Have you tried Zwift running? What set up did you use? Let me know down below! And if you found this review helpful please don't forget to drop it a like!
Thanks for the great review. To have accurate pace recorded without a dent in the pocket - I wear my Garmin watch, pair it to my Stryd (both equipments which I already owned), open Zwift and also pair it to the Stryd. What I see on my Garmin is what I see on Zwift. Very accurate maybe just 1sc difference per km at times.
Recently, the pod has been doing a lot better. I figured out that if I calibrated my pod to the highest possible speed I will be running (for example: Zwift Academy intervals would have me at 18km/h+ I would calibrate at that speed). It has been a lot better, not great, but better.
Totally agree. I’m using an iPad with the Zwift running pod and I had continues problems. My avatar stopped running many times for no reason, speed and distance was different from my treadmill and sometimes my avatar just refused to strat running. Really frustrating!
I use Zwift with a bluetooth treadmill. It connects to my PC and android phone. It also connects to my Samsung Galaxy S3 watch for pace and heartbeat. So far I like it. The training programs seem pretty good. I will keep using it for sure.
You get what you pay for with the Zwift pod and it is far from perfect. The Stryd is a bit more of an investment but will give you a solid connection and accurate speed readings.
True as well! But, you would think the pod from the company providing the software would have a smaller margin of error! How are you finding the Stryd?
@@VerticalLiving the Stryd is very good but you may still get a slightly different reading than that shown on the TM display unless you use a commercial grade mill or consumer TM with a higher powered motor. I am lucky enough to have a direct BT connection from the TM to Zwift so what I see on the display is what I see on Zwift. I see it as the more you invest the better and more accurate the experience, just as it is on the bike side.
What treadmill are you using? True in the investment, but even "entry" smart trainers such as the tacx vortex are pretty damn good accuracy wise (apart from the way they deal with immediate power). Yet, I would love a Neo or a Kickr one day
@@VerticalLiving I have a refurbished Precor 956i and connect with a GEM retro module connected to the CSAFE port. The Zwift Pod I believe was only meant to be a cheap access point to Zwift and I've actually had quite good success with it but it is massively susceptible to changes in run form.
I've been using Zwift for months with 3 different sensors including the one you have here, and I think your overall review is fair and accurate. The NPE Runn was the most accurate, when it worked at all. On average, I would say all of the sensors somewhere between 85-95 percent accurate when are working properly (which they don't do all the time). For the most part, I don't need them to be as accurate as you want- I just want to keep my avatar moving so I have something to break up the monotony. However, I did a half marathon on Zwift once, and your body is aching and you want it to be over, and the sensor is showing it .3 to .5 miles an hour slow than why your tread mill says you are going., you WILL CARE LOL. I also agree that with Zwift, the calibration is flawed in the sense that there seems to end up being a sweet spot for accuracy. Anything on the upper or lower end of the calibration speeds you chose, the Zwift reading tends to become more and more inaccurate.
I use swift running set up on a windows laptop. Connected with the companion app. If I want to run late at night or real early morning without waking up the neighborhood dogs or during a dangerous storm. It’s a great tool. I built a shelf for the laptop at eye level from treadmill. One problem which is mine if I want to do a nice easy pace or recovery run on swift I see the other people running and before I know it I’m running, But that’s just my competitive nature
This review matches my own experience, more or less. I'd add a significant drawback not mentioned is difficulty in connecting in a large gym where there are many other Bluetooth devices in close proximity. Connecting the pod to my iPad in that environment can take 10-20 minutes, whereas at home, it connects immediately. Inaccuracy in replicating treadmill speed precisely was pretty annoying as well. I've relegated my use of Zwift Run to my zone 2 easy runs when I'm running indoors. For my interval sessions, I play one of the Sufferfest videos and use my Garmin 920XT, HR strap, and Garmin footpd. I manually increase or decrease the speed to match the (bike) effort in the Sufferfest intervals to perform the workout. That way, I can do V02 max and aerobic power intervals and get precise measurements when I need that.
I totally understand why it is annoying that you don't see the right numbers on Strava. I had the same problem with my 1st gen Apple Watch that didn't have GPS and it did my head in. In the end I just used my phone instead of that.
