Swimming: The clock is one of the few GPS watches that really is waterproof. In the water the GPS works, of course, nor (unless you put the clock under the bathing cap) as the RF measurement. This leaves only the timing. Here the huge font in the 3-line display is awesome and very easy to read above and below water.
Cycling: The speed can be displayed in min / km or km / h. With the very wide range of functions, which provides the clock can be almost anything interesting show. Interval training, etc. is KM or time-dependent as well as possible while running. The only thing missing is the ability to link other ANT + sensors, for example for cadence or speed. Schön the "hands-free" mode: speed threshold and enter the clock automatically stops (eg at traffic lights). The feature is also great when running.
Running: To put it in a nutshell: I have not found anything in the settings, which could not be selected: interval training with different route lengths and construction and Abwärmphasen, automatic monitoring of Erhohlungszeiten ...
Koppel training / competition: There is no Multisport mode. To switch between different display views, the clock must be stopped briefly switched and started again. While this funtkioniert as soon as it reads, but it must be stopped halt. In the analysis results in a contiguous file. I'm going to solve the competition by staying in only one of the 4 views in chronograph mode and me the information on the display charging that I need. Is nice, but I can also switch back to the watch mode during the session, while the chronograph simply continues. This has the nice side effect that I additional information, can load on the watch page: Example:
Chronograph page: HF / Total time / speed (it go 4-lines)
Time page: split times / in the middle is always the time / distance
Also very nice: I can GPS switched on and off, as I would like it in plain language: swimming, take meantime, GPS switch on the way to the transition area, Jump, take meantime, biking with GPS, etc .... after the next drafts with or without GPS.
Battery life: The 8h GPS Timex indicates agree that as pure clock 12 could weeks, agree - at least takes the charge status is not recognizable from (not that I must ever test ...) - appendix January 13: The battery does not like temperatures below zero, and I got out with a workout: temperature -5 ° C, clock was open between sleeve and glove. After about an hour under arm display ended up being back.
Long distance: Before my next long-distance I will extend the clock to the Footpod and use GPS only when cycling. Appendix January 13: Footpod works without any problems and measures almost exactly - sensors can be during training without interruption switch on and off, so that the next long-distance can come.
All other usual distances among these are no problem at all.
Software: The clock can be after a period of "training period" easy on the free Device Agent program. Functions there without end, the adjustment possibilities are enormous. The data is very quickly uploaded from the clock and transfer the workouts and settings just as quickly at the clock. With a button, the files can be transferred from the device to the Internet Agent training diary by Training Peaks. I think the evaluation possibilities very good, in the free version, the possibilities are sufficient. In addition to the training sessions can be managed here, the equipment (wheels, running shoes). The export of GPS data to Google Earth to work in seconds: Export file (for example on the desktop), upload it to Google Earth, evaluate completed. The amount of information to be corrected there.
GPS: To date, the GPS signal has been always found very quickly. Once there were problems with heavy snow clouds, between the tightly packed houses at my door. The point should therefore be already open. I also had starts where my GPS has the starting point moved. I no longer turn GPS now between the houses to do that but now 50m, where the road is open and had no problem. The GPS signal is as a rule within 10-30s. Once the signal is even there, it is no longer lost. Thick winter jacket, gloves in the woods in the snow working properly (tested when walking the dog). Bridges and underpasses naturally lead to the dismantling of the signal, but the signal is then immediately returned. Not sure I am, whether the route is calculated in between. Along the route on the map is in any case no interruption.
Processing: very robust!
RF transmitter: very comfortable, slightly larger stations as for example polar, but lighter.
Why TRT and no clock:
Timex Global Trainer: according to various testimonies only 4-5h keep in GPS mode, although in some ads from 15h talk is - I did not try..
Garmin FR 310XT: I wanted a clock for everyday use, so that was the FR 310XT out of the race. Add to this the many customer reviews, where users report failures and service. I turned the question, which has the default rate clock well? 10%? I also know a sports colleague who has lost the clock during the competition in a collision in the lake.
Garmin FR 910XT: Although no daily watch but is otherwise well short of the optimum - except for the price.
Polar RCX5: Well, the external GPS sensor has indeed something for themselves, height evaluation is subsequently about other software possible in sum but less flexible than the TRT
Polar RCX3: priced interesting, beautiful, it almost became, but I believe rather the functionality of the TRT's
Who wants to read a really detailed review looks at "dcrainmaker" - highly recommended, also with regard to the competitors products.
