I bought this at the expo for the Marine Corps Marathon and have used it a few times since. The official debut release is at the NY ING Marathon in November.It is easy to set what you want your three or four lines to display (I recommend three so the middle one is larger). Lot of options for what you want displayed (Pace, Time, Average Pace, Distance, HR, etc.). I started it when I crossed the starting line and ended it as soon as I crossed the finish line, and it said 26.54 miles (.34 miles off over 26.2 miles is amazing accuracy, plus I probably ran that much getting around people). User interface is easier than some other GPS watches I''ve looked at. Features are comparable or better than the Garmin one at this price point, the software used is ''training peaks'' which you can look through before you purchase the watch. Training Peaks does have a ''premium'' feature that lets you plan future workouts but the free version of the application is adequate.
I also bought the HRM and foot pod (same size as the Nike+ one but has a little clip for your laces). Foot pod will let you use the watch to track a workout on the treadmill and also will let you see a count of your paces (good for post workout review When I went slow were my legs moving slower or did I shorten my stride? Now I know it''s my stride). I think the advertised battery life is 8 hrs, I had the GPS on for over 5 hours and still had 1 of 4 battery bars, it will get you through a slow marathon.
The watch is large, but on the smaller end of GPS watches. As a 28 year old girl I''m not used to big watches but I don''t find it too bulky and it stayed in place.
So far I would highly recommend this GPS watch.
"Because 26.3 miles would be crazy."
I still like these features.
The auto-Split (Lap) calculator (either distance or time); I am using distance, where every mile ran my Split/Lap time recorded and displayed. Keeping track in real-time heart rate and pace are invaluable features during a run. I have compared the Timex Heart Monitor to a high dollar treadmill, during a 1:10:00 run, the readings were within 3 BPM when comparing the two sensors. TrainingPeaks web application provides sensor data analysis.
Update: Jan 2nd 2012, After contacting TrainingPeaks support team with a question regarding their web site, they stated I was not using the Timex Free upgraded web version; they updated my account. If your TrainingPeaks account does not state Timex Ironman on the web page header, you are not subscribing to the Timex upgraded free version, which provides several additional options over the basic version.
Update: Jan 13th, I am updating my review and lowering the score from 5 to 3 stars, due to GPS recording stopping during my run. A firmware update was released on Jan 12 2012, as I am told by Timex support to address this situation.
If you upgrade the firmware, you may have to update the device agent software first, Timex Web site will instruct you. If this latest update is the answer, I will change my rating.
Update: Jan 21st the GPS Stops have not occurred since the firmware update. Rating now 5 stars.
I have been in contact with Timex (H/W, F/W) and TrainingPeaks (S/W), their support has been very responsive.
Recent Timex Q&A responses, information that the user manual does not provide.
1. Recording is the interval Sensor data is captured?
Recording affects all saved data, whether it is chrono or interval timer modes.
2. Smoothing How does this effect Sensor data capture?
Smoothing is for display only. Actual data is saved in the watch database.
3. How can Recording and Smoothing combined be beneficial?
Recording increase recording rate to have more accurate track information or decrease to save memory (for longer workouts). Smoothing can be used to have smaller changes to pace, speed or altitude. Turn off smoothing to get a more accurate, yet jumpier data feed.
4. Did you have any feedback regarding auto start/stop feature?
If you press stop manually, you have to press start manually to start up again. Pressing the button manually overrides the auto start/auto stop.
Update: Apr. 1st. Been run training since Jan 2012 for a 1/2 Marathon Relay run, my coworkers encouraged me to run the 1/2 Marathon. Since I have never ran past 7 miles during training, I was going to run based on Heart Rate. Based on my training I knew that a Heart Rate of 150-155 BPM would be my endurance pace, which a rate I ran until mile 11.5. At mile 11.5 I step up the pace to a Heart Rate of 160-165 BPM and at mile 12.5 increased my Heart Rate to 170, peaking at 180 BPM. Wanted to provide this data, to compare the Chip time to the Run Trainer timing. This watch has not failed me since the Jan 13th firmware update. GPS tracking is spot on. Monitoring the Display updates are very helpful in maintaining your real-time run pace, HR tracking.
