It’s been just over a year and a half since the first Timex Run Trainer came out, and Timex is back at it releasing a slimmed down version of the unit with a cleaned up user interface. This new unit adds in features such as nutrition alerts, while at the same time simplifying general operation of the watch.
In running 3-4 times a week over the last month plus, I’ve got a pretty good grasp on how the unit works, as well as all the details inside and out. Because I want to be transparent about my reviews, once my evaluation period with the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 has elapsed, I send it back to Timex in Middlebury, Connecticut. Simple as that. Sorta like hiking in wilderness trails – leave only footprints.
Lastly, at the end of the day keep in mind I’m just like any other regular triathlete out there. I write these reviews because I’m inherently a curious person with a technology background (my day job), and thus I try and be as complete as I can. But, if I’ve missed something or if you spot something that doesn’t quite jive – just let me know and I’ll be happy to get it all sorted out. Also, because the technology world constantly changes, I try and go back and update these reviews as new features and functionality are added – or if bugs are fixed.
Unboxing:
Below is the box for the Timex Run Trainer 2.0. Depending on which variant you’re looking at, you’ll either have a heart rate strap or won’t. Or, more importantly, yours will be the same color or some other color. In this case, I’ve backfilled in the box shots with the unit I own (green), versus the test unit from Timex that went back (orange/black). Originally the test unit from Timex had no box. Just in case you’re trying to figure out where the random green box came from…
The box holding the watch pulls out, revealing inside it the manual and the charger hanging out.
The watch is zip-tied to the box. In my case, the final unit I received in the box was not charged, so it had to be charged up.
Here it is, in all its [uncharged] glory. After this photo I’ll switch back to the the orange version. Variety is the spice of life, right?
Ignoring the watch, you’ve got the charging cable. The charging cable is identical to that of the original Timex Run Trainer unit, and either unit is compatible with either cable.
Here’s the watch itself. In this particular instance, it was displaying the need for juice. Battery juice that is (very different than beetle juice).
Here’s a look at the back of the unit. The strap is nearly identical to that of the original TRT.
Here’s the charging clip. It’s USB powered and the box does not come with a wall adapter. Timex figures (and I pretty much agree) that just about any person buying this watch has a spare USB outlet or thirty. I’ve charged it with everything from my laptop to iPhone wall adapters. They all work just fine.
The clip simply snaps onto the little contacts on the unit. The fit is snug and won’t easily get dislodged. This is due to extra plastic pins that form a lock with the unit itself. Works great.
In the event you purchased a unit with the ANT+ heart rate strap, you’ll have that in the box as well. Note that if you already have any ANT+ heart rate strap it’ll work just fine with the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 (that’s sorta the beauty of standardized protocols).
Of course, the final box will likely also come with some small papery junk. By the time you’ll have read this, you’ll have no need for the official manual – which you can also download here.
Size Comparisons:
Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the new Run Trainer is simply the size. It has similar visual styling as it’s older brother, but this one decided to go on a diet. Here’s a look at the two units side by side:
You can see just how much more ‘girthy’ the older unit is (left).
Of course, to really appreciate how much smaller it is, you need to add grandpa to the mix: The Timex Global Trainer. Yes, that beast towers over them all – figuratively and literally.
Next up is size comparisons to other units in the same general market, or units that are commonly asked about as to which one should an individual choose. Here’s the usual lineup:
From left to right: Timex Global Trainer, Garmin FR910XT, Timex Run Trainer 1.0, Magellan Switch, Timex Run Trainer 2.0 (this review), Polar RC3 GPS, Garmin FR610, Garmin FR410, Garmin FR210.
As you can see, it sits roughly in the middle from a size standpoint. It’s not the largest, nor is it the smallest. But it’s fairly normal. Perhaps a hair bit bigger than others, but more than fine.
From a thickness standpoint, the Run Trainer is also about average for running watches. In the picture below, the Run Trainer is smack in the middle (orange dot). The watches to the right are mostly triathlon watches. And the watches to the left are running-only watches. You can see it’s not as slim as something like the FR110 or Polar RC3, but it’s about the same as the FR405/FR410 series, and only a touch bit thicker than the FR610.
If I elevate the whole thing, you can better see the thickness. Again, Run Trainer is in the middle with the dot. Tri watches to the left this time, and running watches to the right.
And in case you’re curious – yes, the rolling pin is exactly level. 🙂
Last but not least, for those ladies with small wrists – I brought in my wife. Her wrist size is 14cm (or 5.5 inches), meanwhile my wrist size is 17cm (or about 6.5 inches). There’s plenty of shots of my wrist throughout this review, but the couple below are of her wrist.
A few close ups:
So with the smaller size they’ve removed one of my major complaints about the original Timex Run Trainer. It’s now roughly the same as the other units out there. Size isn’t really a consideration in selecting between most of these units (FR10 excluded, which is much smaller in every dimension, but also far more limited in functionality).
Day to Day Use:
Now that we’ve gone through all the overview stuff, let’s actually start using it. First up is heading outside and turning it on. To do so you’ll hit the orange button, and then choose one of the workout times (Chrono or Interval Mode), which I’ll talk about in a moment.
When you do so it’ll ask you if you want to connect to sensors. In this context, it means ‘GPS’, ‘Heart Rate’, and ‘Footpod’. Choosing ‘No’ is a workout-limiting choice.
I’ve been pretty happy with how quickly it’ll find satellites. Like most modern GPS units these days, it’ll remember your previous location and as long as you head back out to roughly the same spot it’ll pickup signal incredibly quickly. Oftentimes, in front of my home (despite being 6-7 story buildings), I’ll get signal in less than 7 seconds. Seriously.
Once it’s got signal, it’ll bring you to this page (or, whatever page you’ve customized).
We’ll dive into the data pages in a bit, but you can iterate through the data pages by pressing the display button in the lower left corner. It’ll briefly show you what the fields are, and then show you the actual values.
When you’re ready to start, you’ll simply tap the lower right button. This same button is used for creating a lap (split). To stop, you’ll press the upper right button, which is also used for saving (once stopped).
With that super-quick primer covered, let’s dive into the two main workout modes.
Chrono Mode:
Chrono mode is the default workout recording mode. They use the term ‘Chrono’ because Timex has always used it since dinosaurs roamed the earth. The rest of the universe these days just doesn’t call this mode anything and instead just records stuff.
Nonetheless, this is the mode you want for recording the goods. I just walked through starting a run in the previous section. So the key item to know here is some of your customization options. I’ll go through many of them in the following sections, but one that’s worthy of discussion here is the ‘Hands Free’ options. This allows you to configure automatic laps (Auto Split), as well as automatic starting and stopping (Auto Start/Auto Stop) of the timer based on whether or not you’re running.
First up is Auto Split. This creates laps on a preset schedule. I prefer to have mine set for every mile if doing a long run, but turn it off for other workout types. When it creates the lap marker, it’ll beep/vibrate/display each time you cross that lap threshold.
You can also utilize time instead of distance, if you want it to automatically lap after – say 5 minutes – as opposed to 1 mile.
In addition to automatic laps, you can have the unit automatically start and stop recording (well, technically start and pause recording) based on whether or not you’re running. This can be useful in city running where you want the unit to just start/pause as you deal with crosswalks/stop signs.
You’ll simply set a threshold pace (or speed), depending on which configuration setting you’re in. Generally I’d set this at just above my walking speed.
Everything else I talk about in this review is still applicable to Chrono mode as well. So with that, let’s dive into interval mode.
Interval Mode:
Interval mode enables the watch to walk you through a complete interval workout – from start to finish, and all the sets in between. You’ll want to configure the intervals beforehand, and since it can be a bit tedious, you may want to allocate some time to setting it up. First, I’ll go through the watch-based version, and then the software side as well.
You’ll start by configuring the different intervals that makeup the workout.
For each particular chunk, you’ll set whether it’s time or distance based:
Then you’ll specify how long that interval is:
You’ll repeat your way through the workout.
At the end, you can set how many reps of the workout, as well as the alert types (such as vibration and audible alarms).
With that, you’re set and almost ready to roll. You’ll want to configure zones for intervals – but I talk about that later.
Within a given workout, it’ll countdown how much time is left. You can see it starts off with 10 minutes, and then counts down to 9:57…etc…
At any time if you’d like to skip to the next interval, you can just hold the ‘Lap/Split’ button to move along.
As I noted above, in addition to configuring the intervals on the watch itself, you can also do so from within the Training Peaks device agent. This is far quicker!
Now the key is to then define a given target (via Zones) for each interval. So you can then specify HR/Pace/Speed/Cadence and the target for that interval (#1-6). So you’re sorta building pieces of the end solution in different areas.
The feature works well, though the implementation can be a bit confusing as typically in intervals you define a warm-up and cool-down, and then a work target and number of repeats of the work set – all in one place. Whereas in this case, you’re sorta defining entire chunks of the workout to repeat, and doing it in different places. Still, I can make it work.
Update: Timex has added in a firmware update the ability to specify the warm-up and cool-down features.
Time Mode:
Time mode is simply your average time of day like a normal watch mode. Now, it’s sorta important that you remember this mode because when you’re done working out the unit won’t just default back to the time mode, instead, it’ll just sit there in the workout mode…forever.
So when you’re done with the workout, remember to tap the back button and switch the mode (or ‘Applications’ as Timex calls them) to ‘Time’:
Within Time mode it’ll display the date as well as time (including seconds). You can change the display formats within the settings. For example, swapping to Day/Month/Year for most of the world, or a 24hr clock instead.
Also note that while the TRT2 will set your GMT time correctly, it won’t actually correctly set your time relative to where you are. In other words, it knows the right minutes and seconds, but has no idea whether your in Paris or Palau. So you’ll need to set the date and time:
That ‘GPS Time’ setting merely means it’ll keep the unit time accurate within the context of you keeping the hour accurate. If that sorta makes sense.
As one who travels every week, it’s a bit annoying that I have to remember to set the time correctly before each run (otherwise the run start time in history will be off, which admittedly isn’t that big of a deal). I suspect the reason they may not have added the ability to set the watch time based on location is that requires a ‘Time Zone Map’ file, which in turn requires space. And as I’ll talk about in a little bit – this unit has virtually no space.
The time mode also has a single alarm that you can specify. You can do this on the watch, or via software:
And on the watch, you can turn on or off an hourly chime if you’d like (as well as button beeps).
Zones and Configuration Options:
I just want to briefly hit up on a few configuration items that you can set. First up, is various zones – for heart rate, pace, speed, and cadence. While you can set these on the watch itself, it’s somewhat tedious. So, I use the Device Agent instead. Note that you can only configure one zone per type though. So it’s more of a ‘target’ than it is ‘zones’.
You can then specify how to alert you for each zone that you stray out of:
Along that same vein, you can also configure recovery notifications – to alert you have a specified time:
You can change all of of the major unit types, for example from miles to kilometers, or pace from Min/Mi to Min/Km, as well as speed metrics within the ‘Units’ section. Again, all these can be done either on the unit itself, or on your computer. It’s nice that if you want altitude shown in one format (i.e. feet), you can have distance shown in another (i.e. kilometers). It’s not all tied together.
And it’s within here that you can change the language between English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Dutch.
Date Fields and Data Pages:
The TRT2 allows you to customize up to three data pages, with either two or three data fields per page. There are three pages for Chrono Mode (normal workout mode), and three for Interval Mode. Again, each subject to either two or three data fields per page.
After selecting a page, and deciding on how many data fields it’ll have – you’ll then choose the fields for the Top/Middle/Bottom lines:
Here’s the difference between a two-line display, and a three-line display. Sorry, I was running at the time, so a touch bit of glare.
And finally, here’s all the data fields you can select from:
Split Time [Total workout time]
Lap Time
Previous Lap Time
Pace [Current]
Avg Pace
Lap Pace
Prev Lap Pace
Speed
Avg Speed
Lap Speed
Prev Lap Speed
Heart Rate
Avg HR
Lap HR
Prev Lap HR
Cadence
Cadence HR
Prev Lap Cadence
Distance
Lap Distance
Prev Lap Distance
Altitude
Total Ascent
Total Descent
Note that you can change from kilometers to miles (and associated fields for pace/speed) within the settings menu of the watch. Or, like all options within the Timex Run Trainer, you can use the device agent to quickly and easily set these from your computer:
It’s MUCH easier this way.
And in general, it’s much quicker to do all setup through this interface.
History Options:
The unit includes a fairly comprehensive history capability, on par with any other unit on the market today. The unit allows you to look at any given activity (run) and dive into the summary and detailed lap information.
For example, here’s the Paris Half-Marathon that I ran a few weeks back. You can see the total time and distance on the first screen. And I can iterate up/down to see other summary information.
For example, my average heart rate, and maximum heart rate during the run:
Or my average pace and best pace:
Or my average and maximum cadence:
I can then go down to the lap level, and see all the same information for each recorded lap:
The only fatal flaw here is the memory (which I dive into later) limits me significantly. So for example when I was putting together this section I kept on having to delete out other runs in order to keep this particular workout to use for photos. Once deleted, no history is available. It’s a constant game of deleting workouts.
Nutrition Alerts:
This is probably my favorite feature on the TRT2. Nutrition alerts you to specify vibration or audible alerts that remind you to eat or drink at specified intervals. Since most endurance athletes tend to hose up nutrition and thus tend to impact their racing and training because of it, it’s a wonder more companies don’t include this on their watches (only Polar does on some units today).
You’re able to configure separate drink alerts, and eating alerts. Each alert is configured based on a repeating specified time (you can’t use distance).
First up is specifying the ‘Drink Alerts’. You’ll configure the ‘Drink Alerts’ to ‘On’. Then you’ll highlight the ‘Drink Time’.
Here you can specify it to remind you based on whatever schedule you want:
Then you’ll repeat the same for ‘Eat Alerts’:
Finally, I’ve enabled ‘Vibrate’ mode, and you can also change the tones (just a few are offered), so that you clearly know it’s a Drink/Eat alert and not just an Auto Lap or other alert. Sorta like changing your ring-tone on your phone for when your boss calls.
Once that time is triggered, the watch will beep/vibrate and display a visible message on the watch itself telling you that it’s now time to eat or drink.
The whole system works perfectly, and I’ve been using it lately on my long runs to keep me in check (since I really suck at remembering to take nutrition).
Note that the original TRT1 had nutrition alerts, but no vibration motor.
Indoor Treadmill/Footpod Support:
The TRT2 supports the ANT+ footpod, which allows you to measure speed indoors via the footpod, or cadence both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, it can be used in place of GPS outdoors (though I wouldn’t generally recommend that).
To pair the footpod, you’ll navigate down into the Settings and then Sensors menu, where you can search for nearby footpods:
It usually only takes a second to find the footpod.
Once that’s done, you have two options for how to utilize the footpod:
The first option is simply the word ‘Yes’, which means that it’ll use the footpod for both speed/distance as well as running cadence information (how many times your foot strikes the ground each minute, generally represented as Steps Per Minute – SPM).
The second option is ‘Cadence Only’ – which means that it’ll just use it for Cadence, and then use GPS for speed/distance.
I generally recommend the second option, as otherwise you have to be very careful about ensuring calibration is spot-on when running outside. The unit will not automatically failback to footpod while in a tunnel or due to loss of GPS signal if in ‘Cadence Mode’, but by the same token, it doesn’t really failback to footpod in the other mode – it’s just simply always footpod.
Speaking of calibration…
If using the footpod, you’ll need/want to calibrate the unit. This doesn’t take too long and ensures that the footpod is able to accurately gather speed/distance data. In my experience, when properly calibrated, current generation footpods will give astonishingly accurate speed/distance data (as in, spot-on exact). This is even in varying pacing intervals and conditions such as snow or ice.
However, calibration must be done anytime you move placement of the footpod.
Within calibration you have two options (seen above). You can either specify a manual calibration value if you know it, or you can just go to a track or a treadmill to calibrate the footpod.
You’ll run a known distance (inside lane on a 400m track is best, or a treadmill failing that). And then from there the unit will estimate your distance. At the end, you’ll correct it with the actual distance you ran.
Here’s the manual calibration. These values are the same whether used on a Timex unit or a Garmin unit, so you can manually enter in your calibration value if you know it (for example, if you were just switching watches but hadn’t moved the footpod). The calibration values will remain saved on the unit.
As noted, using the footpod is perfect for treadmill usage – as it allows pace and distance data to be both displayed and recorded indoors while on a treadmill. And while that may sound somewhat silly since the same data is displayed on the treadmill, this allows you to capture it to your training log (along with HR data).
Plus, if you run on treadmills enough at the gym (especially with gym’s that enforce strict time limits on a per-treadmill basis), you’ll eventually notice that not all treadmills are created equal, and certainly rarely calibrated correctly. It’s fun to switch treadmills mid-workout and specify the same pace, but notice slightly different actual paces.
In addition to the pace/distance recording, you’ll also get your running cadence both during the run, as well as afterwards. You can see the SPM displayed on the middle line below:
And then afterwards, you can see the graph on Training Peaks. Those ‘drops’ are normally when I stop at a stoplight/crossing for a second.
