Tom’s first Tri

Today’s the day Finally, the Nike Amp+ that I had ordered in the US Apple Online Store in December 2007 was delivered. I had it sent to my buddy Ryan’s place and he then shipped it to my home address in Germany. Thx dude Surely you ask: “Why didn’t you purchase the Amp+ at Nike’s European Online store?” The answer is as simple as it is short: It wasn’t available in Europe back then, but only announced to be introduced in the European market in spring 2008. I didn’t want to wait that long and that’s why I ordered this gadget in the US.

Here’s my take on Nike’s latest addition to the Nike+ series.

The Amp+ comes in a very sexy dark box, Apple style. Once opened, you find quick and dirty instructions and explanations to the Nike+ bundle on the backside of the box’s cover. No surprise, the Amp+ (as for now) is only to be used with an iPod Nano (all generations), but we know that already from the Nike+ sport kit.

This was the time when I was surprised for the first time. When I ordered the Amp+ I thought that the watch strap was one size for all only, but I was wrong. And I couldn’t be happier about that as my wrist isn’t too big. So I took out the instructions manual on how to adjust the Amp+’s strap using the included measuring tape and scissors (not included).

I fetched some scissors in the kitchen and measured my wrist. As I didn’t want to cut off too much I carefully cut the strap in several steps until I had finally shortened it so that the watch suits my wrist perfectly.Here’s the good news about the strap and the closure. I decided not to shorten it to the recommended length “8″ but, only to number “9″ and attached the closure not to the first holes in the strap, but to the ones that were the most remote (but still reachable by the closure). By doing so, I made sure that I can extend the strap at any time if my wrist becomes bigger (strength training). In the end, I had cut off quite a few pieces of the strap, but the result was very good. The watch suits my wrist perfectly, but I can still get the watch off easily.

Now, my take on the handling of the Amp+’s remote control functions:First things first. The instructions manual is only 6 pages long, included the cover and the specifications page. And take my word, you don’t need a more detailed manual. One page for linking the Amp+ with your iPod Nano, one page with instructions on how to check the time. And another two pages on the remote control functions during workout mode and on how to control your iPod. Sounds easy? It is that easy, even during a run you can still easily access all the information you need without having to slow down. Just one click to call information on your run (pace, distance, you know what the voice tells us during a run). Hold down the same button for 3 seconds to call you Powersong. Press the Play-button to pause the song. Incresing/decreasing the volume is easy, too.Best of all, you can put your iPod in hold-mode, thus deactivating the Nano’s touch pad. The Amp+ still takes control and you cannot accidently press any buttons when storing your iPod in your tights or wherever you want to store it. Check out my video on the remote control function of the Amp+. In it I demo all the functions and how easily they can be accessed.

Missing any information? Let me know and I’ll see what I can do to provide further information.I also uploaded the video to blip.tv just in case the vid gets deleted by YouTube. Check out my page there.If I were to give a grade for the Amp+ I would give it a A. Why so? First of all, it is very lightweight, the display is very clear and easy to read. The buttons are well-placed and easy to access also during a run. But best of all, you do not need to be in workout mode to make use of the Amp+’s remote control functions. Going snowboarding, skateboarding or sailing? No problem. Just grab your iPod, attach the receiver of the sport kit to it and store your pod in your jacket, backpack or wherever you wish. The Amp+ takes control of your playlist, the volume and you never have to take out your pod again, as long as you do not wish to switch the playlist. The Amp+ is my new steady companion for all my runs and also for my cycling workouts. And for $79.95 it is not too pricy.