@@VerticalLiving I phrased it badly - it synced in my case as well, but it was not accurate (missing 1.5km in a 5-6km run). In general the concept of Zwift is great though!
I just signed up for Zwift yesterday. I have only done it once so far. I liked the experience. I am a really slow runner, and I run Galloway intervals. I also use a Garmin footpod and got the Ant+ dongle and extender cord. Yes, there was a slight lag time for my avatar to start running and get up to running speed. But there was also a slight lag time for it to slow down as well. So overall, I felt that the speed averaged out and was accurate enough for me to still be enjoyable. I had no issues with signals dropping. I used the Zwift companion app on my phone so I could take photos and turn around. My one frustration with it: I am only 5'1". So for me, 4.2 mph IS running. It is a slow run, but it is running. But I had to get closer to 5mph to get my avatar to run. I have the Garmin Forerunner 245 music watch. I am now seeing that there is an update that allows the HR part of the watch to connect to Zwift. I haven't tried it out yet.
The problem with Zwift displaying a different speed to the treadmill is not down to Zwift but to the treadmill. The Runn sensor is accurate as it times how long a marker takes to pass between two sensors and Stryd is known to be accurate. I have both sensors and they agree that my treadmill is reading 10% too fast. Using a watch to gauge speed is also not going to be reliable as it relies on arm movement and will read zero if you hold on to the treadmill.
I have a RUNN pod now as and can agree it is a lot more accurate - leave it at factory and you can change the treadmill speed to match factory calibration to make thongs as accurate as possible
Just done my first strava run using my iwatch, the heart rate was spot on but the pace was off by about 3mph which was annoying but as you say its a hell of alot of software for free so maybe we just have to put with that! 1mph off though would be more appealing!
Yeah unfortunately that's to do with how watches calculate speed indoors (accelerometer) so the accuracy is off. I recently got the RUNN module for my home treadmill. Will be doing a review on that shortly.
Vertical Living I used the treadmill smart speed app last night for the strava run, worked spot on because you type in the speed, a lot better than the watch but the watch will do the heart rate
I use Zwift to cycle and more recently to run. The cheap Zwift foot pod is annoying and it seems not accurate, even when I calibrate before every run. I’m trying to decide between the mod to make my treadmill directly Zwift compatible or the best rated foot pod. Both are about $100. I think I’m going to get the Stryd pod. I can use it at the gym or outside.
Hi! You don't need a HR monitor for it to work, but it can be useful if you use things like training peaks etc Android now supports ANT+ HR monitors as well! Hope that's answered your question.
I have both Zwift foot pod and Stryd footpod. Zwift footpod is highly inaccurate regardless of number of times I calibrate it. Stick to Stryd and it matches the speed of the treadmill and the Zwift display
Hi - am currently trying to choose between these two. Either will cost me a treadmill around the same price Can I ask your thoughts? Do you miss peloton? Prefer Zwift ? Thanks 🙏🏻
@@kam4811 I got a curved treadmill and my aftermarket sensor isn't working with Zwift, so I haven't been able to use Zwift unfortunately. I've just been using my laptop while on a treadmill, playing games/watching videos and honestly I find it more enjoyable than Peloton.
Not free. First month is free. Milestone/ZwiftPod is crap, need a better quality footpod. Experience for me has been fantastic and really imrpvoved for us Garmin users when ANT+ became available through our Android device. I now use my Galaxy S9 exclusively for Zwift with my Garmin footpod, Garmin HRM, Garmin Speed/Cadence (bike) sensors and I port my video from my Galaxy S9 to a bigger monitor with zero drops/issues.
@@VerticalLiving I was able to run for less than a month before I was prompted to purchase a subscription due to my trial period ending. I was not using the cycling features, only running.
Have you tried Zwift running? What set up did you use? Let me know down below! And if you found this review helpful please don't forget to drop it a like!
Thanks for the great review. To have accurate pace recorded without a dent in the pocket - I wear my Garmin watch, pair it to my Stryd (both equipments which I already owned), open Zwift and also pair it to the Stryd. What I see on my Garmin is what I see on Zwift. Very accurate maybe just 1sc difference per km at times.
Recently, the pod has been doing a lot better. I figured out that if I calibrated my pod to the highest possible speed I will be running (for example: Zwift Academy intervals would have me at 18km/h+ I would calibrate at that speed). It has been a lot better, not great, but better.
