Timex 59551 Triathlon Bodylink Performance Monitor and Watch

by Timex

Product Features

• Using the very latest in digital technology, the Bodylink System is a network of up to 4 devices worn on the body that act together as a single information and sport monitoring system. The Timex Ironman Triathlon Bodylink Performance Monitor is the essential element to the Bodylink System by providing real-time workout data. It teams with the Timex Digital Heart Rate Sensor and the Timex Speed + Distance Sensor to simultaneously provide comprehensive performance feedback.
• Speed + Distance Sensor works with highly accurate GPS satellite tracking system
• Includes adjustable arm strap and belt clip
• Continuous odometer
• English, metric or nautical units

Product Description

Digital Sport Watch / Heart Rate Monitor / Water-Resistant / Speed and Distance Functions synched with GPS / Indiglo Screen Automatic time correction (No calibration necessary) 99% distance accuracy in environments with a clear view of the sky (better than 95% distance accuracy in most other environments) Sensor - Splash-resistant Watch is 50M Water-resistant Heart Rate Sensor uses Digital FM transmission for clear signals around exercise equipment and power lines (prevents crosstalk from other heart rate monitors) On-the-chest monitor provides continuous heart rate readings during even the most intense activities 100-hour chronograph with lap/split 100-lap memory with recall of Bodylink System data Alerts for targeted heart rate zone, pace, speed and distance 5 Alarms Indiglo Night View LCD

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• ASIN: B00064WW4C
• UPC: 048148595514
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,908 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Timex, August 29, 2004

By 

David Dyer "ben34988" (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I've had 2 Polar and 1 Timex before this. I still have the last timex. It works great still, but lacks the gps. The 2 Polars didn't last very long.

My uses: Trail running, mountain biking, swimming, timekeeping

The more technical functionality that is built into any gadget, the more there is to gripe about. The HRM function is great, the GPS speed and distance is just ok: uncomfortable, bulky, heavy, inaccurate when trail running or trail biking.

I bought the unit intending to buy the Data Link piece later. I still intend to buy it, but it is costly. I think the data link functionaly will make the total package worthwhile if you aren't strapped for money.

As a HRM, the unit is an excellent performer. The band is light weight and comfortable. The chest strap is sensitive to your heartbeat and comfortable for the most part. It is a little small for my XXL chest, but I use it despite the tightness. Functions include: chrono stop with splits, Avg HR, Avg HR in Zone, Time in Zone, event time, all the normal functions.

When you strap on the GPS arm band, there are both good and bad elements. Added to the functions are: pace, avg pace, distance, speed, avg speed. Those are the basic speed and distance functions. It also does some complex things. It can take splits at predetermined distances. Say when you run 3 miles, it can be set to take a split at each exact mile without your input. It can also sense movement and start your chrono for you at the exact moment when you take off running. It is capable of much more than most folks would use, but it could be useful for customizing workouts.

The GPS is a little heavy, a litte AA battery hungry, and is not comfortable. It is a trade off. You gain speed and distance information at the expense of having to wear the GPS band. I've found that I only use the GPS on new routes until I've become accustomed to the particularities of that route, then I store the GPS in my gear bag and go back to just using the HRM.

GPS is less than accurate when running or riding trails. Walking is ok. It is highly accurate with a clear(er) view of the sky. The faster you go under the trees, the less accurate. I found it to be useless on the mountain bike in the woods. Simply not accurate in that instance.

Also, my wireless Ciclo Master CM411 bike computer goes haywire when exposed to the HRM signal, rendering it inaccurate. The bar mounted bike computer displays varying MPH's while sitting still when in proximity to the HRM. I'll give my wireless Ciclo to a family member and replace it with a wired version soon.

RECAP and Final say:

Pros:
Legendary Timex durability and watch functionality; tasteful styling, very light weight, comfortable fit; easy to learn, easy to use; offers speed, distance and pace measurements, but best for occasionl use in my opinion.

Cons:
Expensive, strap smallish but managable for XXL chest, indiglo light won't stay on long and is dim; the HR signal causes the wireless ciclo bar mounted computer to read erroneously, GPS less accurate when on the trails.

