Running Watch Reviews » Amazon

Timex Unisex Ironman Traditional 30 Lap Watch T5H561

Running Watch Reviews — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:17:16 +0000

Timex Unisex T5H561 Ironman Traditional 30-Lap Watch

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $49.95

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Built with rugged durability in mind, the Timex Unisex Ironman Traditional 30 Lap Watch is a great watch to take with you on your running training.

Created from the most durable materials, the shock-resistant Timex Unisex Ironman Traditional 30 Lap Watch is made to withstand the intense activities that you do during training. You can take it with you through track meets, triathlons, excursions, or other conditions that will be tough on your body and your gear.

The durability of the Timex Unisex Ironman Traditional 30 Lap Watch does not affect its capabilities. It is still loaded with features that enable you to use them while training. It has a 30-lap memory, large buttons for easy access to timing functions, three alarms (with 5-minute backup), and three time zones. It also has an occasion mode to set reminders for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and appointments, and all-day white reflector display.

All these features and durability come in a stylish teal and silver resin case with a comfortable black polyurethane strap.

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User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Not as good as my old Casio
I’m not positive mine is the exact same model as this because mine is all black, but it is a Timex unisex 30-lap Flix Ironman and my comments should apply to all in this series. Although I’m a six-foot-tall man, I have thin wrists and can’t wear a man’s watch. Even this one is larger than I’d like. One of our wedding presents was his/hers gardening gloves. I wear the hers, my wife wears the his, but I digress. Sorry to say, Amazon, but you really shouldn’t buy a watch online; you need to try them on to see if they will fit your wrist.

I wanted it as my everyday watch to show time and date and as a stopwatch for running. It serves the first purpose well, with nice big numerals, which my middle aged eyes need. I’m happy with that part. I am disappointed in it as a stopwatch, though, and as an alarm clock/timer. The biggest difference between the Casios and the Timexes to me as a runner is that the Timex watches have the start/split button in front and stop on the side, while the Casio has the front button be stop/start. On both the front button is large and easy to push (or used to be on my old Casio, although I’ve heard that’s not so true for the newer ones). But I find it almost impossible to push the stop button on this Timex. At first when I began using this for timing my runs I would fail to stop the watch at the end more often than I succeeded, thus losing the timing data. You can’t use the split button for that because 10 seconds after you press it it reverts to the continuously running mode, so you have to memorize the split time or write it down. I want to stop the time and write down the time after I get home (driving from where I run at the park).

It is so hard to stop it that I found I was twisting the bejeebers out of the band when I pressed hard enough, so I started pressing equally hard from the opposite direction (the upper left) in a pinching motion to counteract the thumb at the stop button (lower right), but that didn’t work because the Set/Recall button (upper left) would always register the push first, changing it out of stopwatch mode to time set mode and thus the stop button didn’t work as a stop but instead changed the time. Eventually I learned to prepare to stop it about 10 seconds before the end of the run by finding the tiny sweet spot between the mode button and the 12:00 position with one finger and placing my thumb on the stop button, then squeezing really hard when I reach the end. Even doing this sometimes it doesn’t stop. This is not just my particular watch with this problem, either, because I tested several in the store when I bought an identical (except purple) one for my daughter (who specifically asked for an Ironman). They all had the really hard-to-press stop buttons. For what it’s worth, she loves hers, but she’s a triathlete and uses the lap features a lot, which I don’t.

For the alarm functions, I found them really hard to use mainly due to the Occasion mode always jumping in. If you don’t use it regularly, you can think you’re setting the alarm to wake you the next morning and instead it turns out you set it to ring when it’s somebody’s birthday or some other occasion. I find it much easier (and much louder) to use my cell phone as an alarm clock when traveling.

5 Stars Great watch for the price
This watch looks great and feels really comfortable on my wrist. I bought it for a simple watch to wear when I working around the house and exercising. For the price, it is great.

I love that the simplicity of its use as well as the stopwatch and 3 alarms.

The only downside, in my opinion, is that the strap is thinner than I thought. I took some getting used to but I think it actually makes it more comfortable.

5 Stars Great value for a great product
The watch is everything I want and more. It’s simple and durable while not looking too bad either. I’d definitely buy it again in a second!

5 Stars Great little watch
I’ve used a Timex Ironman watch for the last 15+ years. When I couldn’t find the model that I had been using, I ordered this one because it had the features I wanted–big numbers, chronograph and timer, different time zones, multiple alarms and convenient buttons. BUT when it came, it was smaller than what I expected a “midsize” watch would be, and my first thought was ‘Well, let’s send it back”. Then I started playing with it and discovered now easy it is to set, to use and how comfortable it is to wear! It’s perfect for this little old gray-haired lady!!

