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1
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
5
The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
The biggest question…Is it still Indiglo? I hope not.
No, at least, it’s not from a technology standpoint (the branding may be).
It’s a clean, clear, crisp back-light. Finally!
When do i out the watch on in a triathlon? In T2 or at the beginning of the swim? When would I load the GPS up?
When would I put* the watch on?
You could do either. If you put it on pre-swim, you could just create a lap marker for the swim, one for T1, bike, T2, etc… Assuming you wanted entire race time.
If you want separate sports, then I’d stop it and re-start during T1/T2. Because it holds the satellite for a few minutes, it’ll actually be near instant. With a bit of practice sitting around house, you could get the whole switch operation down to 1-2 seconds.
Eventually a waterproof gps that looks like a regular sport watch?
Yup, it’s getting there. I like it. And even though it doesn’t in the photos look substantially smaller than the original Timex Run Trainer, it has much less girth to it, so it definitely feels smaller. The quote from The Girl last night was “I like the look of it!”.
Considering I own a TGT, it seems quite nice.
But alas, where did the start/split button go?
Bottom right. If you look at the 2nd photo on the 3rd row it’s a bit easier to see.
I saw it, but when running (in the dark) for short interval, swimming or rowing, the front position seems to be easier to handle.
Finally I realized I’m falling in love with your wrist, I’ve seen it so many times this week!
Hopefully I’ll buy my new gps this week (unless I decide to wait for this one…) so I’ll leave your wrist away ;-)
Thanks a lot
Can’t wait to see how it compares to the Garmin 910xt!
So Timex didn’t go down the Smartwatch route, will be interesting to see if Garmin release a new 910xt replacement soon and whether that would be a smartwatch with good waterproofing to go against the Leikr.
I wouldn’t expect to see a FR910XT replacement this year.
The Run Trainer 2.0 looks great. I love the improved display and the menu screen shots looks like that is also much improved!
Will you be providing a comparison with the 1.0? I recently got the first one, and I’d like to know if I should be kicking myself for not waiting…
Yup, that’ll all be included in the review.
Dang! I just bought the 1.0 today based on your review.Hey,cant complain for $ 101.95 i suppose.Maybe it will be a good way to ease into the GPS thingy.
How about the Timex Global Trainer? Is there an upgrade coming up this year?
Can GPS work in open water swim?
There’s not an openwater swim mode (like the Garmin FR310XT/910XT), as it’s a running focused watch. I’m guessing the GPS itself would be spotty if worn on the wrist during an openwater swim, but would work just fine on ones head with the swimcap method.
I’ve have reasonable success with the TRT 1 with open water swimming on my wrist. Trick is to set the recording rate to be pretty slow (4 or 8 seconds). Just have to remember to change it back once you’re done.
I see in specs that it apparently has a zone for cadence. Would be great if they didn’t make pod override gps for distance info when outdoors.
Yup, there’s a new setting when you pair the cadence sensor that allows you to have the footpod be used for cadence only, and GPS still be used. :)
Is there a way to use the watch as a stopwatch (for swim/bike portion of IM) and then turn on the gps for the run without having to reset the stopwatch? This would allow the watch to be used for a full IM..(battery won’t last for the full IM unless you go sub 8 :) )
Yeah, you can go with GPS off. In my Timex Run Trainer 1.0 tests, I went with GPS off for..well…about 99 hours (and then the display no longer tracks beyond that). It won’t create a single cohesive activity, but you can easily just do three different activities.
Hi Ray,
First off, I love your site. Your product reviews are just the kind I like to read (very detailed), and I enjoy your other blog articles as well.
Thanks for posting these pics. I am going to the States next month and have been planning to get a TRT1, but now that I see the TRT2 I’m definitely interested and just hope it is released before my trip. I look forward to seeing your in depth review.
I assume that it is still water resistant to 50m and that it still has the option to do arbitrary splits? I’m glad to hear they’ve sorted out the footpod.
I’ll be very interested to hear what kind of battery life and memory it has. One of my concerns about the TRT1 was that it wouldn’t have enough memory for a long weekend of running without access to the computer. In fact, when I was running up Mt. Hotham (day 4 of the Bright Alpine Climb) last November, one of the runners near me let out an exhasperated groan when his TRT beeped, flashed “Memory Full”, and then I believe it reset.
Still waterproofed to 50m, and still can do splits as you see fit.
Looking at memory, it’s much easier to evaluate now given the USB drive nature of the device. At present my unit has three runs on it, it has 370KB of free space. Those three runs were:
3 hours: 234KB + 12m run @ 28KB
40m: 64KB
90m: 210KB
Total: 534KB for ~5hr 20m
Free space: 370KB which would be roughly about 4hrs, so in total about 9 hours.
