Running Watch Reviews » Split Times

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.

Buy/More Info

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

Buy/More Info

Share and Enjoy:

Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black Volcano

Running Watch Reviews — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:05:41 +0000

Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch (Black Volcano)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $239.00

Amazon Price: $204.99

The Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch enables you to create and track the very best training program for your body.

The Heart rate monitor allows you to track just how intense you’re workout is through its built in heart rate monitor functionalities. You would be able to see if your body is getting the burn it needs from the work out that you are doing. It provides data for real-time heart rate; calories burned, and even heart rate alarms.

Aside from simple monitoring the Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch even has built-in training software. It has the Coach software that enables you to know how to long and how intense to train each day. It even adjusts the rest of your ten-day cycle to ensure you get enough exercise during each phase of training.

With all of these features, the Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch is a great training partner for people looking to get the best for their body.

Specifications:

Color: Black volcano
Stopwatch: Yes
Max number of split times in memory: 50
Timers (interval and warm-up): Yes
Average heart rate: Real time
Training effect: Real time
Calories: Real time
ANT digital coded signal: Yes
Memory capacity: 15 logs
HR limits and HR zones: Yes
Suunto heart rate belt: Compatible, sold separately
Suunto comfort belt: Included
Suunto memory belt: Compatible, sold separately
Water resistance: 100 feet
Selectable metric/imperial units: Yes
Menu-based user interface: Yes
Dot-matrix display: Yes
Backlight type: Electro-luminescent display
User-replaceable strap: Yes
Software: Suunto Training Manager Lite
Low battery warning: Yes
User-replaceable battery: Yes
Suunto Coach personal training program: Yes
Button lock: Yes
Compatible with pods: Yes
Watch: 12/24 hour
Calendar clock: Yes
Dual time: Yes
Daily alarms: 1

Buy/More Info

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Useless!
I loved the look, feel, and the features this heart rate monitor provides, and I so wanted to keep it. However, if you use it while you move your arms around other than a stationary position you will lose your HR and therefore not have an accurate picture of your workout. I replaced the batteries in both the belt and the watch, paired the belt to the watch but it continued to lose the HR if my wrist went behind my back or over my head. I even returned it and bought it from a different store hoping to correct the problem. Both watches experienced the same situation. In desperately wanting to keep it, I researched and found this to be a common problem with Suunto. I have been a long time Polar user, but HATE the look of every single one of them, so I really was looking for the same quality. Unfortunately,Suunto isn’t the one.

5 Stars perfect HR m.
SO I bought this watch, in need of a heart rate monitor and since I already owned a Suunto watch I thought I would love this one too. I LOVE IT! It’s comfortable, it’s easy to use once you figure out all the little applications, it’s a good size for women. I’m still finding cool little things out about the watch. I suggest you buy the wireless PC Pod too and it will also log your RPMs if you buy a bike pod or even distance if you buy a GPS pod or foot pod. The PC pod will log all your workouts on your PC. I am about to purchase that. The coach on the watch give you the option to follow it but it does not punish you if you don’t. The training effect is confusing at first but when you log your workouts it gives you a range to categorize each workout. I love this watch/ HRM and would recommend it to active women who are into gadgets.

2 Stars excellent but you have to praid for function works
this watch is excellent but mine works really bad, i bought it 3 weeks ago and never works on calories burned.. for example, I did 40 min of a hard spinning class and the watch said that I burned 30kcal at 84% average,,, poor watch… if you can buy a polar! i realized that a lot of users have severals problems with T series, pls find differents forum on the web and see them….

5 Stars I Lovit I Lovit I Lovit I Lovit
This is a sweet piece of gear. I’ve been using it for about a month now. It works great and gathers a lot of data.

The watch itself is comfortable the band works especially well, (mine is the black volcano). A friend has a Suunto T4C as well, (his is the black frost), but his band is a little different. I will agree with other reviews that the face is prone to scratching. With this in mind I use mine only for workouts. The interface isn’t too difficult to figure out. Had it totally figured out after about 4 workouts. I saw a lot of reviews complaining about the complexity however with all the things this thing does the 5 buttons are easy enough to work with. My Timex was about as difficult to figure out.