Chip Time
FINISH 02:39:49
Avg. Pace 12:12
My Timex Run Trainer watch calculated:
Mileage: 13.13
Duration: 02:39:46
Avg Pace 12:09 min/mile
Update: Apr 17th,
Response to the GARMIN Forerunner 305 comparison review.
I have utilized my Timex Run Trainer for 4 months now as a consumer; I no way represent Timex or TrainingPeaks.
However, I would like to see accurate review of the Run Trainer. My responses noted by (DG).
Some quotes given below were taken from the Run Trainer User Guide, which are subject to change based on Timex product development.
DC Rainmaker blog provides an excellent review of the Timex Run Trainer GPS watch.
(search for ''dc rainmaker timex-run-trainer-gps-in-depth-review'')
-SOFTWARE:
(DG) No issues with Run Trainer (RT) Firmware V12 (Jan 9, 2012) and V13 (Jul 8, 2012).
Requires Device Agent (PC to RT Driver interface)to be updated as a prerequisite.
No issue encountered with updates. Using my (RT) 3-4 times a week, I have no BUGS to report. Solid performance.
-LAP PACE, LAP AVERAGE PACE, LAP DISTANCE, LAP HR, LAP AVERAGE HR:
(DG) These mention data points are available in both Display and Review Modes.
(To locate the (RT) manual, search for ''timex Product_Instruction_Guides_Downloads'')
-INTERVAL SETTING BASED ON DISTANCE (ONLY TIME):
(DG) Interval Goals can also be set for the amount of distance or altitude you want to achieve.
-UPLOAD YOUR FILES:
(DG) Device Manager operating on your PC retrieves the data file from the Run Trainer and via TrainingPeaks
the specific work out file can be uploaded and imported for the given calendar day.
-TRAINING PEAKS PROVIDES BASICS (MAP ROUTE/HR CHART) NOT TRAINING OR ANY OTHER TRAINING RELATED VALUABLE OPTIONS:
(DG) Training Peaks provides an upgraded version for Timex Run Trainer, not just basic version.
Each or All Lap(s); analysis for HR, Distance, Duration, NGP Pace, rTSS, Elevation. Min/Avg/Max HR, Speed, Pace, Elev.
Total Weekly Mileage, Duration and Calories are given as a summary on the TrainingPeaks Calendar.
*Check out the customer photos I added to the product page, two depict TrainingPeaks snapshots.
BTW my GARMIN running buddies like the TrainingPeaks analysis tool.
-MULTIPLE DISPLAYS ONLY WORK WHEN YOU HAVE A SENSOR TURNED ON (TIMER DISPLAY WILL NOT CHANGE UNLESS SENSOR IS ON).
(DG) Display only updates for the Sensor that is enabled to report. Can not report data if not present.
Display Run, Custom-1 or Custom-2 can be configured to display 3 or 4 line data information based
on your configuration selection. If the sensor disabled, then data point is not displayed when not in use, other enabled
data is display in real-time. For example, if I only want to monitor HR I enable it. Also, the ability to disable the sensors
will save on battery consumption. During my cool down after a run, I will disable the GPS and enable HR only for monitoring.
(just my preference)
-RUNS WILL GLITCH AND NOT DOWNLOAD OR POST INCORRECTLY.
(DG) Never encounter this issue, upload sensor data files after 9 months of use; 121 uploads to PC and TrainingPeaks to date (9/17/2012).
-GPS TIME DOES NOT REFLECT CURRENT TIME ZONE OR NO OPTION FOR GPS TIME W/ ZONE OFFSET.
(DG) (RT) You can set up to 3 time zones -manually, through the computer Device Agent, or by using the GPS signal.
NOTE: The GPS automatically sets the time to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). When you set only the hours to the local time, the watch
will automatically correct the minutes and seconds. You will need to set the correct date.
-GPS VS ANT POD = ANT POD WINS. EVEN IF YOU DON''T WANT TO UTILIZE ANT POD, NO OPTION FOR USER TO CHOOSE.
GARMIN Forerunner 305 are proprietary sensors, you must buy GARMIN.
(DG) Pod data is more accurate pace reporting in real-time monitoring, especially when not running in a straight line (trails).
