Watch recommendations please

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2012-01-01 9:02 PM


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Subject: Watch recommendations please
I am back in triathlon after a long long time. Need to get a new triathlon watch so I can time my swims and runs. I thought this would be a straightforward purchase but when I took a quick look online I saw a lot of concern around the "water-resistant ness" of the obvious choices. Would appreciate your recommendations on good watches. I am female but don't really need to buy a women's one if the men's ones are more reliable.

2012-01-01 9:13 PM
in reply to: #3965582

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Master
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Burlington, Vermont
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
If you can wait for the Garmin 910 (probably the end of this month), and you don't mind the cost, it'll be a very nice GPS watch. You'll also be able to use it in the pool.

I'm just waiting for my Garmin 305 to die so I have an excuse to buy it. 
2012-01-01 9:25 PM
in reply to: #3965582


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Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
I have a TIMEX Ironman watch with 50 lap memory. I picked mine up at Walmart for $30 four years ago. I wear mine all the time. I use it to time and count my laps for swimming as well as for running. It still works works fine. The only thing I have ever done to it is replace the battery. If or when it quits working, I will just another one.
2012-01-01 9:38 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
I guess I'll be the first to post this on thus thread but read www.dcrainmaker.comBut 910xt is best or 310xt or 305 but if you want swim features will need to buy finis swim sense also
2012-01-01 10:21 PM
in reply to: #3965615

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please

browncd - 2012-01-01 7:25 PM I have a TIMEX Ironman watch with 50 lap memory. I picked mine up at Walmart for $30 four years ago. I wear mine all the time. I use it to time and count my laps for swimming as well as for running. It still works works fine. The only thing I have ever done to it is replace the battery. If or when it quits working, I will just another one.

^^^ this, if what you want to do is time your race splits.

if you want a fully functional and waterproof GPS watch, then the Garmin 910, Garmin 310 or Timex Global Trainer are your choices.  

2012-01-01 10:27 PM
in reply to: #3965582

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Master
2642
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Bloomington, MN
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
I guess you have to decide if you want a GPS watch or not.  I have used a Polar SD200 for the past three years.  HR monitor and foot pod.  I have been generally happy with and would recommend it if that is what you want.  I have pre-ordered a Garmin 910XT and can't wait until it shows up.  Big difference in cost between those two units as well.  Good luck.

2012-01-01 10:55 PM
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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please

For just time, get an IronMan by Timex.

For tracking, mapping, it comes down to what you want it to do and how much you want to spend.  The higher end GPS watches can set you back well over $400.

 

2012-01-01 11:00 PM
in reply to: #3965582

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Master
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University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please

A leder - 2012-01-01 10:02 PM I am back in triathlon after a long long time. Need to get a new triathlon watch so I can time my swims and runs. I thought this would be a straightforward purchase but when I took a quick look online I saw a lot of concern around the "water-resistant ness" of the obvious choices. Would appreciate your recommendations on good watches. I am female but don't really need to buy a women's one if the men's ones are more reliable.

x2 on checking out dcrainmaker.com. Ray's blog is an incredible source of information on sports technology reviews. And he doesn't just try to talk up the spendy stuff. He has good advice on what products best fit which needs.

For my first couple of years since returning to sport I have been happily using my $16 watch from Target. But now I've taken the plunge and I have a Garmin 910XT on order. (I'm hoping that it's cool swim features will help to coax me back to the pool.)

2012-01-01 11:39 PM
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Veteran
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Columbus, OH
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
Slight hijack here with something I noticed earlier today on Amazon. I was browsing for something to give me cadence data and I stumbled upon the Garmin Forerunner 305 page. I was shocked at the price of it. When I ordered one back in May it was right under $130 while now it is slightly over $200. I was shocked at the increase.
2012-01-01 11:57 PM
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Master
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Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
I've got the Timex Ironman watch, 50 lap memory etc. it's good to 100m depth (328 feet).  I swim with it, shower with it, pretty much stays on days at a time.  Usually the strap fails before the functions do.  If you want something waterproof, this is the way to go.  I also have the Garmin FR 305 for bike and run, mainly for the GPS functionality.  I think I paid $30 at Walmart or Costco for the Timex.
2012-01-02 5:30 PM
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Member
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Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
I have used a Timex Global Trainer for a year and a half now. It is a gps watch with a heart rate monitor. Very customizable screens, lots of features and easy to use. I have used it in 9 triathlons so far and plan on using it for Ironman FL this year. it even comes with a bike mount to put it on your handle bars. I have seen them go for as low as $99 on eBay. The only negative is that it is a bit large. I have small wrists so it look big on me but I find it very comfortable and forget I am wearing it.


2012-01-02 6:26 PM
in reply to: #3966915

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Expert
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Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please

hromero - 2012-01-02 3:30 PM I have used a Timex Global Trainer for a year and a half now. It is a gps watch with a heart rate monitor. Very customizable screens, lots of features and easy to use. I have used it in 9 triathlons so far and plan on using it for Ironman FL this year. it even comes with a bike mount to put it on your handle bars. I have seen them go for as low as $99 on eBay. The only negative is that it is a bit large. I have small wrists so it look big on me but I find it very comfortable and forget I am wearing it.

I am actually considering getting this watch, with the updates it can utilize footpods for indoor training and seems to lock on better.  It was $99 new on Amazon last week, it's still only $122 new right now.

2012-01-02 6:42 PM
in reply to: #3966981

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Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
Yea, it locks on fairly quick. A lot of people complain that it takes awhile but if you go to the website and download the latest software version it does great. I personally think it is the best value on the market for gps watches. On my third use my HR strap stopped working. I called Timex and they sent me a brand new one next day shipping at no cost. Great service.
2012-01-02 6:53 PM
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Master
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Rural Ontario
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please

Timex Ironman 30-lap. I won mine as a draw prize at a race in 2007.  Since then I've used it for 1 IM, 2 HIMs, and 30+ sprints, olys, and other races.

Fancy-Pants watach:  Garmin 310xt or 910xt. I use the 310xt as a training watch. Great for running and cycling. so-so for swimming.

2012-01-02 6:59 PM
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Champion
7136
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Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please

I've always been partial to OMEGA.

 

Oh... well, that and a Timex...

2012-01-02 9:25 PM
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Expert
1115
1000100
Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
hromero - 2012-01-02 4:42 PMYea, it locks on fairly quick. A lot of people complain that it takes awhile but if you go to the website and download the latest software version it does great. I personally think it is the best value on the market for gps watches. On my third use my HR strap stopped working. I called Timex and they sent me a brand new one next day shipping at no cost. Great service.
Ordered one, $133 w/shipping for the one with the HR monitor. Figure at that price, even if it's not perfect, it will be better than my Nike + watch that is great for running but nothing else.

2012-01-02 9:56 PM
in reply to: #3967288

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Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please
Cool. I think you will be pleased with it. The HR monitor works great too and I find the strap comfortable. FYI, If you put it on without wetting the sensor it will read about 30 beats high until you start to sweat.
2012-01-03 12:14 PM
in reply to: #3967328

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Expert
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1000100
Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: Watch recommendations please

hromero - 2012-01-02 7:56 PM Cool. I think you will be pleased with it. The HR monitor works great too and I find the strap comfortable. FYI, If you put it on without wetting the sensor it will read about 30 beats high until you start to sweat.

Thanks for the tip.  I think a person would be hard pressed to not go with this watch for the price/feature set right now.

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