I lost my running watch and I'm on the hunt for a new one. I keep searching online, reading reviews, looking at specs but after ordering a watch and taking it out of the box and realizing it didn't actually have any of the functionality I wanted I realized I needed to turn to a source free of hobby joggers. So here's what I'm looking for:
1. GPS with some kind of backup function, preferably built in. I live in NYC, and mostly run along the East River or West Side Highway but on the downtown part and I can never get a signal.
2. HRM. I'm hesitant about the wrist strap ones because once winter hits, my watch will be on over my sleeves so I can't imagine it working. I also want the strap to come in sizes and actually last longer than 2 months.
3. All of the buttons I would have on a standard Timex ironman stopwatch-start/split, pause, stop, multiple buttons and reasonable assurance that when I hit a button, I'm not going to accidentally stop my run altogether, turn off the GPS, etc.
4. I would like Bluetooth sync but it's not essential. If no Bluetooth, I would want one with a decent size(30+) lap memory.
5. Ability to set timers/auto split for doing workouts on the road so I don't have to look at my watch every two seconds.