Timex Run Trainer (R.I.P. Garmin 305)
After many, many miles of running with my trusty Garmin Forerunner 305, it recently kicked the bucket. I used RunKeeper on my iPhone for a while and I like it, especially for programming intervals and for the automatic posting aspect, but just can’t live without a GPS watch.
Taking advantage of a $50 mail-in rebate, I purchased a Timex Run Trainer. I did quite a bit of research considering reviews, functions (GPS, customizability, waterproof, HR monitor), and price point, and the TRT won out for me.
The TRT is pretty large compared to the newer Garmin watches, but I’m ok with the size of it and prefer actual buttons to some sort of touch interface. I’m still learning how to use this thing. It can be customized a million different ways, which naturally leads to the complexity. Everything can be setup on the watch itself or downloadable software can be used to do the same thing much more quickly. The TRT uploads to TrainingPeaks instead of using its own proprietary software, such as Garmin Connect. I’ve used TP a bit in the past, but with the new watch I’ll move exclusively to TP starting in 2012 (sorry DailyMile.com).
I went out for my first run with the TRT today and had no issues with it. The pace and distance seemed to be right on and the HR monitor also functioned just fine. Here are a few more snapshots.
It looks ridiculously huge from this up-close angle (That’s what she said)…
Looking a little more normal here. Kona agrees…
And here’s a quick look at it with 4 lines of data during my run (HR, current pace, distance, time)…
I’ll try to post more in the future… once I figure out how to use it!
Nice. Let us know how it works out!
Nice report. I got one at Christmas, my first HRM, and have struggled to set it up. I’ll try it on the computer, good tip.
I think the most confusing thing is that you set up the run display to show 4 lines and then you go to “CHRONO” and you don’t see that. It will only show up after you start the GPS and get going. Very odd. I really like it and actually do wear it all the time, but it takes a bit to figure it all out for sure.