Finally, the footpod sells for about $45, and you can use any ANT+ footpod on the market today (Timex, Garmin, Suunto, 4iiii’s and countless others), they’re all compatible. Polar footpods and Nike+ will NOT work with the Timex Run Trainer however, as they are not ANT+. You can read everything you ever wanted to know about footpods here in this post.
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Utilization:
Note: The strap I’ve included above is slightly different than the strap that Timex has included with the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 final units, which instead is much more similar to other straps on the market, where the transmitter pod sits on top of the strap, rather than being the interconnect point between the two ends of the strap.
The Timex Run Trainer 2.0 utilizes ANT+ to communicate with any ANT+ heart rate strap. If you have an existing ANT+ heart rate strap, then you can utilize that strap in place of having to pickup a new strap. Just be sure it has the tiny little ‘ANT+’ logo hanging out on the back of it.
The heart rate strap enables you to both monitor your heart rate (updated every second), as well as to record the data from it. All data is recorded as part of the file with your other GPS (or non-GPS) metrics from the unit. Once uploaded, you can view your heart rate data on TrainingPeaks (or any other site which supports the Timex Run Trainer).
It’ll look like this (this was just a standard long run):
While the ANT+ heart rate strap can be finicky from time to time (such as random spikes or dropouts), there’s a number of things you can do to try and address some of these problems. Here’s the low-down:
Annual Public Service Announcement: How to fix heart rate strap dropouts/spikes
Troubleshooting your HR strap issues Part I
In general, start with the HR gel, and then go from there. It usually solves it for 99% of folks.
Cycling Support:
The Timex Run Trainer enables you to switch data fields to a ‘Speed’ mode. So when you build data pages and specify which fields you want, you can include ‘Speed’ labeled metrics instead of ‘Pace’ focused metrics. Whether you get MPH or KPH depends on the settings you have configured in options. So while there’s not a ‘Cycling Mode’ per se, you’re just changing your display fields to pretend to be cycling.
I didn’t have any problems on any of my rides using the TRT and having it keep up from a calculation or recording standpoint. In fact, on my Sydney ride, it happily beeped pretty close to in-sync each mile with the handful of other GPS devices I had on me.
If you want to mount it to your bike, I’d recommend picking up one of the rubber mounts that are made by a few different companies (including Timex). These usually cost under $10 and make it easy to mount any watch to just about any bar on your bike:
Once you’re ready to upload to TrainingPeaks, you’ll simply go ahead and ensure the dropdown says cycling. After that, TP will treat everything as a bike ride.
Note that the TRT has no support for ANT+ Speed/Cadence sensors, or ANT+ Power Meters.
Swimming Support (via swim cap method):
Officially the Timex Run Trainer doesn’t support any form of swimming mode. But of course I know many of you will be curious as to how well it works. So while down in Perth a few weeks ago I took the chance to try it out briefly…very briefly. I wasn’t really in a good spot for sustained swimming on the days I was trying it, so I was mostly curious how it would react and how straight the line would be.
First up is if it can be worn on your wrist while swimming. The unit is more than waterproofed enough to do so, with its 50-meter rating*.
However, while it’s waterproofed, it’s GPS signal just doesn’t work underwater by even the slimmest of margins. We’re talking near-instant notification of lack of satellite signal within just an inch or so of water:
Now loss of GPS signal is normal across all units (including the openwater swim friendly FR910XT). What matters however is algorithms to adjust for this while determining distance, which the TRT doesn’t have.
So, it was off to the swim cap method. This well outlined method simply has you putting the unit in your swim cap. Which, will have you look roughly like this:
And technically, it works, I got a roughly straight line between the two points I swam:
There was one challenge though. The buttons on the TRT are incredibly sensitive. Like breathe on them the wrong way and they’ll beep-boop-bop. Which means putting it in your swim cap requires the utmost care so you don’t press the wrong button and start/stop/etc…
So while it does work, it’s not quite as good as most other units in the swim cap method because of the button sensitivity.
*Side rant on ratings: There’s a tremendous amount of misinformation on waterproof ratings out there on the interwebs, and even in Wikipedia. Some watches follow the IP/IPX system for ratings (i.e. IPX7), which means there are specific tests that companies can have labs run their watches through. Other ratings – such as 50-meters have less formalized tests. That said, watches with ratings of 50-meters are MORE than fine for swimming. There’s this bizarre small pocket of professional scuba divers (I dive too!) that seems obsessed with spreading gospel that watches not rated for 200m deep aren’t sufficient for swimming laps/etc. Quite frankly, that’s just dumb – and doesn’t match any data I’ve seen, nor a single comment I’ve seen from anyone here in 5 years of product reviews and reader comments. If we’re talking typical Garmin IPX7 watches – sure, those suck in water. But Timex and Polar devices certified for 50m, no, they’re just fine. Ok, rant complete.
GPS Accuracy & Altitude Notes:
Timex GPS units have had somewhat of a checkered history when it comes to GPS accuracy, so this was one area I’ve been pretty keen about looking at carefully. As is always the case though, GPS accuracy is actually fairly difficult to measure in normal day to day activities. It’s one thing to create premeasured short-distance courses with certification-grade rolling wheels (as I have done many times in the past), but it’s another thing to measure out a 20-mile course and ensure you run exactly what the wheel measured (virtually impossible).
So instead, I tend to focus on variance between units. Over time I’ve developed a pretty solid understanding of which units have the highest accuracy levels, and which units have lesser accuracy levels. Further, when I go out and run or ride, I take multiple units. Along the way I’m looking for one of two things. Either a pattern of difference between the two units (i.e. from the onset being short .02 per mile), or a conditional difference (i.e. going under bridges causes units troubles).
Keep in mind that most consumer-grade GPS units are only rated for accuracy of about 97-99%, thus .01 to .03 per mile. Thus even comparing two identical units worn at the same time on the same wrist, you’re bound to get differences.
I’ve talked a LOT about GPS accuracy in these posts here:
Racing the line – understanding how courses are measured
Sport Device GPS Accuracy In Depth: Part I (Part II is linked at end of Part I)
Why the New York Times GPS accuracy running article missed the boat
With that brief background/primer, let’s talk about the TRT2. In general, it’s in the same ballpark as other units. Though, not quite always perfect. By perfect, I’m talking within a 1-2%. Beyond that and I start to worry. In the case of the TRT2, it’s never shown as higher than other units testing (be it the FR610 shown below, or my wife’s FR910XT unit). It’s always ‘equal to’ or less than. Meaning, if there’s a difference between the two units, the TRT2 always shows a shorter run.
Here’s a few pictures of watches showing the differences. I don’t always have my camera on runs, so this is just the ones I happened to have handy.
As you can see, in many cases the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 was either identical or virtually indistinguishable from the reference unit. In those cases it was different, it becomes more complicated to determine which is right and which is right. However, the only pattern I see emerging is in the cases where the Timex Run Trainer doesn’t match, the TRT2 is usually slightly less than the FR610. Within the GPS accuracy levels – and as long as you don’t commit the cardinal sin (over-measuring, which makes you believe you are faster than you are) – you’re good to go.
I wouldn’t have any issues using this watch day to day from a GPS accuracy standpoint.
Looking next at elevation data, the unit uses a GPS altimeter (not barometric), so the altimeter data doesn’t tend to be as accurate as units with a barometric altimeter inside. Now, the good news is that TrainingPeaks has an elevation correction feature. The bad news is that it’s not included in the free version of Training Peaks that you get with the Timex unit. Here’s a few runs to see the differences though:
You can see above that the results are more cleaner post-processing. This was a relatively flat run around Dublin.
Below, a long run. In this case, I’d actually put things generally closer to the TRT than the corrected elevation data – likely because the correct elevation data may be incorrectly parsing some bridge crossings. Still, the ability as an end-user to choose which data set is handy, and I just wish it were offered on the base platform (like Garmin does).
Historically, I’d say this is roughly ‘on par’ with other units that use GPS altimeters (which btw, is most running-specific units these days).
Battery and Memory Space:
The Timex Run Trainer has an 8 hour battery life (with GPS enabled), but will last quite a bit longer when just hanging out in non-GPS mode. I haven’t quite figured out exactly how much longer (days/weeks I presume), as I’m using it every other day, so I’m always recharging it.
I haven’t had any battery issues, nor any issues where the battery burns at a rate higher than I would have expected. So all is good there.
What I do have issues with is the memory. Back when I first started using the unit, a few folks asked what the memory looked like, and as I started poking at it, I realized it wasn’t so hot at all. I did some quick back of the napkin math based on file sizes and realized that with GPS enabled and HR/Footpod data I was only getting about 9-12 hours of record time before I had to offload to a computer.
Not good.
The unit only has about 900KB of space on it, and run sizes are roughly about 80-110KB per hour (with GPS/HR/Footpod data). My problem here is twofold. First is that it’s an insanely small amount of storage. I look at other running watches, and I don’t even remember the last time I was warned about running out of space, despite running 3-4 runs a week with some runs upwards of 3 hours. Yet with the TRT2, I’m constantly deleting runs – on pretty much a near weekly basis.
Second, by deleting runs I’m no longer able to view them in the history on the unit. For some people (like myself) who do upload data, it’s not a huge long-term deal. But I know other people who use the history function on the watch to regularly look at past runs. For them, it’s basically a non-starter.
In talking with the Timex Run Trainer engineering team about the issue, they believe that due to the fact that they didn’t bundle a wall adapter with the unit, folks would be frequently using their computers to charge (and thus upload) data. They did however say that they are working on ways to shrink the data sizes a bit more, and may be targeting that for a future firmware update.
The problem they’ll have though is that there is only so much they’ll be able to do there. The standardized file format means their options are limited on the software front (perhaps they’ll make minor gains). The real focus should be on getting a bigger memory module in the unit.
Backlight:
Finally. Just finally.
The TRT2 contains a far better backlight, doing away with the hideously underpowered backlights of most Timex watches. This one shines nice and bright, and has more than enough light for you to easily see in the dark (or, in the bathroom where I took the above photo).
Since almost all of my runs at home are at night (usually once The Girl finishes up work), me and the backlight are BFF’s.
You can tap the upper left button once to turn the backlight on, or hold it down for about 4-5 seconds and it’ll beep a bunch of times, which means it’ll stay on permanently. You can tap it again to turn it off (the light).
Software Platform & Uploading:
The Timex Run Trainer utilizes the USB charging cable it came with to download workouts to your computer via USB. Unlike the 1.0 edition, the 2.0 edition does not require any special drivers, as it instead utilizes the USB Mass Storage device profile – just like a USB thumb drive would.
Further, unlike the 1.0 edition, the 2.0 edition utilizes the .FIT file format standard for all files. This means that you can not only pluck the file directly off of the device using Windows Explorer (or similar on other platforms), but you can utilize it with some 3rd party programs as well (Garmin and Magellan both utilize the .FIT file format as well).
But first, let’s look at the default way to upload. Obviously, you’ll connect the device to your computer. You do not need to put the device into any special mode (as you did with the Timex Global Trainer), just connect and you’re ready within a few seconds:
Then, you’ll want to install the Training Peaks Device Agent (available for Mac and PC). This isn’t required per se to get the data off, but it makes it quicker to get the data to the Training Peaks platform. Timex has partnered with Training Peaks to provide Timex device users a free Training Peaks account for logging and analyzing your workout.
Note that you can install either the default TP branded device agent, or the Timex branded one – I prefer the TP branded one since it includes all the other device types (i.e. Polar/Garmin/etc…).
With that all installed and the Run Trainer plugged in, you’ll simply select the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 from the dropdown list:
This will in turn enumerate the correct location within the ‘Browse’ dialog box on the right side:
From here, you’ll simply pick the files (they have the date/timestamps in them) of your workouts. Once that’s done, the files will appear in the list:
Then, just click Save.
Once uploaded, you’ll be within the Dashboard or Calendar views:
From there, you can click on a given run to dive into it:
This main page will show you summary information about the workout. But I typically click ‘Maps and Graphs’ to get to the good stuff.
Within this page you’ll see your route on the map (you can choose from Google Maps or Openstreet Maps). Along the bottom you’ll see the elevation profile with your speed/heart rate/cadence overlaid on it. And then on the right side you’ll see each lap listed (and entire workout).
If I click a given lap, it’ll highlight that section on the map, as well as on the graphs below. Additionally, the right side will now show just that lap information. I can also do this in reverse and just highlight a section on the graph and get stats for just that section.
If I click on ‘Reports’ up top, I can go ahead and and see detailed laps and splits, as well as add pods to my dashboard.
Along the top I can share out a link to a workout. This allows me to give you a direct link to my run (here), and you can poke around and check things out.
Everything I’ve shown above is the free version of Training Peaks, included within the Timex Run Trainer.
Updating Firmware:
The Timex Run Trainer 2.0 supports device firmware updates, which means that as Timex fixes bugs or adds features, you’ll be able to quickly and easily update your device to the latest firmware.
To do so, you’ll open up the TrainingPeaks Device agent, then select: File > Update Device.
You’ll then be prompted to select the update file (a BIN file provided by Timex and usually posted on the TrainingPeaks site). Once that’s done, the watch will do some magic.
See, magic happening here:
The watch itself won’t look any different while magic is happening initially, but eventually, once you get the completion message, then the watch will give a new icon:
Additionally, a quick self-test is done.
Once that’s done all your data is saved, but you’ll need to reset the time and date.
With that, you’re all set!
3rd Party Compatibility:
With the move to the .FIT file format, Timex has joined the ranks of Garmin, Magellan, 4iiii’s, and others sport technology companies that have switched over to the standardized sport file format. This is great news for consumers, as it opens up more places you can utilize your data with (i.e. more training logs and tools).
The only challenge here is that while Timex has adopted the .FIT file format, it ended up with a slightly different variation of it. And as a result, compatibility with various apps from what I’ve seen is limited at best.
[Update on Sport Tracks, seen above, it now supports the Timex Run Trainer 2.0. Both the desktop and online versions. Screenshot pre-update from them.]
I’ve talked at length with Timex about this behind the scenes and they note that the issue stems from exactly how they adopted the standard. They note that they followed the implementation to the exact letter of the law, whereas Garmin has slightly tweaked their implementation of it. As a result, 3rd party developers have shifted to ensure compliance with Garmin’s implementation rather than the strict standard – and other device companies (like Magellan) have done the same.
In some ways, this puts Timex in a ‘no-win’ situation. Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. As I noted to them, at the end of the day the reason you go with standardized platforms (i.e. .FIT format) is for broad 3rd party compatibility, thus increasing your platform accessibility without increasing your platform costs. However, since their adoption of the standard doesn’t achieve this goal, in some ways they are no better off than before.
I think over time, either Timex will adjust, or other platforms will adjust. But at the end of the day – Timex is a much smaller player in this field, and thus when the hundreds (thousands?) of 3rd party apps out there add in data file compatibility, they always start with Garmin. Match Garmin compatibility, and you win.
[Update March 23, 2013]
In the last couple of days, Strava has now added support for the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 FIT Files, so I was able to successfully upload a run just by choosing the file from the unit and uploading it. Great to see Strava able to quickly add this in (as I tested it just about a week or so ago and no luck). Here’s one of my uploaded runs to Strava.
Product Comparison Tables:
You can utilize the below comparison table that’s dynamically updated over time (as features change via firmware) to compare the different units that I’ve reviewed. Note the key part being ‘I’ve reviewed’. There are no doubt other watches on the market, it’s just that if I haven’t reviewed it, I don’t feel right including it based on some marketing fluff. I would however say that within the context of GPS sport watches, if I haven’t reviewed it…it’s probably not a realistic contender in the marketplace today.
