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Help choosing my first "sports" watch
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 2010-11-23 10:59 AM |
New user 14 Kansas City Suburbs |  Subject: Help choosing my first "sports" watchI am looking for a watch that covers all necessary elements of tri training. I am on a tight budget so cant go top of the line. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all. |
| 2010-11-23 11:04 AM in reply to: #3223231 |
Alpharetta, Georgia Bronze member | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch What does "all necessary elements" mean to you? Are you talking a GPS watch, or a Timex-type? Heart rate? Power-compatible? Waterproof? |
| 2010-11-23 11:17 AM in reply to: #3223244 |
| New user 14 Kansas City Suburbs | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch I mean every necessary compent to training I guess. A watch I can use in the pool and running. A lap counter, heart rate, distance, etc. Thats why I am asking because I am not sure what some of the watches are capable of. |
| 2010-11-23 11:22 AM in reply to: #3223231 |
| Alpharetta, Georgia Bronze member | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Well I asked because what some people think is absolutely necessary, others don't think is needed at all. If you want a watch that will measure time, distance, speed, heart-rate, etc. and can be used for all 3 sports (waterproof) for extended periods at a time (20-hour battery life), I would recommend the Garmin 310XT. |
| 2010-11-23 11:22 AM in reply to: #3223231 |
Extreme Veteran 1574   | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Plain Jane Timex Ironman Watch 30 lap, WR to 100 meters, about 35 dollars |
| 2010-11-23 11:27 AM in reply to: #3223231 |
Master 1963 | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Garmin 305 + quick release kit + cadence sensor. Can't really use it in the pool, can use in OWS if you put it under your cap. |
| 2010-11-23 11:53 AM in reply to: #3223279 |
Extreme Veteran 442 | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Hunting Triathlete - 2010-11-23 12:22 PM Plain Jane Timex Ironman Watch 30 lap, WR to 100 meters, about 35 dollars ^^^What he said^^^ I've had my $29.00 Timex for 2+ years and it still works fine. You do not need a HR monitor if you are fairly new to endurance sports. |
| 2010-11-23 12:01 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Master 2725 Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Given that the OP was clarified to state HR and Distance were required, we've gone beyond the good 'ol $35 Timex Ironman. Although if these functions are considered "necessary" as well as water resistance, then unfortunately, Jeff you will be looking at devices in the range of "top of the line." Which you've indicated isn't an option for you. |
| 2010-11-23 1:04 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Extreme Veteran 1574 | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch He said he guessed every necessary component. You don't need a heart rate monitor, you can measure distance with your vehicle after you complete a run. To me and due to his uncertainty the extras are merely a luxury and at this point are not a necessity. |
| 2010-11-23 1:15 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Veteran 418 , Louisiana | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch The Garmin Forerunner 305 might be the way to go. Amazon currently has it for $130 and it covers most of what you're looking for: laps, HR monitor, cadence (need to get a sensor, but it's not too expensive), GPS, multisport option, and if you rig it up properly you can get an extended battery life (24-36 hours). And lastly, again with proper rigging, it can withstand pool and open-water swims. You can't got diving with it or anything, but so far I So not too shabby for the price. I recently got one (I'm on a tight budget as well) and am in love with it. Exactly what I need! Check out this blog (http://www.dcrainmaker.com/). There's a whole bunch of reviews on a variety of GPS/training devices that should help you make a decision. |
| 2010-11-23 1:21 PM in reply to: #3223530 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Garmin 305. Period. Does everything for an economical price, IMO... Sure there is better, but not MUCH better, and they cost. If you can afford two? I also swear by my Timex Ironman for racing and swimming. Edited by Kido 2010-11-23 1:22 PM |
| 2010-11-23 1:33 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Extreme Veteran 529 Harbor City/Torrance/Carson | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch I think the Garmin 305 is the best choice as well. I will most likely buy the same thing this weekend because I can't justify twice the price for better water proofing and longer battery life. Of course my opinion might change next year when tax refunds arrive... For swimming, buy an el cheapo $10 chronograph watch from Walmart. That's what I use when I'm swimming. OWS won't be done as much as you do pool swimming and as long as you know your accurate pool length, all you need is a water resistant watch, i.e. my $10 chronograph watch and from there calculate your pace per 100m. In terms of heart rate in the pool, it is the most obvious thing you will notice while swimming if its high or low. Always go by feel in the swim... |