5 Stars Great Ironman Watch
Watch came in the original packaging, it works perfectly, and got to me quickly. I use it for running outside and it’s not heavy, fits perfectly on a woman, and doesn’t feel bulky. Good buy

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Nike Midsize Triax Speed 10 Regular Watch WR0124 001

Running Watch Reviews — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:37:55 +0000

Nike Midsize WR0124-001 Triax Speed 10 Regular Watch

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $49.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

The Nike Midsize Triax Speed 10 Regular Watch is a serious running watch that is perfect for people who take their running training seriously.

A part of the Bowerman series, the Nike Triax Speed 10 Regular watch comes with the balance between functionality, simplicity, and ergonomics. This makes it an ideal watch for anyone who wants to go out and focus on their training rather than on how they track their data.

The watch is capable of providing runners with lap times, total times, a 10-lap chronograph that keeps splits and five interval timers. Runners can also create customized workouts to match their body’s physical fitness levels. It even has Target Time settings for runners to be able to compare goal times while racing.

The Nike Triax Speed 100 Regular Watch can also go into Data mode that can recall the training data such as best laps and average laps for people to further analyze how their training went about.

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User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Easiest to read Watch
This watch has the biggest, easiest to read, digits I have found….and I searched.

It is also easy to use.

A great watch.

4 Stars Does the job but should have better light
I bought this product because I needed a watch with a timer to start timing myself when I run. Nike makes quality products, and this is no exception. However, the night light doesn’t stay on long enough–you have to constantly press it. Other than that, the watch looks sharp and is the perfect size. Its alarm is also good. It is loud but not annoying. I recommend this product if you want a basic digital water-resistant watch with a chronometer.

3 Stars works very well
I wear it daily. the buttons depress accidentally though so it does not stay on the “time” screen.

1 Star NIKE WATCH
I purchased this watch on 8/6/08. I am currently in Iraq and I needed a backup. I already own one similar to this one. I just wanted one on standby in case my battery died or another mishap. This watch that I purchased on Amazon died on 9/7/08. It doesn’t work at all. I don’t know what happened. I only wore it 2-3 times because my other watch still worked. Watches are supposed to last longer than 30 days and this one didn’t. I’m not sure if its because I didn’t buy it directly through NIKE or because I took the short cut. Nevertheless, I’m still out of $40+ and I don’t have anything but a worthless watch to show for. I don’t recommend this product.

3 Stars BATTERY?
I received the watch quickly and was exactly what i wanted. Only problem is that within a month the battery dies on me and of course it has to be a difficult watch and they cant just put a new battery in i had to send it to some place to get a new one.

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Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor

Running Watch Reviews — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:01:33 +0000

Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $499.95

Amazon Price: $375.00

The Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor is an elite level watch that can match the intensity of people who undergo elite level training. It is a complete training solution that encompasses planning, monitoring and even analyzing the training that you are doing.

The Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor watch is capable of tracking maximum heart rate (fitness test-based and age-based), maximum/average of total exercise and of each lap (up to 99 laps), three target zones, and even gives auditory signals when you reach your targets.

All these data can then be tracked and analyzed in your computer. The Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor comes with the Polar’s ProTrainer 5 software, which is an advanced training analyzer for your computers. Simply transfer the data from your watch to your computer through the Polar WearLink W.I.N.D. transmitter and you are ready to go.

Aside from these features, the Polar RS800sd Heart Rate Monitor is also highly adaptable. It can be used in conjunction with a variety of training accessories and even shoes, to ensure that it can be utilized no matter the type of training that you are doing.

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User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Polar RS800
This product is excellent i have been used Polar for more than 10 years, i have the GPS and the foot sensor, as i practice mountain bike, i had some doubts because i have read in Amazon the products is not very good, but i took the risk and no regret, the only issue is the Polar software is excellent but do not have manual, only the help files and this is the only reason they do not have 5 stars.

5 Stars It works for me
I have had my RS800SD for almost a year now, and I love it. Measuring cadence has helped my running more than anything else I have done. This is the main reason that I chose it over GPS units. I took ten minutes off of my half marathon time using it for training.

I have had GPS units in the past, but found that they were not as accurate as the footpod in terms of distance (when calibrated) or altitude. I was within a hundredth of a mile of my treadmill readout on a recent 5K.

