THEY ARE AGE-OLD QUESTIONS FOR HIKERSand runners: How far have I gone? How fastam I moving? Aside from trivia, the answerscan be useful for navigation, time planningand training. On a bike, an inexpensive com-puter reliably provides this information. Butfoot-powered outdoors people have long hadto rely either on guesstimates or trail markers,where accuracy is dubious. But all that is chang-ing as new electronic devices now track speedand distance more accurately.

LIKE CLOCKWORKThe cheapest pedometers have been on the market fordecades, though they’ve been gussied up a bit in recentyears with digital readouts. Most sub-$30 retail pedome-ters are mechanical devices that have a suspended leverarm inside. When worn on a belt, the lever arm moveswith the motion of the hip during each step, actingmuch like the pendulum of a clock. Like the clock’spendulum, it also assumes equality and regularity insteps. The less expensive models can make a clickingsound as the end of the lever hits a contact to make thecount. A good example of this genre is the BruntonAnalog ($28) which has a large glow-in-the-dark dial.

Better mechanical pedometers can be quite accu-rate as long as the person is making normal andconsistent length strides on flat ground. These arecalibrated at the factory and have higher-qualitycomponents (coiled spring, dampened or magneticswitch). The less expensive versions require calibra-tion by the user and are less likely to be accurate.

Where the higher-end mechanicalpedometers differ from one another ismostly in the bonus features. Manydevices, such as the Freestyle Pacer($20), state they count caloriesbased on steps. Somemodels ask users toinput height,

weight, gender and age to allow the deviceto be more accurate. Other pedometeroptions include a pulse meter, and somehave a panic alarm that shrieks at highdecibels when activated.

ACCELERATE YOUR BOD The key thing that affects the accuracy ofa mechanical pedometer is a consistentstride. Any semblance of consistent stridepretty much goes out the door when hikingor running on hilly or uneven terrain.When the trail dictates foot placement,even the best of these devices can leaveusers wondering about the distance.

Enter a new generation of high-techpedometers, which use accelerometers toachieve greater accuracy. These utilize astrain gauge that flexes with accelerationand deceleration. Unlike the mechanicaldevices, these piezoelectric pedometerscan detect the degree of motion and adjustaccordingly for a more accurate meas-urement, particularly on uneven terrain.Some have more than one strain gauge,so they will work in different orientationsor when carried in a pocket.

Unfortunately, you often can’t findinstructions for pedometers, and theirpackaging rarely contains technical details,so the easiest way to tell if a model ismechanical or electronic is to look at thebattery. Most likely, a small button battery(LR44) means mechanical, and a quarter-size battery (CR2032) indicates anaccelerometer. The other way is to look atthe price: Most of those with accelerome-

ters are in the $30 to $50 range.As with the mechanical

pedometers, ones withaccelerometers are often

sold with extra features.The Highgear Fitware

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How far? How fast? How high? HIGH-TECH PEDOMETERS

and other ELECTRONIC GADGETS seek to provide consumers

with accurate speed and distance information.

B Y C L Y D E S O L E S

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($30) does a fine job of measuringdistance, and for an extra $5, consumerscan get an FM radio built-in. Add $15 andthey get a pulse meter.

While more accurate than mechanicalpedometers and generally a better optionfor hiking, the accelerometer versions doeat batteries. They are always collectingdata (don’t forget to tell your customersto switch them off when not in use), andthe extra features also consume power.

FAST ON THE MOVEPlacement for accuracy is everything. Eventhe fanciest of the hip-mounted pedome-ters, when used for running, have atendency to undercount steps considerably.The solution preferred by many runners isa wireless accelerometer attached to a shoewith a wristwatch receiver, commonlycalled a Speed Distance Meter (SDM).

All the rage with roadrunners who sufferfrom gadgetitis, SDMs are usually bundledwith a heart-rate monitor. The fanciest ofthese can upload information onto acomputer for analyzing a workout.

To get the most accurate results, the SDMneeds to be calibrated for the user’s stride.This is usually done by running or walkingaround a 400-meter track and then enteringa manual correction. When properly set,these devices can provide remarkably accu-rate readings with some major caveats.

Since the accelerometer is on the shoe,it is more sensitive to variations in stridethan a pedometer on the hip. Thus, theSDM can be set for walking or running,but not both. All of the companies warnthat trails with significant hills will yieldinaccurate results since pace varies somuch; an error of 10 percent or more ispossible. Even if just used for running onrelatively flat terrain, the SDM can loseaccuracy as the runner gets fatigued andshortens his or her stride.

Despite these limitations, SDMs offersomething no pedometer can—real timespeed estimation in either miles per houror minutes per mile. The latter is partic-ularly useful as it allows runners to get atangible feel for a given pace. Since heartrate varies at a given pace (level of condi-tioning, temperature and hydration allaffect heart rate), combining the two ismore valuable than either alone forcompetitive runners.

