Discussion: Recommendations for model and vendor for split watch

Since it has been a very long time since I considered such a purchase, I have no idea what is out there.

So, I'm just wondering what people recommend and where I can get it. Ideally, I want to purchase it in person, so if it is available at the mall as opposed to off the bench via pack mule from a special workshop in wherever, all the better.

I very much appreciate any advice.

Timex makes some very cheap split watches that work great. They have 50 and 100 split versions. I bought the 50 split one for 15 bucks at Campmor. I am sure your local sporting goods store, whatever it may be, will carry them. The battery died on my old one just recently after a year of use, and I decided to just buy a new one since they are so cheap. Just ask for the Timex Ironman Triathlon watches and they will probably show you a few models. Any of the models should do as long as it has enough splits for you.

The standard by which all others are judged:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item...
(and it's hard to go wrong for $30 including shipping).

I have bought watches from this guy, by the way, and was happy with the transaction.

I agree that Timex is quite good for our purposes. I have a Timex Ironman 30 laps model for over a year and a half now, that I got form K-mart for 20 bucks, and am pretty happy with it.

or you could go upmarket and buy yourself a heart rate monitor. many of the better models have split watch functionality built in, but it'll set you back 50 bucks or more.

I have one of those, but must admit I rarely use the heart rate monitor functionality as I don't see much use for the information I get...other than using it while running to stay within a certain zone, but that just takes too much fun out of the whole thing

Being the watch queen - I think there are 10 or 12 of them on my dresser as we speak - I especially like the newer version of the Timex Ironman with the one button on the face for splits (Stop button is out of the way on the side). No more fumbling around trying to remember whether it is the right or left button for splits, and invariably turning it off by accident. I also like the feature where you can recall the splits while the watch is running. And when the watch is stopped, recalling the splits to write them down is much better than previous models - the split doesn't keep resetting to the 1st split before you can write the information down.

I have a Timex Rush that has 2 count down timers so you can set it to for example walk for 1 minute and run for 5 minutes. Now if they would add it to the Ironman, they would have a perfect watch.

Some of my other watches - the Timex with heart rate monitor. Never bonded with monitor strap around chest and the watch is thicker than norm.

Also have the Timex Speed and Distance thing that measures with GPS how far you have gone. Like this for open trails, but it is not always accurate in the deep woods. You wear the receiver on your arm and the watch is a bit bulky.

Of course after my previous post, I couldn't resist going to the Timex site and seeing what was new, and if (OK - when), I buy a next watch, I might consider the Timex 54933. It has an oversized display for aging eyes, 9 interval timers (2 is fine for me), and the split button looks to be recessed into the face - maybe not the best for aging fingers, but would prevent those accidental splits. You can also select whether you want the chrono display to show the elapsed or the lap time in the big numbers. See it here: http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=048148549...

Thanks for all the enthusiastic recommendations.

I have to admit, I keep considering heart rate monitors and am very attracted to the notion of downloadable splits/HR that some feature. Of course, these seem a bit pricey. Anyone have any experience with those?

I've got to agree with JJ. The watch at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item...
is also offered by Scarborough orienteering. Angelica picked one up at the US Champs. Like the good old 30 split Casio's, it has nice split buttons and a slew of other features (no HR/GPS though for $30...). One of the nice new things I found right away was that it also adds the feature to scroll forward _or backward_ through your splits when reviewing them (and with no time-out back to the start like some Timex models.)

I have a Polar S-610 hrm that allows me to download splits and heart rate readings onto computer via a snazzy infrared interface. It's a nice toy but unless you're a lot more serious about optimizing your training scientifically than I am then it's probably not necessary... (it was a present, by the way).

I have a nike hrm/watch one of the lower versions of their "triax" series. I has a nice screen (slanted so easier to read), and takes 15 splits (sometimes not enough), although i believe the version up will take more. I also has a interval function with two timers. It graphs your heart rate on the screen, but unlike some of the fancy polar watches has no downloading function. It has many different "modes" and you have to flip between them... but it is pretty well set up.
Bit expensive though... (it was also a present, got it last christmas)

Vladimir from San Jose once said "Trere is no substitution for Polar" and I second it.

Go all the way: it is alot of fun and interesting and usefull info: S720, yuo will like the altimeter, S520 or higher - they worth avery penny. (for J-man and The Dubbler, too). It sounds like a sales pitch, is not it?

I agree with the PhotoMan that Polar is the way to go. The S720 is ideal for orienteering since it measures altitude downloadable via fast USB (or serial port) interface along with your hart rate, splits and other stuff. Go to the polarusa Web site and compare features of different models. I have S710 model (similar to S720) for about a year and I'm more than happy with it. BTW, this model allows storing 99 log files with numerous measurements and then downloading them at a convenient time. Nice feature - I downloaded my 26 files accumulated this week just few minutes ago. Analyzing your hart rate along with the climb profile during an O-meet is fun. E.g., you may see that you made a stupid mistake after running above your threshold for 15.5 seconds :). You can also add wireless speed and cadence sensors if you get into biking. All bike measurements are also downloadable…
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The opinions expressed in this message are those of myself only. These opinions do not represent the official position of the Polar USA, or U. S. Orienteering Team, or the U. S. Orienteering Federation or the International Olympic Committee.

An additional advantage of the Polar S710/S720 is that you can also get the Power Accessory Kit for it, which allows you to measure the power you are putting out while riding your bicycle. And the reason that's a good thing is that I get royalties on the power kit (US Patent #6199021).

...or you can just leave the high tech equipment at home and go for a run. When you are tired you know it is time to get back home again.

... with the same distance, and a bit more time (since tired), to go... that's how I do it - it also adds to the excitement if you go to a new country, don't speak the language and experiment with the route back at dusk.
I have a vague memory of climbing up a cliff and runnning across and then along amotorway after nightfall, and nearly not finding my tent I had hidden so well among the trees...

are altimeters not against the rules, and thus not ideal for orienteering?