Reviews for Nike + iPod Sport Kit

I really want to like this product, and mostly I do. However, it lets itself down in several areas.

1. Accuracy. Surprisingly accurate, BUT only in certain circumstances. On my 5km and 10km road circuit, it's brilliant. Consistently only 40-50 metres out on both. I did an 11.2 mile run the other day, and it was about 600 metres over, which is pretty acceptable, that discrepancy could be accounted for by a long steep hill of about that distance (more steps to cover less ground fools it into thinking you've gone farther).

Unfortunately, it's nearly always and consistently WRONG for my 4.75 mile run (and only that run, which suggests it's not broken). Generally telling me that I've done nearly 6 miles at a cracking pace. If only. My theory is that this is because this particular run is mainly on riverside track, which is often muddy and soft going with lots of puddles. Because of this I'm constantly varying pace and stride length to jump puddles etc. When the route is dry the sensor reports the correct distance.

So, generally pretty accurate, but struggles with fartlek style runs and boggy terrain. If you upload the innaccurate runs, then you end up skewing your whole running history, if not then you've missed some of that history. A feature to manually alter the results would be useful, but this would allow people to cheat on the online "challenges", presumably that's why they left it off.

2. Being restricted to the Nike Plus website to store and view your data. The website works well enough, but it's pretty basic, there could be FAR more graphing/comparison features to view and compare your runs in different ways. Also what happens if Nike pull the plug? Unlikely, but you never know, what happens to my running history then? I'd like a way to download all my data to my Mac as well as the website.

So, all in all, a nifty little gadget, especially for the price (if you've got a nano already) but doesn't quite cut it as a tool for the serious runner, it's more of a cool toy.

Great product for keeping track of distance/pace on runs etc. I found the history temperamental though - sometimes it would show me all of my previous runs and other times it would only show the most recent one. Also, I went on holiday for 3 weeks and when I came back the receiver could no longer find the sensor. And it wasn't because it had gone to sleep either. Luckily it is inexpensive to replace.
Finally, don't be fooled into thinking you need to fork out for Nike trainers - you can get a shoe pouch off the net for between £5 and £10. Then you can use this sensor with any brand of trainer!!

I was given the Nike+ kit as a gift and I can truly say that it has inspired and motivated me to achieve goals that I would have had a hard time reaching before.

The online service is fantastic for analysing your runs, setting yourself goals and hosting challenges with other users. I am now running a 10K in a decent time - quite a feat for someone who was quite overweight last year!

The Nike+ iPod Sport Kit is not going to do the running for you, but it will give you inspiration and motivation when you need it most. 5 stars.

Lovely product. My only gripe is that the sensor battery runs out and I have just had to buy the whole kit again for the 3rd time (in 2 years). Apple should sell the sensor separately and ensure than their stockists don't keep the product in stock for years as it appears the battery runs down.

I asked for this product as a birthday present having been reccomended one by a friend who also runs. I have been using it as a training aid in preparation for the race for life. I think it is fantastic, it is pretty accurate (I have used to "map it" function of the web-site via google maps to check the actual distance of the routes that I run)following a 1/4 mile callibration. It is a great motivational tool as I can press the button on my i-pod when I am starting to feel tired and when I realise I havn't got long to go I feel able to push myself a little harder.
I would definately reccomend this to my friends. The only problem with it is you really need to buy the nike+ shoes as when I tried attaching it to my shoe laces with a sandwich bag as suggested in a you-tube video it lost all it's accuracy. I ended up using a knife to make a hole in my shoe's insole to put it in. This worked for me as I have orthatics in my shoes.
Hope this is helpful

A great idea, but beware the battery life. The first one, used daily lasted 18 months. The second one, used daily, lasted 5 months. I don't think that we will be buying a third one due to this.

In the last 2 months since I received the Nike sport kit as a present I have knocked up over 100 miles and joined a work based challenge. The accuracy is pretty good once calibrated and the information recorded and shared on the Nike website records each run in great detail, including distance, speed, calories and time.

Although I have heard complaints surrounding the battery, £10 for a new battery compared with gym membership appears quite a small issue. You don't need Nike trainers as a small pocket can be purchased off Amazon or similar to hold the sensor.

Finally something has come along that does exactly what it says it will and they haven't charged the earth for it. The Nike+ipod could not have been simpler to use as you would expect from Apple. I already had the Nano so no outlay there. I don't feel the need to buy new trainers when I have perfectly good ones at the moment (and Nike ones at that) so I paid £20 for the Marware Sportsuit Relay which is perfect.

I found the nike+ipod sport kit in HMV for £20, tip for students if you have the student discount ard then its only £18. So all in all the whole kit for less than £40. There aren't any gyms that could match that king of price.

The information this kit throws out is awesome for the first time runner (which I am); calories, speed and distance. It really motivates you to get out there and pound the pavements especially if your competitive and you set a few goals on the nikeplus website. With all the little widgets they've added so you can display your information on your facebook or myspace this is a really polished product and a must if your overweight and already have the nano.

As a relatively unfit 60 year-old, I am delighted with the Nike + . It has given me the incentive to go out for a run/brisk walk every morning and I can't wait to get back and plug in to see how I'm doing. I don't know how accurate it is - I imagine for me not very, because my pace length isn't as constant as a seasoned runner. But that doesn't matter - what's important is that I've managed a run every morning for a couple of months, I feel much better and I'm losing weight! And, although I have the proper Nike shoes for running, I can get the sensor to work simply by putting it under the tongue of my walking boots!
Get one!

I am on my 2nd sensor, I feel this product has helped me maintain my motivation for running and keeping fit. I bought my 1st sensor around 4 years ago and have only just replaced it!!! That for me is great value for money and would recomend it to anyone. The only downside is that I am not overly happy with the new nike running website, after some time I am now just getting use to it. Apart from that I will continue to use it for may years to come...