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Timex Ironman GPS: Global Trainer & Run Trainer Reviews

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Test run to the top of a mountain? Check!

On my 14th birthday, I woke up early and ran to the breakfast table, eager to open my gifts before school.  What would it be ? New clothes? The latest Alanis Morisette CD? Whatever else I liked when I was 14?  Nope. None of the above.  It was a Timex Ironman chrono watch.  My dad swore up and down that it was the best watch out there. I hid my utter disappointment at the time that I got a lame watch for my birthday (I was hoping to rock the latest Abercrombie and fitch gear or whatever else was hip back in the 90’s), but as it turned out, my dad knew what he was doing.  That watch lasted FOREVER, and was a staple to my wardrobe/sports training for the next 5 or 6 years.  I had to replace the band long before anything else on the watch stopped working. So needless to say, I already stand behind the quality of Timex products.

These days, however, the bells and whistles are far greater than the early Ironman watch I owned.   So I was very excited when Timex offered to provided me with two of their Ironman line GPS models to review.

I’ll be honest: my reviews of these types of products do not go into great detail about the tech side of the gear. As a mom on the run (literally) my reviews consist more of: does it fit? Does it withstand to my 3 year old stealing the watch and pushing all of the buttons at the same time and then throwing it across the room?  Is this a realistic product for me to use day to day?   I’m happy to say that with the Timex products, the answer is “yes” to all of the above (seriously, Kain did some quality control testing of his own on the Run Trainer…sigh)

 So, first up:
What they say:   “Worn on your wrist or mounted to your bike handlebars, the Timex Ironman Global Trainer is the only multisport GPS product worthy of the Ironman name. It delivers a state of the art GPS that records pace, speed, distance, and more. Powered by SiRFstarIII GPS technology and ANT+ compatibility, Global Trainer records your performance across several dimensions, providing real-time data on a customizable screen. It’s Multisport mode allows for a customizable sequence of up to five activities to make triathlon data capture completely seamless. This bundle includes an accurate heart rate sensor, and can be paired with third party ANT+ power meters. After your workout, download performance and route data to Timex Ironman online training log software powered by TrainingPeaks.”
Special Features:
  • GPS-Enabled Watch Measures Pace, Speed, Distance, Heart Rate and More in Real-Time.
  • SiRFstarIII GPS Technology Requires No Calibration
  • Customizable Screen Display Show Up to Four Windows of Information
  • 20-Workout Memory with Dated Summary Records up to 1000 Laps of Information
  • Battery Recharges when Connected to USB Port or to any Electrical Outlet with Included AC Adaptor
  • Comes with Timex Flex-Tech™ Digital 2.4 Heart Rate Sensor
  • Compatible with Timex Foot Pod sensor using ANT+

MSRP:  $360 (with HR monitor)

What I say:

Likes:  Off the shelf incredibly easy to use. I took it out of the box and started playing with the functions without reading the manual first, and I had no problem finding the “run” portion of multisport, hitting start, and going for a run.    The screen is large and easy to read,  the buttons the same.   While the face plate is large in diameter, it is not very large in height off of the wrist (like some other GPS watches you may or may not be familiar with!).  Honestly I’ll take the large faceplate if it means I can see the stats clearly while ON the run.
size comparison: Motorola Motoactv, Timex Run Trainer, Timex Global Trainer, Garmin Forerunner 305

The watch is also waterproof, which totally solves the swimming issue. I hated that I could never take trusty coach Garmin into the pool.  The multi-sport function is easy to use.  And conveniently, the Global Trainer comes with a bike mount that easily and securely snaps onto your bike’s handle bars (a little trickier to find the right spot when you have aero-only, but I had no problem snapping the mount onto the side)

I love the soft heart rate monitor strap (as opposed to some that are stiff the entire length of the front chest strap).   I had zero issues with heart rate monitoring or losing signal, and could comfortably wear the chest strap for hours at a time.

soft Timex strap (top) vs. stiff Garmin 305 model

I will be honest, call me old school but I prefer buttons over touch screens of some other brand’s newer models.  There is no accidental stopping of the timer, hitting the lap button, etc. if you brush the screen.
Lastly, I appreciated that when you power off the watch, it is now in “time” mode, as a standard watch. Convenient!