If you’re looking for general guidance on watches in the marketplace, I’ve put together a GPS recommendations post just a couple of months ago. It outlines many different user scenarios.
| Function/Feature | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated April 9th, 2021 @ 10:20 am New Window | ||||||
| Price | $225 | $150.00 | $215.00 | $179.00 | $165.00 | $170 |
| Product Announcement Date | Mar 18, 2013 | AUG 16, 2011 | AUG 13, 2012 | OCT 4, 2010 | JAN 7, 2011 | APR 2, 2009 |
| Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Apr 2013 | SEP 2011/Discontinued | SEPT 2012 | OCT 2010 | APR 2011 | JUN 2009 |
| GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data Transfer | USB | USB | USB | USB | USB | ANT+ Wireless |
| Waterproofing | 50m | 50 Meters | IPX7 | IPX7 | 50 Meters | Yes |
| Battery Life (GPS) | GPS: 8HRS | GPS: 8hrs, Non-GPS 100+ hrs | 12 Hours | 10 hours | 9 hours | 20 Hours |
| Recording Interval | 1-second | Configurable: 1s, 2s, 4s, 8s | 1-Second | Smart | 1-second | 1s or Smart |
| Alerts | SOUND/VISUAL/VIBRATE | Sound/Visual | Sound/Visual | Audio/Visual | Audio/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
| Backlight Greatness | Great | Good | Good | Good | Good | Great |
| Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | No | No | No | No | No | No | Connectivity | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | No | No | No | No | No | Via Wahoo Fitness Adapter |
| Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | No | No | No | Cycling | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Designed for cycling | No | No | Yes | Barely (Speed mode only) | No (Speed only mode) | Yes |
| Power Meter Capable | N/A | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | Yes |
| Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No |
| Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | N/A | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Running | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| VO2Max Estimation | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Race Predictor | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Recovery Advisor | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Run/Walk Mode | No | Sorta | No | No | No | No | Swimming | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Designed for swimming | No | No | No | No | No | Partial |
| Openwater swimming mode | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Record HR underwater | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No |
| Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Distance, no stroke |
| Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Indoor Drill Mode | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Indoor auto-pause feature | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Change pool size | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Ability to customize data fields | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Captures per length data - indoors | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| Indoor Alerts | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | Triathlon | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Designed for triathlon | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Multisport mode | N/A | N/A | No | No | N/A | Yes | Workouts | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Create/Follow custom workouts | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes with firmware upate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Training Calendar Functionality | No | No | No | No | No | No | Functions | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Virtual Partner Feature | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Virtual Racer Feature | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Weather Display (live data) | No | No | No | No | No | No | Navigate | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Back to start | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | No | No | No | No | No | Sensors | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Altimeter Type | GPS | GPS | GPS | GPS | GPS | GPS |
| Compass Type | N/A | N/A | GPS | N/A | N/A | GPS |
| Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| ANT+ Remote Control | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | No | No | NO | No |
| Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | |||||
| Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | No | No | No | No | No | Software | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| PC Application | Training Peaks Agent | Training Peaks Agent | PPT/Websync | GTC | Nike+ Connect | GTC/ANT Agent |
| Web Application | Training Peaks | Training Peaks | PPT.com | Garmin Connect | Nike+ Site | Garmin Connect |
| Phone App | Training Peaks (iOS/Android) | Training Peaks | Polar Beats | Garmin Fit | Nike+ App | Garmin Fit |
| Ability to Export Settings | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Purchase | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Amazon | Link | Discontinued | Link | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0 | Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0 | Polar RC3 | Garmin Forerunner 210 | Nike+ GPS Sportwatch | Garmin Forerunner 310XT |
| Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Remember to click the ‘Expand Results’ button as it’ll show a gazillion more rows than the quick preview above.
Summary:
The Timex Run Trainer 2.0 makes good progress over the initial Timex Run Trainer. While I wouldn’t call it revolutionary, I would say they made significant evolutionary steps. Simply put: A lot of fine tuning and tweaking. And that’s what tends to differentiate most products in the market – can they clean-up all the little items and make it a more compelling product. In this case, the answer is yes. The addition of the nutrition alerts puts in more in a ‘leading’ category than a following one. And the size is now in the same ballpark as other units on the market. The switch to a device that requires no computer drivers to connect the device and read workouts is greatly appreciated – and the move towards the .FIT file format standard is also a major step in the right direction (even if the compatibility isn’t perfect).
While the unit still has some quirks around intervals and what things are called, they aren’t blockers in my opinion. The only real concern I have about the unit is the limited storage space – which may or may not be an issue for all folks. For me, it’s frustrating, but if you download frequently and delete frequently, it’s not too bad.
I wouldn’t have any problems recommending this unit for the majority of runners out there. No, it doesn’t have the advanced workout or course features of some of the $300+ units on the market, but it does have roughly the same functionality as those units in the ~$200 range (+/- $25-30US), which is the price range the unit is in ($225).
Pros:
– New menu system is much cleaner/easier to use
– New size is on par with other units in the market
– New backlight is actually usable – well done
– Nutrition (food/water) alerts are awesome
– Connects to computer without any drivers required, cross-platform
Cons:
– Very small amount of memory (space)
– Their implementation of .FIT files aren’t as compatible as I’d hoped
– Doesn’t automatically update time zone based on where you are (time yes, time zone no)
Found this review useful? Here’s how you can help support future reviews with just a single click! Read on…
Hopefully you found this review useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.
I’ve partnered with Clever Training to offer all DC Rainmaker readers an exclusive 10% discount across the board on all products (except clearance items). You can pickup the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 below. Then receive 10% off of everything in your cart by adding code DCR10BTF at checkout. By doing so, you not only support the site (and all the work I do here) – but you also get a sweet discount. And, since this item is more than $75, you get free US shipping as well.
– Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0 GPS Speed and Distance Black-Orange
– Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0 GPS Speed and Distance Silver-Green
– Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0 GPS HRM Black-Orange
– Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0 GPS HRM Silver-Green
Additionally, you can also use Amazon to purchase the unit or accessories (though, no discount on either from Amazon). Or, anything else you pickup on Amazon helps support the site as well (socks, laundry detergent, cowbells). If you’re outside the US, I’ve got links to all of the major individual country Amazon stores on the sidebar towards the top. Though, Clever Training also ships most places too and you get the 10% discount. Thanks for reading!
As you’ve seen throughout the review there are numerous compatible accessories for the unit. I’ve consolidated them all into the below chart, with additional information (full posts) available on some of the accessories to the far right. Also, everything here is verified by me – so if it’s on the list, you’ll know it’ll work. And as you can see, I mix and match accessories based on compatibility – so if a compatible accessory is available at a lower price below, you can grab that instead.
| Product | Street Price | Amazon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin ANT+ Heart Rate Strap (Classic Plastic Strap) - HRM1 $37.00 | $37.00 | Amazon | |
| Garmin ANT+ Heart Rate Strap (Premium Soft-Strap) - HRM2 $69.00 | $69.00 | Amazon | |
 | Garmin ANT+ Heart Rate Strap (Premium Soft-Strap) - HRM3 $50 | $50 | Amazon |
| Garmin ANT+ Running Footpod (Mini) $45 | $45 | Amazon | |
| Suunto ANT/ANT+ Running Footpod (good for both ANT types) $70.00 | $70.00 | Amazon | |
| Timex ANT+ Heart Rate Strap (Premium Soft-Strap) $48.00 | $48.00 | Amazon | |
| Timex ANT+ Running Footpod (Mini) $51.00 | $51.00 | N/A | |
| Timex Bike Mount Kit (for mounting any watch onto handlebars) $9.00 | $9.00 | Amazon |
And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Finally, I’ve written up a ton of helpful guides around using most of the major fitness devices, which you may find useful in getting started with the devices. These guides are all listed on this page here.
As always, Great Review!! I don’t know that the added ease of the menu system and the vibrating alerts would be enough motivation for me to replace the TRT 1.0 that I bought last month. I do really like the lines that divide the data fields. I dislike the fact that you can only display three data fields at a time rather than the four available with the trt 1.0. Hopefully they fixed the odometer bug that my trt 1.0 has. No matter what mode I reset the odometer in, whether it be in the device agent or on the watch, after a run it always displays 62,427 miles.
I have been using the Timex Marathon GPS and the average pace calculation at the end of the run is always incorrect by 5 to 11 or 12 seconds. Timex just gives me a lot of BS when I question them. Have you found the average pace to be accurate on the TRT2?
They’re correct in the TRT2. You can double-check it via the photos I included in the history section, which shows the distances/times and paces, which I just double-checked the math and it’s spot on.
Fwiw, the Timex Marathon GPS isn’t a product that Timex actually worked on the firmware on (they just rebranded an outside unit from Asia that’s also used by many other companies). Whereas the Timex Run Trainer’s and Global Trainers is their firmware work.
Not saying it changes who’s ultimately at blame, but just providing some insight on it.
Very very Nice Review, i ll get my New Watch(Timex RT 2.0) tomorrow. Now i’m using the FR 610 from Garmin, but i can’t use the watch for the Swim Workouts….
Thats the Reason, why i buyed a New One.
The best watch for us(triathletes) is the FR910XT, but i dont like the Big Design. For Bike Training can i take my Cycletrainer.
What do you say? Run Trainer or the FR610?
Thanks a lot for the Review, it helps. Sry for my terrible english:)……
Greats from Germany
They’re both different watches. There’s no getting around that the FR610 is a higher end watch than the TRT2. It simply is – but also costs nearly double.
That said, for most runners, the TRT2 is more than sufficient. The core differences on the running side is that the FR610 offers more customization, and offers navigational support. On the flip-side, it doesn’t offer nutritional alerts.
Thanks for your Quick Answer. Of course is the FR610 a very complete Watch. For me is it important, to create my own Intervalltraining and getting corect Datas from the Watch. I do not need the Virtualracer/Partner……
Water is for the TRT 2.0 no Problem:).
I bought the TRT 2.0 for the vibrating alerts as I’m a little hard of hearing. The display going from 4 lines to 3 is one of the things I didn’t like. As far as the odometer, I can’t find it within the menu system. I think they remove the feature. I also had the TRT 1.0, but never had an issue with the odometer.
Thank you for the thorough review and set up information. It helped me finalize my set up and configuration.
I just bought and am sending back my TRT 1.0 because on 2 out of 3 runs it lost its signal. One time I was on a trail with some tress and the other time it was a cloudy day. My question is the GPS better on the 2.0? Have other people had trouble with the 1.0. Don’t think the Garmin will work because I am a triathlete and want to wear it in the water.
It’s a different GPS chipset, with different firmware. I haven’t seen anyone talking about loss of GPS signal in trees (and I certainly didn’t see any).
Run Trainer 2.0 is a great device for all athletes, however I am finding that during some of my workouts my unit is going from recording the workout to running a diagnostic test. It simply goes dark runs the test and returns to the time set up screen without saving any data. Have you found this to be an issue? Maybe I am not uploading my workouts timely. Any suggestions?
Thanks for great article! Polar RCX3 does have wireless WIND data transfer, no IrDA anymore.
Thanks for getting this review up, it makes me feel better as i actually ordered it last night based on your earlier comments on it (went through Clever Training so you get the credit)! As soon as it arrives my Garmin 610 goes back to the store (too many problems with the HRM, too many bells and whistles that I don’t need inflating the price). The one question I still have is whether I can use a Garmin strap I already I own or if I should go with the Timex strap. My concern is that if the problems I have had with the heart rate calculations on the 610 are due to the strap I would just be carrying that over to the Timex. And it seems for customer support reasons it would be easier if I was using the Timex product. Should I cancel my order and get it without the strap or stick with the watch and strap combination? Also, Clever Training has two straps, one that is $30 (Flex) and one that is $60 (Dig 2.4), which one comes with the watch in the HRM combo? If it is the Flex, I would be better off buying it separately as there is a $50 price differential between the two watches. Your thoughts?
Answered my own questions on the two straps listed on Clever Training. The $30 one is literally just the strap, no sensor included, while the $60 is the strap and sensor. That makes more sense (it would help if the photo for the strap only didn’t show the sensor attached to it)!
Great article as always Ray. Can the keys be locked so they don’t get pressed unintentionally?
Great review as always. I miss the closer view that you had with watches lined up on the shorter rolling pin. I was in market for a watch that displayed cadence, distance,hr and time as well as being waterproof enough to go swimming and kayaking. It was TRT2.0 vs garmin 910xt (cheap unboxed new off auction site for same price as TRT 2.0 with customs tax. I got fed up waiting for TRT to be released and jumped at a 910xt. Reading your review now it looks like the button sensitivity makes the TRT practically useless for me to swim as I’d always be wondering if I may have activated a button when fitting the cap. The amazingly mean minded memory capacity is the last straw which tells me that TRT would not have been a good choice for me, memory is so cheap now that it beggars belief that someone in Timex thought it was worth hobbling this device for the sake of saving what would be less than a dollar or so for two or three times the capacity they gave it.
Thank for the review. I’ve been waiting for this. I was a early adopter of the TRT 1.0. but ultimately I returned it because of the size and the software update wasn’t quite as robust as I needed at the time.
I did really like a lot of things about the watch. One item that really interested me is the vibration alert as when I’m running, I tend to miss the audio alerts quite a bit, but I’ve never had a watch with a vibration alert.
How does the vibration compare with other gps watches that vibrate? Is it strong enough to really feel it?
Also, any idea on why they took up a good chuck of the screen space with the “GPS” lettering? When I first saw the watch, it seemed like a bit much. The only thing I can gather is that when you charge it the screen isn’t covered at all.
Peace out.
I obviously read too many of your reviews. I recognized each model on your rolling pin without reading the caption.
Looks like a nice offering- and with its customizable display, multiple screens, customizeable workout creator, vibration alert- it’s a big step above a Garmin 210 and closer to the 610 (sans touch screen), for a lot less money.
Excellent review. So that’s two Timex GPS run watches — three if you count the $99 one — without an update of the Global Trainer. Any word on when/if that’s coming?
No word there.
Excellent review. I’ve been very happy the 15 months with the TRT 1. My wife, who’s training for the Boston 2014, likes to use it from time to time, but she’s petite and the hugeness bugs her. It’s like a cinderblock on her wrist. If I can sell off TRT 1 for a decent price, I’d upgrade. (Plus, then the wife would also have the nice free/Timex TrainingPeaks account. BTW, you get any kind of discount/credit with them? I’ve had a comped week of the paid version due to some technical issues, and like it.)
No discount on TP, sorry!
I was so interested in this review because I have (necause of you) a TRT 1.0
Comparing the old and the one TRT, I think the old one still have something more:
– I like display on 4 lines (or 3 with the center one bigger than other) so I can have many info about my run
– In Inteval modes I can save 5 workouts while TRT 2.0 only one (link to global.timex.com)
but has something less too:
– vibrating alerts
– interval modes set on distance (however you can solve this problem setting a distance goal in each interval e pressing and holding lap button)
Now I have a question:
In Interval modes “warm up” and “cold down” are additional sessions (I can set up or not) and so they aren’t included in repeats or not?
Just a note: TRT 1.0 has drink/eat sound alerts (but not vibrating ones)
Anyway, great review! 😉
No, they aren’t separate, it’s just part of all the INT1/2/3/etc… I wish they were clearly called out separately.
Thanks for the answer, Ray.
This is an “epic fail”!
Maybe I have to explain better what I mean.
If TRT 1.0 has “warm-up” and “cold down” separated from other section that I can reapeat (in order to avoid repeating warm up and cold down too), It’s ridicolous Timex don’t set them apart in the new TRT.
In this way, the new TRT has not only ONE wourkout to setting up (in stead of 5 of TRT 1.0) but has less sections too: they could be 6 (in stead of 5 of TRT 1.0) but these sections should include warm up and cold down, unless you’ll do these using Chrono mode.
P.s.: I hope It’s clear what I mean
Hi All-
Re the intervals warm-up and cool-down. I talked with the engineering team tonight and they confirmed that the addition of warm-up an cool-down to the interval feature is scheduled for an upcoming firmware update (for the Timex Run Trainer 2.0, it’s already in the TRT1.0).
Enjoy!
thanks for the info, Ray 😉
Ray,
are there some news about the new firmware solving warm-up/cool down problem?
A friend of mine bought TRT 2 but no fw update for this.
thanks a lot 😉
I don’t have any timelines on any firmware updates (either for new features, or fixes). Wish I did, sorry!
Last update I had was the new firmware update was being planned for mid to end July…. so hopefully just around the corner. But of course that was several weeks ago and things could have changed…
I have to sympathis with Timex on the .FIT issues. I use the Java fit SDK under Android and it’s very easy to use I have to worry about none of the details. I produce good fit files as far as I can tell the validation tool is happy with them. Problem is half the third party software want read them. Reading is far harder than writeing of course and the problem is the format gives you options for things. The most common issue is one of Endieness. The Fit format is to some extent endian nutral you say what the endieness is as you write the file. The problem I have is that the official JavaFIT SDK running on Android writes big endien. Garmin devices write little endien. If the reading software is home growen not using the sdk but writen from scratch and ignors the endieness information in the file then it just fails to read my file even though it’s perfectly valid. I can not easaly change it without writting a whole file writing system myself. All in all a bit of a mess and hard for me or Timex to fix.
Great review.
So the outputted fit files don’t work with SportsTrack. Are there any third party programs (GoldenChetah perhaps) that will read them?? I’m looking for something that can read the file and convert it to something else (fit or tcx). Yeah, It’s a clumsy attemp to working around the limits of the file format; but I like the watch and don’t want to be locked into the online version of Training Peaks.
Thanks
Check out the freeware, GPSBabel. It lets you convert between all kinds of things.
Ben S – Thanks for the software suggestion. I’ll give it a try
Can someone post a Run Trainer 2.0 *.fit file so third party compatibility can be tested. Thanks
Here ya go, a smattering of TRT2 files: link to sites.google.com
Thanks Ray!!
Tested the Timex FIT Files and confirmed that the following programs won’t load them : Golden Cheetah 2.1, Golden Cheetah 3.0 Beta, GPS Babel, and Connect/Training Center (no surprise there).
Training Peaks has an “export file” option … but it looks to export a copy of the file uploaded, no conversion to other formats. So that doesn’t help.
