Runners’ Watches Now Incorporate GPS Technology

Maybe you’re old enough to remember seeing Dick Tracy’s two-way wrist TV in the Sunday funnies when you were a kid. Or maybe that was “before your time.” Regardless, that two-way wrist TV was one of the coolest bits of technology those who followed the strip could imagine.

Of course, the future never happens exactly the way we think it will. No one foresaw the advent of cell phones and their amazing takeover as the most important device a person could carry—giving access to email, the Internet, texting, apps, and, yes, even two-way video communication . . . in addition to functioning like an old-fashioned telephone.

So, does that mean cool technology worn on your wrist is a dead idea? Hardly. Companies now are unveiling a lineup of “smart watches” that include a variety of features, including GPS technology. What companies are doing this, and what features do they offer?

A list of some of the leading names in GPS watch technology would include Pebble, Nike+, Garmin, and Magellan. In general, all of these allow the wearer to check both his distance and his speed while keeping track of his exact location as well. Though they’re often marketed to runners, they are also appropriate for walkers and cyclists.

One of the nicest features of GPS technology is, of course, the way in which it can be used to keep you from getting lost—or to help you find your way back if you are lost already. So, keeping runners safe by pinpointing their current location is an added bonus.

Other features touted by GPS watch manufacturers vary from product to product. They include wireless connection to your smartphone, control of your music while running, Apple and Android functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, ability to record number of laps, heart rate monitoring, special settings for bicycles, and on and on. You should consider which features you most want as well as price before purchasing a wristwatch that includes GPS tracking technology.

In July 2013 one of the first names in GPS technology, Magellan, entered the GPS watch market with their Echo smart watch. In addition to displaying the time, day, and date, the Echo smart watch also allows users “to view fitness data calculated and displayed by a smartphone” right on the watch itself. Magellan also touts Echo’s “ruggedized” design and water-resistant construction. Magellan’s Echo with GPS technology retails for around $250.

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Runners’ Watches Now Incorporate GPS Technology