If both the GPS and Foot Pod sensors are supplying distance and speed data, the Foot Pod takes priority for Hands Free operations.
Timex HR and Foot Pod are ANT+; If you already own a ANT+ sensor, its compatible.
-AUDIBLE ALERT ONLY WORKS WITH HR OR PACE OR SPEED. NO AVG HR, AVG SPEED, AVG PACE.
Checking the GARMIN Forerunner 305 user manual no option for AVG alerting capability.
(DG) Alerts triggered: pace or speed minimum and maximum, cadence maximum and minimum steps per minute,
goals for the amount of distance or altitude
-AUDIBLE ALERT DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR WARM UP/COOL DOWN (IT WILL GET ANNOYING FOR THAT FIRST WARM-UP MILE) AND IT DOES NOT UPDATE ACCORDING TO YOUR AVERAGE PACE OR LAP PACE (BECAUSE THERE IS NO LAP AVERAGE! SILLY ME).
(DG) Available for displayed are Pace & Average Pace and Distance
When the time has run out on the first interval, an alert sounds and the next interval begins.
When all intervals are complete and more than one repetition has been set, the first interval begins again.
This continues until all repetitions are complete.
* Hold START to stop timing the current interval and begin timing the next.
* You can set goals for the amount of distance or altitude you want to achieve during this interval.
-NO DISTANCE BASED INTERVALS. WATCH WILL NOT LET YOU SET DISTANCE GOALS AS INTERVALS.
(DG) You can set goals for the amount of distance or altitude you want to achieve during this interval.
An alert sounds when you have reached this goal.
-AUTO LAP VS MANUAL LAP = MANUAL LAP WINS AND AUTO LAP WINS TOO. MEANING? IT WILL MANUAL LAP AND AUTO LAP SO IF YOU MANUAL LAP AT.90 MILES (LAP 1) IT WILL AUTO LAP AT 1.0 MILES (LAP 2) SO YOU WILL HAVE A RANDOM .10 LAP IN YOUR INTERVALS.
(DG) User has the ability to enable or disable the AUTO LAP. I just let auto Lap manage by my configured Lap distance.
-DISTANCE DOES NOT RESET WHEN "START NEW LAP".
GARMIN Forerunner 305 workout is reset creating a new Lap location.
(DG) Stop/Reset/Start to start a new workout.
When only Watch Lap Button is selected a new lap is registered and lap distance restarted, watch data Chrono, Review Modes and
TrainingPeaks S/W will detail the new Lap.
-TRAINING PEAKS VS TIMEX
(DG) TIMEX manages H/W and F/W. TRAINING PEAKS manages S/W. Both support teams are accessible and responsive. I have utilized their expertise multiple times.
Run Trainer Feature
(DG) Drink and Eat timers to remind you when to hydrate and consume calories
Product enhancements I would welcome.
-AUDIBLE ALERT (NO DIFFERENCE IN TONES).
(DG) I have requested Timex for Alert volume adjustment.
Update: Sept 09, 2012
V13 Firmware update includes an improvement.
*****
-NO RUNNING HEADING (S,N,E,W) OR RUNNING START POINT RETURN. LIKE TO GO ON LONG RUNS IN NEW PLACES?
BRING ANOTHER GPS WITH YOU TO BRING YOU BACK IN-CASE YOU GET LOST.
(DG) A GARMIN Forerunner 305 feature. Not all manufactures beat to the same drum.
GARMIN Forerunner 305 does not have a map supplied, not sure the bang for buck here. When you are lost, better ask for directions.
Update: Sept 09, 2012
Still enjoy using my Run Trainer 4-5 times a week, results with great accuracy and reliability.
I updated my Run Trainer to V13 on July 8th.
V13 Run Trainer Firmware update includes enhancement for audible alert tone:
Use full melody alert for all hands-free Chrono split/lap recording
Use full melody alert for any intervals greater than 5 seconds
V16 Run Trainer Firmware has been available since Aug 30th.
Search for "Timex Device Agent Training Resources". Both Device Agent and Firmware (see top of page) updates are available with release notes.