I was able to get the files to load into WKO via the TP Device Agent. WKO does have the ability to export files (WKO, PWX, GPX) and I got mixed results when I tried the converted files in other programs (Golden Cheetah and SportTrack).
So if you limit your analysis to Training Peaks (and Strava), your going to be happy. Trouble is, I’m a SportsTrack User and I don’t like using a “second” program (especially something costly like WKO) for file conversion.
Ray, you did a good service pointing out the file compatibly issues on the TRT 2.0. Yeah, Garmin didn’t play “fair” by not following the FIT protocol … but Timex needs to be following whatever Garmin’s format is to be a serious alternative. For better/worse, the GPS sports device world seems to revolve around Garmin. As much as I want this watch, I won’t buy it because the file issues. Can you press Timex on file compatibility fixes via firmware?
Thanks, Jeff
@Jeff – read my comment below… we came across this post last night and added support to SportTracks 3 in an updated release today.
Regarding the .FIT file format that Timex writes… from spending a few hours going through the exact data messages recorded in detail it is actually not that bad – not enough to warrant software firmware updates. A few simple gotchas, but nothing too unusual. All your favorite 3rd party apps should be able to update easily to accomodate the quirks.
If any appdevs run across this post and need some technical pointers shoot me an email @zonefivesoftware … we’ve now written FIT file importers in 3 languages. 🙂
Aaron – Thanks! Downloaded the update and it works like a champ. That is why I’m a SportTracks user … you guys have always been very customer focused.
@aaron, email to the support email address?
Device Agent has ability to save your workouts directly to local folder as “pwx” file (instead of sending them to Training Peaks).
Now that I’ve actually got my hands on the watch … I’ve found the *.fit import to have a few bugs. It pulls the data into SportTracks but a few glitches with adding “zero distance” intervals and missing laps show up.
I posted the full details on the SportTracks forum, hopefully its just a speedbump and a quick fix for them.
link to zonefivesoftware.com
Thank you for the review Ray,
Stupid question- from your comment on the battery life it is not really clear if you can use the watch as a day-to-day watch: “will last quite a bit longer when just hanging out in non-GPS mode. I haven’t quite figured out exactly how much longer (days/weeks I presume), as I’m using it every other day, so I’m always recharging it.”
Where can I get the estimated of watch use without GPS? I simply don’t see myself like you- traveling with 2 watches and would like to understand if it makes sense for me to purchase it.
Thanks
I’ve reached back to some folks to see if I can get clarification on how long it should last in standby mode. Thanks!
Hi Ronero-
The Timex folks confirmed that it’s about three weeks in standby mode (battery-wise).
Enjoy!
Thanks Ray!
FYI, as of a couple days ago, Run Trainer FIT files will upload to Strava. Just locate the files when it mounts as a USB device.
Where was this last month? I will live with TRT (original). Another well written review by DC Rainmaker. Thanks again.
For someone who owns a FR610, would you consider the TRT 2.0 an upgrade or a sideway move? Is there anything for a runner in the TRT 2.0 that the FR610 does not do? (beside the nutrition alerts)
As a FR610 owner, it would be considered a downgrade. There are no doubt features that the TRT has that the FR610 doesn’t (Nutrition alerts primarily). Though, on the FR610 you can use walk/run alerts to kinda mimic that (that’s what I do when using the FR610).
Beyond that though, the FR610 has flexibility with HR zones, customization of data fields, more data fields (4 per page), advanced workout support, etc… but, it also costs almost double.
Ray,
What about the 305 vs the TRT 2.0?
Thanks (again)
Thank you, Ray, that’s all I needed to know. I’ll wait for the update to the FR610, then. It shouldn’t be too far off.
Thanks for the review DC.Think ill keep the the 1.0 (for 70 bucks !) and get the hang of it.From what i gathered reading ,it doesnt sound like a ‘huge’ step up for the price difference.Thanks again.
I was early to the TRT 1.0. To this moment I have no complain with it except 16 months into it, the watch somehow had difficulty detecting my HR Strap.I borrowed my girlfriends HR Strap and it worked fine. i changed batteries already but still it did not work. But after sometime, it just worked after a few clearing out some of the workouts…maybe it just choked.
Other than that, the tons of data already available with the TRT 1.0 is more than enough. GPS locks in quickly even under thick storm clouds here in the Philippines and no issues of signal loss even under thick forest canopies.
When I saw the 2.0 come out and it boasts of a finer display, I told myself, why would you want a finer display, we are not watching films here. I havent played with the TRT 2.0 but I think its not much of any upgrade if you have the TRT 1.0.
Moreover, I like the TRT 1.0 3-4 cutomizable displays. When I do my intervals, I usually display: interval hr range – HR %- calories- time remaining within the interval. So everything is there.
Again, the TRT packs a punch of features (basic and other nice stuff) for a good price where normally these features are available normally in other more expensive competitors.
Ray, again a super review. I continue to be fascinated with your ever present concern with liquid/nutrition notifications. In my 37 years of running, logging over 77,000 miles to include 18 marathons and 10 ultras needing a reminder to hydrate/nutrition has never been an issue. I know when I need liquids and nutrition on runs below marathon distance. I have trained to flip to burning body fat without any nutritional supplements. I marvel/smile when I observe runners using “Gu” like stuff for 5K/10K races. Maybe being older lessens the need for nutrition on the run. Turn 70 in a few months and have run hundreds of 20+mile training runs on a liquid that has been around for quite awhile:water w/o any nutrition. Try it, you may like it. You may run faster because you won’t have to carry any stuff with you.
Thanks for the review!!
I´m beginning running, so I would like a device with good training capabilities. At the same price, which one should I choose, POLAR RC3 or TRT 2.0?
Thank you!
They’ll both do quite well. The RC3 has a bit more on the HR metrics side than the TRT2 (primarily multi-zone HR’s). It also can do rough ‘back to start as the crow flies’ directional arrows.
Meanwhile, the TRT doesn’t require any special software to plug-in, and the display field customization is higher than the RC3.
Thanks again.
I like the RC3 Smart Coaching capabilities, more exactly the ZoneOptimizer. Is there any similiar in the TRT 2.0?
No, not really. You can set a single zone on the TRT, that’s about it.
Thanks for the great review. I noticed your comparison chart did not include the Garmin 610. Is that simply because of price difference? Is the 610 a better watch (for running only)?
Hmm, missed your reply on the 610 above. Guess it comes down to whether the extra functionality on the 610 is worth the extra money. thanks.
Yeah, primarily price difference. But…the chart is dynamic – so you can add any products you’d like via the product comparison tool here: link to dcrainmaker.com
Enjoy!
Have you considered using Strava as your primary platform for tracking and analyzing? What’s your opinion about it? It would be really nice to see a review by you with the different alternatives.
Strava and TP are really aiming at different markets. I love both for different reasons.
TP has way more functionality for detailed analyzing a specific workout and fitness progress over time. It gives you more tools for fine tuning your workouts, especially if you have a coach.
Strava does a better job of comparing a performance, and particularly a segment of a performance, to your past efforts and that of others. I would actually say this is a more interesting approach for the vast majority of age group athletes, especially if your main focus is fitness and fun. If your goal is the podium, TP is probably better, which is kind of ironic since Strava makes KOM’s such a big deal.
Indeed, as Ekutter noted, they’re a bit different in goals. I use TP primarily for analysis and long-term tracking (years) – and most importantly, communicating with a coach who has a centralized view of athletes.
Strava is more focused on competing within the ecosystem – as well as recording the data of course. The Strava interface is no doubt much cleaner than the TP one from a graphics standpoint, but I’d argue the analytic capability of TP is more in-depth today (one of the reasons most pro athletes in endurance sport use it today).
Bonjour!
Thanks for the detailed review! I run 5/10k 2-3 times a week and i’m hesitating between the a FR10 @ 130$ or the TRT 2.0 @ 175$. I know they’re 2 very different models and I’m not into very detailed run analysis but considering the little 45$ price difference i wonder if the 2.0 is a better bet?
Thanks,
Martin
Hi Martin, where do you see the TRT 2 at $175? thx
Just responding to Thien’s question. Clever Training actually had it listed for $175 for a couple days. Not sure if it was a mistake or not. Last I looked it was $225. I almost pulled the trigger on it, but I’m glad I waited until the review came out. The memory issue looks like a deal breaker to me.
It was mistakenly listed for a short period this past weekend. Clever did honor it for those that got it.
Otherwise, the best deal is the Clever Training deal with the DCR discount applied to it (plus, it really helps support the site.). Thanks!
Ray:
Just wanted to let you know that this product review and the recent Kickr review never got picked up by my RSS reader. Not sure if it is a feed issue or a reader issue, however.
Just thought you should know.
Sigh…poking at why it keeps happening with the big reviews lately – I have a few ideas. Thanks for the heads up. 🙁
I assume you use Google Reader? (Like me…a sad day ahead…).
Correct – Google Reader.
Actually it is my google reader feeds through feedly right now. Plan is to let feedly take it over if and when the sun sets. It seems to be working pretty well so far.
Ray:
One of the new options in this TRT 2.0 is that we can change languag display.
Can you tell me wich languages are available?
Thank you.
English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Dutch.
Hi Ray!!
What about your marks? I cant see in the chart anymore.
By the way, I suppose there isnt any problem buying the watch to clever and using it in spain. Is there?
You can expand the chart to see all the rows. I’ve hidden the ratings for now across all products. The ratings were something of a ‘beta’ product for me, and I’ve found that there are simply too many factors going into them to be able to give a good estimate that’s really applicable to everyone. People value different things different. For some, the interval aspect isn’t important, but for others it’s a deal killer.
I’ve sorta long held that I want people to come away taking the facts that I’ve provided and make up their own decisions on which products are best for their needs. The ratings blinded everyone in that manner.
As for Clever, yup, no problems using it in Spain (I’m in Europe after all!). About the only places it won’t work in the world are two small areas around the North and South Pole, but even then, only certain times of the year (for example, there’s plenty of good data on the Antarctica Marathon on Garmin Connect).
Hi–great review!
Not sure I saw it above, but what do you think of its instant pace ability? Is it on par with the Garmin FR10 for example?
Hmm, I’ll shoot a video of it for folks.
One last question. I see double digits behind the decimal now- Can you set the autolap to .25 mile? TRT 1 doesn’t allow for that.
My TRT 1.0 initially only had autolap distances in 0.1 mi but after a firmware update it allowed setting autolap to 0.25 mi.
Great review! (as always). Still sticking to my TGT though until the TRT2’s firmware matures, or an update to TGT comes. One thing i noticed, you missed pointing out the TRT2’s changeable color display (contrast). I think it’s a great option for what it’s worth.
I assume Cadence HR (as one of the options to display is lap HR
For FIT compatibility I kind of disagree with you. For a standard that is generic like FIT to work it shouldn’t be limited with how garmin screws it up.
As to the size of the FIT file if they aren’t currently using compressed headers then that is one area they could use to save a good amount of space in the file. (Do think they should have put in more memory, can’t be that hard.
Once I get the code to read Ant+ heart rate and data from my rower I plan to figure out how to write a proper fit file, should be interesting. One thing I’ve learned with reading Ant+ HR strap packets is from a sample size of 1 my Timex HR strap seems to give much more accurate HRV numbers then the Garmin soft strap. By more accurate I mean the Garmin seems to have r-r time as double or triple what you’d expect some of the time even though the beat count field is incrementing at the same rate and the heart rate value seems to stay steady. Seems weird and Timex doesn’t even do anything with that data.
Can’t you use an Ant+ simulator to simulate a footpod to see how long it lasts when not using a gps?
great review as always
Hi Ray! Several weeks back, I wrote to you about my woes with the pace and pace alerts on my Garmin; you suggested I wait for the new Timex 2.0 — it arrived today and is charging now 🙂 My question for you is which pace setting should I use to get no-kidding the most accurate representation: Pace, Avg Pace, Lap Pace, or Previous Lap Pace? And if your answer is one of the lap paces, what should I set Auto Lap at? I’m the one who uses my watches for what you would consider super-short timed runs — 1.5 mile AFPT. Accurate pace/pace zone alerts are pretty critical for me. Thanks!
It depends on the distance and purpose. For races, going with lap pace is what I prefer to use, as I’m doing it on a per-mile (or per-KM) basis so that if things start to get skewed, it’s only impacting that one mile. I base that against course mile markers.
Hi, great review. I want a watch where I can set a pace and have an alert if I am running slower than that – over an entire workout or race (eg, half marathon). Will this watch do that?
Awesome detailed review . I am newby and I appreciate all the effort that goes into helping us make an informed decision. I am partially visually impaired and I really require the largest font available to monitor my heart rate as I am just a novice runner. Which watch would you say is the best for displaying the heart rate?
Thanks again for all your assitance and keep up the great work.
From a HR display standpoint, they really are all about equal. They all pretty much have the same exact data fields. The core HR areas though that the TRT2 lacks is the ability to specify additional HR zones (beyond a single zone). So that means that if you train by zones and want to display those zones, then you’re limited in the current firmware.
For me personally, I train by HR zones, but I’ve long since memorized them, and prefer to know the exact number (so as to know whether I’m high/mid/low in zone).
As always great review. Here I have snow outside, seeing you swimming in open waters…ahh 🙂
Hey Ray,
you nailed it yet again.
I have a TRT1 and my main gripe there is that you cant setup a Heart Zone alert in Chrono Modo. You can do it for Intervals or Watch Level but not for Chrono. I recently ran a half and i setup a zone before the start but the watch started “screaming” before we got going, which was pretty embarassing… As far as you can see this has been fixed – i.e does the zone kicks in only when the Chrono is started in TRT2?
Do you see Timex making a fiirmware upgrade for TRT1 with the fixes available in TRT2 or is that wishful thinking?
Thanks again
Andrea
I suspect in time we’ll see a firmware update to equalize that.
Is wrist strap replaceable?
No.
Actually, correction. I’ve heard from Timex on this. I was mentally thinking more along the lines of creatively colored straps than mechanical breakage issues. Nonetheless, here’s the skinny.
On the RT2.0, the wrist strap is attached with pins, so it is replaceable by a reasonably handy or skilled person with the right tools. It is done for the certainty of affixing a $200+ watch to someone’s wrist versus using “standard” spring bars. This aligns more with what newer generation GPS watches are doing from what I’ve seen.
They will have straps available for sale through Customer Service, and are happy to enable people to take the offer to have Timex fully replace the watch strap if required.
The bottom line is that the entire watch does not have to be replaced if the wrist strap breaks or tears.
Just want to add a comment here– I have a very small women’s wrist (4.75 inches/12+cm), and the watch is too big. There needs to be one more additional hole in the strap to make it fit. I’m not sure whether to poke another hole with a knife (hopefully not cause the strap to crack over time), or if it’s possible to get a strap that’s ~velcro and thus more adjustable? I’m going to contact the lady I dealt with at Timex to see what the best solution is. I just think this needs to be pointed out in the review– this watch may still be too big for some women! On the other hand, it fits my runner-husband perfectly– he straps it on the second to last hole.
Received my TRT 2.0 and like but have a few questions I am hoping Ray or other owners may be able to answer:
1) Is there a way to not show the display names when switching screens? You essentially have to hit the button twice, since the first time you hit it, it brings up the name of each line and the second time switches to the next one. Is there a way to have it jump right to the next screen (like the Garmin 610 and others do)?
2) Is anyone else getting really high calories burned readings? I ran 7.0 miles at an easy pace (6.6 MPH) which for me normally burns around 100 calories a mile (using my Wahoo which ties to general standards and online calculators). The TRT2 said I burned 893 calories in the 7 miles, which seems very high. Does the HR Zones you select in TrainingPeaks impact this or is it just the weight and max heart rate you enter into the watch? If the former, what is the best HR Zone method to use (they offer like 20 of them). If the latter , would raising the max heart rate setting lower the calories burned? I know it is an estimate and will not be exact, but I would like it to be in a reasonable ballpark.
Otherwise I like it so far, the screen is easy to read and the pace measurements seem dead on.
I believe your comparison table has an error w.r.t. the Nike+ GPS Sportswatch. I’m pretty sure the recording interval is 10 seconds rather than 1 second. (At least, if you download activities using the official Nike+ developer API, the downloaded activities show only 10-second resolution.)
Hmm, interesting. I thought pre-official API, it was 1s for developers scrapping, I wonder if in official API it was changed. I’ll poke and update.
Here’s the activity detail from my run this afternoon
{
"activityId": "2118706573",
"activityType": "RUN",
"startTime": "2013-03-24T20:15:31Z",
"activityTimeZone": "GMT-05:00",
"status": "COMPLETE",
"deviceType": "SPORTWATCH",
...
"metrics": [
{
"intervalMetric": 10,
"intervalUnit": "SEC",
...
And here’s the GPS details:
{
"elevationLoss": 94.31717,
"elevationGain": 97.55133,
"elevationMax": 359.0274,
"elevationMin": 315.13992,
"intervalMetric": 10,
"intervalUnit": "SEC",
"waypoints": [
...