All three had GPS + HR + Footpod. All files recorded as .FIT.
Kinda disappointing now that I look at it that way. Let me loop back to the Timex team and see if there are differences coming in final production units (either in space, or compression sizes).
USB nature? Is there some way that could be leveraged to copy data to something like a smartphone without the use of a computer so you could use the watch for more activities between access to the computer using any of a number of options for recharging without the computer? While 9 hours is fairly long for a single event, it’s not so long for a long weekend of running, and definitely not so long if you throw in the occasional bike ride. This is where my phone, sloppy gps that it is, comes into its own.
It would depend on the type of smartphone, but definitely no iDevices today. Some Android devices potentially, but no Windows Phone devices.
Oops, forgot to ask. Would the Girl mind modelling the watch for a photo so us other girls can see what it looks like on a svelte wrist? Thanks.
Done. Wandered over today to her and took some pics.
The Girl’s wrist size is 14cm (or 5.5 inches)
My wrist size is 17cm (or about 6.5 inches).
Enjoy!
Re Memory:
Can you erase any runs/bikes etc. from the watch itself (like Polar has long allowed)? Do you need to erase all the files or can you select to keep one or two? Will the new software also be an upgrade option on the initial model?
Thanks and Blog On!
Yes, you can delete both individual workouts, as well as all workouts in one shot.
I wouldn’t expect the firmware update to be made available (different hardware and all).
What happens when the battery dies? On my TRT 1, when the battery runs out, everything is deleted. This includes all settings and any activities that may be on the device (including the current one).
For comparison, my wife’s 210 will save the current activity and then powerdown, preserving the settings and all activities.
Hmm, not sure. I’ll let it die tomorrow after my long run and see what happens.
As someone who was a beta tester, I can say that settings and workouts are retained even when the battery dies.
Yup, and I validated that as well over the last few days (twice actually, since I had inadvertently turned it on in my bag on the flight down). Just forgot to post back.
Is there a virtual partner/pacing option?
No, at least not in the firmware I have.
Exciting!! Will this work with Strava?
At present, it doesn’t appear to (just tried uploading a .FIT file). Unclear if it’s Timex or Strava’s fault, but it’s still beta, and I’ve been talking to them about a few other apps opening the files. So I wouldn’t worry about it yet.
I saw a working version of the new run trainer at an expo recently. I currently have the TGT and this watch seems to be about half the size on my wrist — even more dramatic than it looks in these photos. I think the form-factor has to do with the shape also, becuase the TGT is like a flat teacup saucer on my wrist, while this new watch is built to wrap part of the body around the wrist, so it hides some of the bulk. It’s by far the best-looking of the GPS watches I’ve seen. The screen is also a lot cleaner, less dot-matrixy than the TGT.
I wish wish wish it had a multisport mode or even just support (or future support!) for speed/cadence/power. It’s almost surely a worthy upgrade from the butt-ugly Run Trainer 1.0, but probably not for the TGT. The expo guys said they asked the development team about the future of the TGT and there didn’t seem to be a new model on the horizon. Looking forward to a massive review!
FYI, Clever Training is taking pre-orders for the TRT 2.0 on their site with an expected mid-March ship date.
Clever training site saying ships for free week beginning march 4th, that’s next week!!!
I’m working to get a tad bit of clarification around that date from both groups (Timex and Clever). Doesn’t quite seem right to me.
I’ll post back as soon as I have it.
Oh, and for those curious – here’s the link to the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 on Clever Training: link to dcra.in (remember to add DCR10BTF as a coupon code for 10% off). Enjoy, and thanks for the support!
OK, here’s what I want to know: how good are the buttons? I found the buttons on the TRT1 to be way too mushy yet at the same time, their travel was too stiff, and the fact that they themselves were not rubber-covered to be just bizarre. Also, is the strap any softer or less stiff than the TRT1? I found mine to best fit a vitamin bottle and not my human wrist. I’m looking to actively replace my TRT1 because, well, I have literally beat mine into the ground and it’s on its last legs.
For an idea of what I’m referring to re: buttons and strap, see link to mikimoro.com .
I’d love to have tested one of these for durability, though.
Hi Ray,
In your review, can you do a direct comparison with 310xt as I think it will be more apt given the similar price range of sub $300? 910xt and 610 are too expensive for most people (I am one of those people) given the fact that these watches do not last for more than 2-3 years (battery failure, buttons malfunctions, broken screens etc.).
Yup, that’ll be part of the review.
