Accurate? Reliable?
Hard to beat at $100…
Check out these two reviews. Each have a different take on the soleus
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/12/soleus-gps-10-90-running
http://www.gogumption.com/go-run/soleus-gps-1-0-everything-you-need-nothing-you-dont/
Accurate? Reliable?
Hard to beat at $100…
I haven’t used it, but I’d find the lack of a computer download a serious ding against GPS-enabled fitness devices such as this one. In fact, I’d have no use for the GPS essentially if I can’t download the data. You could use a footpod or even pace estimation to get pretty similar distance data if you’re not downloading.
I have one and really enjoy it. I had a Garmin for a little while that I’d gotten used and it died, so I didn’t want to spend a lot of money but wanted distance and pace information for longer runs and some races. While the Garmin was really cumbersome, the Soleus is small and comfortable. I’ve used it on distance certified race courses and found the distance measurement spot on. It was invaluable to me recently as a half marathon pacer. I do kind of miss having HR information sometimes, but I’m used to regulating effort more by pace and feel anyway. Overall I think it’s a really good value.
Soleus is based in Austin, so we got a pair of the 1.0s and one of the 2.0s. I tried a GPS years ago with the Garmin 405. I didn’t like it…wearing a GPS that is. It had nothing to do with the brand Garmin.
Now, I like wearing a GPS. As for the 1.0, it’s simple, has normal buttons, and is very straightforward. The 2.0 is essentially the same but downloadable. The 3.0 adds a HR monitor.
So, if you want a basic GPS and are ok writing down your times, it’ll get the job done.