2014 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide: Run Computers

The 2014 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide magazine is out on newsstands now (and check out the digital version), and we’re giving you a sneak peek right here. Check out the run computers from the guide below and check back to Triathlete.com for more Buyer’s Guide content.

Timex Easy Trainer Heart Rate Monitor

$50, Timex.com
The draw: Simple and affordable heart rate monitor

This watch is extremely easy to use. Without cracking open the instruction pamphlet you can get started right out of the box. Thanks to the reasonable price and ease of use, this is a great choice for someone who wants to explore heart rate training without making a big investment. However, athletes who wants to track distance or splits in a workout will have to look elsewhere.

Garmin has reached an important new level with the 220, the first GPS watch that functions as smoothly as a basic timekeeper. It syncs with satellites in an instant and clearly displays all the data a runner could dream of using. Having the power to collect a ton of info doesn’t weigh the watch down thanks to Garmin’s intuitive interface (you can forget about using an instruction manual). It is incredibly light, and a single charge lasts through a week’s worth of training. Its waterproofing grade should keep it safe through a swim, although it isn’t designed for use in the water.

Adidas Micoach Smart Run

$400, Adidas.com
The draw: Impressive tech in a beautiful package

This is more than a watch; it’s a beautiful piece of wearable technology. It can carry music, use GPS info, relay complex workout details and take accurate heart rate measurements directly from the wrist. As a run training tool, however, it struggles with some of the basics. The touch screen is hard to read in bright light, and accurately pressing the buttons on the touch screen is difficult with sweaty fingers. Battery life is brief when all the features are activated.