Yeah Clever Training has Run Trainer 2.0 listed, but the pics are of the older watch. I am really looking forward to your review since I was about to pull the trigger on a 610. So far the only functional difference I can tell between the two is the Virtual Pace/Race feature.
Actually only the Black-Orange is the old pic, Silver-Green is new :)
Clever training order page also showing availability of 10 April, I guess it’s anyone’s guess as to what the real date is. Of course availability in Europe may be even later?
Yeah, I touched base with them – I think that was just a clerical error (the earlier date). The later April date is consistent with what I’ve heard from Timex – which is mid-late March. Then some amount of time to get to distribution points/retailers.
When you say the watch is USB in nature, does that mean you can plug it in to the computer and just pull the files off (like a Garmin 210, no drivers needed) or is the Timex Device Agent still required?
“….Looking at memory, it’s much easier to evaluate now given the USB drive nature of the device. At present my unit has three runs on it, it has 370KB of free space…”
Thanks
Identical to FR210 – no drivers needed, standard USB Mass Storage Device. Which is different than the other Timex units which required drivers.
You can use the Device Agent to then upload the .FIT files to TrainingPeaks, or, you can move them to other 3rd party platforms manually.
Hi!
Did you get any respons from Timex on the memory-capacity of the RT 2.0?
We’re playing e-mail volleyball about it. They promise to have the final/official response on Monday.
Manual available now at link to timex.ca
Given the appealing price and form factor, I’d be interested in hearing how useful the RT 2.0 would be as a substitute for something like the Ambit.
E.g., how easy would it be to use it for navigation by just quickly setting up (vibration) alerts letting you know you need to look for a turn after x miles.
Available for purchase at link to clevertraining.com !!!
Waiting for the depth review!!!
I’ll have an in-depth review shortly after I get the final software version.
At this point, things are generally positive. The only concern I really have is the limited storage time (about a dozen hours) – which I’ve confirmed with the team is the current shipping solution.
But wasn’t the memory one of the limitations of the original Run Trainer? If I recall, the TRT 1.0 was limited to 9-10 hours. I’d be interested to know what happens when you hit the memory limit and whether there is any capacity to reduce the memory load of activities when you really need to make it stretch – for instance, will it use less memory if you don’t use the heart rate and foot pod, or does it still allocate space for the empty data.
I’m looking forward to read the full review, but based on Ray’s comments thus far I’m itching to order one and desperate for it to be released early enough that I can get my hands on one prior to April 1.
Crikey, sooo wanting to click the buy button but waiting for that review in case there are glitches which show up in review. Its this or a 910xt off ebay for me. Timex uk couldn’t confirm release date for UK apart from it being “later this year”.
Why dont buy to clever training directly? Shipping are about 30$
Yeah, if all Ok in review I will be getting it from clevertraining with the DC 10% discount and a bit of a gamble with customs charges, works out about same as cheapest 910xt new on ebay.
Confirmed with the Timex folks that release is still on track for end of March, ahead of the April availability most retailers have published. I’ll be publishing a review in concert with whenever I have a final firmware drop, and have a chance to test/validate it.
Thanks all!
Looks perfect. I have a Run Trainer that i bought “new” off ebay and its now a non gps non hrm watch, but am impressed enough to seriously consider an upgrade. Would the new 2.0 work with my existing hrm strap ? (ie dose the base model still have hrm capabilities, but is just not supplied with the strap?)
Cheers
Jason
Yup, the existing Timex Run Trainer used the ANT+ HR strap, which is fully compatible with this as well. Enjoy!
So Rainmaker.I wanted to get your opinion.The open box rt 1.0 came today with a broken charger.The unit itself looks brand spankin’ new but i can’t tell if it works or not without a good charger.They told me they will drop the price down to $70 or let me send it back for a full refund.Timex has the charger for $10.My issue is should i say the hell with the 1.0 and save for the 2.0 or get the oldie for an $80 investment ? Its my first time down the GPS road. Love your reviews.man. : )
$80 is a pretty good deal, and the core differences between the 1.0 and the 2.0 really come down to size (much smaller), cleaned up menu system, and the nutrition alerts. I think if you don’t mind the size, then I think you got a great deal.
Thanks for the help :)
How does the TRT 2.0 calculate calories (is it HR based), and how accurate is the altimeter (gps alone, or gps + barometric)? I like a lot of the features of this watch but can’t find an answer to the above question. If both are positivie (HR based and gps+barometric), then I will wait for this to come out and save $250 over the Garmin 910 or fenix. Thanks for your reviews and information.
According to the chart on global.timex.com the altitude is by GPS. I’ve always been curious how units calculate calories though.