I just went back and checked my e-mails with the development team. Their exact quote was “The recording rate is 1 Hz.” – Which, is 1-second.
Now, the 3rd party API is a different story (as you noted).
First thanks for the great review! I was about to get a GPS running watch so for me after shortlisting it’s either the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 with HRM or Polar RC3 also with HRM.
Over here in Asia after currency conversion and shipping from States the Run Trainer 2.0 pricing is very close to the RC3 (after some discounts). In fact the difference is like just $5.
And I’m using it mainly for running, so wondering if the Run Trainer 2.0 or RC3 is a better choice for me? Any comments or advice is appreciated.
Thank you.
I would think in this scenario, the TRT is a better bet. They are similar, but in most cases, I’d go for the TRT over the RC3 because I can customize the display better on the TRT2. Further, it’s ANT+, so it works with my existing straps and footpods.
The one area that the RC3 has that the TRT2 doesn’t is the compass aspects (points back towards start, not advanced compass), as well as some of the additional HR zone pieces (Zone optimizer). So those can be important to some.
Thanks Ray! In this case can I setup and do interval training on the Run Trainer 2.0 understand it’s not possible on the RC3?
And for HRM I’m new to this so perhaps may not need the HR zone optimizer available on Polar. Do you think it’s safe for me to assume this? And the HRM on the Run Trainer 2.0 should be good enough for me?
Yes, intervals are supported on the TRT2. Check out the section in the review where I walk through out they work (and some limitations with them).
The Polar Zone Optimizer is essentially helping you define HR zones and execute workouts within them. If you already know your zones (and memorized them), and/or don’t care about zones (using pace/time/etc..), then that’s of less value.
Thanks for the reply Ray appreciate that. Shall go through your review again in case I missed out anything before making my purchase. By the way, do you think the Run Trainer 2.0 watch strap is durable? Because for most sports watches especially those with strap integrated with the watch casing once spoil have to replace the whole casing with the strap.
It seems durable to me. But no worries, seem my comment around #71 (as of now, comment numbers can shift), around the strap replacement.
Thanks Ray! At least now I know for this watch the strap could be replaced when damaged.
And from the pictures of the watch and screenshots of the software, seems that for interval setup is it max at 6 intervals or more could be added?
Next, I run 2-3 times during weekdays each session around 5K and during weekend I would run 12-15K. I plan to use the GPS and HRM on this watch without footpod. Wondering would I max out the memory easily? Like I have to upload to my computer weekly or? Since you mentioned the memory is very very limited for this watch?
I think I read somewhere that you can only setup/save one interval workout on the watch?? Can someone confirm that, please?
hmmm…that would be a pain to have to change/update the workout every time.
Correct. Though, on the bright side, if you do it on the Device Agent side, it’s slightly easier.
Thank you for the great review. I am looking to purchase my first GPS watch, and the Timex devices seem to be great value. Ideally, I would like the heart rate strap however that may have to wait for the time being. The fact that this device mounts as a mass storage device is great. Do you know if there is a firmware update for the original TRT that will allow it to also be mounted the same way and use the same FIT format?
I don’t expect to see them go back and update it at this point (I suspect it’d be a pretty big lift firmware wise).
About strap… I own a TRT 1.0 and strap is also repleacable, I bought one here on Timex Portugal.
Can in TRT 2.0 heart rate zones be configured as in TRT 1.0?
The HR zone limitations are more restrictive than most products, but actually pretty much the same as the TRT1 with just setting effectively a single zone (just pulled open mine a second ago to double-check).
Ray:
In TRT1 it’s possible to configure chrono heart rate zones and set alert to a certain zone. In TRT2 I cannot see that, because in chrono it’s only possible to set one zone. But in the end it’s more or less the same thing…
Ahh, gotchya, valid point on the alerting side too. But yeah, same end-result.
Ray:
Is there a way to turn off sensors when you quit a chrono mode before start it?
I notice that if I try to start a chrono, device asks for connect sensors, wich I respond yes. After that, if instead start chrono, you get back to time mode, sensors still on… Is there a timer, like the half-hour in the TRT1.0 and then sensors will go off?
Nice review, thanks. A few questions:
1. What is the thickness and weight of this device in numbers?
2. Does it have R-R recording (i.e., beat-by-beat)?
3. Does it have (what Garmin would call) “virtual racer” and/or “virtual pacer” feature?
Thanks!
1) I can get exact numbers tonight (travelling at moment)
2) No R-R data recording
3) No similar feature
Easy question !
TRT 2.0 or Garmin 210 ?
Thanks Ray ! 🙂
For me, I’d go with the TRT2 over the TRT1 any day. Primarily due to size, but also due to the cleaner menu.
Agreed!
…. but maybe I misunderstood; does this mean you’d also pick the Timex over the Garmin 210?
Thanks again!
They’re slightly different watches. The TRT2 has nutrition alerts, more customization around data fields, whereas the FR210 doesn’t have those. Meanwhile, the FR210 has more HR zone flexibility, and is a bit slimmer overall.
Just what matters most to you.
Ray!
FYI, finally took the plunge… just couldn’t resist the FR610!!!
Love it – including the 50$ rebate promotion from Garmin!
(…and obviously it was purchased at Clever Training!)
Gotta run!
Kristopher 😉
Thanks for the support, I appreciate it!
So TRT2 vs. 610? I’ve got my HR zones memorized as I keep it easy – up to 130-140, 140-150, 150-160, and 160+. 🙂 On certain runs I may want alerts, but most of the time I just glance at the HR to ensure my perceived effort is on par with the HR. I almost always just use alerts to not go over 140, so one zone should be fine. I’m not seeing many other features called out as big differences, and the $100 price tag doesn’t seem to justify it. Maybe the touchscreen? The 610 looks a bit nicer. 🙂 Anything else?
I’ve got an old 305 that is still functional, but I’ve had to hard reset it a few times in the past month and the battery is starting to not last as long. So this is not an emergency and if anything enticing is on the horizon, I could wait.
Thanks!
Curious to see Ray’s thoughts, but here are my users two cents worth, having just switched from the 610 to the TRT2:
– I like the display more on the Timex, easier to read (partly due to the resolution, partly due to it being square instead of round).
– Was never a big fan of the touchscreen anyway and the button give a more tactile feel on the Timex. Definitely easier to program via the watch with the buttons and menu system (and love how you can actually do all of the programming on the computer and download it).
– I don’t train by heart rate or use pre-programmed workouts so this was not a loss for me, but could be a big negative if you want these. You also lose the virtual trainer and virtual racer, which could be a negative if you use them.
– After one initial problem, calories burned calculations using HRM seem pretty accurate (primary reason I returned 610, it was all over the board reading really low with constant drop outs and spikes – tried numerous straps without any luck).
– Lack of warm-up, cool-down and repeats in intervals on Timex make it pretty useless, but I am hoping that is fixed in a future firmware update. Would like to see more than 1 interval program as well. I have to try Ray’s workaround in the review.
– Foot pod is very accurate right out of the box with no calibration, pace is spot on.
– Garmin Connect is an easier interface than TrainingPeaks and you don’t have to pay $100 a year to get all the features (although I am not sure how many of them I would use anyway).
– I prefer the USB upload, as it is faster and requires you to choose to upload (as opposed to doing it automatically when you get within proximity of the computer). My treadmill is close to my computer and I actually had the 610 upload itself and reset in the middle of a workout more than once, very annoying.
I found that the Timex has everything I need and it saved me close to $200 over the 610. I think Ray referenced in an earlier comment that they are really two different watches meant for different levels of users. If you are like me and just want it to track your course, pace and heart rate without all the bells and whistles it is great. If you are more technical and want the programs and the advanced features it may not be enough for you.
Hey all, Aaron here from Team SportTracks.
I’m happy to say we found this post last night, after a few hours of diagnosis and literally a 1 line change to our code, the latest release of SportTracks supports Timex Run Trainer .FIT files perfectly. You can go download the update from our website.
TRT2 .FIT files will also import fine into our new mobile cloud app: sporttracks.mobi.
If you ever run across new devices that don’t quite import into SportTracks just shoot support a email and we will get on it ASAP. Wide device support is one of our top priorities.
Thanks Tommy for the reply about the 610 vs RT2. I have the RT1 but it’s been having USB issues and Timex can’t seem to fix it so I’ve been debating between the RT2, 210, and 610. I don’t need all the bells and whistles like virtual pacer, training effect, and the touch screen. I think the RT2 is a better watch, waterproof and I like the review minus the memory issue. I love garmin connect a lot more than the free training peaks though.
I download to my computer after every workout so the memory limitation is a non-issue for me. The 610 also takes a long time to upload and can be a little picky about when it wants to work, whereas the Timex takes a second or two. I am an age-group runner, not looking to win anything so I do not need all the extra training features of the 610. I also like Garmin Connect but am not a fan of TrainingPeaks (although I could see if you were heavily into the training analytics side it would be great). I just tried out SportTracks today and actually like it better than Garmin and TrainingPeaks, so give that one a look.
Nice review as usual…
Can you mute the “audio alerts”? (as far as i know it is not possible to do so with the TRT 1.0)
I appreciate a lot the 5 alarms on the TRT1.0 (replaced by a single alarm in TRT 2.0).
After reading your review, i am not sure i would replace my TRT 1.0 with the TRT 2.0
Regards, Pascal
I asked Timex about muting the audio alerts for alarms. The manual states that you can set the alarm to receive an alert (audible or vibration) at a specific time as often as you designate but I only see the option to toggle back and forth between the 2 alarm sounds.
Timex responded very quickly and indicated that they would submit the issue to the design team for potential resolution in a future firmware update.
It’s obviously a problem when you don’t want to wake someone else up.
Any idea which calorie algorithm Timex uses when using a heart rate strap? I noticed that it is very close to what I get through SportTracks just using Time/Speed/Distance. I know they do not use FIrstBeat like Garmin, but I assume when you are using the heart rate sensor it is taking heart rate into consideration and not using the base time/speed/distance calculation. I searched around the web and could not find an answer, but I figured if anyone knows, it would be Ray!
Weird question, but if they were the same price would you recommend the TRT 2.0 over the Suunto Ambit? I’m primarily interested in hitting pace and HR targets while running but having something I can also take trekking, kayaking and to the mountains would be a plus.
That’s a tough question. The Ambit is about 2.5X more expensive than the TRT2, and they have totally different features and focuses. One is more general running, the other focused on ultra runners and hikers.
For just hitting paces and HR targets (well, today, a target), the TRT2 will cover you pretty well. As far as trekking goes, the memory space limitations will probably be an issue.
Ray – Thank you for the excellent review and helpful comments. Also thanks for the discount at Clever Training. I’ve made my first GPS watch purchase and am looking forward to putting this to use instead of the bulky smartphone I’ve been using for the past 2 years.
Thanks for the support!
Hi, Great reviews , thank you. My Garmin 405 died so am looking to replace. Don’t like the garmin Fr610 as you cant lock the touch screen. I like the Nike Sportswatch as it has a nice clear display, but I’ve heard the GPS is slow to lock on and the watch has reliability issues.
The TRT 2.0 seems to be the answer, both comprehensive and nice easy to read display, thing is , I’m in the UK, no-one seems to stock it yet. Worse, I contacted Timex who directed me to a link in amazon which was for the TRT 1.0. Anyone know where us brits can get this watch ?
TRT2 will be sold at the Virgin London Marathon expo (the race is 21 April), and it will be available at retail in May.
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the great review! I’d order the watch today except I’m concerned about Timex watch bands. I have a Timex Ironman watch with what looks like a similar band. The band broke after a year and is not user replaceable. You need to send it and $10 to Timex for replacement. So your without your watch until Timex sends it back. Can you tell if this is the same type of band that’s used on Ironman Sleek watches? Can you ask the Timex rep about the replacement policy?
Thanks!
See here for a bit more detail: link to dcrainmaker.com
I just got the TRT 2.0 and I have a question/issue to see if anyone has dealt with this. First, it takes a long time to obtain a satellite fix, in the range of 2 minutes. I am going to test it out tonight at the same location as this morning to see if it has to do with starting the GPS at different locations, but right off a long fix time is making me want to put it on eBay. Second, I noticed that if I pressed start while waiting for the fix, the watch moves to the workout screen and starts timing and the satellite icon at the bottom left is still blinking! And sometimes, after pressing the start key, I noticed that it has already been timing for a few seconds! This is also a problem, as this could dramatically alter my training times. Any thoughts on this would be great!
It should acquire satellites very quickly, especially the second time around (if in roughly the same place). Note that if you start running before satellites are acquired, it will increase your GPS acquisition time (sometimes significantly). This is true of all GPS units on the market today.
I am not na expert, but speed that satellites are acquired does not depend someway on the positions of satellites in the sky? I have TRT 2.0 (maybe first here in Portugal) and my experience tells that sometimes it get signal just in 10 seconds or so, but yesterday toke more than 3 minutes in same place, even asked if I was indoor… 🙂
The satellite positions are predictable. Each satellite passes by the same point once per day, though rotates the earth twice per day. Thus, the watch knows this and is able to develop Hotfixes for a given satellite per location.
Ray:
Can you please check the input and output power of the Wall charger adapter that we can use to charge instead usb? I ask this because it’s easy to find a lot of adapters from mobile phone, but they are not all the same power, and that can harm battery. Thank you.
You can use any wall charger that supports USB devices (I’ve been using probably half a dozen different ones here).
The USB specification (worldwide) is 5V +/- 10%, thus 4.5v to 5.5v. All USB devices conform to this specification. The next component is amps. Different USB plugs support different amperage levels. For example, the iPad ones are higher than some of the cell phone ones (i.e. 2A vs .5A). However, the actual draw is determined not by the charging block, but by the USB device – per USB specification. So the device (watch) will only draw what it can use.
In short, you’re good with anything. 😉
Hi
I want to check if Timex 2.0 will communicate with my current HRM? I am using Polar T31 coded.
No, not the Polar straps. Only straps that are ANT+ compatible (have a small ANT+ logo on them). Which is more or less any digital strap on the market today not made by Polar.
Thanks for the great review. I didn’t see this question answered in any of the above posts so here goes:
Is this unit small enough that you would wear it everyday for a watch or is it too bulky for everyday use? I should probably just go to a store and try one on myself but just thought I’d get some opinions.
Yup, absolutely. Unlike the TRT1, the TRT2 is very usable as a day watch (I did here and there). Enjoy!
2 more questions Ray…
… How would you compare the TRT2 with the 305?
and-
Seems like your code DCR10XBK does not work anymore. Do you have another one?
Thanks again!
(and yet another great post on the Paris marathon!).
Hi Roneno-
I just shot off a quick note to see why the code is failing (I can confirm it). Sorry, hang tight a few hours and it’ll be good again. Sorry!
As for the TRT2 vs the FR305, a bit of a different focus. The FR305 is a multisport watch, and covers cycling and running (including cycling sensors), whereas the TRT2 is definitely running-focused. The TRT2 has better waterproofing though, and areas like the nutrition alerts.
You can use the product comparison calculator though to quickly compare all the features, line by line. It’s on the sidebar there.
Enjoy, and thanks for the support on the Clever Training side.
Ok – the coupon code should be all good again. Sorry for the troubles!
Thanks Ray- Ordered.
Hi Ray/Guys,
I just like to ask your comments about this. As a new user of TRT 2.0 look at the Strava and Training peak the GPS thus not show any consistency; once you have time. Please let me know of your thoughts.
Strava – Showing 8.2 KM link to app.strava.com
Training Peak – Showing 6.8km link to trainingpeaks.com\
Note: I also email this to you Ray, but I like to see how the runners feedback.
How are you able to take the comparison photos when you’re ‘sending the watches back to the manufacturers’?
I re-purchase them all afterwards from retail outlets.
Tried to charge battery of my TRT 2.0 with a Wall adapter, but screen of the device was always flipping from time, to pc connection screen… Was afraid and disconected and am now charging it in the pc. Is there any problem with this changing screen when charging with wall adapter or is just software issue? Can you help here, Ray?
That’s a bit strange. I haven’t seen that before to my recollection. Do you have a different wall adapter to try?
Thanks for your reviews. Simply second to none. My concerns is about strap´ sizes. I am a big guy and actually wearing the polar ones. (XXXL) with and old F55 and i want to upgrade to GPS capability. I noticed that Polar is the only one that offers different strap sizes. I am planning in purchasing a Garmin 210 or even this TRT 2.0, Do you know if I can use the polar straps with their respective HR transmitters? Are the compatible? or any other strap brand suitable for big guys?
You can use the HR strap, but not the transmitter. Check out this post for how to do the swapparo:
link to dcrainmaker.com
(That solution works with Timex just fine)
Ray:
Tried another Wall charger, same issue here… Screen flickering between time and pc conection… But charges.
Not sure if it is a related issue, but when I first got mine and tried using a wall adapter I was getting a charger fail message, but it was fixed with firmware upgrade. Have you checked to see if you have the latest firmware, that might fix it?
link to support.trainingpeaks.com
Thank you for your amazing reviews. I have been a runner for 2 years now, completing a good number of 13.1 races and am about to being training for my second 26.2. I’ve learned a lot about gear, nutrition, etc, and am at the point where I’d like to replace my garmin 305 for something much less bulky. I rarely train with a HRM these days, instead going by feel, however I like the ability to strap the monitor on during those blistering hot days outside. The only concern I have about this timex watch is the variance when side by side with the garmins above. I’m attracted to the fact that this is a new model however. The garmin 210 seems to be a bit dated so I’m not terribly interested in it. Distance, overall pace, current pace, everyday use, backlight are the main features I like in a watch. Most importantly, something much smaller but as reliable as my current 305. Thanks in advance for your reply!
I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either. If you already have a FR305 you may be using Garmin Connect. If so, there’s obviously some logic in keeping in there. But if not, then you’re effectively a free agent.
Both are good watches, and there’s no right or wrong answer given you’re requirements. The backlight on the TRT2 is better than the FR210, fwiw.
Let me follow up further based on your reply. First thank you! Second, no garmin connect being used. For basic function, the timex or the garmin fr10. Accuracy is really my big thing at this point, and ease of use.
Accuracy is really a wash between the two from what I’m seeing. Size wise the TRT2 is larger, but offers far more feature (HR/Nutrition/configuration/etc…).
Thanks so much for all the reviews. After 3+ years, my 405 finally had it–trouble pairing with satellites, dropping parts of runs, etc. So it was down to the new Timex (reviewed here), and a 210 or a 610. The 610 is overkill, and I was happy to read that you felt the Timex 2.0 was a worthy adversary to the 210–the better backlight is a big deal for me as I wind up doing a good deal of my track work after dark. The only issue for me will be the learning curve switching from Garmin Direct to Training Peaks, but it shouldn’t be too bad. And, through Clever Training and your discount, it was actually the best deal I could find today.
Awesome, thanks for supporting the site!
Dumb question time but how do I get this watch to vibrate or beep to alert me when I have run each mile? At the moment its completely silent and I cant see anything obvious in the menu to change it….Help!
Settings> Hands Free> Auto Split> Distance and then select Distance = 1 Mile on the next row.
In addition to running, if you turn the GPS off, does the HRM monitor still work? I am about ready to replace a 405 but I also use a Polar for strength training for calorie burn and heart rate details. I would love to get down to one device. Thanks!
THe watch functions perfectly as an HRM without GPS. I do much of my running indoors on a treadmill with GPS turned off, using it as a HRM with a foot pod (for distance and cadence) with no problems. Of all the HRMs I have had (Timex, Garmin, Wahoo) I find this one to be the most consistent with no spikes or drop out issues like I had with other brands.
Yup, as Tommy said – no problems!
I downloaded the device agent and uploaded to Training Peaks, but mine doesn’t seem to have all the features you showed above. I can’t even view my lap splits. Is there something I’m missing, or is this feature no longer free?
Did you add the splits dashboard pod?
When I click in splits, it says it’s a premium feature.
Diana, try to create new TrainingPeaks account by this link: link to home.trainingpeaks.com
Hi, terrific reviews — thanks for posting them. Any idea if the “heart rate” version of this watch is any different than the non-heart rate version, or if the extra money is simply to pay for the strap? I have an ANT compatible strap from an old Garmin watch, so I’ll just buy the less expensive version of the watch if the $50 difference is only for the strap. Thanks, and I’ll make sure to buy it through your referral link.
Nope, same exact unit, and fully compatible with the other straps you have. Enjoy!
I have to say that after 3-4 weeks with this GPS, I’m disappointed in its accuracy. My prior GPS was the old Garmin 305, and it was much better. One weekend I took the timex out on a 5 mile trail loop, and it read 4.8, 4.6, and 4.4 on the three exact same loops! Then I took it out to the local track, and it was consistently short by .05 miles per loop, so a mile would read as .8. :-/ For years I’ve head friends complain about the accuracy of their watches while my 305 was much more accurate — and now I understand the complaints!
Just wanted to mention, any GPS watch will normally measure short when doing a loop around a track. Can’t speak to the rest of your comment, wonder if the timex takes less sample points to save on battery life.
Tracks are super-tough for GPS units today, due to the continual circle nature. On average, I see most GPS units gets .24 miles for each .25 mile loop. Sometimes spot-on, but usually always low. Thus a .04-.05 is quite reasonable.
For the other loops – were they trail running by chance?
The 5 mile loop was a tough single track. The old Gramin would often read 4.96 – 5.05 or so on this same loop. What is most frustrating is that the Timex read 4.8, 4.6, and 4.4 on each of the 3 loops. If it were at least consistent with itself I’d be a little happier.
Let me see if I can get the reset steps to reset the unit, I wonder if it’s got something stuck.
When I first received the watch I had to call timex as it was stuck in some kind of self-check. I think it was just holding down the 4 buttons for a few seconds. Do you think that will change anything?
Hi All-
Just a quick heads up that the Timex Run Trainer development team reached out last night and is now working with Sean to troubleshoot/diagnose and see what items can be learned/fixed from it.
Once they’ve done that they’ll loop back on any items of note.
Thanks!
I bought the TRT2 as soon as Clever Training started selling it based on Ray’s initial comments and Ray’s detailed review of the TRT1 (which I had just decided to buy when I found out about the TRT2). Three of my big requirements for a GPS were that it be suitable for day to day wear, it be waterproof, and it have a manual lap timer. I did not want to have to carry a set of watches around and change them during the day depending on my activity. For the past month I have worn the TRT2 quite happily as an everyday watch. My wrist is 16”, and I wear it in the 4th or 5th hole on the watch band, so I can see it being loose on someone with very small wrists, but I find it quite comfortable. While the watch itself is quite large, it doesn’t feel or look huge, except that the time on the face is so beautiful large that my myopic 70 year old father could read the time from across the room (probably).
Of course you already know that the TRT2 is waterproof. If you think this doesn’t matter for you, think about this: I twisted my knee (not running) a mere three days after I received my watch. I have spent more time running in the pool than I have running on land in the past month. I can still use my watch to do interval sessions in the pool, even if I’m not using the GPS and heart rate monitor. I wish I could use the heart rate monitor under water, but this is a limitation of ANT, and no firmware will resolve that. What I do like is that I can read the screen through the wavy surface of the water, and I can feel the vibration alert even when I’m swinging my arm back and forth underwater. One of these days I’ll use it for swimming intervals as well.
I haven’t had much use for the manual lap timer since I hurt my knee, but it’s there and it works just like my old Timex Ironman, except that the button is in a different spot. On that note, I’ve had a little difficulty adjusting, as the stop button on the old Timex Ironman is the location of the start button on the TRT2 and the light button on the old Timex Ironman is the location of the stop button on the TRT2. You can see where this might lead to some unfortunate button presses.
There have been a few people who have expressed concerns about the backlight. It’s fantastic. It’s so bright that I used it to light the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night while on vacation. It took me a while to figure out how to get the backlight to stay on (thanks Ray – I ended up searching through your review), and I discovered an intermediate setting, which is to set the light to come on when you press any button.
The access to the menus is definitely different from the old Timex Ironman. My only complaint is that I used to be able to press a single button to cycle through chrono and clock modes (and a few others), but the TRT2 requires looking at the screen and pressing different buttons to do the same, which makes me less comfortable checking the time in the middle of a workout. In contrast, it is possible to change settings, like turning on nutrition alerts or vibration alerts, during a workout, which has definitely come in handy.
I have two concerns about the watch: the first is that I’ve had hit and miss results with getting a GPS lock (no, I’m not trying to use it in the pool). Some days it’s virtually instant (like my very first workout – seriously within 5 seconds), other days it doesn’t find me at all, despite starting pretty much where I finished the previous workout and having a clear view of the sky. Sadly, my main motivation for upgrading to a dedicated GPS watch rather than using the GPS in my phone was largely due to the absurd amount of time that could pass waiting for the phone to get a lock.
My second concern, which may be alleviated by a firmware change in the future, is that the interval configuration is too simplistic for a lot of interval sets. My running group regularly does two short intervals, two long intervals, and two short intervals, with the proportional rest periods. The watch intervals are not sophisticated enough to handle this. Furthermore, the watch could not handle a pyramid workout.
Finally, I haven’t worked out what the recovery option does.
Altogether, I really like the watch.
I agree that the GPS lock seems to be hit or miss. I often “start” the watch 5-10 minutes before the run, so that when I am ready to actually start, the GPS is ready. The TRT2 needs to “re-lock” when I do that, which is disappointing — especially when it doesn’t connect within a few seconds. It seems odd that you can’t have it lock on the sensors (both GPS and HRM) without actually starting the clock on a workout!
Hi Ray,
As you can see from my above post, I’ve been using the watch for about a month, for a lot of thing exercise other than land running. Here are a few things I hope they will improve in updated firmware. I’m telling you because I don’t know how else this might get back to the people at Timex who might be able to do something about it:
1. I’d love to be able to have the clock time as one of the options on my chrono or interval views. Switching to the clock during a workout is an error prone process that requires hitting the stop button.
2. At the moment the GPS tries to lock for a few minutes, asks if you’re indoors, tries for a while more, and then silently gives up. Once that happens, there’s no obvious way to get it to look for satellites any more. I’d like the watch to either keep trying to find the GPS until I answer that I am indoors (better yet, change the question to “Keep looking?”). Some users may prefer a setting to switch between this behavior and the current behavior.
3. Add a few things to the intervals: a warm up period before the intervals, a cool down period after the intervals, and the option to repeat sets within the intervals. For instance, I often do a workout that goes like this: 10 minute warm up, 2x(2:20 fast, 1:10 rest), 2x(3:15 fast, 1:45 rest), 2x(2:20 fast, 1:10 rest). I’d also like to be able to do a pyramid of at least 5 fast and 5 slow periods.
4. When in interval mode, when the interval reaches 0 the watch shows the time of the previous interval for 5 seconds. I’d rather see the time of the interval that just started. After 5 seconds the watch displays the number and repeat of the next interval leg (handy) with the length of the next interval for 5 more seconds. I have mixed feelings about this screen. While I appreciate knowing what interval I’m on, I’d rather this was incorporated into the normal view, as I can’t access this information on demand and it interferes with me seeing other details I’d like to see. Furthermore, the fact that it comes up 5 seconds into an interval means I have to wait a few seconds after the watch beep to look. Can the interval number and repeat be an item on the display screen and then this interfering screen can be ditched?
Thanks for the very detailed reviews and your willingness to be an advocate for the athletes who use these gadgets.
Courtney
I would have to say #2 is the most concerning to me. This happened to me yesterday, where about a mile into my run, I got a message that the GPS signal was weak, then a minute later, the question “GPS lost, are you indoors.” I answered “no,” but the watch never seemed to try to re-sync. I was on a trail with mile markers so I just ran with that. After 7 more miles I decided to use the lap timer to check my pace using the mile markers. Once I hit the lap timer, about 20-30 seconds later, the GPS did come back. So it does seem like you can trigger the GPS to come back by messing with the laps manually. (I did have auto split on, but w/o the GPS, those of course never trigger.)
I still don’t understand why the watch does not hold GPS lock “between” workouts. I mean, I guess it’s a battery saving mechanism, but maybe a timeout of 5 or 10 minutes would be more ideal than instant. For example, I’ll turn the GPS on 5 or 10 minutes before I start my run to ensure I have a lock. But then the chrono starts at some point (once there is GPS lock?), so I need to stop the “workout,” not save it, and start a new workout. But then the watch has to lock GPS again, which seems to be anywhere from instant to several minutes. 🙁
Courtney,
Used my watch for the first time yesterday on two separate runs and had a similar experience to yours and Seans.
The first time I used the watch it initially failed to lock onto a GPS signal, I was prompted with the question about being indoors to which I replied “No” but was then left in a state where is seemed to be unable to obtain a lock. I stopped and cancelled out of the activity and started a new one and the watch obtained a lock almost instantly.
My second run was a similar experience and I had to “trigger” a refresh (can’t remember exactly how) in order to get the GPS to lock into a signal.
Sean’s last comment about the signal being lost during a run and not being re-established does sounds rather concerning.
I like the watch and although the functionality could be improved, the core functionality such as locking onto a GPS signal should be flawless as without it, the watch is just an expensive watch.
Trevor
Sean and Trevor,
I’ve been able to force the watch to continue looking for the GPS by going into Settings > Sensors and turning off the GPS, returning to Chrono or Interval, then going back into Settings > Sensors and turning the GPS back on. I then notice the flashing satellite again. As I said before, it’s not straightforward.
My experience with GPS lock has been highly varied. Sometimes it locks so quick it hardly seems possible (but it is), and other times it takes so long that I have to go through the above procedure for it to lock. I have not had any trouble with the watch losing the GPS location during a workout once it’s found, but I have had trouble with it getting a location when the GPS is started at the same location where the previous workout ended.
Sean,
Were you able to pass on these issues to the Timex development team ?
Trevor
Times has not yet reached out to me. 🙁
Hello people:
I think that some or questions posted here will be sure fixed in future firmware updates. Remember this is a brand new product!
It may be a new product, but as I note to companies – once a product is for sale then I expect it to act like a paid product. While Timex definitely sounds interested in addressing the issues, historically there’s been a rough track record in this department for them (timely firmware updates to address issues).
By the same token – forums and online posts generally tend to attract those with issues rather than those who are happy (simple nature of people looking for solutions). So it’s never very easy to understand if it’s literally just 3-4 people, or lots of people.
I recently purchased this watch to replace my Garmin Forerunner 405 which is starting to have issues. One surprising behavior difference that I don’t like is the way auto-lap works. On the Garmin I can leave auto-lap set at 1-mile and and still use the watch for impromptu interval training.
For example, 1.8 miles into my run, I can hit the lap button and time a 1/2 mile interval because auto-lap won’t kick in until 2.8 miles total. On the Timex, auto-lap happens every N miles from the start of the run and not 1 mile from the last lap. It’s really irritating to be timing a 1/2 mile interval and have it auto-lap .2 miles into it.
I agree — this bothers me too. It might just be coming from a Garmin myself, and that is what we are used to. But it certainly makes more sense. I’ve been doing a lot of hill repeats and I want to time them with the lap timer, but if I forget to turn auto-lap off, I’m SOL. And the fact that you can’t change the hands free settings during a workout is aggravating. I.e. You can’t leave the chrono timer running, or even pause it, and change these settings. You have to stop the work out, save it, and resume. I’d rather have all the data from the run in one workout on training peaks than have multiple “workouts” for the same run.
Yeah, I’m having a hard time coming up for a use case for why you would want the behavior that the Timex exhibits here. It feels like a bug/oversight to me.
I just got my TRT2.0 and had 2 runs. Is it possible to set a preset workout in Training peak and transfer this workout into my TRT? if not, how should I go about creating workout plan and update into my watch?
No, training peaks doesn’t support transferring the workouts over. The ‘best’ way (if there is such a thing in this case) is pretty much the only way – creating them manually via either the watch UI or the Device Agent UI. I prefer the device agent UI, a touch quicker.
I am looking at purchasing the TRT 2.0 or the Sunnto Ambit. I have read 100s of reviews on both and would just like your opinion. With the cost difference which do you think would be the better puchase for someone that worksout and conducts triathlons. I have seen quite a few issues with the Sunnto but the only thing negative on the TRT 2.0 is the storage space and the battery is only good for about 8 hours.
Honestly, neither is a good option for triathlons. By the sounds of the rumors, I’d wait and see what the next version of the Ambit brings.
Thanks for the review, my Garmin 210 strap started falling apart in January and I’ve been having intermittent issues with the GPS dropping since. I was going to get another one bc it was very good the first 1.5 years in giving me the data needed for training. When it started going on the fritz, I asked for support from Garmin and just to replace the strap was going to be $75+ time. In search for a quicker replacement and alleviate my Garmin frustration, I ordered a Timex Garmin Run Trainer 1.0 and boy was that a dud. It was not able to pick up a GPS signal and all the work trying to get Training Peaks was a huge PITA. I was hesitant about giving the 2.0 a try but from your review and the possibility of Strava compatibility/freedom from Training Peaks helped me go ahead with an order.
I took it for my first run on Tuesday and tried uploading it on Strava yesterday only to have Strava error out. I spent, oh 2 or 3 hrs working with Training Peaks to upload the run and was content with the level of detail presented once uploaded. Tried uploading to Strava again today for a couple treadmill workouts I used with the 2.0 + HR monitor, but no luck. Noting that these are .fit files, I decided to try Endomondo (should have tried this first!) which I had been using all along with my Garmin. Assuming I would get an error, I was ECSTATIC to upload all my .fit files from the last week with all the usability of Endomondo and detail I had been used to!!
So for those of you considering this device, I would recommend it (at least for now):
-2.0 .fit files compatible with Endomondo!
-Strap appears replaceable
-Easy to navigate menu – set up took 10min
-More comfortable chest strap
-Easy to read display, with customizable views in read out
-Glad to spread the GPS market a bit from Garmin
Open issues:
-My test run typically recorded at 5.2mi on my Garmin and Endomondo app showed 4.95mi
-Will need to run a few of my other routes to validate GPS accuracy
-SO if the GPS is off this would be a big big problem and a big disappointment
Sorry for such a long post!
Gloria,
Just to let you know, I was having mixed success uploading Timex Run Trainer 2.0 files to Strava. I opened a support ticket and sent them the failing FIT files. As of today they are uploading fine, apparently there was a problem on their end of the system.
At the moment I am experimenting with Endomono, Training Peaks and Strava.
I recently uploaded a 5k run to Endomondo, Strava and Training Peaks. Comparing the statistics with the numbers on the watch, Training Peaks (not surprisingly) was spot on. Stava, was pretty close with a few minor discrepancies and Endomondo was way off.
I contacted Endomondo with information about the problem and they stated that they do not support the fit file format and that it was lucky the data was uploaded. He did not mention about adding support. So I guess my warning is, although it may appear that the data can be uploaded to Endomondo, the resulting data is incorrect. Here is the link to my request ( link to gsfn.us ).
Ultimately, this means that it is pointless me updating my data to Endomondo as it is inaccurate.
Meanwhile, loving the actual watch.
Hi Rainmaker:
This does not have anything to do with the product you just reviewed. Have you heard of the mio Alpha Heart Rate, Reinvented? Its a watch that measures your heart rate without the strap. It probably measures this by reading your pulse via the wrist. I just thought you might be interested in this since its being advertised for runners as well as cyclist. Maybe you could review it.
All the best,
Felix
Review here: link to dcrainmaker.com
Thanks Rainmaker, I didn’t see the review.
All the best,
Felix
Thank you for exhaustive review! Is Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0 GPS Watch shock resistance and rugged?
I’m clumsy, I dropped it a number of times (including onto concrete). Still alive. No guarantee’s that everyone will be as lucky however.
It’s not as rugger as some watches, but it’s pretty solid.
Quick question: How can I shut down the watch? I know I can turn off the GPS to conserve battery power but I would like to completely shut it down until the next time I need it.
Thank you
I have used the Timex Run Trainer since November 2011. I really, really liked it – until the GPS and heart rate sensor stopped working two weeks ago. Since I’ve had the watch for more than one year, and the warranty is good for only one year, Timex says it will cost about $75 – $112 to repair. I can’t see spending that much to repair it and would rather put the money towards a new watch. I would have been interested in the Run Trainer 2.0, but now I’m leery. I just think it should last longer than 17 months.
I have had the RT2 for over a month now and have been generally happy with it, but I have noticed an issue (or at least what I think is an issue) and wonder if anyone else is experiencing it? The distance recorded varies depending on the interface used to view it. On the watch and on Trainingpeaks it will say one distance but on Sports Tracker, Strava or Garmin Connect (.gpx imported from Sports Tracker) it will be longer (substantially so). For instance, on a trail run I did this weekend, the watch and TP read 11.02 miles while ST, Strava read 11.57. On the same course in the prior two runs I am seeing similar variances, with ST, STrava & Garmin all reading about .4 miles (or about 3.6%) higher. On SportsTracker, if I select manually entered values it agrees with the watch, while if I use calculated values it come sup with the higher readings, so it seems like the other programs are calculating the distance based on the GPS track and coming up with the higher reading. Any idea what is causing this and which one is actually correct? The watch seems to be internally consistent, in that runs on the same course all agree in length, but I do not know if they are all short. My primary purpose for having the watch is to track distance so if it is not accurate it serves little use for me.
I meant to say SportTracks, not Sports Tracker above…
Any chance you have a foot pod?
I do have a foot pod, but I do not use it for trail runs since the cadence is so irregular that it doesn’t mean much. I thought the Timex is all or nothing with the footpod (if you have it set to measure distance it will use the footpod over GPS, not supplementarily like the Garmin), so I only use it on the treadmill.
I actually drove around with it running today and got the same result, although I had to drive about 8 – 10 miles an hour tops or it would go haywire and say I was driving 100+ miles an hour and continue recording distance after I stopped (Not sure if it a glitch or if the GPS could not keep up with my speed, although bikes do 25+ miles an hour so i am not sure why it was behaving this way). The watch matched the odometer reading on the car, while Garmin, Strava, et. al., read high. I am guessing the variance is due to the way the various programs and sites translate the GPS points and the line they infer from them. I feel like the watch is right so I will probably just stick with it’s measurement.
Yup, just making sure you had the setting to ‘Cadence Only’ or off on the other runs, otherwise it’ll automatically use the footpod, which would potentially impact the distance (since the calibration is likely slightly off).
Hi Rainmaker:
I like the Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0 and have used it for several weeks. Recently, After erasing my files, the watch started behaving oddly. At one point the only thing showing on the display were the seconds. At another time the watch would go to the running display without locating the satellites while setting it up. I have called the company that sold me the unit and they are exchanging it for a new one. If I still have issues after that I will deal with Timex directly. I still like the watch and once I get one that works properly it will be my main running watch.
All the best
Thanks for the heads up Felix. I know the Timex folks monitor these threads, so if something else pops up on that issue – I’m sure they’ll let me know.
I’ve been using the TRT 2.0 for about two weeks (purchased from Training Peaks). Very happy with it and the excellent review.
Question: i will run a marathon with it this weekend, and curious for a race if you recommend foot pod set to cadence only, Auto Split off and to manually set lap splits at the physical mile markers? I don’t want to distract my race if there are issues with the GPS. Example, this morning I was running and the pace time seemed to be about 1-1:30 minutes off for much of the run until I picked up the sheavy or the lady 20 mins (heavy clouds disrupting he signal?; I have the foot pod set to cadence). Would love to hear your approach on settings for a race, and if the foot pod is calibrated why you wouldn’t use it. Tks.
Eeh, auto correct… “until I picked up the pace at 20 mins…”
I recommend setting it to cadence only if there’s no tunnels in it. Clouds aren’t an issue, and most buildings aren’t an issue.
It’s not that I don’t trust the footpod – it’s just that the likelyhood that the footpod is wrong tends to be higher than GPS being wrong.
So, for a lot of cycling the Polar RC3 is fat better?
And, fat=far xD
Honestly, neither are cycling focused units. For a lot of cycling, look in the direction of the Edge 500. If you run as well as cycle, look in the direction of the multisport watches (triathlon). Check out the product comparison calculator along the sidebar (upper right), where you can mix and match different units within this categories to see the differences.
Thanks for the promt reply.
What if I want to keep it in watch format? Activities would be something like 70% biking and 30% running/hiking/walking. Id also the option to use it as a daily wearer. Budget is around the RC3 range (200-250USD).
For daily wearing, that’s the RC3, FR210 (though no spd/cad sensor support), the Motoactv (but I’d be leery of that these days due to team being disbanded), or the cheaper FR10 – but no HR/SPD/CAD/Footpod support.
I’d focus on either the RC3 or the FR210 then.
Hi Rainmaker,
Thanks for the great review. I’m a triathlete and I’ve been looking for a HR/GPS watch for a while. I think the TRT 2.0 would work well for me, except that I’m not sure if the Timex HR belt is waterproof. I know it won’t measure my heart rate under water, but I wonder if it works once I’m out of the water going through T1 and starting my bike leg. I like the Polar RCX5, but it’s a bit too expensive and I’m not sure if I need all the functions the RCX5 offers. I don’t mind if I can’t monitor my HR under water, but ideally I would like to wear the belt during my swim and start using the HR function from T1 onwards. I hope you can help me out on this. Thanks.
Yup, once you’re out of the water it’ll connect to it no problems. And yup, no problems wearing it under your wetsuit. It’s what virtually every triathlete does, works great!
I recently purchased a TRT 2 but on my first triathlon using this watch it lost the HR during the swim an never picked it up again. Is there something you have to do to get it to reconnect with the HR monitor or potentially the GPS mid race or should it do it automatically?
Thanks for the thorough reviews – have been looking for an upgrade from my Nike+ SportsWatch and finally decided to take the plunge on the TRT 2.0. Timex was running a stand at the London Marathon Expo and was able to get my hand on one before they officially went on sale in the UK.
Having used it for a couple of weeks for running and hiking, generally I am happy with the watch, but have a noticed a few things which are annoying me.
The first is on the chrono recording – when I start recording I sometimes see an arrow pointing up or down on the left side of the screen – I can find no mention of what this means. I also see an “A” in the upper left corner – again, no note in the user guide what this means.
On hiking, I have had the chrono recording stop mysteriously several times – as I can find no clear way to see whether it is recording or not, I have missed several sections of routes that I had wanted to record (I only noticed that the distance was not increasing and then was able to start a new recording). All I can think is that the buttons are so sensitive that my jacket (which I do not wear when running) is causing it to stop recording.
Have you experienced anything similar ?
Finally, even though you warned of the limited memory, I still thought I could manage. I took a holiday last week and brought only a USB charger (no PC) and within 5 days, the memory was full. Wasn’t anything I could do other than miss the recording of my final two days….
Hmm, that’s odd. I wonder if the Monday TRT2 firmware update would cover it under the power management side? In either case, I’d definitely update.
link to home.trainingpeaks.com
That said – the buttons are definitely super-sensitive. I had that issue once or twice with wearing it in between cycling gloves and jacket. Ended up putting it on top of jacket.
Thanks – I’ve applied the update today now that I am back in civilisation – will give it a go and see if it makes any difference. I’ve also turned on the button beep feature to see if maybe I can hear when it is being stopped…
While I would never buy a first model year of a car (my car is the 5th yr for the existing model), I’m still contemplating this TRT 2.0. My day to day watch is a timex ironman fitness watch, and I’ve been running with the garmin 305 for yrs. If garmin had a foot pod or hr monitor capability I’d be all over the fr10, and im not opposed to the 910 but I wonder if it is becoming too old and will soon be replaced. The question I haven’t seen asked (although it may have been), is whether or not this watch is too new to purchase. I don’t care about memory feature, does it not simply delete the oldest run? Or do I have to delete runs in order for newer runs to be stored? I briefly owned a 210 (about a week), and returned it as I wasn’t pleased with it. Am I going to hate going to this TRT as my main watch? Do I need to lean towards the 610 or 910 instead?
I think it depends a bit on why you returned the FR210. As that may drive whether or not you like the TRT2.
Once you’ve run out of space you’ll need to delete one of your older runs first.
I returned the 210 as I found it slower to acquire satellite than my 305, and provided much less info, specifically much less info on one screen (4 fields vs 3). I found the comfort of the band to be inferior to the 305, although I did like the fact you could wear it day to day. Just may have to give it a go and figure out whether or not the deleting of history is a big deal. As it is now, I run 4-5x per week and as 26.2 season heats up again, will be running min 5x per week. It seems there really isn’t a perfect watch out there. The polar rc3 has its issues, the ambit 2 has its issues, the 610 has its issues, etc etc. I’d love to get into triathlons but as they say life gets in the way and there is no time for that type of training right now, potentially making the 910 way more than I need.
Hmm, usually the FR210 gets better and quicker reception than the FR305, so that’s a bit of an outlier there. But, the data fields and customization are solid pluses of the FR305.
Given you like the data fields, I’d say either the FR610 or the RC3. The RC3 isn’t super-customizable there, but it’s got so many data pages that eventually you get one that works.
The TRT2 is solid, but only does 3 data fields and you specifically state wanting four data fields. You could look at the FR310XT, it’s down to sub-$200 these days and is simply the big brother to the FR305.
HI DC Rainmaker,
I have a Run Trainer 1.0 version. Unfortunately I lost my charger. Any idea where I can buy a replacement charger. I from Malaysia and there is no Timex store here.
Appreciate your help. Thx in advance.
It’s the same charge as the 2.0, so if you can find a store for either, you could do that. I just looked at Clever Training, but they don’t seem to have it standalone.
Have you tried calling Timex directly (US support)? Someone from Mexico the other day just got them to send one for I think $10 to them.
I live in UK (although visiting Thailand next week) but still not been able to find the TRT2 anywhere in UK. Although some are being sneaky and saying that have the TRT2 when they actually have the older model (TRT1).
Anyone know where I can get hold of one in UK? I’d ideally want to take one with me on holiday as I’m in training for a number of marathons later this year.
Thanks
John
I don’t know that they have officially hit the stores yet – I bought mine at the London Marathon expo – what area of the country are you in and when do you leave ?
Hi, I’m in Ipswich, and leave on 16th May. I was unable to make the London Expo this year.
I am in Surbiton – if you can get to London happy to let you borrow mine for your travels and give it a thorough test…. If interested contact Ray (DCRainmaker) directly and he can pass along my contact info.
Eric, That’s a very kind offer indeed. I had a garmin 405 that died so I bought a motoactv, which works, but hate it with a passion. The concept is good but motorola’s support and buggy software (and iffy water resistance) makes for a horrible experience. But , I shall persevere for a few more weeks until I can finally buy a TRT2 somewhere. But thanks again for your very very kind and trusting offer.
Thanks
John
Not a problem at all… it is due out in the very near future, but don’t know the dates. Timex has contacted me directly on the questions I was having – really impressed with their approach, and of course this wonderful resource that Ray has provided…
I ordered “Timex Ironman T5K744 Run Trainer 2.0 GPS” without heart rate strap and I don’t own one with ANT+ support. What is the best(rugged, waterproof, reliable measurements, comfortable etc) heart rate strap compatible with this clock? A “Garmin Premium Soft Heart Rate Monitor Strap”?
If you don’t already have one, I would suggest getting the Timex one that comes with the watch for an additional $50 (they sell two packages, one with and one without the strap). I have not had much luck with Garmin straps and neither Polar nor Wahoo straps are compatible. I have had no issues with the Timex strap, experiencing none of the spikes and dropouts I did with my 3 Garmin straps.
Ray – I have an overall battery life question, but since I have a TRT2 I will post it here. Is there any data for how each accessory uses battery life? If I have GPS, HRM & foot pod running, do you know how much each uses in terms of portion of battery life? I am transitioning into ultra running and need a longer battery life and am wondering if turning off the HRM would give added life, or if running without a foot pod would help. I know GPS is the main user of the battery, but I was not sure if the other devices also have an impact (although since they are more passive they might not have a huge impact). I may have to purchase a new watch (Suunto or Garmin 310 or 910) to get the added battery length but wanted to explore all options.
Don’t have a TRT2 but thought I could shed some light on this.
GPS is done by the watch so the sensor is powered by the watch and this is a pretty high draw piece of electronics (well, for a watch) The HR and foot pods are externally powered so the watch only powers the receive radio which is Ant+ along with whatever interpreting of the data is required. So if the Ant+ radio is turned on at all then it should be a trivial amount of extra power to receive two data streams over one
Indeed, as Eli notes it’s a trivial amount of power to record those other streams. I don’t have any specific battery guidance there, but in talking with another company in the field back a year or so ago about it, and they noted that there was virtually no difference between having one sensor recording vs two ANT+ sensors.
It’s the GPS antenna that really nails the battery. Otherwise the unit will record ANT+ for just about weeks on end (storage issues aside), as I saw in my testing of the TRT1.
I wonder, TRT1 used a sirfstar IV chipset (can’t find anything on the chipset in the TRT2 but assuming its the same or newer. The sirfstarIV chipset supports TricklePower and can use sensors to indicate movement to save even more power (when not moving it can use less power) So I wonder if they fully implement that. If they did then it would seem like a footpod should save battery power if there are large enough gaps in time when you aren’t moving (Think rest breaks, especially on something like the ambit when used on hiking trips)
TricklePower if used decrease sensitivity from continuous tracking mode as it turns off the gps receiver for half a second for each second but looks like it cuts power usage in half for the GPS. Seems like this would be a useful option to sacrifice accuracy for power whichout being as inaccurate as every 60 seconds like the ambit in power saving mode: link to csr.com
But my reading may be wrong, Never was an EE to understand the more technical docs and the watch may already be using this lower power mode 🙁
Do you know which watch gets the best battery life using 1 second recording (or has the option to manually set recording interval). I noticed the Suunto claims 50 hours but that is with a 60 second interval, which for trail running is useless (with a 1 second interval it gets 8 hours life). I could probably go up to 10 seconds if it was adjustable, but not much more than that or you lose accuracy as there are a lot of switchbacks and loops when trail running. Do the Garmin 310 and 910 get the claimed 15 & 20 hour life with 1 second recording or is it a higher interval?
For the FR310/910XT it’s 1s recording. The difference between the Ambit/Fenix and others is that they actually turn off the GPS for that time period (well, into a power saving mode of some sort). Whereas for ‘Smart Recording’ and the like, it’s mostly just to save storage space. In this day and age it’s kinda silly given how cheap storage space is, but at one point it was more of a concern. Obviously, as noted the TRT2 is sorta the odd man out when it comes to storage space. Which matters to some, but not others.
Great review and very helpful comments – many thanks. I stay interested in a FR610. However, compared to other devices this is a quite old piece – correct? Any guesses by when I can expect a new model of the FR610?
