Nike + iPod Sport Kit Reviewer's Comments
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Finally music and sports have come together in a perfect union—the Nike + iPod Nano Sport Kit. This remarkable sport player combination tracks your speed, distance, time, goals, paces, and calories and is the “TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award” winning sport mp3 player. Did we mention the Nano also holds 1,000 songs?
The iPod Nano by itself offers many features like a calendar and sleep timer; but when combined with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit and a pair of Nike+ shoes, it becomes a powerful exercise module. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit came in a close second due to its price–the entire setup costs over $300.00 (depending on the shoes and gigabyte storage).
Features:
The iPod Nano has all the standard portable mp3 player features like repeat, shuffle and an equalizer, so you can customize the sound. Some practical extras include an integrated clock and the ability to store and view photos. You can also download podcasts (multimedia files, similar to radio shows).
There are plenty of gadgets to customize the Nano and make it athlete-friendly. You can buy sport headphones, armbands to hold your Nano, Nano tubes for protection and Nike+ apparel.
The only disappointment in the Nano is you can't listen to or record from the radio without an accessory.
Sports Features:
The Nike + iPod Sport Kit allows you to stay in tune with your training routine and progress while you're exercising and on the computer after a workout. How this works: a wireless attachment connects to your Nano and a wireless accelerometer fits into the sole of a Nike+ shoe. The two devices communicate with each other as you run or walk.
Your Nano records distance, speed, pace, calories and more. During your workout, you can receive voice feedback through your headphones that tell you your progress, distance traveled and other important statistics.
After you exercise, sync your iPod with your computer and it will log daily workouts so you can see your progress over time and compare yourself with runners all over the world. You can even challenge someone in Siberia to a race.
Battery Life:
The Nano has an internal battery that lasts about 14 hours on a full charge—enough for any hardcore athlete. However, the wireless transmitter that goes in the shoe is not rechargeable. We couldn't find an exact battery life for the transmitter, so when the battery dies, you will have to get a new transmitter.
Physical Features:
The iPod Nano fits nicely in your hand and provides easy access to a clickwheel so you can browse your library while on the run. This portable player is surprisingly compact—3.5 inches tall, 1.6 inches wide and only 0.27 inches deep. The only disadvantage to the small size is fragility.
Music Formats:
The Nano supports aac, mp3, wav and aiff formats. This is good for those who have music in various file formats and don't want to convert them.
Help/Support:
Apple's customer support can be frustrating at times. It's difficult to find specific information in the maze of help pages, and it's even more difficult to find a phone number or email address so you can contact customer support. You can purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for $39.00, which guarantees Apple-certified service and telephone support for two years.
Summary:
If you're serious about exercise and serious about music, this is the setup for you. Even if you don't want to spend the money for the entire iPod Sport Kit and Nike + Shoes, the iPod Nano is still a great portable mp3player for anyone with an active lifestyle.
©2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.
