Today, a review of the unusual Nike+ Sportband, a combination watch, radio system and running companion. Paired with the coin-sized transmitter in your shoe, the Sportband measures distance, pace and time in a superlight package on a low-key rubber strap. As previously posted, the Sportband is designed for runners who don't want music (for them, the Amp+ is perfect), or want to travel light.

So what can you do with the Sportband?

• Measure distance & pace.
• Estimate calories burned based on the data you enter.
• Upload data to the Nike+ website (more on this below).

Specs include:

• Lithium ion polymer battery (full charge takes 2 hours).
• Waterproof to IPX-7 spec (3 ft of water for 30 minutes). Buttons not waterproofed though.
• Polyurethane strap, stainless steel buckle, and polycarbonate case.
• Reverse LCD display.
• Charges the internal battery and sets the time automatically just by plugging it into the USB port.

In January, we told you about the Nike Amp+ iPod watch which doubles as a remote control for your iPod Nano. Recently, Nike introduced the Nike+ SportBand which seems to be a variation on the theme with a slightly different focus.

The SportBand answers the question "What if I don't want to run with music?" This isn't as theoretical as you might think since many races ban music players. With the Nike+ SportBand, you can see all the same information that the Nike Amp+ iPod displayed on the screen of your Nano (pace, distance, calories burned, etc.), but on an LCD integrated into the SportBand itself rather than on the screen of your iPod.

Like the Nike Amp+, you can still upload your running data when you get home, so it's just as well integrated into the whole Nike/Apple ecosystem. All you do is pop the Nike+ Link out of the SportBand, and plug it directly into your computer's USB port.

Nike has also introduced a web-based coaching system called Nike+ Coach with professionally crafted programs for a range of fitness goals. Everything from "Walk to run" to "Marathon" is laid out with motivational tools, progress tracking, peer challenges, and more. This might sound trivial, but I'm here to tell you that workout buddies — even virtual ones — are a major factor in keeping up an exercise program. Of course, you probably have to have the hardware to make much use of the virtual coach, but the cost of entry is really pretty minimal. The Nike+ SportBand sells for a very reasonable $59.

By Paul Hubbard

The Nike Amp+ iPod control watch is unusual for many reasons. To start with, it only displays hours and minutes. No seconds, no date, no alarm, no stopwatch. And to see the time, you actually have to press a button to illuminate the LED display.

But the Amp+ isn't designed to be an all-around running or fitness watch. It's specifically designed for runners who already have the Nike + iPod kit. Similar to the Timex iControl we recently reviewed, the Nike Amp+ is a remote control for your iPod Nano, however unlike the Timex, the Nike Amp+ uses the existing Nike + iPod gadget that plugs into your iPod, so you're actually adding the iPod remote control to the Nike iPod system.

Ok, I know that's a little confusing. Let's slow down and start from the beginning.

You're a runner or walker who wants to track your workouts electronically, and easily control your iPod. After installing a special wireless sensor in your Nike shoes, the Nike + iPod kit let's you use your iPod to:

The Nike Lance 4 Titanium Cycling watch is the star of Nike's ACG Oregon outdoor watch collection. Inspired and partially designed by five-time (consecutive) Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, the Nike Lance 4 packs an impressive set of features into a relatively lightweight and even fairly nice looking (in an outdoor sports watch kind of way) titanium case.

Before I list all the features of the Nike Lance 4, I want to talk about one feature in particular: the altimeter. Since cycling -- and especially the Tour de France -- is so much about ascents and elevation, naturally the Lance 4 contains an altimeter. The problem with most altimeters which are built into watches, however, is that they are barometric altimeters, which means they attempt to measure your altitude by measuring the atmospheric pressure, and in some cases, the temperature. That also means natural changes in atmospheric pressure dramatically influence altitude measurement. Usually the best way to use a barometric altimeter is to calibrate it before you begin your ascent using a GPS, map, or a nearby sign, then to measure your ascent as quickly as you can before the atmospheric pressure changes. Since that obviously won't work for races that span days or weeks and hundreds or thousands of miles, Nike incorporated their patented Zero Drift technology into the Lance 4 cycling watch. Zero Drift technology is apparently able to determine whether a change in atmospheric pressure was caused by changing weather patterns, or by an actual change in altitude. Very clever, assuming it works.

View the Nike Triax Inspire photo gallery.

The Nike HRM Triax Inspire is a simple and solid watch that pretty much does one thing, and does it well. Although it is equipped with basic versions of your standard sports watch features, it's primary purpose -- with the help of the included chest transmitter -- is to optimize your workout by helping you keep your heart rate squarely in a predefined zone.

Features of the Nike Triax Inspire include:

• Heart rate monitoring. Decide what kind of workout you want, configure the minimum and maximum heart rate that corresponds to your goal, and adjust your pace accordingly in order to keep your heart rate "in the zone." The Triax Inspire calculates and reports your heart rate in beats per minute from data received over a short-range radio signal broadcast by the chest transmitter.
• Stopwatch. Nothing fancy. Your standard chronograph that supports a single split time and maxes out at 23:59'59".
• Alarm. Again, very standard. Sounds a little on the quiet side for 20 seconds.
• Time and date. Day of  week, too.
• Nice big numbers. When you're running, biking, jumping rope, aerobisizing -- whatever it is you do -- you really don't want to have to squint at your watch. The Nike Triax Inspire is very easy to read.
• Ergonomic watch face orientation. I don't know if the word "ergonomic" is supposed to be used outside the office, but what I'm trying to say is that the face of the watch is rotated probably a good 35 or 40 degrees clockwise which means you can glance at it while keeping your arm in a very natural bent position, and the numbers will appear straight.
• Backlight. Adequate, considering you probably don't do a lot of running in the dark.
• Water resistant. 50 meters, 5 ATM, 5 BAR, or 165ft. That should keep the sweat out.
• Mineral glass crystal.
• Rugged construction . Resin case, polyurethane strap, stainless steel back and buckle.
• Compatible with most treadmills. The watch and chest transmitter use the same frequency as most treadmills in gyms, so you can monitor your heart rate either on your watch, or using the treadmill's console.