Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2011-02-24 9:01 PM

User image

Extreme Veteran
645
50010025
Media, PA
Subject: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
I've gone back and forth between a 310XT and a Timex Global Trainer.  Getting into my first full season, and planning on running outside and biking more than last year, which was more spinning classes than biking.

So, I've had a Timex Race Trainer HRM/watch for almost a year now, and have been uploading to the Training Peaks site.  I use an iphone app, Loseit, to track calories from food and exercise.

This year, I'll be training for more than weight loss; Olympic length events and a HIM in the fall.

My dilemma is not so much the watch, but where the data goes, and which site I'd use.  Garmin has Garmin connect, and BT supports uploading that format.  Timex does Training Peaks.

I'm not planning on using a footpod, which I know TGT doesn't support.  TGT does seem to have some better features, such as multisport mode.

So, any thoughts?

2011-02-24 9:05 PM
in reply to: #3371624

User image

Elite
3140
2000100010025
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
This will make it easier. Www.dcrainmaker.com
2011-02-24 9:32 PM
in reply to: #3371629

User image

Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
FELTGood - 2011-02-24 8:05 PM This will make it easier. Www.dcrainmaker.com[/QUOTE]

Agreed, check out Rainmake's site.  He does great reviews of the products and even updates them as new software releases or firmware is released.  And I do believe he has a comparison out there.  I know he has at least compared the accuracy of them all under different scenarios.

That being said, Garmin.
2011-02-24 9:37 PM
in reply to: #3371624

Member
9

Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
Not even close, the 310xt is far and away the best all-inclusive GPS watch on the market.  The Global Trainer is also gigantic.  Much bigger of a face than the 310.  I also agree with the above posters; check out DCRainmaker.
2011-02-24 9:43 PM
in reply to: #3371624

User image

Extreme Veteran
849
50010010010025
San Diego
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
Garmin 310xt, for sure!  I love mine.
2011-02-25 7:30 AM
in reply to: #3371688

User image

Veteran
291
100100252525
Just South of Disorder
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
nerdjock - 2011-02-24 10:43 PM Garmin 310xt, for sure!  I love mine.


Ditto. I love it so much I just got rid of my cateye and put the Garmin Cadence on my bike. The 310 also has a multisports function.

2011-02-25 7:31 AM
in reply to: #3371624

User image

Master
1793
1000500100100252525
Essex Jct, VT
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
You can still use TP with the Garmin 310xt or use Garmin Connect or both.  I've been using TP with with the 310 now for months.  Getting the info to upload was a little tricky at first, but when I found where on the computer the garmin stored the file it was easy to upload directly to TP.  Hope this helps.  
2011-02-25 8:04 AM
in reply to: #3371624

User image

Veteran
108
100
Fort Worth. TX
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
Definitely go check out dcrainmaker.  He's got a very indepth review on both, and even a post or two outlining all of the available watches and pros/cons.  I personally have never used TP, but use Sporttracks.  Dcrainmaker has a lot of info on all of the software options too...he's very thorough. 
2011-02-25 8:18 AM
in reply to: #3371624

User image

Expert
906
500100100100100
Prattville, AL
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
I have the 405 and bought a TGT... was not a fan... the GIGANTIC face allows you to show 4 data fields but I found them difficult to read when running because the numbers were small and I have 20/12 near vision... despite the size the watch is suprisingly very light... as others have pointed out... read DCRainmaker's review... it is outstanding!
2011-02-25 9:37 AM
in reply to: #3371919

User image

Extreme Veteran
645
50010025
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
rsmoylan - 2011-02-25 8:31 AMYou can still use TP with the Garmin 310xt or use Garmin Connect or both.  I've been using TP with with the 310 now for months.  Getting the info to upload was a little tricky at first, but when I found where on the computer the garmin stored the file it was easy to upload directly to TP.  Hope this helps.  
Thanks for the replies! I should have prefaced the original post that I had read dcrainmakers reviews. I didnt see the parts on the software side, so I'll look at his site again.Being able to use Garmin on TP though, that pretty much takes away the last significant difference between the two, as far as data uploading, so it looks like it's Garmins to lose.I'll be using REI bucks anyway, so I could always return it if it doesn't work out.
2011-02-25 8:33 PM
in reply to: #3371624

User image

Member
266
1001002525
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
Thanks all!

Re: Multisport mode

Both watches have multisport mode.  Timex's implementation is slightly better because it allows you to create laps/intervals within each sport - whereas Garmin uses the lap button to advance to the next sport.  Honestly doesn't matter a ton, but worthwhile noting.

RE: File support

Garmin has a bit wider support across 3rd parties because it can use TCX, whereas Timex uses PWX, which is Training Peak's XML variant of TCX.  There's nothing stopping a 3rd party from opening the Timex files (and some do), it's just less common than the Garmin ones.  Both are supported in TP.

RE: Random

As a side note - both companies will be offering replacements for the 310XT and TGT.  I estimate announcements in about 4-5 weeks.  Fwiw..

2011-02-25 8:38 PM
in reply to: #3373198

User image

Champion
5781
5000500100100252525
Northridge, California
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
dcrainmaker - 2011-02-25 6:33 PM Thanks all!

Re: Multisport mode

Both watches have multisport mode.  Timex's implementation is slightly better because it allows you to create laps/intervals within each sport - whereas Garmin uses the lap button to advance to the next sport.  Honestly doesn't matter a ton, but worthwhile noting.


However, if you have auto lap set up as a setting in your individual sports, the device will still take those lap splits in multisport mode...you just can't manually take a lap split (like at the completion of every loop of a course or such).  But if you have your 310XT setup to take mile splits on the run (f'rinstance) it will still do that when you're on the run leg in multisport mode.

(I recently had to make this same purchase decision and opted for the Garmin.)
2011-02-25 9:10 PM
in reply to: #3373203

User image

Expert
792
500100100252525
Leicester
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
Hi,
I got the TGT a couple of months ago now and it's a load better than my Suunto T3c and GPS pod.
Although it is bigger than a regular digital watch/HRM it doesn't stick out like the 310 and I wear mine all the time.
Although I don't plan to use training peaks all the time to log workouts, I have uploaded some inc a race and it's pretty slick.

I also wasn't bothered about the foot pod so for half the price of the garmin, I'm happy with mine.
2011-02-25 11:55 PM
in reply to: #3371624

User image

Master
1929
100050010010010010025
Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex
I have neither but am leaning towards Garmin.  They are the de-facto standard and have more mature products.  The fact that a buddy of mine works for Garmin and they are allowed to  pick up a number of units for friends/family at a discount each year will be helping too...

FWIW I think the Timex unit is not unattractive, and I have yet to try either of them on.

For regular use and pool swimming, Timex Ironman watches for sure.

-eric 
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Trying to decide: Garmin or Timex Rss Feed