Heart rate is accurate as well. I found battery life to be adequate for my purposes. I changed them recently just because it seemed about time to do so, but had about 50 hours of running in on the batteries before doing so.

I love the unit and it has been a great training help.

2 Stars The triumph of form over function
I’ve been a Polar HR monitor owner since the mid 90′s starting with 710i, then 625x, followed by the 725x, and now the RS800SD. I consider myself a serious competitive runner and have been so for over 30 years. Polar introduced me to heart rate monitoring as key component to performance improvement with the book “Training, Lactate, Pulse rate” by Janssen, which is no longer offered by them and may not be published anymore. I have had my VO2, HR curve, and lactate threshold measured in a lab several times over the past few years. I have used this product now for almost a full year and my review will focus on what does all this functionality do to help me improve my running vs some of the other reviews here which seem enamored with purported functionality without connecting the dots for useful training feedback.

The bottom line: This is their flagship product, top of the line and top dollar but Polar seems to have chosen marketing (a shiny sexy small form factor watch with apparently lots of new functions) over solid engineering, useful software functionality, and product reliability. If you already own a 625x or 725x model there is little reason to upgrade as this is an “unfinished product”

The good:

1. Small form factor for watch and footpod

2. Improvement in ergonomics — buttons and watch face are easier to use

3. More memory — you can record longer than earlier models at the 1 second rate

4. Running stride length has been added.

The bad:

1. The footpod and HR strap via blue tooth does not seem any more accurate than previous non-blue tooth models and maybe less so regarding footpod functions. HR measurement seems as accurate as earlier models.

2. Software (Polar Pro Trainer 5) has new functions which are questionable at best and misleading at worst — namely the running “index” function which on a scale of 30 to 76 purports to give you the sum of all calculations with a number which roughly correlates with expected future performance (running times) on various races such as a 5K through a marathon.

3. Customer Service. I was told at first that the inability to record temperature on the watch was a bug in the software. Later was told that the watch could not record temperature (correct). Also was given an excuse as to why temperature was no longer recorded by the watch (users body temperature — hah! — it worked well enough on earlier models). And regarding the index calculation, I was never given the algorithm which could at least help me understand what type of math it was doing (it is a mystery to me and the algorithm seems biased to reward you with a higher index score for a lower heart rate and slow time vs a slightly higher heart rate and faster time). Instead I was given a platitude;

“It is worth to remember that in addition to good Running Index, maximal running performance demands good preparation, optimal running conditions, speed endurance and guts. Training quantity and quality have an affect as well as natural talent. The RunningIndex gives a value measured in current circumstances.”

I especially like the “guts” comment — really happy about that as I don’t know how I’ve gotten by over the past 30 years beating people without “guts”

The ugly:

1. Incomprehensible design decision to modify the altimeter sensor holes from recessed (previous polar models) to flush on the bottom of the watch resulting in erroneous readings as soon as you start to sweat (yes you read that right — sweat) and thus rendering the altimeter function of the watch largely useless unless the watch is worn in such a way (flopping on wrist or strapped to clothing) to preclude the sensor holes from clogging with sweat from your wrist.

2. Software. Looks real nice until you try to modify data. Say you got erroneous distance reading on your last run and you want to easily fix it. You won’t be able to. No simple function to correct the total distance of a run and have that correction evenly applied to entire run. This undermines the whole point of exercise comparison within the software. If you go out on two identical runs but the distance recorded by the watch varies by a few tenths of a mile there will be no easy way to correct the data.

3. Temperature. Previous models recorded temperature as a data point whenever you took a lap marker or finished the run. This model does neither requiring you to manually enter the temperature into the software.

4. The running index calculation does not take into consideration temperature (AMAZING! since the book noted at the beginning of this review showed clearly that there is a positive correlation between high temperatures and higher heart rates — you work harder to cool youself). The lack of temperature calculation (an identical run can have HR vary by 10 BPM based upon temperature) seriously undermines the usefulness of the running index function.

5. No way to tell software about different running conditions for a given distance and have that taken into consideration on the index calculation. Five miles run on a track are treated the same as five miles run on sandy roads or trails. So when you go into the comparison graphs which purportedly allow you to see at a glance trends in your running, you cannot account for different conditions on runs. Neither different temperatures or different running surfaces are considered on calculations. This seriously undermines the usefulness of comparing weeks worth of training runs in order to come up with a performance trajectory and let you know are you ready for that next race.

