Customer Reviews

Timex Men's Ironman 30-Lap Shock Resistant FLIX System Watch #T5F851

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been looking long and hard for a LARGE, cool-looking sport watch with a fast-wrap (velcro-style) band for a while. Most Timex's are midsize (too small for me and many men of any size) and all Casio G-Shocks that I can find have fastener-style bands. I have 2 G-shocks already and this watch easily competes with those watches (I actually like this watch better). It's THICK, it's got a LARGE face (I believe it's around 41 mm), it's got a nice-looking velcro fast-strap and it looks sharp. As another reviewer said, 'this is a man's watch.' You won't see any ladies wearing this one.

Extra pluses:

* Metal band (loop) which the strap goes through is large, allowing plenty of room for the strap to go in/out quickly (not getting stuck like some other fast-wrap watches I've owned, which often leads to destroyed bands) - MAJOR improvement here)
* Since all of the features can be turned off, I can leave on just the chrono, allowing me to switch only between those the chrono and time when I hit the mode button (rather than having to switch through timer, alarm, golf mode, etc.). this is a very nice customization touch.
*It does integrate the Flix technology, so just put the watch in night mode, flick that wrist and on comes the light.

If you're looking for a large, thick, solid, good-looking, velcro stap sport watch - STOP. You've found it, and for a good price on Amazon.

I have been a former G-Shock watch user and I have several in my collection, however I know that Timex has been a great brand of sports watches for many years, so I looked into the new 30-lap Ironman watch. When I received it I was very surprised to see how "beefy" it was as well as being pretty stylish for a sports watch. Its shock resistant body is similar to G-Shock and should be rugged enough to "follow me around". I also need the 2 time zones feature because I travel to China and do business there, so I always know what time it is there, and when I am there I know what time it is here in the central time zone......Right now it is my favorite watch and I am wearing it now!!

I purchased this watch after my previous Timex Ironman took a few too many lickings. It still works, but the face and buttons, which were constructed of plastic and glued on, eventually wore out, and the strap had already been replaced once. Therefore, I wanted a better built watch that retained the same functionality. After looking several pages of watches on Amazon and elsewhere, this one caught my eye because of its use of metal, shock resistance, the red button (really), and use of actual screws to retain the face plate. I figured the velcro strap affixed to a strong synthetic fabric would be long-lasting.

My impression in the two months that I've used it is an overall positive one, but let me elaborate. The construction is indeed sturdy. The strap, which attaches through a loop on the top-end of the watch wraps back on itself. It has never come loose and is easy to reposition. It is also fairly easy to attached with the other hand. The face is constructed of tough, slightly rubberized plastic that envelops the perimeter of the watch body as seen in the picture. Three sections (top, left, right) also protrude outward to provide protection to the metal, but only by about a millimeter, so it does not get caught on things. The metal portion is quite stylish and has a reflective polish on the inside rim that protects the glass. As it moves outward, it maintains a brushed finish. The entire plastic perimeter and strap appear to be adhered permanently and screwed onto the face. I am not certain, but a replacement strap might include the entire plastic section. That said, it seems unlikely that it would come loose anytime soon. It feels heavy when worn and juts out 0.625" from the wrist. The width is approximately 1.75".

The display is easy to read in both light and dark (with Indiglo). The buttons are take some effort to depress, but you won't hit them accidentally. I won't go into all the functionality, as it is explained in the description, but it does appear to do everything listed. I do appreciate being able to "turn off" features like one or all of the alarms or occasion alarm from the display cycle if I don't need them. I haven't really needed to use the FLIX feature, which allows you to flick your wrist to activate the light, but it also works well.

I have just one negative point: the velcro strap tends to rub against my shirt cuff. This is problematic with sweaters and knit material because it will unravel the ends. If there were some way to create a barrier between the strap and cuff, that didn't look silly (I tried tape) I would consider it. But if not for this, I would give the watch five stars.

Update (6/5/2009): Still a great watch, but something that I had not considered before, which is that the fabric strap tends to retain odors. I wear this watch when working out. I realized that I need to wash the strap for a few seconds with soap and water, then dry (with a towel first and then air-dry) before re-wearing; otherwise it's stink city on the wrist. Yuck! Not a huge deal, but my plans to have a single watch for all my needs is lost. I am now looking for another watch to wear when not working out--probably with a metal strap.

The features of this watch are pretty close to complete for my purposes, and probably for most buyers. The only thing I'd wish to add is additional timezones: this has 3, but for anyone who travels around the world, 6 would be closer to meeting the need. (One advantage of the Timex multi-timezone watches is that you can set each timezone yourself, it's not preprogrammed to the zones that the watchmaker decided were the important ones.)

However, I find it rather too thick and heavy, in comparison with other sport watches, even other Timex watches. Was it really necessary to make it more than 1/2 inch thick? Or is that a cosmetic change to make it look and feel "rugged"? (Does anyone really need their watch designed to make them feel strong?)

The second gripe I have is that the dial is busier than necessary. A simple clear face with only the necessary information is in my view the best design. All the printing around the edge, the horizontal opaque bar, and the little triangle arrows, are just visual clutter. (No, they're not needed all the time. For example, a simple solution is to make them appear when a button is pushed.)

So it's a fine watch, but deserves only the middling grade of 3 stars in my view.

Great watch. Particularly good if you play racquetball or golf and are looking for a good way to keep your score. I've tried other score keepers and this watch by far has been the best solution. It is set up for golf, but if you back off the score back to zero, it works for racquetball as well. The score per hole only goes up to 15, but this is still the best alternative out there right now for keeping score in racquetball. It would be great if one day someone comes up with a wrist wearing racquetball scorekeeper with the ability to keep up to 3 scores, but for now, this will do.

I too have always been loyal to Casio G-Shock, and this watch compares easily with them. I bought it for the Golf Score counter, and it works awesome! I love this watch and hope they don't stop making it!

UPDATE: November, 21, 2009

Not as tough as I thought. The indiglo quit working after 8 months. I replaced the battery...a massive pain in itself...but nothing. Resealing didn't work the first time.

I have to drop the rating to a 2. I don't think this is for sale anymore anyway.

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I won't review the features of this watch for the 20th time here. The biggest issue with this watch is...well it is big.

From a "looks" perspective, if you are a petite man, this is definately not the watch for you. It would look like you are wearing your dad's watch. The thickness is the other issue. It will bump into things now and then, but its a Shock...it can take it. You would not want to be working in an engine compartment with this on.

I have had it for 4 months and the depth of the crystal seems to protect it from getting scratched.

It is durable, does the things you would expect and the price has come down lately. If a big, durable, cheap, shock watch is what you are looking for...go no further.

Timex Men's Ironman Triathlon 30-Lap Shock Resistant FLIX System Watch #T5F851
Watch was purchased primarily for golf score keeping ability. It is simple for me to operate and flexible. Since I am fairly new I unfortunately have a lot of strokes to record and this watch allows me to go forward/backward add subtract and keep both front and back nine holes, etc. There are other Timex watches with golf score feature but this is only one I found with fabric band: others were resin which I did not want.

I am really happy with this watch. It is much better than my last Ironman and the strap is better than the prior strap. I like the size - it makes it easier to read when working out or running. The indigo light is better than the prior green version.

Great looker and very comfortable. Glad I saw this on line as I have not seen it in any store. Would recommend to anyone...