Another tool for those who have the money, can't comment on the datalink, HRM and Watch function great.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal HRM and GPS Combo!, April 9, 2004

By 

megabeilin (MD USA) - See all my reviews

I use my Bodylink system for cycling, which I've taken up this year to stay fit. The concept of the Bodylink is vastly superior to anything else I've seen: you get an HRM with a GPS tracker to measure speed and distance, in one wireless system. For me, the getting the Bodylink was a no brainer. Why get two separate wireless units when one system combines both, with state of the art technology? Moreover, as a newbie buying with a higher end road bike, I didn't want to mess with connecting a cycloputer with wires and/or magnets to my new bike, so the wireless GPS method of tracking distance & speed has been a godsend.

I've owned my Bodylink system now for about 3 months and it's worked like a charm! The watch alone is a beautiful, superior digital timepiece, as far as digital watches go. The display is big and the characters are very easy to read and highly visible when dark, thanks to the Indiglo backlight. The wrist strap is extremely comfortable, and the crystal has been quite strong & scratch resistant (knock on wood!). Honestly, the watch is so comfortable and stylish that I now prefer to wear it rather than my trusty (and expensive) Tag Heuer analog watch.

The watch/HRM/cyclo-running computer has a about a zillion different functions, but thankfully, it picks up the signals from both the GPS and HRM chest transmitters almost instantaneously, and then it's fairly easy to get the data displayed. I have also found both the HRM chest transmitter and the GPS unit (which wraps around your arm the watch is on) to be very durable and yet comfortable to wear. I find the GPS tracking for speed and distance to be especially cool -- I mean, when you can use the latest satellite technology to measure your speed and distance travelled with pinpoint accuracy, what's not to like? Another nice feature is that each time you use the GPS, the unit also synchronizes the accuracy of the watch's time with that of the satellite. Thus, your watch's time is always correct.

I haven't noticed any problems with the accuracy of either the HRM or the GPS units. I've read posts on cycling forums about interference from other bikers' wireless cycloputers, but that hasn't been a problem with my Bodylink at all. In fact, I can't recall intereference from anything. I've found the watch to be very easy to read while on my bike, thanks to the great display qualities. I originally wanted to mount an HRM/cycloputer on my handlebar, but having to look instead at the watch has worked out fine.

The only fault I can find is with the documentation: the manual is neither as clear nor as detailed as I'd like, and unfortunately, the Timex web site offers nothing more in the way of online tech information. On the other hand, I've been able to figure a lot out about the various computer functions just by taking the time to experiment around with the watch; it's not that hard.

The bottom line: the Bodylink isn't cheap, but you get a lot for your money.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money!, April 8, 2004

By 

megabeilin (MD USA) - See all my reviews

I use my Bodylink system for cycling, which I've taken up this year to stay fit. The concept of the Bodylink is vastly superior to anything else I've seen: you get an HRM with a GPS system in one system, and both are wireless. For a newbie at serious cycling, I didn't want to mess with connecting wires and magnets to my new bike, so the wireless GPS method of tracking distance & speed has been a godsend.

I've owned my Bodylink system now for about 3 months and it's worked like a charm! The watch alone is a beautiful, superior digital timepiece, as far as digital watches go. The display is big and the characters are very easy to read and highly visible when dark, thanks to the Indiglo backlight. The wrist strap is extremely comfortable, and the crystal has been quite strong & scratch resistant (knock on wood!). Honestly, the watch is so comfortable and stylish that I now prefer to wear it rather than my trusty (and expensive) Tag Heuer analog watch.

The watch/HRM/cyclo-running computer has a about a zillion different functions, but thankfully, it picks up the signals from both the GPS and HRM chest transmitters almost instantaneously, and then it's fairly easy to get the data displayed. I have also found both the HRM chest transmitter and the GPS units to be very durable and yet comfortable to wear.

I haven't noticed any problems with the accuracy of either the HRM or the GPS units. I've read posts on cycling forums about interference from other bikers' wireless cycloputers, but that hasn't been a problem with my Bodylink at all. In fact, I can't recall intereference from anything. I've found the watch to be very easy to read while on my bike, thanks to the great display qualities. I originally wanted to mount an HRM/cycloputer on my handlebar, but having to look instead at the watch has worked out fine.

The only fault I can find is with the documentation: the manual is neither as clear nor as detailed as I'd like, and unfortunately, the Timex web site offers nothing more in the way of online tech information. On the other hand, I've been able to figure a lot out about the various computer functions just by taking the time to experiment around with the watch; it's not that hard.