Just got mine. New to running and thought it would help me stay motivated. Thanks for sharing your review.
Well did it work?, still running? Looking into getting this
Totally agree. I’m using an iPad with the Zwift running pod and I had continues problems. My avatar stopped running many times for no reason, speed and distance was different from my treadmill and sometimes my avatar just refused to strat running. Really frustrating!
I use Zwift with a bluetooth treadmill. It connects to my PC and android phone. It also connects to my Samsung Galaxy S3 watch for pace and heartbeat. So far I like it. The training programs seem pretty good. I will keep using it for sure.
You get what you pay for with the Zwift pod and it is far from perfect. The Stryd is a bit more of an investment but will give you a solid connection and accurate speed readings.
True as well! But, you would think the pod from the company providing the software would have a smaller margin of error! How are you finding the Stryd?
@@VerticalLiving the Stryd is very good but you may still get a slightly different reading than that shown on the TM display unless you use a commercial grade mill or consumer TM with a higher powered motor. I am lucky enough to have a direct BT connection from the TM to Zwift so what I see on the display is what I see on Zwift. I see it as the more you invest the better and more accurate the experience, just as it is on the bike side.
What treadmill are you using? True in the investment, but even "entry" smart trainers such as the tacx vortex are pretty damn good accuracy wise (apart from the way they deal with immediate power). Yet, I would love a Neo or a Kickr one day
@@VerticalLiving I have a refurbished Precor 956i and connect with a GEM retro module connected to the CSAFE port. The Zwift Pod I believe was only meant to be a cheap access point to Zwift and I've actually had quite good success with it but it is massively susceptible to changes in run form.
Oh 100% for the price point it's a great piece of kit as you said - you get what you pay for!
I've been using Zwift for months with 3 different sensors including the one you have here, and I think your overall review is fair and accurate. The NPE Runn was the most accurate, when it worked at all. On average, I would say all of the sensors somewhere between 85-95 percent accurate when are working properly (which they don't do all the time). For the most part, I don't need them to be as accurate as you want- I just want to keep my avatar moving so I have something to break up the monotony. However, I did a half marathon on Zwift once, and your body is aching and you want it to be over, and the sensor is showing it .3 to .5 miles an hour slow than why your tread mill says you are going., you WILL CARE LOL. I also agree that with Zwift, the calibration is flawed in the sense that there seems to end up being a sweet spot for accuracy. Anything on the upper or lower end of the calibration speeds you chose, the Zwift reading tends to become more and more inaccurate.
I use swift running set up on a windows laptop. Connected with the companion app. If I want to run late at night or real early morning without waking up the neighborhood dogs or during a dangerous storm. It’s a great tool. I built a shelf for the laptop at eye level from treadmill. One problem which is mine if I want to do a nice easy pace or recovery run on swift I see the other people running and before I know it I’m running, But that’s just my competitive nature
This review matches my own experience, more or less. I'd add a significant drawback not mentioned is difficulty in connecting in a large gym where there are many other Bluetooth devices in close proximity. Connecting the pod to my iPad in that environment can take 10-20 minutes, whereas at home, it connects immediately. Inaccuracy in replicating treadmill speed precisely was pretty annoying as well. I've relegated my use of Zwift Run to my zone 2 easy runs when I'm running indoors. For my interval sessions, I play one of the Sufferfest videos and use my Garmin 920XT, HR strap, and Garmin footpd. I manually increase or decrease the speed to match the (bike) effort in the Sufferfest intervals to perform the workout. That way, I can do V02 max and aerobic power intervals and get precise measurements when I need that.
That is a draw back indeed! Never noticed it as mainly used in small gyms but definitely something to be aware of!
I totally understand why it is annoying that you don't see the right numbers on Strava. I had the same problem with my 1st gen Apple Watch that didn't have GPS and it did my head in. In the end I just used my phone instead of that.
Credit to zwift it will sync just fine..but it's just not accurate!
@@VerticalLiving I phrased it badly - it synced in my case as well, but it was not accurate (missing 1.5km in a 5-6km run).
In general the concept of Zwift is great though!
@@zekeHXC same experience earlier. My garmin watch is reading 17km while zwift with pod on 15km 😂.