The chest strap is OK. About as comfortable as a chest strap is going to be. It took a week or so to figure out exactly where to place the strap on my chest and how tight was tight enough. Once the chest strap placement is determined this thing rarely loses heartrate once it has captured it.

I could take or leave the coach function. It usually tells me to do long low intensity workouts or to rest. I haven’t really done much with the coach function as a result.

The data that the T4C can store is pretty extensive. There is detailed workout data available for the 14 most recent workouts. This data includes duration, training effect, average heart rate, peak heart rate, calories burned, and lap times (if using the lap timer). I don’t have the PC interface but transfer the infomation manually to a spreadsheet every few days. Long term data is available (totals) for the current week, the previous week, current month, and the previous 11 months. This data includes the number of workouts, total workout time, total running distance (Foot Pod), total bike distance (Bike Pod), total GPS distance (GPS Pod), and total calories burned.

I don’t have the Foot, Bike, or GPS POD paired devices.

I’ve found it most helpful when lifting. I’ve set heartrate targets for starting my next set so my weight workouts remain in a cardio zone. Prior to having the watch I’d just wait until if felt like my heartrate had dropped enough. Now I have hard data to start the next set.

Spent a lot of time researching before buying. I recommend buying something really cheap that you won’t mind throwing away when it fails/battery dies or buy something decent. This is something decent. Things that drew me to the Suunto T4C is a coded system. You won’t get crosstalk in a spin class with others using a monitor. With the Suunto you can change your own batteries. Most of the Polar monitors have to be sent back to the manufacturer for battery replacement, (read the reviews). The only other monitor that I considered was the Garmin Forerunner 305. Picked the Suunto T4C based on word of mouth of a friend, and I have no regrets.

That’s about all I have to say about that.

4 Stars Suunto T4C
I have had the watch for a little more than a month now. I would say it is a very large step up from my Polar RS100. However I have a few complaints:

1. The backlight only works some of the time.

2. The screen scratches very easily

Other than that the watch is awesome.

Buy/More Info

Share and Enjoy:

Timex Unisex Ironman 30 Lap Resin Strap Watch T5K018

Running Watch Reviews — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:02:21 +0000

Timex Unisex T5K018 Ironman 30-Lap Resin Strap Watch

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $49.95

Amazon Price: $32.00

The creators of the Timex Ironman 30 Lap Resin Strap Watch understands that intense training means intense activity. That’s why they have made it as fully functional as possible while having the capability to withstand all the difficulties of extreme training.

The sturdy construction of the Timex Ironman makes it perfect for a all kinds of trainers, from the weekend runners to the competitive triathletes. It is even made to resist water from 330 feet. The watch is constructed from a lightweight plastic case, a stationary blue plastic bezel, and a strong, gray resin wristband with an adjustable buckle clasp for a personalized fit. The display is also shielded by a mineral window.

This tough build is made to shield the internal components from the wear and tear of running, cycling, swimming or any kind of training.

The durable exterior shields a fully functional watch. Powered by digital quartz movement, the Timex Ironman 30 Lap Resin Strap Watch is able to provide a whole host of features that make it ideal for training. It boasts of 30-lap memory, easy to use chronograph training log, on-the-fly lap recall, and interval training options that can all be accessed through the four buttons around the bezel.

Buy/More Info

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Timex Unisex Ironman #T5K018
I bought this watch to help me train for my first half-marathon. Has all the standard features we’re used to with digital watches, time, date, chrono w/split times, etc. You can also program occasions like birthdays, meetings, and anniversaries so you don’t forget to stop and buy flowers during your run. The feature I use the most on this watch is the countdown timer. BEWARE!! I’m about 5’10″ and 160lbs and have small wrists which prompted me to go for the unisex model; however, the watch case is more a ladies or teen size. I only wear it for running so it doesn’t bother me too much, but my buddies would have a good time of it if I wore this out to the bar.

5 Stars practical watch
This watch is great for running and easy to use. It’s perfect for a woman’s wrist, as it has a thin band and is grayish purple in color.

Buy/More Info

Share and Enjoy:

Suunto t3 Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black Polished

Running Watch Reviews — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:20:49 +0000

Suunto t3 Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch (Black Polished)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $199.99

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Customize your training according to your needs with the Suunto t3 Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch.