I just got my hands on the TRT 2.0 at an expo today for the Rock N Roll USA Half/Full Marathon. Currently trying to charge it so that I can begin to play with it, as it had zero juice right out the box. Question, when yours died, did the battery icon flash at all while charging? My poor guy has just been sitting still since I just hooked it up to my computer to charge it (all of 5 minutes ago). Gonna see how it looks in the morning, but figured I’d ask! :)
Once you give it a few minutes, then it’s all good. :)
Were you able to buy the unit there?
Yea, I was able to buy it at the expo, but I think I got a dud…it just shows the battery, but no movement or responce when I hook it up to my computer to charge it. Kinda disappointed since I was hoping to use it today. I saw that in the TRT 1.0 you could take it to the jewler to have the battery replaced so I may try to take it to one so they can remove the backing. Im kinda hoping that they will be at the expo after the race, but I doubt it. :(
I just got mine from Amazon!
link to amazon.com
Hummm, Timex just told me this week that it will be about 6-8 weeks more before the release of it.She said theres a few more bugs to work out.Maybe she was confused about her product?
Hi All-
I chatted with the TRT engineering team last night. They did indeed ship their first batch of units last week, including the one that was noted above being picked up at the Expo. They sent over the final firmware to me, so I’ll be cooking on getting the review out shortly based on that firmware.
Further, for ‘Storme’ above, they’ll be responding on Monday with a quick fix for ya. They believe they know what the issue is, so hang tight (and don’t take apart the unit).
Thanks all!
I was able to get it working yesterday. I read through some troubleshooting tips for the 1.0 on the web and found that pushing all 5 buttons at once and holding for a few secs will restart the unit. Tried it on the 2.0 and it worked! Now to give it a test run tomorrow.
can you upgrade the RTR 1 with the newer RTR 2 firmware? Thanks
Hey DC,one more small question about the rt 1.0 sir.Can you program the 3 line display to pace,dist and chrono on the bottom line?.I would love to be able to see the race time as it passes but cant get chrono to come up in dispaly options.Thanks for any help.
Hey DC,
First off, love your reviews.. I preordered mine from Clever Training (and used your handy 10%off code – thanks for that!!), and it arrived yesterday.. Out of the box.. onto the ‘puter and 4 hours later – fully charged. Ran 4 miles with it this morning, and I absolutely loved it! This is my first GPS watch, and for years I’ve been sponging the information from my mates who use the Garmin 405 and the Nike Sportwatch – respectfully… We typically run early – and in the dark, and the constant backlight feature on the Timex was awesome (caused a bit of jealousy – sweet). The distance was right there with my buddy’s Garmin, but about 1/10 mi off from the Nike Sportwatch.. Just as advertised, I got the watch on and headed outside, and within 30 seconds I aquired my GPS signal. Simple. I’ve been using Training Peaks for a couple of years now (which was another selling point for me), and when I got home, I hooked it up to the ‘puter – opened the Device Manager and it shot the workout right into TP!! Simple and clean. My next mission is to download the users manual and get into the “meat and potatoes” of what it can really do for me.. The Quick Start guide is handy to start with, but it really did just that and nothing more. Clever Training now has the watch online for $174.95 – and on March 13th I paid $224.95 (before the 10% off), so I’m currently trying (without any luck) to get the differnce credited… The point is at $175, you cannot get another watch with the features and benefits of this one.
Well done Timex.
I think the $174.95 was an error because they have since corrected it. Their website says it is not available until April 10, I am surprised you got it already. I have been trying to find out what they have in stock to no avail. I guess I will just order it and hope for the best!
I’m reay close to purchasing this watch, but I have a quick question. I have looked through the user manual for the 1st version of this watch, and it doesn’t look like it has an auto-scroll feature that scrolls through the different screens during your run? Is this the case? Do you have to manually scroll through the screens to see all your information during your run. In sorry if this is a silly question, but I’ve only used the Garmin 305.
Just manual scrolling.
Does anyone know which HRM strap comes with the HRM version? Clever Training has a basic version and a Dig 2.4 version with a $40 price difference. Is one better than the other? I assume the more expensive one comes with the watch to explain the $50 price differential but would you be just as well off buying the watch and the cheaper strap instead? Can you use any ANT+ strap with the TRT2, because I have a number of Garmin straps (although I am not sure how accurate they are – hence switching to Timex) or are you better off using the strap made by the same company?
Hi All – Just a heads up that I’ve posted the full in-depth review here:
link to dcrainmaker.com
I’ll likely go ahead and lock this thread for new comments by the end of the week, so the conversation can continue on that post instead.
Thanks!