Until this product I rarely even considered any other HR monitoring tool. Polar may not have made “pretty” watches, but they worked. They made tools for athletes interested in maximizing their performance. The marketing department has apparently taken over the company from the engineers. The company may have “jumped the shark” with this watch and software. I hope I’m wrong and Polar surprises with its next watch. It needs to actually delivers useful functions for serious athletes and not take away functions offered from previous models (temperature and an altimeter which works reliably). And if they are going to go to the trouble of providing a number which tells all — the index number — then they better explain how that number is calculated and provide the user with the ability to modify the formula (temperature and surface conditions to start with) in order to meet variable conditions if their engineers and exercise physiologist have not already thought of everything.

And keep the marketing department out of product design until functions are firmly set and don’t represent a two steps forward, two steps back design as we see with this model.

1 Star Polar, freight and importation taxes
What bothered me the most was the fact that Amazon didn’t inform that I must pay further taxes when I would withdraw the product at the Post Office.

4 Stars Nice option for runners
I already owned most of suunto and polar heart monitors. The RS800SD is the one of my favorites. It has nice options of screens and it is very light. It seems not so robust as the 625x or 725x (I owned both). As some colleagues wrotes seems to me also that the S3 pod is not so accurated as the S1 but is lighter. I also own the RS400, if you are not looking for the running index, it comes with the S1 and coded transmitter that is easier find find spare parts (also once is a little bit darker than RS800 I prefer the looking). The main issue with Polar is the Irda interface. I already bought one Irda connector (universal non polar) that is working very well with the S725X but it is not with RS800 or RS400. Now I ordered the original Polar connector but once I use the windons Vista I am expecting problems (based on users reviews). Polar should pick an easier system suc as wired connection or bluetooth. Last point, the RS products are not designed for multi sport (biking for example)

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Suunto Running Pack Heart Rate Monitor

Running Watch Reviews — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:33:48 +0000

Suunto T3c Running Pack (T3c Heart Rate Monitor and Motion Activated Foot POD)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $269.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Now you can have all the tools you need to be able train in the best way possible with the Suunto Running Pack Heart Rate Monitor. This Suunto running pack includes the T3c wrist top training computer, the foot POD and Comfrot Belt heart rate belt ensuring that you have the perfect range of equipment necessary for tracking your running data.

Simply wear the wrist top computer, attach the POD to the laces of your shoes and they would wirelessly communicate, allowing you to easily know details about your speed, distance traveled and other pertinent running information.

Best of all, this Suunto Running Pack heart rate monitor package would not hinder your movement during training. Because it is built with light-weight materials, the gears would not be noticeable even while you are in the midst of heavy training.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars perfect training aide

The perfect information about your training status.I like the automatically adapted activity level most. It indicates very clearly whether you follow your training schedule or not.

Very reproducible foot pod numbers!! The measurement is +- 2% correct – incredible!

2 Stars not as good as it seems

With the goal of training for the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon, I sought a tool that would keep me informed during my workouts. This is not it. I read lots of reviews and also examined this item in person in a store. I purchased it hoping I would be able to navigate it’s controls more easily than other users since I consider myself technically adept. As other reviewers said (and I should have listened) this product is too difficult to operate and most importantly, the manual is unclear and incomplete.

To Amazon’s credit, the return process was remarkably easy! Full refund, postage paid, no questions asked. Thank you! Just be sure you keep ALL of your original packaging if you are as stubborn as me and decide to buy this. Otherwise, they will not likely take it back.

Subsequently, instead of choosing value as the deciding factor in picking my training tool, I chose quality. I wear a GPS enabled Garmin with a bezel/touch screen and love it. I wore it during training and as I ran and finished the WDW Marathon . I love it.

Good luck. And happy running.

5 Stars Simple and Easy

As a triathlete I’m always looking for the next magic electronic workout item. I currently love my Powertap for the bike and now I can add the T3C to that list of loves. It’s not that complex to operate compared to other systems out there. The instructions are clear for those that have used HRMs and Power meters before.

I did research on all running packs from Suunto, Polar and Garmin. The direct results from friends with the new small Garmin is that it is unreliable and the Polar too expensive and complicated. I would prefer the t6 but for the money the t3 is perfect. Plus I don’t lose reception when trail running.

I also got the bike pod and setting up the foot and bike pod is as easy as setting up a basic bike computer. The watch transitions from bike to run easily.

If you have never used an HRM before, you may find this difficult to set up as its not a simple Timex but compared to a Polar this thing was easy.

