The specs of the watch are really good, but it is when you start using it that one realizes that the Timex Global Trainer does not perform to expectations.Firstly, the GPS in the watch, although it uses the same chip as that of the Garmin Forerunner, the performance in the Timex Global Trainer is extremely inaccurate. i.e. it takes an average of 5-7min to lock the satellites, unlike other devices, which can lock satellites in matter of seconds. Also, once a session is recorded and loaded onto a map (such as Google Maps), one can appreciate that the tracking of the device is very inaccurate. I have seen distance reading erros of up to 12% (e.g. you run 10miles and the watch says you have run 8.8miles!!) , which is very very bad. Other GPS watches only have a 2% error max accuracy (i.e. Garmin). I have checked this issue on the internet and other user reviews on Timex''s Global Trainer GPS show this same issue. I have sent the watch to Timex, got it replaced for a new one, and the same issue persists. TIMEX HASN''T GOT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM even with their latest FIRMWARE release (v. 3.14) made on August 2011.
Secondly, the workout data downloaded from the watch to the PC is proprietary and can only be used on the TrainingPeaks website. Forget about exporting you data to other better and cheaper websites such as MapMyRun or WorkOutLog. This wouldn''t be a problem if TrainingPeaks had a good system, but it is slow and in many occasions it won''t load 100% of the workout information (plenty of software improvement is needed on their side). TrainingPeaks has a cost of c. $20/month, while other websites only cost $20/year. The Free version of TrainingPeaks won''t show you all of the information from your watch (e.g. HR zones, Cadence Zones, Power Zones, etc).
Conclusion: The GPS is a no go. On a spec basis the watch is not that expensive against competitors but if you include the cost of the software to visualize your workouts you need to add $+120/year, and thats another no go. I have bought the Garmin Forerunner 310xt, Garmin is better value for money and you are not stuck with proprietary software that doesn''t work!
1. Took FOREVER to acquire signal... downloaded new firmware.. still takes minutes to acquire!
2. HUGE... this thing is HUGE... not heavy but HUGE!
3. Training Peaks software not as user friendly as I am used to... costs $$ for access to all the features.
4. None of my logs are Timex compatible so uploading requires manual insertion of data... BAD!
5. You may be able to have 4 fields of data visible at once but it is nearly impossible to read it while running because it is so small.
6. Glare based on angle makes reading watch difficult!
I was happy to go back to my Garmin... this thing was just not for me!
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Like what the others have said, there are a lot of negative things that can be said of this watch. One is the slow acquisition of a GPS signal. I have the Garmin 350 and it acquires satellites faster by 1 to 2 minutes. The other one is the proprietrary software, trainingpeaks. I wish they''d just offer this for free.It is HUGE and I like it that way. ;) I wear the watch to the office and people always look at it. If you have it set to TIME only it can last 2 weeks without charging.
Oh, and another gripe, for some reason the clasp/buckle of the watch rubs on my wrists, which can be inconvenient to slightly painful after awhile.
I also use the heart rate monitor that came with my Garmin 305 on this watch and it works fine.
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This watch does everything you need one too. It tracks your heart rate, speed, distance, with the bike accessory you get cadence, and it evens maps your swim. It does take some getting used to and if you are the type that doesn''t like looking at your wrist on the bike then you need to take the watch off and use the bike mount. It is big but we like the fact that you can see all the info you want at once. The only problem is that you can hit the buttons too easily if you bend your wrist a lot. My wife uses it to work out with and has added a bunch of splits just because of pressing the buttons while her wrist was bent. I really like how it integrates perfectly with Training Peaks an being able to go over all my training data. You get an awesome map and graph based on your workout. If you are looking for a small training watch with GPS then this may be the wrong watch for you. If you want all the features and like customizing the display for your different training plans then get this watch. We love being able to go back and review our work outs and seeing the map of the route we took.Want Timex Global Trainer Speed and Distance GPS Watch Discount?
I have had this watch for over a year now. I started to use this watch to train for my marathon however, the watch is very slow at aquiring the Satelilite. I recommend not buying this watch until they fix the GPS connection time. I am waiting for my Garmin 610 to come in to see how that watch performs. Hopefully it will be better then this one. Not worth the buy also battery does not charge to full I can only get it to charge up to 90%.Save 28% off
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