. Shame on you Apple for making a knowingly inferior product.

83 of 112 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Good concept - Bad design

Written by MC from Kuala Lumpur

13-Aug-2008

I love the concept and I have been using the Nike+ Kit for a while now and it's made me help run more and more effectively. I also love how Nike has enabled personal accounts for tracking runs and recording it all.

BUT BUT BUT there is a HUGE problem with the sensor. The short (no, very short) battery life of the sensor makes it very annoying and very eco-unfriendly. The fact that the battery cannot be replaced means that there will be multiple sensors being thrown away.

Apple should have warned us that we should stock up on sensors - I now can't record my runs because they have stopped stocking the kit in Malaysia and my battery has run out. Makes me mad.

75 of 96 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

I love it BUT....

Written by MH from State College

26-Sep-2008

I love the Nike+ concept, but the sensor life issue is really driving me nuts. I am on the third sensor this year. They seem to last me about 3-4 months and then they die. I run 6 days a week and would have thought that this product would last a bit longer. Hey apple - either refine the product or drop the price of a replacement-$19 plus shipping is a little much.

62 of 71 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Good but not good enough

Written by WT from Ypsilanti

31-May-2009

I was given 2 pairs of Nike+ shoes as a gift and I naturally became intrigued over the system. Eventually my old ipod photo died and I opted for the iTouch. I was excited to see the Nike+ software pre-loaded so all I needed was the chip. I love to run and I average about 15-20 miles a week. I enjoyed tracking my runs and getting time/mileage updates at the press of a button and when nearing the end of a run. I used the system when running outside or on treadmills. After 5 weeks I noticed the sensor stopped working. I tried to resync and nothing happened. I went online and noticed the numerous complaints of the battery life. So I went out and bought another chip and this time, the sensor would not sync at all with my iTouch. So I returned it the next day. This is a great idea in concept but until Nike/Apple can come up with a rechargeable battery (or at least changeable battery) this product is not really worth it since you have to buy a new chip every time. I am surprised that this area has not been addressed yet considering Apple is known for making small innovative products that can be used repeatedly. So save your money until apple addresses these issues.

63 of 75 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

What a fascinating product from Apple!

Written by TJ from 武蔵野市

8-Aug-2009

Hi, I found this product is a real sensation. Still, I am trying to figure out how this little piece measures the distance close to real value! Other pedo meters compute the steps you take and multiply with a defined value. But, this device has no such calculation.

The bad thing from my side is the battery. I had seen several reviews on this. But, from my side, Apple and Nike should be environmental friendly company as they claim. How can they release this plastic product where the battery cannot be replaced?? What kind of design is this?

You are blind to learn whether this device is active or not. In iPHONE 3GS, there is no screen which tells the battery to be replaced or not. Whereas, the iPOD has a display about the battery status!

Economically, the value this product is $19 but a battery costs less than $3.

Apple designers, be friendly to environment and imagine, millions of the sensors will be dumped every year because of simple battery life!! Come on .... take the lead and be the user friendly leader..!

49 of 53 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Battery Life Disclaimer

Written by MS from Tempe

10-Nov-2008

To offset some of the other battery life issue comments/reviews, Apple and Nike both have a disclaimer that the sensor only has 1000 hours of active battery life = 41.67 days of continuous running; the replacement cost of $19 every 3 - 6 months is worth it for the technology that the Nike+ system uses, make sure you putting it to sleep when your done with it!! That should help too. Just exactly, what kind of reasonably priced technology is available for perpetual power to such a small unit? There isn't, I have had fantastic results with this product (Nike+ SportBand System) between functionality, battery life, and ergonomics

60 of 76 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

sensor replacement

Written by SB from duluth

24-Jan-2008

Nike + ipod is a great product with one major flaw, but it has a simple fix. Just make the sensor with a replacable battery! I have spread the word about how great this product is, but how absurd that the battery lasts only about a year or less before you have to buy a whole new unit. I did try to buy the sensor only, but no apple stores carry it.By the time I pay shipping I only save $5 over the full kit price. Seems out of whack!

45 of 46 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Short Battery Life is Disappointing

Written by KC from Loganville

27-Jun-2008

I love using the Nike + iPod to track my runs. It really keeps me motivated and I have told several of my friends about the product. My sister bought one based on my review. However, the short battery life is totally disappointing and I expected more from Apple and Nike. I bought the kit at the beginning of February and the battery ran out at the end of May. I removed the sensor when I wasn't running. However, after reading some of the other reviews, 4 months seems to be an average time for the life of the battery in the sensor. I went to two sporting goods stores to buy a replacement sensor (after realizing that the battery itself could not be replaced). I then went to a specialty running store to learn that the sensors could only be purchased on-line. $19 seems very steep...I expected $7-$10 at the most. When I purchased the kit, I expected to be able to replace the battery and not the entire sensor. This feels like a money making scam on the part of Apple and Nike and it is not environmentally friendly. I would like to see a sensor with a replacable battery. If not for the problem with the sensor/battery, I would have rated the product with 5 stars. I'm going to order the sensor, but I am very disappointed.

46 of 52 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Very short battery life

Written by TD from Portland

11-Sep-2008

I got my Nike iPod kit in April 2007. By November 2007 the battery was dead in it. I recorded a total of 30 runs (although I probably used it on more like 40), so maybe I used it once or twice a week. It was certainly not being used extensively. I'm quite upset that the battery is not replaceable especially since it only worked for about 7 months. It would probably add a quarter or much less to the cost of manufacturing to make the battery replaceable. I might have been able to get it replaced under warranty, but I tried to pry the case open myself to see if I could replace the battery. The glue they used to hold the case together is like epoxy and the case was destroyed in the process. I'm not even considering buying a replacement sensor when they want so much money for it. The Nike iPod worked great when it worked, but the utter failing of the device is the non-replaceable battery in the sensor unit. I can't recommend this product to anyone unless they don't mind buying a new sensor every year or less.

44 of 50 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

Expired

Written by MF from Warsaw

25-Feb-2008

14.56 use hours and the sensor is dead. When I applied for service 2 month after purchase, Apple said out of warranty, so I had to send in proof of purchase date. Must be alot of these sitting on shelves expiring. If you buy, KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

How about a replaceable battery? An inductive charger? A kinetic charge?

43 of 48 people found this useful

Nike + iPod Sensor

What a waste of money - shelling out $20 every year for a piece of plastic

Written by KB from San Francisco

20-Jan-2008

Same situation - bought the kit and liked it. What I did not like was that I had to replace the battery in the sensor right after the warranty expired.. $20 is WAY TOO STEEP for such a small piece of technology.

That's a real scam and I'm done w/ this product. Apple and Nike should stand behind their products and make us feel good as customers..

$5 would have been reasonable, $20 is not.

73 of 108 people found this useful