Training & Nutrition - Timex Heart Rate Monitors

Does anyone use a Timex HRM? If so, what is your opinion of it and what model(s) do you have? I am looking into getting a HRM and I need one that is 1.) cheap 2.) has digital transmission and 3.) accurate.

I am currently looking at this one as it seems to fit the bill, http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=753048089109. Anyone have this model. I believe they call it the Timex Fitness HRM.

I got this one discounted through Performance: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20250 . It seems to work just fine, nothing fancy, does the basics OK. I had to replace the chest strap battery after just a couple of weeks -- maybe it was old stock.

I use them. I think they're crap for the more advanced ones. If you want one, get the cheapest digital ones you can find. Once you decide what you really want with a monitor, then you at least didn't waste the money on some gimmick digital monitor that doesn't work well and has very little customer support to correct the glitches.

Koffee

Koffee, so you think the Timex is an okay bargain HRM? I am looking at their bargain digital HRM because as you pointed out the "they're crap for the more advanced ones". I only want somthing that will be reasonably reliable and cheap.

Thanks for maintaining the Tour de France thread, Koffee!

Not a problem with the T de F threads- can't wait for the Vuelta!

Timex is ok. I'm not sure why you want one, but if you just want it because it's digital, get the cheapest one they have that's digital.

I got the more expensive ones because I wanted that GPS crap. I put up a couple of thousand of dollars for GPS and Timex monitors, and they were just plain screwy. Timex cannot resolve their glitches, and until then, I'd be wary to invest money in their technology. Go as cheap as you can.

Koffee

I have a low-end Timex I purchased ~4 years ago. Basic functions only. It's been reliable. What sold me on the Timex versus Polar, is that you can replace the battery in the chest strap. The older Polar model chest strap had to be sent back to the factory for replacement. I finaly had to replace the battery a few months ago. $3 battery from Radio Shack did the job.

Not a problem with the T de F threads- can't wait for the Vuelta!

Timex is ok. I'm not sure why you want one, but if you just want it because it's digital, get the cheapest one they have that's digital.

I got the more expensive ones because I wanted that GPS crap. I put up a couple of thousand of dollars for GPS and Timex monitors, and they were just plain screwy. Timex cannot resolve their glitches, and until then, I'd be wary to invest money in their technology. Go as cheap as you can.

Koffee

What I mean by "digital" is the transmission between the chest strap and watch. I am not necessarily stuck on Timex but they have the cheapest one that as Digital transmission so you don't have to worry about interference. I have heard plenty of people who have had problems with interference before especially with wireless computers which I have on my bike.

I know what you mean by digital. That's what attracted me to Timex to begin with. Previously, I had Polars for training clients and classes, and it was a pain in the butt with the cross talk. Timex claimed with the digital monitors, it eliminated cross talk. The problem is, you still have to be 5- 6 feet away from someone else when you turn on your Timex, or else you still pick up their signals. That's just one of the problems I had when dealing with Timex.

The new Polars have coded transmissions too, so they reduce the cross talk. You could go either way... timex, polar... whatever works for you.

Koffee

I recently picked up the Timex Ironman Digital Triathalon HRM (http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=753048098811) and I like it a lot. Previously, I was using a sigma and had lots of interference with my cat eye wireless computer. No interference with either HRM or computer since i switched. I got mine for 33% off so it was a good deal.

That is my watch. It does a good job for the price. You can set your own max heart rate and it will make up the 5 zones off of that.

You can put in your weight and it will give you calories burned too, but I am not sure how accurate that is though. I think that it will match all 3 of your requirements.

Biggest thing going for this is the user replaceable batteries in the strap and watch (even though the watch band is seriously tough to get back on once you take it off.)



Does anyone use a Timex HRM? If so, what is your opinion of it and what model(s) do you have? I am looking into getting a HRM and I need one that is 1.) cheap 2.) has digital transmission and 3.) accurate.

I am currently looking at this one as it seems to fit the bill, http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=753048089109. Anyone have this model. I believe they call it the Timex Fitness HRM.

I know what you mean by digital. That's what attracted me to Timex to begin with. Previously, I had Polars for training clients and classes, and it was a pain in the butt with the cross talk. Timex claimed with the digital monitors, it eliminated cross talk. The problem is, you still have to be 5- 6 feet away from someone else when you turn on your Timex, or else you still pick up their signals. That's just one of the problems I had when dealing with Timex.

The new Polars have coded transmissions too, so they reduce the cross talk. You could go either way... timex, polar... whatever works for you.

Koffee

Thanks again for the response Koffee.

Good questions and responses....I've been looking at this very thing too and thinking about going Timex.

Most descriptions I've seen don't say much about the chest strap....are they wireless or do they need to be wired to the watch? I haven't seen any in real life...just online and some (Polar) mentioned wireless chest straps, so I wondered if most others like Timex had a wire between chest strap and watch.

I just want a simple one with heart rate monitor and calorie counter....all I'm mostly concerned with. But really would not want a wire between watch and chest.

Timex is wireless also.

Koffee

One of the nice things about the Timex is the user can replace the battery in the watch and the chest strap. In the Polar models the user can only replace the battery in the watch and NOT the chest strap. That is is another reason I don't want a Polar.

Polar just wants you to let them do it that's all. You could replace it yourself, but if you mess it up, that's when they get irritated. But it ain't rocket science. They just act like it is.

Koffee

One of the nice things about the Timex is the user can replace the battery in the watch and the chest strap. In the Polar models the user can only replace the battery in the watch and NOT the chest strap. That is is another reason I don't want a Polar.

You cannot replace the battery in the older Polar chest straps. The new wear link chest strap does have a user replaceable battery.

