Timex Full Size T5K549 Ironman Trainer
This is definitely a solid watch, but for watch specific reviews see other reviews. I enjoy the watch, and don't have any complaints on functionality. This is my first GPS watch, and so there is definitely a learning curve to deal with. The Timex user interface is very easy to navigate and you can customize a ton of different settings. The trick is it takes a time or two to figure out how to get the "rubber to meet the road". I use this watch for cycling and running. I want to toggle between Chrono displays depending on what workout I'm doing that day, so I set a Run display and a "Custom 1" to utilize when cycling. It took a few times before I could figure out how to get the different display to show in the Chrono setting once the GPS is up and running. It's easy once you know how to do it, but it just takes some fumbling around. I downloaded the instruction manual from the Timex site, and I consult it regularly to make sure I maximize my usage out of the watch (because the watch is loaded with features) and to see if things are possible. Example: it looks like you can't delete individual workouts once you've saved them on the watch (you can save/erase right after the workout is complete). So now my watch has multiple workouts saved to it that I really don't care about at this point. Oh well, not sure if other GPS watches have this issue, or if you can delete individual workouts on this watch and I just don't know how, but this is the kind of stuff to be aware of.
I'm giving 5 stars because the watch is great, no complaints, the TrainingPeaks website is very solid, ignore the haters. Just be advised that with a watch with so many features, it takes some time to get up to speed. Happy training
Timex Run Trainer is a great watch! I previously had a garmin that regularly took 5-10 minutes to get a signal. This watch gets a signal super fast. Had for just over a month and have not have to wait more than 30 seconds on any run to get a signal. Traveled once and it worked great. Distances appear accurate to ones I had previously mapped out on mapmyrun.com.
BalasHapusIf you're looking for a great, easy to use GPS watch for running, this is the watch for you. Does so much more, but I primarily use for running and love it!
I've been in the market for one of these GPS watches in an effort to better keep track of mileage and pace for my half marathon training for a while. I was deciding between this and a few Garmin models, but ultimately chose this due to the price.
BalasHapusInitial thoughts upon opening:
- The watch seemed a little big. I have small wrists, but this watch still seems to fit securely and comfortably. It looks big on my wrist, but it's comfortable and doesn't distract me while training.
- The quick start guide isn't awesome by any means. But if you are buying items off Amazon, I'm assuming you can do a quick google search to find the full user's manual. That will also lead you to the computer software needed to upload data to the computer/internet.
- The packaging is amazingly easy to open - you don't have to fight with scissors cutting the plastic housing.
Configuration and Usage:
- I downloaded the software and plugged the watch into my computer for the initial charging. The software is extremely easy to use to configure the watch. You can customize displays, set parameters, and input user data (height, weight).
- Note: On a typical stopwatch (or at least the wrist watches I've previously used just for keeping time), the start button is on the upper right and the stop is on the upper left. These buttons are switched on this watch and I've found myself pressing the wrong button when I'm stopped, waiting for traffic. There is an autopause feature on this watch that works very well - it automatically pauses when my pace gets below my selected pace.
- Satellite acquisition is fairly quick. Initially took 30 seconds to lock on. Now it takes less than 5 in most cases (sometimes longer if I'm running at a location that's further away from my previous run)
- The GPS is spot on. Running in the local county park Rail Trail with miles marked, the watch switched to 8 miles EXACTLY at the 8 mile post. I was thoroughly impressed.
- I upload my run data after every run. I haven't figured out if there is a way to delete previous workouts, but each time run data is upload, it sends EVERY workout to the computer and as you accumulate workouts, it takes longer to transfer the data. Luckily, it's easy enough to plug it in, walk away for a snack and come back
- Battery life is adequate. I turn the GPS on before a run and turn it off immediately after. I've had the watch for a little over two weeks and I've charged it twice (initially and one recharge) using it to run 11 times in those two weeks (a total of 52 miles at 7:37 pace).
- The display is very easy to see during the day. The Indiglo backlight is easy to see as long as it's DARK outside. I've had a few runs at dusk and I have had trouble seeing the display until it got a little darker outside.
Other thoughts:
- The charging/data transfer clip seems well constructed and really holds onto the watch. It's easy to attach and won't come loose unless you unclip it.
- The training peaks software gives great data. It shows elevation and maps your run route. You can place your run data on a calendar and add notes.
