Timex readying GPS-equipped Ironman Global Trainer wristwatch (Page 2)

having that in a race was very helpful.  knowing exact pace, its not necessary to have a gps watch for this.  a simple foot pod will do that also, so for some it is hard to justify the extra feature.

For me, having another piece of gear to track is a PITA, and is one of the reasons I stopped using the bodylink GPS system a couple of years ago. I thought about going the foot pod route, but realized that what I really wanted to do was to have less gear (ironically) when I run.

I like having the GPS for running - I can vary my route on a training run, or have a very good idea how far I have to cover to talk myself through the race.  I don't really need it for the bike, since I use the cyclometer, but I do like using the download feature of BT to simplify the data collection.

Link from Timex

http://www.timexironman.com/Products/Global_Trainer_GPS.htm#watchtop

Looks like it is due out around Sept

Ok I'll bite, why would this be a Garmin killer? I am on my third generation of Forerunners starting with the 101 and can't waittoafford the newest one, what features does this have that is going to "kill" the Forerunner?

Running without a piano strapped to your arm would be an improvement- if it's smaller, waterproof, and shock resistant you could race with it instead of putting it on in T1 like many folks do. I'm 6'3" with a wrist like an ankle and still find the 305/310 gimormous.

If it works properly, I would buy it.  But we have seen with so many other GPS watches that there are irritating downsides to almost every model currently on the market.

Well I'm definitely interested in something that could take the place of my 305. (which I love for biking but usually carry in my hand while running b/c of it's bulkiness) But I guess I won't know until September. I threw my email down onto their mailing list so I guess I can forget about this one till then and see what the price is going to be.

But with the limited info giving it definitely looks like it has potential. Especially if the the battery life is in the 16+/-2hr range.

Time to revive this thread, REI is suppose to have the watches next month, but here's the first site I've seen with any pricing:

https://www.firstchoicemarine.com/p-43460-timex-iron-man-global-trainer-gps-with-digital-heart-monitor-available-sept-2010.aspx

Regular Price: $479.80
On Sale For: $360.00
This product has a expected release date of September 2010. You may pre-purchase and we will ship this as soon as they are available.

It is on REI's site now for $325 with HRM and $275 without HRM.  That is $75 cheaper than the 310xt.

Water resistant.... yes.

Does the GPS work in the water? ..... No, not unless you can swim with one arm while hold the watch out of the water.   found that answer under the frequent Q & A

310 for me

I haven't seen anything anywhere that says what the battery life is.

you would hope it's at least 17 hours...you know...being that it's an Ironman watch

Everything I could possibly want AND it looks like a normal watch?  Sign me up.  I may stick with the 305 for bike training rides since I can clip it to the handlebars but that looks ideal for running and events.  Assuming the battery life is good, I'd wear it everyday.

The semi-newly posted spec sheet on their site says:

15 hours with GPS on
12 days with just time
1 year with unit off

15 hours with GPS on is fair in my mind, though 17 would have been ideal.  I should have the unit by tomorrow morning and plan to write up a 'First look' review with initial feedback by Wednesday morning.  The usual in depth review will be a week or two afterwards.

17 hours would be idea, if the GPS worked in the swim.  Take out the swim, put the watch on in T1, there's the time needed for an ironman, unless your into the 16th hour?

The spec sheet notes that GPS will not work while in the swim (though it is waterproofed to 50 meters).  Obviously, I would expect at some point they'll follow Garmin's lead with post-processing analysis (like the 310XT just got two weeks ago).

I have read your reviews and they are some of the best I have seen wrote!

I bout one off REI and it should be here this week!!!

NM

Edited by tri808 2010-06-08 1:50 PM

I just went ahead and posted a first look type review of the Global Trainer.

At this point, it's a bit of a mixed bag.  It feels sorta like a rushed product, hardware-wise I think it's good.  But software (on the unit itself) needs some work, just missing little attention to detail type things.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/06/timex-ironman-gps-global-trainer-first.html

How is the bundled PC software,  Better or worse than the Garmin TC?  Also, how big does it feel on the wrist? Too big to replace an everyday watch?

The software is Training Peaks, so it's web-only.  But, it's far better than GTC (and to be fair, it wouldn't take much to be better than GTC).  I also find it far more detail (albeit less 'pretty') than Garmin Connect.

On the wrist it feels about the same as any of the Garmin Forerunner watches (305/310XT), and imho it's a bit too big for an everyday watch around the office.  You could get away with it in athletic settings...but I don't think in normal social settings.

Great review as usual.