Dislikes:  Twice I couldn’t locate GPS satellites, at all.  One time I will forgive the watch, as I was in the deep forest in the middle of no where (the trail head of Mt. Monadnock) but another time, I was in the middle of downtown.  I realize this is a common problem with ALL GPS watches, not simply the Timex brand, but I felt it should be noted.
What they say:  “It’s no longer enough to train hard, you also have to train smart if you want an edge. The Timex Ironman Run Trainer’s sleek styling and compact build complements a wide array of wrist sizes and running styles. The Run Trainer offers a large, readable face with three or customizable line displays, allowing users to view their preferred information during workouts. The product includes real-time pace, distance and elevation data using SiRFstarIVä GPS technology. In addition, the training device boasts an eight hour battery life and offers water resistance to 50 meters. “
Special Features:
  • GPS-Enabled Watch Measures Pace, Speed, Distance and More in Real-Time
  • Fastest and Most Reliable Signal with SiRFstar IV™ GPS Technology
  • Highly Customizable, Easy-to-Read Screen Shows Three- or Four-Lines of Data
  • Interval Timers, Alerts and 15-Workout Memory
  • 8-Hour Battery in Full GPS Mode; Recharge with Included USB Cable
  • Comes with Timex Flex-Tech™ Digital 2.4 Heart Rate Sensor
  • 50-Meter Water Resistance
  • Compatible with ANT+ Foot Pod Sensor
  • Easily Customize Watch Settings on a Computer
  • Review Maps and Performance Online
  • INDIGLO® Night-Light with Option for Full-Time Illumination
MSRP: $275 (w/HR monitor)
What I say:

Let’s lump likes & dislikes together for this one: My huge dislike was that it took me FOREVER to figure out how to work this thing, switch functions, etc, and the owners manual was seriously lacking in helpful information.  That said, once I figured it out, I LOVE this watch. It is smaller than the Global Trainer, which is great for me and my freakishly small wrists.  Once I picked up GPS satellite, I never lost it, even through deep trails.

As a fitness professional, I like to have a watch and HR monitor on throughout most of the day.  For obvious reasons, like timing intervals, keeping track of a class, answering the never ending “hey do you know what time it is?” question, and not so obvious things, like getting a general estimate of daily caloric burn based on HR, and keeping track of my personal heart rate (because I’m an exercise science nerd) while teaching classes.  I really enjoyed the Run Trainer as I was able to customize the main screen to show me exactly what I wanted (HR & calorie burn) for work, and then quickly switch over to a GPS enabled watch to go for a quick run on the trail behind our facility (because honestly, this does happen a lot at my job. I am blessed!)
For both products, I was able to log onto https://timextrainer.trainingpeaks.com and create a free user profile.    I’ll be honest, I’m a “here and now” runner.  What’s my pace RIGHT NOW and how far have I gone, at THIS VERY SECOND.  I know a lot of people do enjoy analyzing every tenth of a mile over their race, but clearly I do not have the attention span (nor time) for that, so I’ll be honest that I didn’t go far into depth with this part of the review.  However, I know a lot of people are huge fans of Training Peaks.  I have used it in the past, and it is truly a great program to create, track, and analyze your training plan, so I was excited to see that the Timex Ironman products were compatible.

I also appreciated that both models came with an entire booklet dedicated to heart rate monitoring and training. The number one question I get from new clients, members, and athletes is “what should my heart rate be?”  Of course, without lab testing it’s hard to know exactly, but the booklet gave an easy to understand, basic description of how heart rate training should work.
For those debating between the two models, I would ask you what your main goals are. If you are a statistical/training numbers junkie: go for the Global Trainer.  I have been using this watch for months now and have hardly scratched the surface of the capabilities of this watch.  It is a must for triathletes with it’s multisport functions.  If you are looking for something a little more versatile and more “watch” like (for the gym, for the run, for timing your grocery shopping aisle splits), I’d suggest the run trainer.
It is very hard to list ALL of the capabilities of these watches without sounding like an owners manual, so if you have ANY specific questions at all about this review,  these products, or simply my opinion on these products, please comment below and I’m happy to answer them!
For more information on these models, as well as others in the Timex Ironman line, please visit their website.
*note: Timex provided me with these products for review free of charge, however, all opinions and reviews stated are 100% mine. *

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Comments

  1. gene @boutdrz

    fantastic reviews!!!!
    i like Timex products, but they don’t like me. Huh? true.
    I have had analog watches that stop dead within a day of being on my wrist, and digital ones (ironman) that have lasted about 3 months before getting all wonky. screen will show jibberish, time will jump all over the place, etc.
    i know. freaky, right?
    stinks too, because they make a great product!
    funny that you mentioned your Dad giving you that watch, because I have had the same thoughts about my little guy….

    Reply

  4. Kerry

    Do you prefer the Timex over the Garmin? How do you like the Motorola Motoactv? I currently have a Garmin 405 that is on it’s last leg (It’s battery life is rapidly dwindling, but I guess I can’t complain to much since it is 3 years old.), so I’m starting the process of looking for a new GPS running watch. I’m training for my first marathon, so I’m need of something that will keep a charge for 5+ hours while in use, unlike my current watch. Thank you so much for your help!

    Reply

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