- A wall charger would have been nice to include in this packaging. I use a laptop which goes to "sleep" after inactivity, which shuts off power to the USB ports. My own fault for setting it up this way, but it's the only way to charge the watch.
- The latest software update is extremely easy to put onto the watch.
- I didn't purchase this from Amazon. I purchased from my local running specialty store where I received a 15% discount. With the 50 dollar mail in rebate, my total cost was right around 120 dollars. And for that price, this watch has met and exceeded my expectations! I would recommend this to anyone looking for GPS watch to help with their run training.
I love this training watch. The GPS is right on, locates the satellites quickly and stays locked on. Easy to use buttons, and functions. Very easy to see and read the display in all conditions. Battery life so far has been outstanding. The watch is big, but not too big I wear it all the time as an everyday watch. I have always been a fan of Timex Ironman watches and this one does not disappoint.
BalasHapus
BalasHapusThis is my first GPS watch. Prior to this I was using a MiCoach. Since switching to this as my primary tracking device, I've been extremely happy. I typically run between 10 and 20 miles per week and primarily train for 10k races, and the watch has all the features that I need.
BalasHapusI like that it uses the Training Peaks website for analysis of my run data. Although, to get the most benefits of the data analysis, you have to upgrade the Training Peaks account - I paid about $120 for the year. Which to me is well worth the investment.
Also, the support from Training Peaks has been excellent. Earlier this week I noticed the graphs of my runs, and in particular my paces, were displaying very sporadic data. I emailed support, and within 24 hours they released a new firmware update for the watch that corrected the problem.
Overall, I couldn't be happier!
I bought this when my Garmin 205 took a dump. I loved my Garmin, so I was a bit apprehensive when I made the jump. I chose the Run Trainer because I liked the overall look of it and I liked that functioned more like a standard wrist watch compared to the 205 (although both are about the same size). Setting it up was a little more involved than with the Garmin, but nothing a quick online search couldn't clear up. The Run Trainer uses Training Peaks for all the online training goodies, and I had trouble upgrading my standard Training Peaks account to the Run Trainer version which has more features. A couple of emails to support and it was cleared up fairly easily.
BalasHapusNow that I've had the watch for a while (about 5 months) I'd have to say that I prefer it over my old Garmin. I really like how the watch functions much like an old school stop watch, with the GPS functioning as an additional tool. The custom screens are pretty easy to set up, and for me, the laps and split functions are much more intuitive than with my old Garmin. The custom eat and drink alarms are really handy for long runs. Battery life is good--I ran a 20 miler starting at half batt and had some juice to spare. I've seen some concerns with GPS accuracy, but I've found mileage to be pretty similar (if not the same) to mileage on known routes or compared with my old Garmin.
Training Peaks is OK to play with the data, but I think I still like Garmin's site a little better. The Garmin site just seems simpler and a little more streamlined to me. This is really my only knock against the Run Trainer.
I was apprehensive about leaving my trusty Garmin behind, but in the end I'm happy that I did. This is a great watch for high-mileage training, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to accurately track their training and performance.
Unit arrived in a few days ,after a 20 minute get to know I was ready to go.Very progammable screens.You can set it up for 3 or 4 data lines and each line can be wherever you want(Average pace,mileage etc.).GPS locks between 5 and 30 seconds.This watch so far is very accurate.
BalasHapusAbout the only complaints I have are is I dont think it has a "beep" at mile intervals and turning the GPS on and off you kind of have to go to a sub menu.To explain better the sub menu turns the gps feature on then you can one touch on.To turn on GPS you have to go to sub menu.There may be a easier way but I havent found it.These are a very minor items and definetly not a red flag.
For the price you cant go wrong buying this unit.
A few other observations:
Unit charges by USB.
Not to big or bulky.
Back light isnt the brightest but is more than adequate.
I have only used the online upload once so I dont really have a comment on it.
If you go with 3 data lines the middle line is larger and bold.whis is nice for a quick glance when running.
I have had this GPS watch for about a week now. I'm a moderate runner that trains for the half marathon distance mostly. I compared this Timex run trainer with the Garmin forerunner 210 prior to making my purchase and really there was no comparison except for price.
