Suunto T3

I'm new to running and Runners' World so thanks for having me. After a few months of doing a variety of the more challenging gym classes several times a week, I now find myself fit enough to start running. I feel that by clocking up so many miles/ km per week on one of those foot pod jobbies I will be motivated to fit more running into my training, which at the moment is a mix of spinning, boxing, circuits, cycling and weights.

I love the idea of the GPS models, but the truth is, some of my runs will be in the gym on the treadmill and the GPS would be redundant for those. I also cycle, so I like the idea of the Suunto T3 as it's expandable for cycling. What I really want is lots of HRM features (I love gadgets) and I want to see how I am improving and where I could focus my training better. I decided to go for one which can clock the distance I've run each week to bring running more into my training which, at the moment, has just a bit of running in a very varied and busy fitness schedule.

 The three I've boiled it down to all have foot pods to allow treadmill runs, also they have downloadability but I have a Mac so I don't know how useful that would be to me.

 Basically, I'm not loaded, but spend a lot of time exercising so want something not over-the-top expensive but it needs to be good enough that I won't just go out and buy a different one within 6 months! Basically, I can't afford to go mental, but would get enough out of it to warrant buying something decent.

 Any help would be hugely appreciated as I am pretty flummoxed at the moment and don't want to waste my limited funds on a lemon! Any other suggestions than the ones I've found will also be very useful, thanks.

 Zoe

Posted: 17/10/2007 at 12:22

I am in exactly the same situation!

Posted: 05/07/2008 at 10:33

The Forerunner 50 can also be used for cycling with Garmin's GSC10 cadence sensor which adds about £40. But I don't think it's compatible with a Mac. I've had one since last December and have been perfectly happy with it apart from the fact that the some of the silver finish has rubbed off (by my jacket cuff).

Accuracy is good once calibrated (for example 9.69km on Forerunner, 9.58km measured on mapmyrun.co.uk)

I believe that you can use a footpod on a treadmill with Garmin's Forerunner GPS units.

Posted: 05/07/2008 at 13:24

The Garmin footpod can indeed be used on the GPS watches too.

Posted: 05/07/2008 at 14:05

I set out to buy a Garmin 205 to replace my 2 year old Polar - GPS seemed way sexier than a weird plastic thingy on my shoe! Then I started to research the options - Garmin or Polar GPS, I thought. I need an HRM for resistance work, treadmill running and training in the forested valleys of South Wales.
What did I buy? Suunto T3C with a footpod - hadn't even heard of it. Best thing ever! Pretty stylish (the Garmin is worse than it looks - they'll laugh anywhereexcep a Startreck convention), accurate, well-made and a really useful tool as well!!
Brilliant. Especially if you only spend a 5 minute look at the manual (rubbish!) then head for the web.
I've bought both of mine from www.bhi-partnership.co.uk - a good start point (not necessarily the cheapest, but certainly one of the best)

Posted: 08/07/2009 at 20:29