Column: These are my favorite running gadgets

I recently decided that I could go running again regularly. The whole thing works quite well so far. Then I also realized that I needed a few gadgets, such as headphones or a tracker. I use all of that.

My trackers

Xiaomi Mi Band 2

I recently bought the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 in my detailed test report wrote down my experiences with it. Nevertheless, I would like to briefly summarize what makes this tracker so special. The Mi Band is very compact and light. It also really looks like a ribbon. As a result, it does not interfere with everyday life and is also not noticeable very little. At first glance, the battery is rather small with 70mAh. But that is deceptive. In my test period, I managed 14 days without charging and then still had 32%.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is small and consists of these two parts (Image: © 2017 TechnikNews)

GPS was not installed, but you can track your routes using the same sensor on the smartphone. That works quite well, there are only small errors in the recording every now and then. But it is by no means as bad as with Google Fit.

The Mi Fit app is available to manage the data and settings for the band. In addition to his workouts, you can also see pretty precisely recorded sleep data here. It is practical that you can be notified of messages or calls with the respective symbol and a vibration. You can activate and deactivate everything in the app. The feature was always activated for me and saved me a few glances at the mobile phone display.

The Mi Band 2 is only my alternative band if my Polar M200 should not work. With a price of 20 - 30 € on Amazon, you can't go wrong here, I can definitely recommend the tracker.

Buy the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 from Amazon

Polar M200: My go-to watch for sports and everyday life

I briefly mentioned above that I also own a Polar M200, for which a separate review will be published later. I've had this watch for a little over a week now and I have to say that all but one Problem with the setup pretty much like it.

The Polar M200 has a form factor similar to normal watches (Image: © 2017 TechnikNews)

The Polar M200 has a similar form factor as a regular commercial watch and consists of two parts, namely the watch itself and the strap. The overall package is fairly light and comfortable to wear. I clearly like the display better here than in the Mi Band. The panel is based on technology similar to that used in e-book readers, which promises that the content displayed can be viewed even in direct sunlight procan read without problems.

In addition to the usual sensors of a sports watch, we even find GPS here. The tracking worked for me without any errors, it only takes a while for the watch to receive a signal from a satellite. The battery was enough for me for about five days. I'm very happy with the value as I don't have to charge the watch every evening.

You can find detailed fitness data in the Polar Flow app. There everything is entered in the activity group, which I find very appealing. The app is also used to set up and manage the clock. As with the Mi Band 2, there is also the option here to display notifications. Here you can even see a short preview text, which is not the case with the Xiaomi tape.

The watch is quite small without the bracelet (Image: © 2017 TechnikNews)

The Polar M200 can be found in various shops for 119 - 150 € in the colors black, white, red, yellow and blue. Interchangeable bracelets in the same colors cost around € 20.

Buy Polar M200 from Amazon

Music

JBL Yurbuds Liberty Wireless

I hit the bullseye with these headphones over a year ago. In which Proproduct are Bluetooth in-ear headphones. They're not completely wireless, which means that both earbuds are connected by a fabric-covered cable. The earbuds each have an ear hook for a better hold in the ear. They are also waterproof and have survived two downpours while I was running.

Incidentally, the cable is not completely bare, a control unit for music playback was attached there. The Liberty Wireless have never fallen out of my ears personally and I was always able to wear them for several hours without discomfort. The scope of delivery also includes a small fabric bag for transporting the headphones.

The Liberty Wireless are my favorite in-ear headphones (Image: © 2017 TechnikNews)

As already mentioned, music gets into the headphones via Bluetooth. JBL states that the playback time is six hours. Up to now I have always been able to achieve this value and I also felt the need to listen to music with the headphones for seven or eight hours. Should the battery be empty, it can be recharged in a short time via micro USB. The sound quality is very good for my purposes, since I mean for home anyway Libratone Q Adapt On-ear have. I had other in ears in addition to the Liberty Wireless, but I liked them the most in terms of sound.

A year ago, the JBL Yurbuds Liberty Wireless cost me € 50. Unfortunately, they cost € 100 on Amazon today. Whether you want to invest the price is up to you, I definitely don't regret the purchase.

Buy JBL Yurbuds Liberty Wireless from Amazon

spotify running

Okay, okay ... Spotify is not a gadget in the traditional sense. But I especially don't want to run without it anymore. And there is a simple reason for that: the Spotify Running Mixes.

You can find this when you are in the tab Browse goes to the categories. Then you open the entry Running, you will be greeted with several mixes based on many different moods. There is also a mix based on my own musical taste that I always use. I was really always offered music that I liked and to which I could run really well. Once you have decided on something, you will be asked to start running so that Spotify recognizes a tempo and can play suitable music. But you can also set a tempo that you want yourself. The songs are then mixed and played with a fade out or fade in from song to song.

Spotify Running is included in Spotify Premium, which costs €10 per month. The feature is not available in the free version. In my opinion, this feature should definitely be turned off onceprohave beer.

Cellularline fitness bracelet for the smartphone

Without a smartphone, of course, there is no music. And I don't want to take it with me to workout in my pocket, as it can fall out. That's how I got the Cellularline sports armband.

It consists of a black elastic fabric with some green accents, such as the plastic viewing window that is used to operate the smartphone. The labels are also in green. The band can be attached to the arm with a Velcro fastener. There are two different loops available for the right size.

According to the manufacturer, devices with a display of up to 5,5 inches should fit into the compartment for the smartphone. I just barely got my Moto G4 Plus in there without a case, even though it also has a 5,5-inch display. Cutouts for headphones with the jack connection were also thought of. There is also a storage compartment for keys or the like on the back. I was always able to wear the band comfortably and it never bothered me. If it ever gets wet because of sweat, you can prowash off easily under the tap.

The Cellularline sports armband can be found for around twenty euros at MediaMarkt and on Amazon.

Buy Cellularline sports armband from Amazon

Recommendations for you

• Xiaomi Mi Band 2 review: the best of the cheapest
• Xiaomi Mi Band 3 presented: The fitness tracker at a competitive price
• Polar M200 review: my favorite watch
• Xiaomi Mi Band 2: available from June 7th