10 DO-IT-ALL SPORT WATCHES
If you're serious about improving your athletic performance, you need a watch that can do more than just tell time. Whether you cycle, run, climb, hike, ski cross-country, surf, or snowboard, there's a multifunction watch out there designed for you--and a few that'll work no matter what the sport. We chose 10 products--both old and new--that repeatedly popped up on fitness sites and forums and in sports magazines. No two are alike. Some come with ancillary components such as heart-rate transmitter belts, USB docks, or GPS sensors; others offer more-basic services. All of them deliver athletic performance data in one shape or another. The best pick for you depends on your sport, your fitness objectives, and your workout style. Read more

Before you buy, you need to ask yourself a series of questions to figure out what kind of data and tools best suit your training.

1. Where do you train: on trails, the local track, at the beach, on city sidewalks?
2. Do you want a device that's designed for a specific sport or a more versatile product that you can use every day, no matter the activity?
3. Do you prefer working out with a minimal amount of gear, or would you schlep around a couple of extra components if it meant getting better performance data?
4. How much are you willing to pay? Several products in this roundup cost upward of $300.
5. Do you need to keep an eye on your heart rate, or is that just an extra you could forgo to save a couple bucks?
6. What's important to you: precise measurements, navigational tools, or software for splicing and dicing your performance data? Everything?
7. Do you really need a multifunction watch? If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the features on these devices, you may be happier with--and get more use out of--a simple heart-rate monitor or pedometer.

A word on GPS: Currently, only Timex and Garmin offer GPS-enabled training devices, and we're not especially pleased with either. Garmin's data can be flaky, which may have a lot to do with how the device is worn. Timex's GPS data was accurate in our tests, but since the device that enables you to upload all that data to a PC is no longer available, you can't do much with it. As a result, we can't fully endorse either at this stage, but we expect big things from future implementations. Sites such as Endless Pursuit, which allows members to upload favorite treks and share them with friends, bring another dimension to training--one we'd like to see expand.

There's obviously a lot to consider when you're looking to buy a robust training device. To help you get a basic idea of what each product in this group offers, check out the chart above. Ask your buddies which device works best for them. Lurk in sports forums. And be sure to get our take on them before you hit the trail.