Recently I gave my Gymboss to a friend and decided to try out this timer instead of getting another Gymboss, just for the hell of it. Have been pretty happy with the Gymboss, just wanted to experiment with something new and I had enjoyed the previous generation Everlast timer (see link below) except that it limits you to only 2 or 3 minute work intervals, which is fine for boxing workouts but useless for everything else, especially Tabata.Pros:
User Interface (button system) is significantly more intuitive than the famously UN-intuitive Gymboss...however, see the first Con.
Larger, easier-to-read display than Gymboss.
Far, FAR better instructions paper than Gymboss...no comparison here!
Comes with an elastic velcro armband, for those who prefer to use that instead of clipping it to your waistband. (of course, you could probably buy a generic armband for the Gymboss for a couple bucks on eBay.)
"Lock" function so that keys can''t be accidentally pushed during use...not on Gymboss.
Nice big un-confusable "Start/Pause" button, rather than identically sized ones on the Gymboss.
Choice of 0, 10, or 30 second warning for end of work round.
Choice of 3 different types of bell alarms, plus vibrate on/off.
Two AAA batteries are housed not in one compartment but two separate ones, on each side of the device---this provides for more balanced weight distribution, and I would expect two batteries to last longer than the single AAA of the Gymboss.
Bigger belt clip is much easier to get on and off your waistband than the smaller and super-tight belt clip of the Gymboss.
Belt clip is removable, in case you want to use the 4 magnets on the back of the unit if you want to stick it on your fridge or some other metal surface.
With shipping, this unit is two bucks less than the Gymboss.
Cons:
Not quite as easy to figure out right off the bat as the previous generation Everlast Digital Round Timer...rather disappointing! I still had to refer to the directions, whereas with the older Everlast timer I could just wing it right out of the box.
SIZE: Bulkier than Gymboss, but this is a matter of personal preferences/tastes...a petite woman might not be crazy about that.
COLOR: Comes only in bright yellow, whereas the Gymboss has a handsome dark gray, a plasticky-looking silver, and a very girly pink. The Gymboss dark gray and pink both have a rubberized coating which is quite pleasant at the tactile level.
ALARM: Boxing-themed bell alarm is kind of grating and unpleasantly distorted, compared to the simpler and more effective (esp. in a noisy gym) generic BEEP of the Gymboss.
BUILD QUALITY: There are several gaps/seams in the plastic body which my fingernail could actually get inside of---this suggests that this device might not be as sweatproof as the seamless Gymboss.
Personally, I would give this product five stars if only it didn''t have the annoying bell-chime, but I guess that''s just part of the Everlast boxing-centric brand image.
=== UPDATE, 11.08.2012
Well, one glaring CON to this timer I have only discovered today: it is sensitive to low temperatures. I took it with me for a Tabata workout outdoors today...about 38 degrees F, and after about 10 minutes of warm-up jogging, I turned it on---the display looked ok for all of about 2 seconds before it died and could not be turned back on again. But when I went back home, it had no problem powering on and off and working normally...ARGH!!! Sigh...will have to order another Gymboss and see if it suffers from the same problem.
=== UPDATE, 12.30.2012
Apologies to Everlast: scratch my previous complaint about this timer not working in low temperatures. Today I found that it was ALL ABOUT THE BATTERIES! Namely, the cheapo Rayovac AAAs from Wallyworld that I used previously just can''t handle low temps...but the Duracell batteries I used today were fine even though it was 22 degrees F! Guess with batteries, you do get what you pay for.
Oh, and another note---the timer fell off my waistband (the clip is really not as strong as it looks) and took a 3-4 foot fall onto the asphalt road I was running on..and SURVIVED! Yep, one of the battery covers went flying along with the battery and I was thinking to myself, "OMG now I really have to buy another one"---but it worked fine when I put the battery and lid back in place! Guess that answers the physical durability question, eh?
Buy Everlast Interval Training Round Timer Now
My local sporting goods store only carries these for round timers, so I''ve owned a couple. I''m ready to try another product. What I like is that it has both vibration and sound settings so I can use it clipped to my waistband for run/walk intervals or set on a table or other surface for shadow boxing. The clip is strong and mostly trustworthy. The arm band has never felt very secure for me, but I don''t have real beefy arms to hang it on.What''s disappointing to me are the power usage -the loud bell does take a lot of current, there''s no sliding lock button so I''ve had it turn itself on in my gym bag, and the settings buttons aren''t as intuitive as my watch is. The other thing is the large glass LCD screen makes this a bit fragile. I knocked my last one off my waistband while changing and it did not survive the fall.
Read Best Reviews of Everlast Interval Training Round Timer Here
The timer works great, but it is much bulkier than a comparable gymboss or other interval timer. That said, its bulkiness makes it a bit more durable than the gymboss.Want Everlast Interval Training Round Timer Discount?
I''ve had other interval timers and I liked the idea of having this one on an arm band, but when it arrived it was much bigger and bulkier than I was expecting so I returned this item. Just make sure you read the dimensions (it''s about the size of a deck of cards) others may like the big size!Save 24% off
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