Running Watches

stmochtas

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good running watch? What functions do you think are important when out running? I want to keep the cost down if I can but I dont want to buy something cheap thats not going to do the job.

If you know somewhere with competitive prices also let me know,


Thanks in advance.

cfitz

I have a Timex Ironman watch from a few years ago. It's very good. Stores about 100 runs and has a backlight that comes on by flicking your wrist!

The Nike ones are usually a really good shape with big numbers. It's a bit annoying if the strap breaks - because of the ergonomic shape it's harder to replace.

I haven't bought a watch in ages but for what it's worth I would say: The Timex ones are great value. The Nike ones are a better shape and easier to read. If you can find one with enough memory and the features you want, then that's the one to go for regardless of brand.

I think it's important that it stores a lot of runs and laps - they fill up quickly if you're doing interval sessions.

It seems to be a lot more difficult to get running watches in Ireland now. If Argos have one you'll probably get a good price there.

DaDa

I agree.. Timex... Ironman... Argos

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=30001&catalogId=1500000801&langId=-1&searchTerms=timex+ironman

bazman

This watch is the fantastic value. At 35 euro is has everything you need:

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500000801&productId=1500109963&clickfrom=image

Cheaper than Timex also. It's the one to go for if 60 laps memory is sufficient. Only other disadvantage against timex is that it only has one countdown period - think timex has 2.

cfitz

bazman wrote:

This watch is the fantastic value. At 35 euro is has everything you need:

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500000801&productId=1500109963&clickfrom=image

Cheaper than Timex also. It's the one to go for if 60 laps memory is sufficient. Only other disadvantage against timex is that it only has one countdown period - think timex has 2.

My Timex Ironman watch has 9 countdown periods and this 9-period pattern can be set to run continuously or a certain amount of times.

I think my old Nike watch only had 5 countdown periods and could only be set in increments of 10 seconds which wasn't very satisfactory.

Timmaay

Bazman, I had one of those casio PHYS, whereas they have some great functions, the start/stop and lap/split buttons are located on the front of the watch, and are a nightmare to try and press during a race. I had ended up returning it after one race, i didn't get 1/2 my splits because i hadn't pressed the button right. I got a timex instead, their brilliant, wanto get another one again. I remember Damian from Amphibian King was thinking of stocking timex watches, does anyone know if he ever got them in?

bazman

This is your standard Timex Ironman:
http://www.timex.com/gp/product/B0000U0L5Y/sr=1-3/qid=1191491360/ref=sr_1_3/105-7442165-3213242?ie=UTF8&m=A1S5XB33AHYRMX&n=267161011&timexBrand=core

2-Interval Timers & 50-lap memory - similar spec to the cheaper Casio.

I accept that the Iroman is a nicer watch, but since stmochtas requested to keep the cost down I suggested the Casio. It also has a 10-year battery, which I can vouch for as I have mine for close to 10 years now without any problems.

In relation to the location of the start/stop buttons - that's just a matter of what you're used to. I find the Casio to be a very nice light race watch - the seek version of the Timex is also very nice, but it's no longer sold in Argos Ireland : (

For training I use a Polar S625X - absolutely fantastic - has absolutely everything a runner/biker/triathlete would need including altitude, speed & distance on foot & bike, heart-race, any interval timers you want (no limit), huge memory, fancy software package with fancy graphs! Only problem is it will set you back 250-300 euro ...

I've also tried the closed circuit Adidas watch - very nice, but a little bulky for racing ...

Timmaay

Best watch I ever had was a timex marathon, nice and light, very easy to use and had a 27 lap memory, which is as much as you need. I lost it a few months ago. They were in argos for €30ish, but they dont seem to make them anymore so i'll have to get another one on ebay or somewhere like that.

All the timex ironman watches seem to have the lap button on the front aswell:mad:. I just find that too awkward when your doing 6min mile pace races.

run_Forrest_run

Timmaay wrote: »

Bazman, I had one of those casio PHYS, whereas they have some great functions, the start/stop and lap/split buttons are located on the front of the watch, and are a nightmare to try and press during a race. I had ended up returning it after one race, i didn't get 1/2 my splits because i hadn't pressed the button right...

That's the exact same thing that happened to me with the PHYS watch...a nice handy light weight watch but the start/stop & split buttons are badly designed and you really have to press down hard...and at mile 24 that can be quite hard to do

Kowalski19

I've had a Triax watch for years-great investment. Does anyone know a contact to get the battery replaced? I had it replaced once, but the number I used the last time is now obsolete.