Among the first and still one ofthe best-known SDMs on themarket is the Nike Triax Elite($370), which launched at the 2003B o s t o nMarathon. Thisp a c k a g einc ludes ane r g o n o m i c

running watch, chest transmitter, foot podand a wireless computer link. The includedsoftware runs on PCs and Macs and isdesigned for maximum simplicity toencourage its use.

Considered an industry leader in heart-rate monitors, Polar offers two SDM modelsfor runners that receive information froma foot pod. The stylish RS200sd ($220) isgeared mostly toward hardcore racers; iteven counts down the time remaining untilthe next race. However, its computer inter-face is not as advanced as other models.The more sophisticated S625X ($350) hasall the running features (speed, distance,heart rate) and adds an altimeter. Cyclistscan also add a speed sensor ($40), cadencesensor ($40), and power sensor ($350). Andthose with inquiring minds can purchasethe infrared USB interface ($40) and soft-ware ($60) to really analyze the data withelevation gain and loss.

Suunto also has some powerful offerings.When introduced last year, the t6 ($400) wasarguably the most sophisticated trainingdevice on the market. The heart-rate monitorand altimeter interfaces with computer soft-ware (included, PC only) and can becombined with a foot pod ($100) or bikesensor ($70). The recently upgraded soft-ware allows detailed analysis, and users canconnect via the Internet for additional advice.Next season, the new t4 ($200) will providethe important data during the workout,including that sent by the optional foot pod.However, to upload that data to a computerwill require the optional PC pod ($100).

Silva USA entered the SDM market thisseason with three unique models in theTech4O line—all models allow the displayto be worn on the wrist or around the neck(like a stopwatch). The R1H RunningSpeedometer ($200) uses an accelerom-eter that is either integrated into the heart-rate strap or worn at the waist when heartrate isn’t needed. The B1 Inline SkateSpeedometer ($120) comes with a replace-ment wheel (three sizes available) that hasan accelerometer inside; ideal for speedand fitness skaters. The most unusual SDMon the market is the S1 Ski Speedometer($260), which uses a wireless radar sensorto measure speed and distance over snow.It’s great for Nordic track skiing, but is notquite as ideal for alpine skiers (sensor

must be outside of clothing). Both theB1 and S1 can be combined with a

heart-rate transmitter ($80).Probably the coolest SDM

entering the market is the Sport Kit ($30)created by Nikeand Apple. TheS p o r t K i tconsists of an

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Torso Motion ensuresthe pack does notrestrict the naturalmovement of your body and thereforereduces fatigue. (TFX 9 & 7 only)

Torso Micro Adjustallows the lumbararea to be customisedat all times, withoutremoving the pack,adapting to your bodyposture and givingunprecedentedsupport. (TFX 9 only)

Torso Fit tailors the fit precisely to yourback ensuring theload is distributedcomfortably and is stable.

COMFORT ENGINEERING

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receiver?” Aside from a much higher cost,it makes sense at first blush because thesedevices can locate your position anywhereon the planet to within a few feet. But itturns out that GPS is not very accurate whenit comes to measuring distance on windingtrails—typically, they come up short. Forexample, on a trail that is accurately meas-ured as 13.6 miles long, the GPS may onlyshow the distance covered as 12 miles.

The problem with handheld and wrist-mount GPS receivers is that they typicallydon’t update their position often enoughat the default setting (usually 30 secondsto one minute). Any twists and turns madebetween the intervals are interpreted as astraight line. If users can find the deeplyburied menu, they can change the updateinterval to one second. However, this eatsup memory quickly.

Even if the user opts for the most frequentupdate interval, the smallest GPS receiversare also the ones with the least sensitiveantennas, particularly the early versions.Thus, hikers and trail runners will often losea signal as they move under tree cover orthrough steep valleys.

Another consideration with wearableGPS receivers is how much power they hog.All of the current wrist-mount versions usebuilt-in rechargeable batteries that are onlygood for about 10 hours when the GPS isoperating. This will be adequate for dayexcursions, but makes them impracticalfor extended trips or ultra-enduranceevents. Still, there may come a day not toofar in the future, when the strengths willoutweigh the weaknesses.

The recently introduced GarminForerunner 205 ($268) and 305 ($377) aremajor improvements over the company’sprevious models (101, 201 and 301). Thesenew models (the same, except the 305 is alsoa heart-rate monitor) have a far more sensi-tive antenna and faster processor. Besidesbetter performance, the sleeker form makesthese less dorky to wear and more practicalin cool weather. To get the most from thesedevices, outdoor enthusiasts need to pay $95 per year for a subscription toMotionbased.com and serious athletes needto pony up $120 per year for a subscriptionto TrainingPeaks.com. These web servicescombine advanced mapping and a range ofother features with the data from theForerunners to let users really geek out.

