 "Very well thought out watch for interval training" | 2009-11-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1FSXM23FAENLM |
I bought this watch to help me with the "Couch to 5K" (c25k) running program. This entails nine weeks of running three times per week. It progresses from a very easy start (first week starts with brisk five minute walk, then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes). Then the second week it's 90 seconds of jogging, 2 minutes of walking, and so on, until by the end of it you're running 3 miles or 20 minutes non-stop. It's a nice program for people who are out of shape. So I wanted a watch that could help me time all this, and this model does the trick perfectly. It's been a while since I owned a digital watch, and I'm impressed with how much thought has gone into the design. The little things jumped out at me when I started playing with it - for example, pressing the 'Reset' button will show in big letters 'HOLD to reset' while you have it pressed in, which makes it obvious how it works. If you know the general idea of how these things usually work, then you really don't need a manual. Here's a quick rundown:
The mode button cycles through the screens - Time, Chrono (stopwatch), Timer (countdown), Inttmp (Interval timer) and Alarm. If you stop at any of those, then after a few seconds, pressing Mode again will take you back to the main Time screen. I really like the feel of the buttons - they have a very satisfying clicky kind of action, without being too stiff.
Other nice touches: The countdown timer has the option of either stopping, repeating, or going automatically to Chrono (stopwatch) at the end. That last one is ingenious - it means I can set the countdown for 5 minutes to do my warmup walk, and then it'll go straight into stopwatch so I can tell how far I am into my total workout time. When the countdown finishes and the chrono begins, I can then switch over to the interval timer mode and start that program. For the first week, I am setting two intervals - 60 seconds and 90 seconds, and repeating at the end. While the intervals are running, the watch displays which interval you're on (1 or 2 in this case) and which rep too. Also, the different timers can be running simultaneously - so the chrono is keeping track of my total time, while the interval timers give me cues for when to run and when to walk. The beeps are very audible and hard to miss in a normal street environment.
Even for later weeks, when it gets more complicated, this watch will still be able to do what I need - for example, week 4 has the five minute warmup walk followed by jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes, jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes. That is 7 different times, which can be expressed using the interval timers - there are nine, so just use 7 and do one single interval (rather than the usual reps).
I don't use alarms much, but there are five of them and they are very easy to set and turn on and off. Also, you can set each alarm to be active on weekdays, or weekends, or specific days of the week. I guess if you had a different schedule for each working day, then you could set an alarm for each one in theory.
The watch feels good on your wrist - it's not the smallest, but it's not as clunky as I was fearing either. I have pretty small wrists, but it doesn't feel too big at all.
I like the light feature, and the Flix function seems to work well too - you don't have to flick your wrist very hard to make it happen. That might be useful in situations where you only have one hand free.
I really like how the watch display is very simple, and the numbers are large and easy to read. Very nice for when you just want to take a quick glance while on the move without having to squint or decipher what the heck it is supposed to be showing. A lot of watches have little gimmicky graphics that look good in the store but actually just waste valuable space. This watch just shows you what you want to see, in a very easy to read manner.
The Chrono has 100 lap memories, but I have not used this yet. I guess it would be useful if you are doing a lot of running around a track.
All in all I am loving this watch - it's really hard to think of anything they got wrong here. It seems like someone put a lot of thought into it. If you need something for doing interval training, particularly running outside, then this is just the thing. I don't know how noticeable the beeps would be in a loud gym environment, but it seems pretty loud to me. Since it's so close to you, I think it would have to be pretty loud music for you not to be able to hear it.
And, of course, it's a fine wristwatch too. I'm tickled pink at finding this thing, it's a real gem. |
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| "Best Rubber Watch, Ever..." | 2009-11-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3O0WG1A5W6EIB |
Alright, quickly now...
I have worn rubber watches since the ground-breaking debut of the Casio J-50 Jogger/Pacer watch. Anyone who wears rubber watches knows this drill: wear them until the battery goes; attempt battery replacement; throw watch away and purchase new one (and take advantage of innovations transpiring in the meantime).
This is, far and away, the best rubber utility watch I have purchased. The display is LARGE and has no equal that I could find. The numerous functions and mode features are easily accessible and thoughtfully placed. The construction is rugged and designed for rigorous wear. This watch also ticked (seemingly timelessly for a single battery) w/o interruption for three years before... THE DREADED DEATH OF BATTERY LEADING TO OPEN SURGERY.
Well, I did it! IT LIVES!!! I must say that it was a pain in the a** and requires several deep breaths to contain one's frustration. The band does, indeed, have to be removed and is secured by spring-loaded pins that can release the spring-loaded pin portion (to be lost forever in the carpet) quite easily. The battery replacement involves the usual, delicate procedure to emplace the new battery (CR25) typical of such watches, and the screw heads on the back enclosure are especially small. But, nevertheless, it can be done. Hopefully, I won't have to face this coming-of-age challenge again.
I highly recommend this watch for any outdoor (or indoor, for that matter) enthusiast. |
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| "A very nice watch" | 2009-10-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1OW9GXELHU9J4 |
| This is a very handsome and nice fitting watch. I was looking for something to replace my Timex Ironman 'Sleek' watch that served me well for years but the stainless face fell off one day. This Ironman model has the same nice display (big numbers) and functions as my previous watch but fits my wrist much better with a nicely designed curve in the band mounts. It does not slide around my wrist like my sleek watch did. The lens is recessed to help protect it from scratches. I highly recommend it. |
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| "dependable; durable" | 2009-10-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3E5TIRZA8GIJQ |
| I have gone through 4 Ironman watches since 1996 0r 1997 and I am sticking to it. When the battery runs out, I just get a new one. It's cheap but very dependable and durable. I have gone through three different war zones with it and I have gone through temperatures between -50degrees and 120degrees, and been around the world three times with it...I love this watch! |
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| "Simplicity" | 2009-09-21 |
| - Reviewed By famousperson |
| I conduct psychological experiments and need a watch with large digits. This is it. It is easy to synchronize it with the official USA clock on the internet, which is a necessity for me. I also wanted a watch that lights up, since I like to know what time it is when I wake up in the middle of the night. I can't speak to the other features, since I use this for one, sole purpose: precision time keeping. This watch delivers. |
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| "Perfect for Triathlon training" | 2009-09-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: AI23CIQB5G75P |
| The lap button is easy to pressure during my lap swims. Granted my splits are a bit off because I have to modify my swim stroke to count my laps, but is very useful to gauge my performance. The timers and two time zones are very useful. Setting the watch is easy and very intuitive. I have not read the instruction manual yet. The watch looks nice and is very light. It does not feel like you are wearing a watch, but I am comparing it to my normal daily Casio Pathfinder Solar Power watch. I would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a new watch or a sports training watch. |
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Expedited Available
