Customer Reviews

Timex Ironman Race Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch, Black/Grey

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I recently purchased this Timex HRM-kit after my bulky Polar F6 bit the dust and didn't have user-replacable batteries. I was wanting a smaller sized watch and Timex has a line of nicely sized watches so I gave them a look.

The Timex Race Trainer is a good looking watch off the bat and is extremely lightweight. Most HRMs are large and unsightly on a woman's wrist but this one looks very size appropriate (I'm 5'8", 142) for my frame.

The display is pretty easy to read but navigating off of the main time/date page is a bit tricky. I'm probably just used to Polar's setup but I have been frustrated with the menu on the Timex.

The biggest drawback and the reason I am not keeping this watch is the calorie counter so you can measure your workout energy expenditure. There is a calorie function, but it does not ask for your age or gender (two crucial factors) and only goes off of your imputed weight and your heart rate as you exercise. It's been completely inaccurate, overshooting workouts that I would usually burn 600-700 cal, it would say 1,020. Also, unlike the Polar, you cannot view calories burned while you are working out and it's hard to find them at the end of the workout also.

The last (but small) thing is the ANT+ coding. Although Timex claims the HRM will work with most gym equipment, I have not had any pair. Polar's coding technology, however, has never be unable to pair with equipped machines. Obviously it's a minor note, because you will always have your HR displayed on the watch but some machines have programs that work with your HRM to keep you in a certain zone, so it's nice to have that feature.

All being said, I will be going back to Polar. The watches and HRMs they make now have user replaceable batteries and I think their set-up is much better suited for me.

I really like this HRM - I wear it everytime I workout which is every day. The monitor that goes around your chest is very comfortable, I never notice that it is on. I started the C25K & was glad this watch had the intervals where I could set the times when I'm to change from walking to running. The booklet that came with it is very helpful. I use the middle hole on the watch & I'm an average size ladies wrist so it probably would fit anyone.
The only thing I don't like about it is I thought it would show my calories burned.
10/28/10 Update: This does count calories - in the Chrono mode. The book doesn't mention it but I figured it out. Also, the battery went dead on the chest strap & it was easy to find a new battery at Wal Mart & replace it. FYI - the strap & watch needs sync'd again after you change the battery.

I both agree and disagree with some of the reviews for this product. Granted, I have only had it a week, so I can't speak about durability/quality. I also haven't used the interval or recovery modes (and may never).

First, it is comfortable! I forget that I am even wearing the chest strap and my wrist is light as air. I am a large framed female with a normal BMI and as another reviewer stated, I can wear it under my sports bra. It is also a nice looking watch. The HRM seems very accurate and that part wasn't difficult to set up if you know your numbers. Although I have to say, plan to spend a little time with the manual. While somewhat intuitive, you still need to familiarize yourself with the functions of the buttons in each mode. The only down side is the calorie counter. I don't know how these devices usually calculate this, but this one, as well the rest, always give reading higher than what is actual. But that is not a flaw of this HRM, but of all of them in general.

This is a great product! The only way they could make it better is to design it to be as accurate without needing the chest strap. Then I would wear it all the time!

I went through 2 other watches, having to return them because of size issues (too big), and this watch does what the review in Runner's World says it will do. I am a 6 ft 150 thin runner who got this size and it does not overwhelm my arm. The digits present well and the HRM feature works perfectly with a good connection. I don't even notice wearing the strap and the readings are pretty precise/clear, once you figure out how to click through the various reviews, recovery, etc features. It was a very nice Xmas gift from my wife and I can already see a few benefits or maybe just placebo benefits to how I am putting in the mileage now.

I did some research prior to purchasing this HR monitor/watch. I have to say I am very pleased with it. I actually wanted one that measured distance, also, but they all seem to be too large for my wrist. This watch is fine and I honestly have a very small wrist. I like the features and especially the ability to review all of the info from each workout.

Pros: This monitor has the features I was looking for and is very comfortable to wear.

Cons: If I sit on a bench with my wrist at my side, the watch loses the heart rate signal. If I extend my arm straight-out in front of me (17" between transmitter & receiver and I'm wearing only a t-shirt) it loses the signal. I've replaced the battery in the trans. and had a jeweler replace the one in the watch. No Luck. Also, there's no way I burned 1600 calories during 50 minutes of aerobics! These 2 things make the watch unusable for me. I've read so many good reviews, I would like to try a replacement. But my troubleshooting time exceeded Amazon's return window...

It looks better than a Polar, is lighter and more user-friendly system, it is very easy to program. Excellent condition. I had a Polar and had trouble because he broke in 2 occasions, also lost its original color.

I just finished the 2012 Houston Marathon yesterday and the watch and heart monitor perform perfectly. Affordable and easy to use.

I bought this watch cause I was looking for a HRM with lap counter and interval feature. The product worked great except the HRM. Since day one I've had issues with the chest strap that could not get constant readings, so I ended up running a few half marathons and a olympic tri without the HRM and just used the timing and lap features. Now after 2 years the wristband broke. Granted I wear this as my every day watch. Now I am looking for something better.

Less than 2 years ago I carefully researched HRMs to replace my beloved Polar model. Here's what I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001WRKDP2/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

It worked fine for about 13 months and then died. I was pretty mad because I spent $150 for something that should have lasted YEARS, not months. Anyway, I wrote a scathing review, contacted Timex and they sent me a replacement. The process for the repair/replacement was not as professional as I expected as I had to contact Timex a few times to get the repair/replacement going. They sent me a new HRM, telling me that it was an upgrade and that my old watch was not repairable. So, here I am, about 6 months after receiving the replacement (the product I'm writing the review of) and it's showing the same symptoms as the one before - couldn't find my bpm on a bike ride yesterday, gave me a few blank screens and then today after my run (hey, according to the HRM, I hit 200 bpm 5 minutes into my run - I'm a 53 year old miracle!), I got the screen fading problem. Now, if this is the battery, it's a problem. Batteries should last a lot longer than 6 months.

I don't swim with the HRM on, I don't shower with the HRM on, I don't crack coconuts with it, I don't expose it to magnets or depleted uranium.

My confidence in Timex has been destroyed and I won't bother getting a replacement from them. What good is "free" when you have to deal with the aggravation of losing information from your workouts and the annoyance/hassle of contacting Timex and mailing back and forth?