BalasHapusThe Timex has so much more customization to it than the Forerunner. I have something like 15 custom fields to pick from to display on 4 lines of screen each time I look down at the thing on a run. I'm talking about heart rate, speed, avg. speed, pace, avg. pace, distance, calories, etc., etc., etc. By comparison, the garmin doesn't even do speed (just avg. speed) and you can't pick from much else as far as I could tell.
Also, I love that this watch is water resistant (up to 50m). I don't swim regularly but I can see myself getting this thing wet from time to time and not ever having to worry about frying the battery. The Garmin isn't waterproof. That's a big difference in my opinion.
I really like the size of this watch compared to the more expensive options out there. It can almost pass for an everyday watch on my wrist which is pretty cool. the regular display is big and bright and has all the classic Ironman features like Indiglo and alarms. Its as if timex wants you to replace your everyday sports watch with this guy. I've worn Timex watches in the past so the menu options (chrono, alarm, timer, etc.) were pretty familar and easy to use.
Here's another bonus: I've heard that the GPS watches tend to take awhile in acquiring signal from the satellites. the first time I did it it took about 30 seconds outside my house. However the next time (and subsequently thereafter) I powered on the GPS from my home, it acquired the signal almost instaneously like it remembers the location. This is a small detail but a pretty nice surprise as I leave for all my distance runs from home.
The PC connection was straightforward and easy to navigate. Actually I prefer to customize all those display fields from the computer when I have the watch connected via its USB cable. the cable attaches to the watch via an alligator clip that is nice and secure so you can tell when its plugged in. The computer program has drop down menus and buttons to select different things. I think Timex outsourced the map data to Google maps and the online computer workout piece to trainingpeaks.com I think it was the right move instead of trying to build something in house. Let the experts do their thing and nobody does maps better than Google.
On the negative side, I think they could have made the watch a bit smaller and upped the battery juice some more but I'm sure that's all coming in future releases. I haven't played around with the Drink/Nutrition alarms and Recovery option as all that seems over the top but maybe can be useful to some.
This watch does everything that I wanted it to do and more.
BalasHapusI just started running last year and I am training for my first marathon. I wanted to track my time for each mile.
I had been using MapMyRun.com's Android app on my phone which worked fine for shorter runs. But when I running more than 6 miles or so, the app drained the battery completely so I would lose all of the data for that run.
This watch is great. I run 4 times a week for around 30 miles total right now and I have to charge the watch once every 5 or 6 days.
I set the split distance that I want to be timed on (1 mile) and it tracks the time, pace, elevation, average speed and a lot more that I never look at for every mile that I run.
The GPS usually locks on within 30 seconds of activating it.
You set up an account on TrainingPeaks.com to download the workout info to. The downloading works well. I find the TrainingPeaks.com site to be less than intuitive to use, but it has plenty of instructional video online to guide you.
I love the watch.
The only real downside I have noticed is that the alarm sound is not loud enough to be heard while you are running unless there is no traffic near by and no wind. So I have to check the time to take schedule drinks or food during a run.
This is definitely a solid watch, but for watch specific reviews see other reviews. I enjoy the watch, and don't have any complaints on functionality. This is my first GPS watch, and so there is definitely a learning curve to deal with. The Timex user interface is very easy to navigate and you can customize a ton of different settings. The trick is it takes a time or two to figure out how to get the "rubber to meet the road". I use this watch for cycling and running. I want to toggle between Chrono displays depending on what workout I'm doing that day, so I set a Run display and a "Custom 1" to utilize when cycling. It took a few times before I could figure out how to get the different display to show in the Chrono setting once the GPS is up and running. It's easy once you know how to do it, but it just takes some fumbling around. I downloaded the instruction manual from the Timex site, and I consult it regularly to make sure I maximize my usage out of the watch (because the watch is loaded with features) and to see if things are possible. Example: it looks like you can't delete individual workouts once you've saved them on the watch (you can save/erase right after the workout is complete). So now my watch has multiple workouts saved to it that I really don't care about at this point. Oh well, not sure if other GPS watches have this issue, or if you can delete individual workouts on this watch and I just don't know how, but this is the kind of stuff to be aware of.
BalasHapusI'm giving 5 stars because the watch is great, no complaints, the TrainingPeaks website is very solid, ignore the haters. Just be advised that with a watch with so many features, it takes some time to get up to speed. Happy training