Buy Timex Full-Size T5K575 Ironman Run Trainer GPS HRM Watch Now
ABOUT ME I am a veteran of the GPS watch industry and a total technogeek. I have had almost every model of Garmin since the original Forerunner came out. I have had a few heart-rate watches from Timex as well. I also use a GPS app on my Android phones. So I have a lot to compare with. (Note: I am a runner and not a biker or swimmer, so take this for what it''s worth.)SUMMARY I give this product three stars but expect that to go up with time. Here are the details:
EASE OF USE After using it for a while, I have come to the conclusion that Timex has found a good balance between functionality and features. There''s a lot you can do with this watch, and it must not be easy to figure out which buttons to assign to which functions when designing something like this. At first it was confusing, but I futzed around with it and downloaded the onsite manual, and now I''m good.
ACCURACY GPS-wise, It''s pretty perfect. It takes a good long while sometimes to lock onto a signal, but once locked, I haven''t lost it yet except for running through an underpass. I just ran a half marathon yesterday and my watch tracked it as 13.15 miles. That''s statistically perfect, being only 0.05 miles off (assuming the mile markers were positioned exactly!) and that is a common experience for me with this watch. My best estimate is that it is accurate within less than a half a percent. (I haven''t correlated the heart rate monitor''s results with anything, so I am assuming it works fine.)
PC INTERFACE The spring-loaded USB clip is awesome. The software is another story. There are two software components, the Timex device agent and Training Peaks software. I won''t say much about Training Peaks because it is so feature-rich it probably deserves its own review. You get a detailed map of your run, complete with graphs of altitude, heart rate, pace, etc. It has all the social media hooks to share your latest great workout with the world. Really good.
The Timex device agent is another story. Every time I try to use it, it tells me a new version of the firmware is available and asks if I would like to download it. If I select Download Now, it takes me to the website where the latest version of the firmware is over a month old or more, and I know I''ve already got it on my watch. Annoying. Also, this agent wants to upload ALL the runs from my watch EVERY time, and it takes a REALLY long time to upload all the runs, of which I don''t have that many yet. Double annoying.
And the worst thing of all: when I plugged my watch in this morning to upload my half marathon from yesterday, it told me there were no new runs to upload. When I checked my watch, ALL THE RUNS HAD DISAPPEARED OFF THE WATCH! ARGH! So I have no record of anything I have recorded with this watch left on the watch itself. (It''s still in Training Peaks at least.) I have NO record of my half marathon run yesterday because the watched blanked out before I could upload it. Luckily I keep two backups of my run times and distances, one on Google Docs, one on CardioTracker (an Android app).
So my advice is to wait until Timex works out the software bugs, or at the very least, don''t expect to save your workouts on the watch. Other than that I really like this watch.
Read Best Reviews of Timex Full-Size T5K575 Ironman Run Trainer GPS HRM Watch Here
This watch is absolutely awesome! The setup and functionality of the watch is simple and user friendly. However, if you find yourself having difficulty I recommend viewing the TimexUSA videos uploaded on YouTube. The videos are straight forward and very descriptive. The GPS function of the watch has been 100 percent accurate when compared to my vehicle''s odometer readings, and the Sports Tracker app on my Android phone. Highly recommend for runners of all levels.Timex Men''s Ironman Run Trainer Speed and Distance with Heart Rate Monitor WatchWant Timex Full-Size T5K575 Ironman Run Trainer GPS HRM Watch Discount?
The good:Quickly links to satellites
Accurate distance mapping
Reasonable battery life
Saves up to 30 workouts for later review
Collects more information than I can use
Can automatically measure splits at user-set distances giving time and average hr
It''s large but looks much nicer than competitors
Up to four lines of display that are fairly easy to read, even for an old guy
Functions nicely as a watch when not working out
The bad:
You have to make sure sensors are off when not in use or the battery will drain out before your next workout;
It''s too easy to accidentally turn the sensors on when they are not needed--resulting in battery drain and a dead watch the next time you want to use it;
Does not give maximum hr per split--only for entire workout;
The online "Training Peaks" program is way too involved offering options that any experienced athlete will not care to use--Garmin''s is much simpler, user friendly and more useful--I use a different free on-line service to log my workouts
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