I've got an older Timex model, it's fine but basic. I wouldn't recommend it unless all you want is current HR. And if that's the case, you can probably get one even cheaper from Sigma or Nashbar.

As far as HRM functionality is concerned basic is all I want. I want something that I can put in a Max Heart Rate and give me an alarm if I reach it.

Not a problem with the T de F threads- can't wait for the Vuelta!

Timex is ok. I'm not sure why you want one, but if you just want it because it's digital, get the cheapest one they have that's digital.

I got the more expensive ones because I wanted that GPS crap. I put up a couple of thousand of dollars for GPS and Timex monitors, and they were just plain screwy. Timex cannot resolve their glitches, and until then, I'd be wary to invest money in their technology. Go as cheap as you can.

Koffee

Koffee,
I think this is the only thing we have disagreed on and its so small shizat ;) I have a very reliable 4110 sport model it will even use a polar transmitter band and receive its signals ITs also the watch I wear everday. I had paid like 30 bucks for it and it tells me everything I need to know ( that my heart is beating LOL) By trhe way the chest strap is smaller then the Nike which can stop a bullet!
Velocity

I don't know how the Timex is using the polar transmitter, except to say that there are some very cheaper Timex monitors that are NOT digital. I don't know why Timex did it, but 1 or 2 of their lower end monitors are not digital. Go figure.

They still have too many glitches for me to invest any more money in.

Koffee

I am currently looking at this one as it seems to fit the bill, http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=753048089109. Anyone have this model?I'm wearing that very HRM. I would not buy one again, even for $25.

Pros:
Price; You can wear it when not working out (it looks like a regular watch);HR display can be customized (what it shows on display)

Stopwatch counts to 99 hours (no, i don't workout that long).

Cons;
HR zones are worthless, since you can't set your own. Its estimates are probably only appropriate for overweight walkers.
You can set one zone manually, but you can't turn off the 'out of zone' beep, drives me nuts, so that zone is worthless.

All of it's 'advanced' features are so unconfigurable (is that a word?) that it becomes a very basic HRM.

Stopwatch counts in full seconds (no tenths) and has no lap splits.

If all you want is the most basic of watches, it's a decent choice. If you want more (you will) grab a Polar from ebay that has the features you'll actually use. But, it will be ugly as crap (oh well).

Thanks TeamCNY for the response. That was exactly the type of information I was looking for.

Thanks supcom for the info about the new Polar chest straps. I went and looked at the Polar F11 last night which has the WearLink Strap and it is very nice. I will probably end up getting that one. I figure in the long run it will better to spend a little more to get one that works better.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3321889
Here is a polar in the same price range.
Don't know much about them as I don't have one at all but am interested in getting one.

Just to give another idea....I started really looking at them...was just starting when this thread began.

I was mostly concerned with HRM and calorie counter.....figured too many bells and whistles would just bring more complication into the matter.

I ended up going with a model (SE232) by Oregon Scientific.
www.oregonscientific.com

More specifically, http://www2.oregonscientific.com/catalog/subcategory.asp?c=3&s=9

It's list price is $109, but was able to find it for $60 through pricegrabber.

Anyone know the best place to get the Timex? Or other inexpensive brands?

Performance? Nashbar?

Anyone know the best place to get the Timex? Or other inexpensive brands?

Performance? Nashbar?
Try price comparison websites like pricegrabber.com or similar. Also, google for coupons on sites like Performance or Nashbar to see if the coupon would make them cheaper than what you'll find from price copmarison website.

Just to give another idea....I started really looking at them...was just starting when this thread began.

I was mostly concerned with HRM and calorie counter.....figured too many bells and whistles would just bring more complication into the matter.

I ended up going with a model (SE232) by Oregon Scientific.
www.oregonscientific.com

More specifically, http://www2.oregonscientific.com/catalog/subcategory.asp?c=3&s=9

It's list price is $109, but was able to find it for $60 through pricegrabber.

Calorie counter is mainly a fuzz feature.

My wife just got an Acumen Basix. It's much cooler (four colors) than my Timex, although it doesn't do the lap/split and it's not as "waterproof" as my Timex. It was about $70 plus shipping of course. The beep is also less annoying! ;)

Calorie counter is mainly a fuzz feature.
Not when the primary reason for use is to help in weight loss, like me. That colorie counter was a VERY IMPORTNAT feature to ME.

I understand, it's just a "bell and whistle" kind of thing...but it was something that *I* was really looking for.

I bought a Timex Marathon compact from Performance and I'm happy with it. Got the marathon and it didn't work (the manager said the store got a defective batch, several other people had the same problem), so I exchanged for the compact and no problems in the 2 times that I've used it so far.

This is the model I have:
http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=753048098811
I've been using it for about two weeks and REALLY like it. It's digital and works just fine with my double Cat Eye wireless cyclocomputer and is very easy to set up.
My only complaint is it doesn't have a handlebar mount but it's NBD to fashion one out of some foam rubber.
I highly recommend this watch.

Hi, how can you guys put the TIMEX HRM on the handlebar?
Does TIMEX has a mount for that?

You could probably buy the Polar Bike Mount - http://www.pursuit-performance.com.au/polar/html/local/accessories/Bike_Mount_Set.html - and use it. I don't know as I have not tried this but the Polar Bike Mount just attaches to the handlebar and then you put the watch on the mount as if it is your wrist. You could give it a try.

I had a generic Nashbar HRM some years ago that came with a rubber grommet thingie that you could slip on the handlebar and just wrap the watch around. 2 or 3 different HRMs later and I still use that mount.

I bet you could just get the mount from Nashbar.

This is the one my wife bought me,http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=048148595712. So far after a couple of months use it's great.