Timex Global Trainer Heart Rate and GPS Watch

Get pace, speed, distance, and more on your wrist. With SiRFstarIII GPS technology and ANT+ compatibility, this Ironman Global Trainer GPS watch from Timex records your performance across several dimensions--including pace, speed, distance, and more--providing real-time data on a customizable screen. The watch measures your location with altitude ascent and descent distances and rates, records up to 100 location waypoints to track back and create routes, and recalls up to 50 custom routes for pace tracking. The device offers six modes of operation including performance and multisport modes. The SiRFstarIII GPS technology requires no calibration.

Even though I know there are spoof reviews and people who write reviews just to rant, I am thankful for all the candid reviews I read about this watch. Economics (the low price) were a very driving factor but I did not want to piss $130 on a piece of junk. I am a graphic design/web dude by trade and all I can say is that whomever wrote the code for the Training Peaks software must be having great sex with the CEO's wife or daughter. The UI (user-interface) is worse than a high-school project. Windows within windows within windows. So many violations of UI laws of design. What I suspect is the Training Peaks (COMPETITOR GROUP) met with the Timex folks and SOLD them that their software was going to be the key to their successful sales of the watch. REALLY BAD and igno move on Timex. The Garmin software is easy to understand but far from perfect and Garmin updates always seemed very peculiar and half-ass.

Ok, on to the watch. BTW, anyone that knows anything should have already read DC Rainmakers reviews of this watch and every other gadget under the sun. That guy knows how to review. He wrote his review of this watch before the new firmware release and he gave it a thumbs up and actually I refer to his website just to learn what this watch can do.

Size: I have big wrists and wear it daily to work. I charge it at night and it charges quickly. The displays are easy to read and once you learn how to customize your screens, it is great.
GPS: The signal has been very reliable for me here in Las Vegas. One time thus far I have had to reboot the watch a couple of times to get a signal.
Shockproof: Another feature I like about Ironman watches and was interested in this, is that it seems to have good shock proof. I dropped my Garmin 405 about 2 feet and it cracked the bezel.
Buttons: Easy to use
Export File: Ok, this is where so many reviewers showed their ignorance. YOU CAN export your tracks to a Google .KML file. Then, using the free Babel softward you can convert that to a .gpx file type and upload to any of your favorite workout sites. I want to reiterate this. Even though the free Training Peaks software sucks, you can upload your workout to the free Training Peaks software and export the file as a .kml filetype. It might take to a while to figure this out but it can be done. running watches with gps

I have also come to realize as a triathlete having a watch for open water swimming is ridiculous. Most people end up putting the watch under their swim cap but that was too much of a pain for me. I just purchased to the goggle mount Finis gps unit for $100...so, especially for a race....I can log my swim yardage and time, throw my goggles in my transition bag and then click my watch for the balance of the bike and run.

I am NOT a fan of the multisport application but I have only toggled that on once so I might need how to learn it more.

I have had no problem connecting to my Windows Vista computer.

The heart rate monitor works great.

Ok...so, if ultimately my decision was based on economics.....as it stands this is how I would better rate this watch:

If this watch cost $300 I would NOT purchase it -
If this watch cost $250 I would NOT purchase it -
If this watch cost $225 I would seriously consider purchasing it -
If this watch cost $200 I would purchase it -

If this watch ever comes out with a different software program I would happily pay $300+ for it.

Paying $500 for a Garmin watch is absolutely ridiculous and the new Finis product will definitely put a nick in that business. Once racers start seeing how much better it is to have a swim-specific device, this Timex is the right price for a good product.

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