When it came out two years ago, theSuunto X9 had the best design but wasweak on performance (slow and poor), notto mention a hurtful price tag of $700.Fortunately, the new X9i solves most ofthose issues, though it’s still spendy at $500.Compared to the Garmin offerings, this ismore of a navigational tool since it includesa compass and altimeter. (The Forerunners

accelerometer that fits inside a pairof shoes (12 models currently avail-

able) and a wireless receiver thatplugs into an Apple iPod Nano

($150 to $250). Nike alsooffers a line of shirtsdesigned to carry the iPodon the sleeve, or it can be

worn with one of severalholster options. Whileyou’re rocking andrunning, the combo canrelay speed and distance.

And, when you need anextra boost, the touch of a

button starts playing yourPower Song of choice—that

one song that really motivatesyou to move. It also stores the data

from the run and uploads it intoiTunes when hooked to yourcomputer. This information cant h e n b e s h a r e d o n t h eNikeplus.com website and userscan compete in virtual races.

Originally scheduled forworldwide release in April, theadidas-Polar collaborativeproject is now set for anOctober 2006 l aunch(www.adidas-polar.com). The

$680 system consists of the adiStar Fusioncushioned road running shoe, which hasa pocket in the midsole that holds the PolarS3 Footpod sensor. (If you don’t have thesensor, a plug fills it.) At ispo in January, wesaw the adiStar Fusion tops—three men’sstyles and three women’s styles. They havesensors bonded to the fabric that transmitheart data via the clip-on Polar WearLink.That means no more straps to annoy, chafe,feel foolish in or generally muck aroundwith. All of the data is received by the newPolar RS800, which is similar to theRS200sd, but adds an altimeter and somegraphical features. Actually, any PolarWearLink will fit the system to at least givea user strap-free, heart-rate monitoring andallow someone to step gradually into whatis a rather pricey endeavor. The entiresystem is geared toward high-end road-runners—or at least those with gadgetitis.More shoes are, of course, planned that fitthe pods, we were told. Meanwhile, the S3Footpod can be clipped onto the lace ofother shoes, although we are told it won’tbe as accurate, and the clothing and trans-mitter will work with other Polar watches.

GPS ODOMETERWe know what you’re thinking, “Why use apedometer when you can just use a GPS

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cannot indicate direction, and no GPS is asaccurate as an altimeter for estimatingelevation.) The X9i is now compatible withNational Geographic Topo! State Seriesmapping software (for PC and Mac), whichgreatly enhances the value and usefulness.However, there is no heart-rate option, sothe X9i is not really a training tool.

Competing with the Garmin 305 is thenew Timex Trail Runner (5C391) and DataRecorder 2 package ($420). This systemconsists of a wireless GPS receiver worn ona belt, a chest transmitter for heart rate, awrist-mount data display, and a wirelessstorage unit for data. Since each of thecomponents has its own replaceablebattery, the Trail Runner has a muchgreater power supply duration than theGarmin or Suunto units. The system canbe purchased without the data recorder,but that defeats much of its usefulnesssince the data cannot be analyzed after therun. The drawbacks are limited storage(only 10 waypoints) and the lack ofmapping software compatibility. But theother features make it a strong contenderfor serious trail runners who want to knowspeed, distance and heart data.

Going high-tech minimalist is theNavman Sport-Tool ($100 to $130). ThisGPS receiver tells the user speed anddistance, plus some other trivia such as acount of ski runs. But unlike all other GPSreceivers, the Navman does not tell yourlocation or help with navigation. Nor canit connect with a computer to store all thedata. So it isn’t geeky enough for the gadgetgeeks, but it is possibly still too complexand expensive for the non-geeks.

On the horizon: Although we’ve seenthis at European shows, a GPS-basedsystem from the Finnish company FRWD,which is not sold outside Europe yet,consists of a receiver on an armband thataccumulates data in the field (GPS posi-tion, barometric altimeter and heart ratefrom a chest strap). This information canbe viewed at home after uploading viaBluetooth to a PC with Windows. Ofcourse, the company (www.frwd.fi) islooking to cross the pond with its FRWDsystem ($380, or $545 with heart rate).

More is, of course, coming nearly dailysince the segment has hardly been tapped.For example, an online tracking and log-ging system called Bones In Motion(www.bonesinmotion.com; monthly sub-scriptions, $10) works with the new genera-tion of Assisted GPS cell phones. The phonemust be worn on an armband or in a bikejersey pocket for best position accuracy. Thesoftware collects the data and then sends itto a website for analysis at home.

» To read back issues of GearTrends®, goto www.GearTrends.com/magazines.

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