| 2010-11-23 1:44 PM in reply to: #3223266 |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Jeffreyc - 2010-11-23 12:17 PM I mean every necessary compent to training I guess. A watch I can use in the pool and running. A lap counter, heart rate, distance, etc. Thats why I am asking because I am not sure what some of the watches are capable of. Well, you really don't need any of that to train. But, I have two main time pieces: Garmin 305 w/ HR for running and biking Timex IM 100 Lap for swimmimg |
| 2010-11-23 2:01 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Master 2855 Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch I would suggest both the timex ironman watch and a garmin 305. I have both and find them equally useful. the ironman watch is good for swimming and track workouts, whereas the garmin is great for biking or running distance and pace. also if you need to measure distance after the run, you can use google map pedometer. Edited by metafizx 2010-11-23 2:02 PM |
| 2010-11-23 2:19 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Expert 2180 Boise, Idaho | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Timex makes a low-cost HR monitor (maybe $60); you could wear the watch by itself then strap on the HR monitor when needed. |
| 2010-11-23 3:01 PM in reply to: #3223505 |
Master 2725 Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Hunting Triathlete - 2010-11-23 2:04 PM He said he guessed every necessary component. You don't need a heart rate monitor, you can measure distance with your vehicle after you complete a run. To me and due to his uncertainty the extras are merely a luxury and at this point are not a necessity. Not to be a stickler, but in his second post he did clarify and say (cut/paste).... "I mean every necessary compent to training I guess. A watch I can use in the pool and running. A lap counter, heart rate, distance, etc. Thats why I am asking because I am not sure what some of the watches are capable of." So I guess in one respect you're right, if you don't think that HR and Distance are necessary, but since that point is different for each person and the poster specifically included those items in his clarification then that is all we have to go on. I, for one, didn't think he was asking our opinions on what features are necessary, but more what of the current technology that is out there that we are using. And just for the record, I'm old school as well... I have a trusty Timex Ironman that is usually all I use. I'm quite sure if he was looking for a chronograph with lap splits, that was water resistant he would have just mosied on down to his local Target or Wal Mart. So, Jeff, I guess if your just looking for a water resistant chronograph then Timex Ironman is the way to go. If you want one device that has many of the "additional" (note: not necessary) training features: HR, Distance, Altitude, Bike functions (cadence, etc) then you are going to be paying additional $$ based on the features you want. Up to several hundred dollars. |
| 2010-11-23 3:21 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Extreme Veteran 502 Mayville, Wi | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch A couple years ago, I picked up a solar-powered Casio triathlon watch - it has a stopwatch/lap counter, alarm, blah blah blah. The coolest feature, though, is the race timer - it lets you pre-program your goal splits for swim, T1, bike, T2, and run, then it'll tell you during the race how far ahead (or behind) your splits you are. I'll be sad when this baby dies, because I guess they don't make 'em anymore. |
| 2010-11-23 3:30 PM in reply to: #3223278 |
| Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch lisac957 - 2010-11-23 11:22 AM Well I asked because what some people think is absolutely necessary, others don't think is needed at all. If you want a watch that will measure time, distance, speed, heart-rate, etc. and can be used for all 3 sports (waterproof) for extended periods at a time (20-hour battery life), I would recommend the Garmin 310XT. Additionally, what price range, since that was not mentioned? |
| 2010-11-23 8:12 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
| Chicago | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch When I first started running I grabbed my iPod nano and threw on the Nike+. After being callibrated it's fairly accurate. |
| 2010-11-28 8:11 AM in reply to: #3223231 |
Member 42 | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch garmin 310 xt |
| 2010-11-28 11:14 AM in reply to: #3227708 |
| Regular 408 | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch x2 garmin 310xt. If anyone is in the market for a 305 I heard they are now only $99 at Walmart. The 305 is also a great watch. |
| 2010-11-28 5:20 PM in reply to: #3223231 |
Expert 1046 Fountain Hills, AZ | Subject: RE: Help choosing my first "sports" watch Stealing from another post on the board today but here's the 90% solution... Garmin 305 with heartrate for $99 on Amazon .... price droppedafter the 310 and the 410 came out ... this 305 is the wrist unit that I have ... and is the price of a good HR monitor now. Also can pick up a cadence sensor for the bike if you want ... and who needs distance in the water? especially since even though the 310XT is waterproof, it is not rated for accurate distance in the water. And certainly not in the indoor pool! |
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