The Sunnto T3 features a built-in training effect programming that provides you with an accurate training routine that matches your personal fitness level. Using its chronograph and heart rate monitor, it gathers enough personal fitness data such as calorie burn and heart rate and tries to determine how intense the runner’s training should be.It also has computer analysis through the included Suunto Training Lite software!

Now you have a guide as to whether you should go for a full out competitive training program or just take a leisurely stroll around the park.

You can even pair your heart rate monitor with the HR belt and an optional Suunto training pod to make it more suited for the kind of training that you want! The built-in interference free ANT transmission in the Suunto T3 ensures easy connection with all optional devices.

Despite all of the loaded features, the Suunto t3 Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch is very easy to carry around. The lightweight but durable plastic used in the housing and the included chest strap ensures that you won’t have to worry about the watch interfering with your training.

Specifications:

Color: Polished black
Stopwatch: Yes
Max number of split times in memory: 50
Timers (interval and warm-up): Yes
Average heart rate: Real time
Training effect: Real time
Calories: Real time
ANT digital coded signal: Yes
Memory capacity: 15 logs
HR limits and HR zones: Yes
Suunto heart rate belt: Yes
Suunto comfort belt: Compatible, sold separately
Suunto memory belt: Compatible, sold separately
Water resistance: 100 feet
Selectable metric/imperial units: Yes
Menu-based user interface: Yes
Dot-matrix display: Yes
Backlight type: Electro-luminescent display
User-replaceable strap: Yes
Software: Suunto Training Manager Lite
Low battery warning: Yes
User-replaceable battery: Yes
Button lock: Yes
Compatible with pods: Yes
Watch: 12/24 hour
Calendar clock: Yes
Dual time: Yes
Daily alarms: 1

Buy/More Info

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Used or Brand New
I purchased a used T3 (from a retail store) with a dead battery, scratches on the face and no manuals. After replacing the battery, I downloaded the manuals from the American Suunto website (www.SuuntoWatches.com) and found it was easier to understand by looking at the pictures in the user manual while reading the quick start guide. The features are advanced enough to track multi-disciplined or complex training sessions.

The HR monitor will not work very well without inputting your personal stats: height, weight, DOB, gender. I kept the activity level at 5, which is the default setting. “PolyWatch” creme removed all of the scratches. Then I put a Zagg (www.zagg.com) protective film over the face to prevent future scratches.

My T3 looks better than brand new. It was worth taking the time to learn how to use it.

1 Star I don’t recommend this HR Monitor
I do not recommend this product. I have used several Polar Brand HR Monitors over the years and found them to be extremely beneficial for my training efforts. This product has been a problem from the start. I finally figured out that the battery in the chest strap was bad and replaced it. It is till showing clearly bad numbers for the Heart Rate. The watch is difficult to set up and the numbers are hard to read. Sadly I discarded the original packaging so I can’t return it to Amazon and am forced to deal with Suunto’s warranty program.

3 Stars Decent HRM
I have used this several times and it works well, I like knowing where my HR is and how many calories I’ve burned. In my opinion, it’s not very intuitive, so be prepared to use the manual, and the face does scratch pretty easily. I have had issues in my kickboxing class where the watch cannot find the belt, I’m guessing because of interference with other HRMs. It also doesn’t fit under my (boxing) gloves, which is a hassle, I’ve given up using it during class and have just been using it for biking.

2 Stars Very Disappointed
I purchased the Suunto t3 because it indicated it could be used for swimming.

“Your Sunnto t3 is water resistent up to 30m/100ft and the transmitter belt to

20m/66ft according to ISO 2281 standard.”

My primary use was to be for my swim training and it also has the Lap time so I thought it would be a useful training piece for my ‘technical arsenol’.

It does NOT track HR while in the pool – in fact, pretty much the second my chest was submerged, it lost contact.

Returning product and going back to Polar!

1 Star Terrible User Guide
I returned the watch within 24 hours because I could not understand the user manual and coordinate set-up or on going functions . Also, tried calling customer support and was informed that they were experiencing long wait periods. Waited over 20 minutes, hung up and decided the watch was not for me.

Buy/More Info

Share and Enjoy: