LizzyB
Reviewed: 19 October 2007
EASY TO USE, RELIABLE, PRACTICAL AND INEXPENSIVE-AND STURDY!
A good looking and practical watch, that is robust and easy to operate with cold/wet hands! As such, it's ideal for swimmers/triathletes and fell runners, or anyone who does any sort of running where a SDM or HRM is inpractical or may get lost or damanged. This watch is indestructable and it and its predecessor (which was only replaced because it wasn't very pretty) have seen me through maountain marathons, fell races, running in awful weather, winter sports (also in foul weather), swimming, surfing and windsurfing across Europe with no problems at all. It's survived temperates as low as -20 with no problems at all.
The controls are easy to use (and learn) and the playback facility is simple to use and importantly can be operated with cold fingers - useful if you want to check your progress mid-session. You can also continue an earlier session if you so wish without losing the data - useful for multi-day races.
Relatively short battery life (less than a year) if used heavily or in cold/wet conditions. Battery is easy to replace though. With previous timex Ironman watches the light bulb has only lasted a couple of years, although this may be replacable.
Some of the functions will get limited use if you run for fun and don't train on the track or road race, in which case a cheaper watch might be just as good.
A sturdy, reliable watch which has beeb "tested to destruction" by me (and I still can't destroy it!)
While it's not a HRM or SDM, a good running watch is an invaluable item for every runner - it's not always practical or even appropriate to use a SDM/HRM and this watch is far more reliable than any SDM or HRM can ever be! It's also got some nice styling, so can be worn as an everyday watch, or taken on a sporting or active holiday if you don't want to take a 'best' watch.