1 Star Will never by from Amazon again!

For the last probably 10 years I was a happy Amazon customer. That changed with my last Running Pack order. Amazon priced out the pack for $148.25. I found that a really great deal compared to other companies so I went ahead and bought it. The real seller of the product was `Watchsavings’ (or Jomashop) which sent me the product by UPS ground. But it turned out that they sent me the wrong product. So I called in and requested the running pack I ordered and what would be the best way to proceed. First of all, `Watchsavings’ told me that they don’t have the product al all and it was Amazon’s mistake they put it on their website for that “great deal”. They suggested that I send the wrong product back and order the pack instead from `Jomashop’ (was out of stock). Next thing was I called Amazon and they told me that it was Watchsavings’ product and I would have to deal with them! Great!! At that time I checked the Amazon website again for the T3 Running pack and now they offered it from another seller for $250, not really the amount I spent. What great situation: none of these two felt somehow responsible for the mistake or was able to deliver the product I ordered for the price I (of course) already paid. I sent the wrong delivery back to Watchsavings and got finally after one month my money back. I ordered the T3 running pack with another Internet seller, which was still cheaper that Amazon and provided an excellent service compared to Amazon or Watchsavings. I gave one star because I got my money back. Do not by from Amazon! Either they want to sell something they don’t have or they don’t feel responsible for the seller on their profile. I’m really, really disappointed with such a professional company!

4 Stars Great training watch

I have used the system for 4 weeks by now and the watch is really great for training. The watch has a good strap that is solid and with a good grip. The watch is overall a good watch with clear reading of the display. The information presented is OK.

The revised heartrate monitor is a significant improvement over the old one. The old would would not reliably provide heart rate information, those problem are all gone with the new model.

The watch provides a lot of information and the interface to the PC is awesome. I am much happier with this system compared to the T3 I had before.

The alarm on the watch is not easily accessible and also not very loud, so the watch has some weaknesses as a general utility.

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Polar FS2 Heart Rate Monitor Watch Black

Running Watch Reviews — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:39:09 +0000

Polar FS2 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $79.95

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Training is not just about doing the most difficult physical activity you could find. You should always take into account your personal fitness level and adjust accordingly. This is where the Polar FS2 Heart Rate Monitor (HSM) watch can help in your training.

The Polar FS2 helps you accurately measure your heart rate and provide you with the data that you need in order to adjust your training intensity. You would be able to know whether a particular exercise is over training or under training your body.

Using a very intuitive interface and one-touch button functionality, you could be able to set up the Polar FS2 HRM to alert you about your target rates. It would then display exercise information about your exercise, in its easy to read digital display.

These features and easy to configure and use functions make the Polar FS2 Heart Rate Monitor Watch a great watch for people who want to train properly.

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User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars reivew of Polar FS2 Heart rate monitor
I had the old model of this model and it lasted me over 5 years. Based on that, and the other reviews I read about this model, I decided to try the FS2. It is great!! It is a very good basic heart rate monitor. No bells and whistles, but I was looking for simple. I highly recommend reading through the manual, which is very short. It will give you some great tips so you can utilize the few features it does have, such as min/max heart rate limits, etc. All and all, a great buy. I’ve only had it a couple of months, so I don’t know about the battery life. Hopefully it will perform as well as the old one did!

4 Stars Fine Product and Excellent Service
Polar FS2 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black)

I ordered this for my daughter because it’s considered the best. When it arrived, it was defective and the screen was blank. I reported this to Amazon. Immediately, I received a prepaid shipping label to return the defective item. Within three days, I received a replacement, faster than I thought possible. The replacement works PERFECTLY.

I am THRILLED with the outstanding customer service and recommend this product highly.

5 Stars Polar Monitor
Takes a little getting used to, but once I understood the functions, it works great. Keeps me from exceeding HR objectives, both for me and my clients.

4 Stars Easy to use and simple
This watch does exactly what most people need, and is incredibly easy to use.

There are only a couple of things that keep me from giving it 5 stars, and that has more to do with me not thinking through everything I want:

1. A backlight would have been handy.

2. Minimum heart rate (in addition to max and average) is nice for resting heart rate measurements. (However, if you wait long enough, the average will approach the min.)

3. Ability to store more than one session. I frequently do multiple cardio sessions while at the gym. It would be have a log of all of the cardio sessions I did that day.

Overall, though, I’m very happy with it. It gets the job done.

4 Stars polar
It was east to set up, It has great visibility. Large numbers on the face makes it easy for an old guy like me to use.

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