Running watches. A comprehensive list of features

Do you ever get confused about the running watches features that are displayed in the manufacturers spec list? I know I sure have at times. This post attempts to sum up nearly every conceivable feature that is offered in modern day running watches. While I will do my best to make this as comprehensive as possible, consider this post a growing entity that will be updated on a regular basis. Feel free to email me as well if you want to suggest something I may have missed.

A comprehensive list of running watch features:

General

Interfacing: The ability to interface with other devices

Software: Level of software that is offered with the watch, for watches that facilitate data transfer.

Goal Tracking: Allows you to set a fitness goal and keep track of it over time.

• Forerunner 405, 405CX
• probably some Polar watches

Sunrise & Sunset Time: Displays the sunrise and sunset time in your location

• Forerunner 405, 205/305

Computer Fitness Opponent: Lets you "race" a compuerised opponent.

• Forerunner 405, 305/205 (Virtual Partner Feature)
• Timex Finish Time predictor (same concept)

Touch Sensitive Tapping: The ability to operate the watch simply by tapping on the face

• Forerunner 405, 405CX (bezel)
• Timex's Tapscreen watches

Wireless Data Transfer: Seemlessly transfer watch data between the wristwatch and a personal computer

• Forerunner: 405, 405CX, 310XT
• Timex Race Trainer, Global Trainer
• Polar watches

Compete Against Historical Sessions: Allows you to run against other runs stored in the watch's history. Shows if you're faster or slower than past performances.

Forerunner 405, 205/305 (courses feature) (todo: check latest watches)

Distance Traveled While Paused: Keeps track of how much movement you have done while the stopwatch is paused. The watch will not log any mileage to your overall distance while the watch is paused. (useful if you forget to un-pause your watch).

• Forerunner 205/305
• 4 field customizable display: A watch that can display four simultaneous data fields
• Forerunner 205/305
• Timex Global Trainer
• GlobalSat GH 625 M
• RS300X
• RS800CX
• RS400

Altitude Stats: The ability to measure variations in height

• Suunto X10
• Suunto t6c
  

Vertical Speed: The ability to display rate of ascention (or descention)

• Suunto X10
• Timex Bodylink Trail Runner T5J985

Altitude Alarm: Sounds an alarm and certain altitude levels

• Suunto X10
• Timex Bodylink Trail Runner T5J985

Barometric Altimeter: A Barometric altimeter is general more accurate than altitude measured with a GPS system

• Suunto X10
• Suunto t6C Multisport Pack

Compass Feature: Offers you a pointer to north

• Forerunners 101, 201, 301, 205, 305, 405, 405CX 310XT
• Suunto X10
• Timex Bodylink Trail Runner T5J985
• Globalsat GH-625

Heart rate

Max HR calculation: Calculates your maximum heart rate. A rough estimate of your maximum heart rate can be calculated by subtracting your age from 220

Heart rate monitor signal: analog HRM signals are prone to interference from electrical wires and other equipment. The latest watches use a Digital FM signal which doesn't suffer from these inherent flaws.

Target heart rate zones: A Heart rate zone is an optimal uppwer and lower limit in which you desire your heart rate to be during a workout. When your heart rate falls outside of the zone a heart rate zone alarm is usually sounded.

• Nearly all heart rate monitor watches

Heart rate expressed in bpm

• All heart rate monitor watches

Heart rate expressed as a % of max HR

• Polar watches

Fitness test based HRmax: Polar Fitness test-based watches can determine your maximum heart rate based on a pre-defined fitness test programmed into their watches.

Calorie expenditure: Watches that record your approximate calories burned within a session. Useful for weight loss.

Advanced Fitness Features

Beat to beat variation in heart beat intervals: Measures heart beat intervals. This reflects your autonomic nervous system in heartbeat regulation

Polar RS800CX

Suunto t6c

Real Time Training Effect: An advanced indicator of the actual effectiveness of a workout

• Suunto t3c, t4c and t6c
  

EPOC: Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. Or how much increased breathing you are doing following a hard workout to accomodate for your body's oxygen debt. this is particularly interesting for atheletes in regards to lactic acid/lactate metabolism workouts

• Suunto t6c

Data Transfer: The ability to transfer data stored on your watch to a personal computer (and vice-veras) without cables.

• Forerunners 50 405, 405CX, 310XT
• Garmin FR60 fitness watch
• Timex Race Trainer Watch
• Timex Global Trainer Watch
• Polar Watches (with appropriate add-on devices)

GPS

Hands free operation: The ability to start and pause the watch based on your motion alone.

• Garmin Forerunner watches
• Suunto GPS Watches
• Timex Bodylink GPS Watches
• Polar GPS Watches

Speed and Pace Based Target Zones: Sounds an audible alarm when you exceed specified upper and lower speed or pace limits.

• Garmin Forerunner watches
• Suunto GPS Watches
• Timex Bodylink GPS Watches
• Polar GPS Watches

Real-time: Speed, pace and distance

• Garmin Forerunner watches
• Suunto GPS Watches
• Timex Bodylink GPS Watches
• Polar GPS Watches

Overall distance per session and per lap

• Garmin Forerunner watches
• Suunto GPS Watches
• Timex Bodylink GPS Watches
• Polar GPS Watches