Most accurate non-Stryd footpod?

So by it seems pretty well established that compared to the 935 the fenix 5X is unfortunately not great in the pace/distance accuracy department. I love the mapping and looks of the 5X, but on its own it simply is not good enough for my marathon training. By contrast, the 935 (without a footpod) will probably be good enough for my training. I know several people on these forums have the Stryd, but I can't justify the $400 difference between the 935 without a footpod and the 5X with a Stryd. So that leads me to this question: What is the best non-Stryd footpod?

I know Fellrnr includes some pods in his GPS Accuracy Chart. He includes the Milestone, but that doesn't sync to a 5X, as far as I can tell. Is the Garmin Footpod the best cheap, non-Stryd option? Does anyone have a sense of how big the difference in accuracy is between the Stryd and the Garmin footpod?

0 bglover11 over 7 years ago

So by it seems pretty well established that compared to the 935 the fenix 5X is unfortunately not great in the pace/distance accuracy department. I love the mapping and looks of the 5X, but on its own it simply is not good enough for my marathon training. By contrast, the 935 (without a footpod) will probably be good enough for my training. I know several people on these forums have the Stryd, but I can't justify the $400 difference between the 935 without a footpod and the 5X with a Stryd. So that leads me to this question: What is the best non-Stryd footpod?

I know Fellrnr includes some pods in his GPS Accuracy Chart. He includes the Milestone, but that doesn't sync to a 5X, as far as I can tell. Is the Garmin Footpod the best cheap, non-Stryd option? Does anyone have a sense of how big the difference in accuracy is between the Stryd and the Garmin footpod?

Since giving up any hope that my 5x will ever provide any usable pace data I've just been using my Garmin foot pod with pace set to always and distance only indoors and it's been great. Nice to have reliable pace info again that's not jumping around plus or minus two or more minutes per mile at a steady pace. After 3 runs or so with auto calibration it seems to match lap pace (governed by GPS) very well

0 FryeX over 7 years ago

Having owned both Garmin Foot pod and Stryd I would not pay a dollar from the garmin foot pod. The best non-stryd I have used is the Polars (huge in size) foot pod. But that is Bluetooth LE only. And I do not know if it works with 5X or not. I had a different watch at the time. Garmin FP works ok, if you only run at one pace. Stryd works very well over a large range of paces including walking. And Polar FP is not far behind.

0 bglover11 over 7 years ago

Having owned both Garmin Foot pod and Stryd I would not pay a dollar from the garmin foot pod. The best non-stryd I have used is the Polars (huge in size) foot pod. But that is Bluetooth LE only. And I do not know if it works with 5X or not. I had a different watch at the time. Garmin FP works ok, if you only run at one pace. Stryd works very well over a large range of paces including walking. And Polar FP is not far behind.

Sounds like you had a bad experience with yours, but my Garmin and a few buddy's ones they use have all worked great. Seems to be the Garmin theme - everybody has a different experience

0 timgrose over 7 years ago

I've got a Stryd, Garmin and Milestone.

Stryd is definitely the "best".

If you calibrate the Garmin for your typical pace and environment then it works well enough although I only use foot pods (well as a foot pod) on a treadmill as all Garmins watches I have got (currently 935 and 735 are "in service" for me) work fine for current pace so odd why the Fenix line up has these issues.

I got the Milestone as it was fairly cheap and as a bit of an experiment. I did not use it much but on the treadmill the pace was rather jumpy but maybe it has improved.

So Garmin is my answer based on a choice of that and the Milestone. You should be able to pair the Milestone to a 5X BTW as I can do to my 935 and although the connection is BLE, I understand the Fenix 5 devices and 935 all now support it.

0 etparks over 7 years ago

Sounds like you had a bad experience with yours, but my Garmin and a few buddy's ones they use have all worked great. Seems to be the Garmin theme - everybody has a different experience

My Garmin footpod has been very accurate and reliable (once calibrated).

0 FlipStone over 7 years ago

I've got a Stryd, Garmin and Milestone.

Stryd is definitely the "best".

If you calibrate the Garmin for your typical pace and environment then it works well enough although I only use foot pods (well as a foot pod) on a treadmill as all Garmins watches I have got (currently 935 and 735 are "in service" for me) work fine for current pace so odd why the Fenix line up has these issues.

I got the Milestone as it was fairly cheap and as a bit of an experiment. I did not use it much but on the treadmill the pace was rather jumpy but maybe it has improved.

So Garmin is my answer based on a choice of that and the Milestone. You should be able to pair the Milestone to a 5X BTW as I can do to my 935 and although the connection is BLE, I understand the Fenix 5 devices and 935 all now support it.

I was wondering how you were able to pair the milestone pod?

I have now the beta-fw but when scanning for 'external sensors' it will not find it...

0 Jkaser1965 over 7 years ago

I used my Garmin foot pod for pace and distance during the Cleveland Marathon last weekend and was blown away by its accuracy. I couldn't believe how well it tied up for distance and pace! I had used my Fenix 3HR for last year's Chicago Marathon and it was awful so I decided to try my 5X with the foot pod. Couldn't have been happier.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Hi guys,

I am more a swimmer and new to running so I alternate jog/walk for the time being. I bought the Garmin Footpod as the gps accuracy is not great where I run (trees+buildings...) and I intend to train on treadmills as well. I read that the Footpod needs a constant stride to be accurate. Should I wait until I stop walking and only run to use the footpod?

Also as explained I cannot really have a great gps accuracy for the time being and I am not sure where I can find a field track to calibrate it. Should I wait until I find a good opportunity (clear area for gps or known distance) to calibrate the footpod before I start using it?

Or is it ok to use it now and re-calibrate when I have this good opportunity? And can I use it directly as the primary distance calculation?

Thanks for your advise!

0 WojtekBezPortek74 over 7 years ago

Calibration is a continuous process not a moment in time so you can do yours activities and the watch and pod will both do their work all the time.

To get best results try to find a straight road without trees and run it. Do it twice keeping same pace. Then you can check a calibration factor. This factor in general will be accurate enough for this specific pace. You can remember it.

If you find later any measured track just push lap when you start and when you finish it and see if the distance is ok. It should be. ]

I have been used the pod last 6 months and until you dramatically change the pace it worked well. The problem is when you do sprints or tempo runs.

Hope it helped.
WG

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Thanks WG. So I should not rely on the footpod before I am able to run a 10k straight without walking sequences as the difference of paces would mess up the data.

I will start using it anyway outdoor for a rough calibration so I can experience it on a treadmill later.