The New Timex Global Trainer watch looks a beauty, but can it rival the Garmin Forerunner as a serious contender for the best running GPS watch? Lets see...
First let me say that the new GPS watch from Timex has got me a bit excited. For it looks to be Timex's first ever one-piece GPS watch. Timex's current GPS watches, most notably the Bodylink series all use an external GPS device that attaches seperately to the body. While it is probably no big deal to clip the aerial device onto your shorts before heading off for a long run, it seems to me the routine could quickly grow old. Far better to just slap on a wrist watch and then be out the door to your favorite trail before you know it. But maybe this is just me being lazy!
Anyway that the new watch from Timex is self-contained bodes well for Timex as I would guess that it makes it a far more appealing option for buyers of the product. Now speaking of the product, as I write this post, it has not yet hit the market and in fact is scheduled to be sold exclusively on Amazon.com from February 2009 (according to the description on the Timex website) do they mean 2010? I have never seen this watch before, so I assume they do. So look out for this watch in February (or maybe it's already out and I just missed it).
The watch itself features a SiRFstarIII GPS receiver, meaning it will be as accurate as a Garmin as it is the same chipset. It offers the usual speed/pace/distance displayed in real time. Unlike the navigation features found in any existing Timex GPS watch, it can store 100 location waypoints in memory and 50 custom routes, meaning it looks like Timex have attempted to merge running watch features with basic GPS navigation. The Timex "Trailrunner" Bodylink watch did something similar, but far more limited.
Interestlingly the new Global Trainer has a four field customizable display that looks very similar to a Garmin Forerunner 305. So is it Timex's intention to compete directly with Garmin's 305 Forerunner? Maybe so. Performance training wise, this watch can store up to 20 workouts and up to 1000 lap times (the modern Forerunners have a 1000 lap capacity also). This watch features Interval and Countdown timers which are useful for timed interval sessions and can record calories, elapsed time and other performance dater on a per lap basis. The watch features a "performance pacer" which I assume is based on the "Finish Mode" feature in other Timex's. Like the bodylink, the new watch has hands-free operation including auto-start/stop/lap. There is a multisport even mode too (again like the Forerunner).
It seems the new Timex watches are starting to become more compatible with home PCs as well as the internet. This watch is compatible with both PC and Mac computers, presumably data is transfered via wireless ANT+ . The watch is also conveniently compatible with Timex heart rate monitors that use ANT+ as well as ANT+ based third party devices. The watch also seems to allow users to upload their data into Timex's relatively new online web portal.
The Global Trainer watch is cast in a 50 meter water resistant case and features menu driven navigation. Issues such as how much battery life the new watch has and exactly which timex sports watch features are included are unclear, but from what I have seen so far, it looks like Timex are on the verge of seriously stepping up it's next generation sports watches and we may even see the first serious rival to the Garmin Forerunner watches.
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