I just signed up for Zwift yesterday. I have only done it once so far. I liked the experience. I am a really slow runner, and I run Galloway intervals. I also use a Garmin footpod and got the Ant+ dongle and extender cord. Yes, there was a slight lag time for my avatar to start running and get up to running speed. But there was also a slight lag time for it to slow down as well. So overall, I felt that the speed averaged out and was accurate enough for me to still be enjoyable. I had no issues with signals dropping. I used the Zwift companion app on my phone so I could take photos and turn around. My one frustration with it: I am only 5'1". So for me, 4.2 mph IS running. It is a slow run, but it is running. But I had to get closer to 5mph to get my avatar to run. I have the Garmin Forerunner 245 music watch. I am now seeing that there is an update that allows the HR part of the watch to connect to Zwift. I haven't tried it out yet.
The problem with Zwift displaying a different speed to the treadmill is not down to Zwift but to the treadmill. The Runn sensor is accurate as it times how long a marker takes to pass between two sensors and Stryd is known to be accurate. I have both sensors and they agree that my treadmill is reading 10% too fast. Using a watch to gauge speed is also not going to be reliable as it relies on arm movement and will read zero if you hold on to the treadmill.
I have a RUNN pod now as and can agree it is a lot more accurate - leave it at factory and you can change the treadmill speed to match factory calibration to make thongs as accurate as possible
Just done my first strava run using my iwatch, the heart rate was spot on but the pace was off by about 3mph which was annoying but as you say its a hell of alot of software for free so maybe we just have to put with that! 1mph off though would be more appealing!
Yeah unfortunately that's to do with how watches calculate speed indoors (accelerometer) so the accuracy is off.
I recently got the RUNN module for my home treadmill. Will be doing a review on that shortly.
Vertical Living I used the treadmill smart speed app last night for the strava run, worked spot on because you type in the speed, a lot better than the watch but the watch will do the heart rate
That's the issue with the inbuilt accelerometers unfortunately! Will be doing a review of the RUNN module soon!
@@VerticalLiving Would love to see an updated review using the RUNN module.
I use Zwift to cycle and more recently to run. The cheap Zwift foot pod is annoying and it seems not accurate, even when I calibrate before every run. I’m trying to decide between the mod to make my treadmill directly Zwift compatible or the best rated foot pod. Both are about $100. I think I’m going to get the Stryd pod. I can use it at the gym or outside.
do you need a heart rate moniter for the running or is the foot pod enough ?
Hi! You don't need a HR monitor for it to work, but it can be useful if you use things like training peaks etc Android now supports ANT+ HR monitors as well!
Hope that's answered your question.
I have both Zwift foot pod and Stryd footpod. Zwift footpod is highly inaccurate regardless of number of times I calibrate it. Stick to Stryd and it matches the speed of the treadmill and the Zwift display
Try using your Apple Watch if you have one. Less problems.
Apple watch (Garmin as well etc) is wildly innacuarate on a treadmill unfortunately.
I returned my peloton to do Zwift instead lol.
Hi - am currently trying to choose between these two.
Either will cost me a treadmill around the same price
Can I ask your thoughts? Do you miss peloton? Prefer Zwift ?
Thanks 🙏🏻
@@kam4811 I got a curved treadmill and my aftermarket sensor isn't working with Zwift, so I haven't been able to use Zwift unfortunately. I've just been using my laptop while on a treadmill, playing games/watching videos and honestly I find it more enjoyable than Peloton.
Dreadmills haha
Not free. First month is free. Milestone/ZwiftPod is crap, need a better quality footpod. Experience for me has been fantastic and really imrpvoved for us Garmin users when ANT+ became available through our Android device. I now use my Galaxy S9 exclusively for Zwift with my Garmin footpod, Garmin HRM, Garmin Speed/Cadence (bike) sensors and I port my video from my Galaxy S9 to a bigger monitor with zero drops/issues.
Zwift running is free. Zwift for riding is not.
@@VerticalLiving Incorrect.
@@davidferrick got a source because their website states otherwise.
@@VerticalLiving I was able to run for less than a month before I was prompted to purchase a subscription due to my trial period ending. I was not using the cycling features, only running.
Odd. At the time of making this video it was free and their website still says it is free: zwift.com/uk/run