Despite being older, the FR610 competes quite well still – and for the most part is still pretty much the running-focused watch to beat (as far as number of features). A high end watch though, higher end than the TRT2.
I would not expect a new FR610 before the end of summer. Maybe in fall, but even then it might not have availability before Christmas.
BTW the latest firmware place turning *off* auto-start seems to have helped with a lot of my issues. I’m still questioning the accuracy but need to do more testing — only two runs so far with the new firmware!
s/place/plus/
Awesome review man. Thank you. Trying to decide between the TRT 2.0 and Garmin 210. From a bare bone functionality (stability, user interface) point of view, do you have any preference (for an entry level committed runner)They seem very comparable. I feel like I’m starting to split hairs here…
thanks for your input.
The TRT2 interface is cleaner, and the display is brighter (better lit) – mostly as a result of being 2-3 years newer. But honestly, either unit will serve you well.
I’m getting very inconsistent results uploading to Strava. Seems sometimes all the data is gets upload and fine, and sometimes some things are missing. And sometimes the data seems to “hang” the web app.
Here’s one that worked fine:
link to app.strava.com
And here are a couple that are not:
link to app.strava.com
link to app.strava.com
I’ve sent in a note to Strava so maybe they can fix it.
hey ray!
do you expect timex to add cycling cadence support in some firmware update?
the alternative would be the RC3, but i don´t like there way of not supporting ANT+ accessory and that the battery there is non-removable -.-
At this point I don’t.
After trying my long awaited TRT2, I’ve had real issues and will have to return it. I thought I would share them
1. Can’t remember settings, I keep getting initial setup and have to input all the settings as the watch has reset itself.
2. GPS takes ages to get a signal, and is wildly inaccurate. I had to laugh at my run, where apparently I ran at 40 kph across a lake…..really miles off the mark.
3. The website is amateur compared to garmin website
4. chest strap has cut into my chest, it’s made me too sore to use it.
Back in box and return to refund – Sorry timex , really wanted to like this product , but it’s a fail
I have not had the first two issues, my settings have stuck (have you talked to their customer service, it could just be an issue with your unit) and the GPS is okay. It does take a little while to load, even at a familiar site (no more than a minute or so, which I can live with), but I have not had too many accuracy issues (I do solely trail running in the woods so I expect a little variability due to tree cover, terrain issues, etc.).
I do agree that TrainingPeaks really cannot compare to Garmin, but I discovered SportTracks, which is better than both. I was also having chafing issues with the chest strap, but I had the same thing with Garmin’s as well. I found that if I wash it well with soap and water after every use and use body glide underneath it that the irritation has gone away.
Hi there,
I am planning to purchase my first gps watch. I am torn between TRT Gps 2.0 and GPS Global.
If I may to ask you which is the best watch from the two? Can you rate both from 1 to 10.
Ten being the highest.
Thanks!
Jenny
What are you planning on using it for (i.e. running, triathlon, cycling, other)? And what aspects are important to you (i.e. size/functions/form/etc..)?
I’ve moved away from the rating system because I’ve found it’s largely meaningless when it comes to purchasing decisions. Everyone values different things differently.
You referred earlier to an update from firmware for the Timex 2.0. Does this mean through this update and others in the future the 2.0 will be able to have features added (such as timed interval rests less than 15secs).
I have just bought the 2.0, and after receiving it to find it doesn’t do “everything” I want it to I am considering sending it back and replacing it with the forerunner 610 as I can get this slightly cheaper than the 2.0 being in the UK However, I would consider sticking with the Timex if the watch could receive modifications through updates from firmware?
What is you advice as the Timex 2.0 costs £275 and the Garmin Forerunner 610 costs £250.
Thanks
I wouldn’t expect the Timex team to add significant features, perhaps a minor thing here or there, but I’d expect largely bug fixes.
That´s a nice review. BUT i had a terrible experience with Timex Run Trainer GPS. Even hearing about all the odds on the Global Trainer, I decided to try TRT by the time it was launched in the US market.
It worked perfectly during first training sessions. After that, software could not activate both gps or hrm anymore. To do it, I had to reset the watch again so these functions would be turned on. Well, this over and over again. I sent it to TG service center, which gives a great support, but the watch returned with the same problems. The related problem is shown here: link to youtu.be
Timex told its gonna make a full refund of this item.
But here lies the doubt: would timex run trainer 2.0 use the same firmware/software as its predecessor?
While I can’t say version 2 won’t have any bugs and don’t have the watch it has been a year and a half between releases so I’m sure the firmware/software on the watch is not the same as version 1
As Eli noted, it’s definitely not the same exact firmware. Likely they share some codebases, but as you can see, it’s a different UI, different features, and obviously different underlying hardware.
Ray, would you be able to find out from Timex about the issue posted in comment #252 about the watch resetting itself and needing to be setup again? This has happened to me repeatedly. I keep trying to follow the instructions to condition the batter which is to let the battery indicator start flashing and then charge for 4 hours. When I do that ever time (2x now) the watch asks me to go through initial setup again. It seems like there is a bug in the charging process somehow – some of my data is still intact but some is not. I also had a total spontaneous reboot of the device for no apparent reason with a 3/4 charge and after the reset the battery showed 1 bar. Thanks!
I’ve had this issue as well.
I’ll poke and find out if there’s anything planned to address it (either known fix or firmware fix).
Ted, my name is Lindsey and I do work with Timex. We are sorry you are experiencing problems with the Timex Run Trainer 2.0. Please contact Timex Customer Service at timexcustomercare@timex.com for assistance with the watch. They’ll take care of your right away. We want you to love your Timex. Thanks so much.
Ted, I have had the same problem with two watches. I have found that the screen flipping and resetting of data, etc. only happens when plugged into a wall charger. When plugged into a PC, I have not had the problem. It is inconvenient, but it seems to work. I have contacted Timex to let them know of the issue as well.
Good luck.
I am also having the same problem – charge from a wall charger, and it sticks at three out of four bars and never moves!
I am sending a message to Timex.
As much as I wanted to like this watch, I am beginning to get very frustrated. Today I decided to run for 2 hours on a trail that I have regularly run that has mile markers. At the end of the run the watch stated that I had completed 11.26 miles which knew was wrong based on the mile markers. Once uploaded to Training Peaks which still reported the 11.26 miles, the Google map correctly showed I had run more than 15 miles, a more than 4 mile error (and not in my favor). Now, I am not the fastest person around but I don’t need my “new” watch to cut my efforts short.
I have sent an email to Timex with the offending fit file and will post back here if and when I get a response.
Just found this site and really appreciate the great reviews. I was going to buy this watch (TRT) but now not sure. I’m an experience distance runner (many marathons and ultras) so I really don’t need to be reminded about drinking/eating. I also cycle a lot for cross training. I just need a good simple gps watch for training (running and cycling) . Planning on a fall marathon so I’ll really need one that will get me accurate mile splits. The other bells and whistles that this watch provides I really don’t need except the background lite . Any suggestions on other watch alternatives?
I have had the watch for about 6 weeks. It seems like it takes a long time to acquire satellite reception. It has been cloudy here on and off for weeks with some rain. Once I have reception I never lose it. Why is it taking a Lon time to gather the satellites? It searches and searches, and then asks if I’m indoors. Other times it may acquire rather quickly.
I am seeing the same – currently in Budapest with fairly steady overcast conditions – taking upwards of two minutes. Mine doesn’t ask if I am indoors, but dumps into the run screen with the satellite continuing to flash (which means that it is not connected). After about 30 seconds it then connects and starts working…. in terms of keeping the signal – no issues, and when I go through the subways under the roads, it re-aquires the signal quickly. Not sure why the initial is taking so long…
Thanks for the information on the Timex Run Trainer 2.0. All sounds good. My eyesight is not the best and is getting worse by the day. I am not a contact wearer and am finding it harder to see my watch even when I am not running. Which gps running watch has the largest watch face and largest numbers that are easily visible for those of us with poor close-up vision?
From a visibility side, the slightly higher sharpness on the numbers make it pretty easy to see. And if you display just two data fields, the numbers are amongst the largest of any GPS watch on the market today.
Hi Ray,
One question that I haven’t seen asked is will the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 show multiple 2-line or 3-line pages auto scrolling like on some of the Garmin watches, if you need more than just 3 pieces of data?
Thanks,
John
No, there’s no auto-scroll type functionality.
Just purchased a New Balance GPS Runner… to me, very difficult to decipher the written instructions and what I see on the watch display. Knowing the Timex Run Trainer 2.0 is twice the cost, it appears that it’s setup and watch display is easier and clearer to understand. Would that be your assessment also? One more question, since I’m a 64 year-old discovering running, would the heart monitor model be a more wise choice? You are an excellent reviewer. Thank you for your time. Eddie
Hi Eddie-
Yes, the TRT2 is easier to setup and understand than the New Balance unit. The primary reason is likely that the New Balance unit is just a rebranded watch that is marketed by a number of companies (Soleus, New Balance, and even Timex for their sub-$99 line). It doesn’t (as you noticed) contain a very polished interface.
The TRT2 display digits are much cleaner and easier to read, and, as you noted, it does support the HR strap. From a strap standpoint, most of them within the ANT+ range are fairly similar. I prefer the Magellan strap, but it’s hard to find. The new Garmin HRM3 strap isn’t as bad as previous Garmin straps, though I see some spikes in the first 8 minutes with it. I haven’t tried the Timex strap that comes with the HR version of this watch.
Hope this helps!
Your speedy response is much appreciated. Again, thank you. If you don’t mind, I’ll send you a brief message rearding my thoughts about the TRT2. Eddie
DC-
I’m contemplating buying a pair of TRT2s for my wife and I. Considering she would be upgrading from a FR60, is there a rather simple process for converting existing data from Garmin Connect into Training Peaks? Thanks for your input.
Let me start by saying my family has been using Timex watches since the 1960’s, so I’m a big fan and promoter of the brand and anything they do. The Timex RT 2.0 is a well-crafted watch. If it’s for you – great, if you can’t figure out how to use, then, your lose. I’ve been using the RT 2.0 mostly for running. The monster Global Trainer is still a cool watch and I use it for Tri’s. By now, you get where I’m coming from – Timex, it takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.
BIG problem with GPS for swimmers. The distance travelled suggests far more than actually swam. Simply, with the watch on your wrist, each arm pull travels almost 2 metres forward, then as it pulls backwards, your body travels forward through the water. Unfortunately, the GPS adds up the distance your wrist travels, not your head. Each arm pull seems to add a foot or two to the distance swam.
The TRT doesn’t include any swimming features.
There are watches that do include such featues (Garmin FR310XT, FR910XT, Ambit 2/2S), which basically smooth the dots.
It’s not wrist distance that causes issues, but actually the fact that it loses signal each time it goes under the water. As such, it has to regain signal during the stroke recovery. During this phase the unit may have accuracy +/- 100ft or so, meaning that the data points plotted are usually all over the map.
The units that support openwater swimming use algorithms to look at all the dots and determine roughly where you were going.
Hi I have a problem with my Timex run trainer, bought when he came exhausted, when I tried to connect the computer to load there was no indication that he was carrying, what can I do?
Lisa, my name is Lindsey and I do work with Timex. We are sorry you are experiencing problems with the Timex Run Trainer 2.0. Please contact Timex Customer Service at timexcustomercare@timex.com for assistance with the watch. They’ll take care of your right away. Thanks so much.
Have a TRT 2.0 since it came out and notice a bug that to me should be related to firmware. When just tried the watch out ouf the box, with initial firmware, it caught GPS signal in less tha a minute, wich I found great! When the first firmware update came out, I obviously instaled it and since that the watch takes much more time to get GPS signal… Always get message asking if I am in the interior! Need to answer NO and it tries again to lock signal and then it does it. Anyone notice this problem?
Most definitely – I am now seeing it in about 3 out of 5 runs. When you answer “no” to the are you indoors question it then immediately finds the signal. Sent this along to the support team and they said they are working on an improvement to the GPS acquisition for the next release… (so they obviously know it is an issue)
It’s a bit strange, because in the first firmware release, this problem was not present. The watch caught GPS signal super fast…
In the past week, I’ve tested both the 210 and the TRT2. Ran 10-15 miles with both.
My observations:
– the 210 is much more intuitive and easy to use. I consider myself a tech guy, in this case the 210’s ease of use made it more of a tool, less of a distraction. I found all the options of the TRT2 great at first, but ended up wanting the same simple info the Garmin provided without any customizations
– the screen on the TRT2 is so much softer, within 20 min of me using the watch i noticed a tiny scratch, over the course of a year i imagine the screen, would be scratched up. The display is very crisp and better on the TRT2
– if the 210 was waterproof and had the ability to replace the band, it would be the perfect watch
– there is no easy way while running, to see the time of day on the TRT2. On the 210, you just hit the page button, on the TRT2, you have to hit menu, select time, then menu, select chrono to return to your run. Seems like a major oversite.
– garmin connect is far more useful to me than the free bloated training peaks website. After playing around on training peaks for about an hour, i finally could organize things in a easier, albeit still ugly way (miles per week, avg pace, etc). Training peaks mobile may be the worst app on the iphone i’ve ever used, garmin’s mobile is not great either, but far easier to use.
– at my house in ohio, the 210 took about 1 min to find the satellite. The TRT2 had troubles, I had to walk down the block to get it to find the satellite.
Always enjoy the reviews. Keep up the great work.
Hi
I need to know which online store is selling replacement strap? It seem that I checked on Amazon and they only sell the strap with sensor. Any advise? Thanks.
SK
Clever Training sells just the strap, but I would suggest calling them to make sure you get the right one.
A nice replacement for my Suunto XLander
I have had the Run Trainer 1 for a little over a year. I just purchased the Run Trainer 2 and took it out for the first run today. It works great and I really like the easy to read screen and the vibration alert. I have been doing 1 minute intervals and now I don’t have to watch the watch.
The only thing I have found is that Device Agent appears to convert the file to a .pwx when it saves it to disk. I did find that if I browse directly to the watch on my computer, sure enough, there is the .fit file. So unless there is an easier way I have to connect to the watch and copy each workout manually. Am I missing something here>
Thanks for the great review.
The device agent uses the PWX file for uploads to Training Peaks (after conversion from .FIT). It’s only if you want to upload to other 3rd party sites that you’ll want to look at the .FIT file instead.
One thing that is just noticed is that I changeed some settings on the training peaks dashboard and went to save the watch It starts to save the settings, gets to 90% on my comouter to transfer and just stops. Anyone have this problem? I can transfer files from the watch to the TP website so it is communicating , but freezes when I go from setting parameters on the TP dashboard, back to the watch
I also notice that when the TP software freezes it drops the timex hardware from my computer. Disconnects the watch from the pc. Tried this on 2 separate computers and the problem follows. I’m assuming that there is a software communication glitch either on the TP side or timex. This does not seem hardware related from what I can tell.
Hi all,
I am on day 3 of using the TRT 2.0. So far it is great, save one problem. For the first run of each of the three days, the first 1/3 to 1/2 of a mile of GPS data is non-sensical. This first bit shows on the map close to where I really was, but definitely not on the roads I took. It is sometimes over water, through forests, etc. After this initial bit, the GPS data converges to my actual path and continues as normal. Further GPS tracking on a given day is super accurate from the beginning of the run. Does anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions? (Other than doing a “fake” run before I sent out for real…)
Thanks,
Kurt
Quick question – are you waiting until it has full satellite reception before start, or starting right away?
I have had the same experience. Full signal to start and it seems like it is working fine, but when I get back and upload I find that the track is all over the place for the first few miles. I have a file I can post as an example if you tell me how.
Hi Ray,
Thanks for replying. I do wait for “full” satellite reception before proceeding with my run. The satellite icon in the lower left corner of the watch is solid, e.g. no longer blinking. Further, it gains full reception very quickly (however, obviously not correctly!).
Also, when you “step” through the data on TrainingPeaks, there is data from the beginning of the run; it just isn’t correct. There are heartbeat traces, cadence traces, and location/speed data. The only data that appears spurious is the location/speed data. And, interestingly, it is always around 0.4 miles that the location/speed data converges to my actual path.
I also have a .fit file I can post if it helps. I installed the latest firmware on the watch when I took it out of the box. I did a factory after my run today. I will of course post if I have the same problem tomorrow.
Thanks again,
Kurt
Ok, good, just checking.
In that case, if you can post a file, I know the Timex folks (engineering team) are watching the comments on the post and connecting up with folks that are having issues to try and track them down.
Ray – How do I go about posting a file? Hopefully it can be of some use to Timex.
I would love to post a file for the Timex folks. However, silly question: How do I post a file?
Thanks as always Ray – you run a great resource!
Here’s a quick way to post a file and then share the link back here: link to ge.tt (I just tested it with a .FIT file and it worked no issues).
Thanks for the file sharing link Ray.
Here is the .fit file for one example:
link to ge.tt
To see how this .fit file is screwed up, know that I started and ended at the same point, however only the ENDING point is correct. The start point is incorrect. After the incorrect start, the entire GPS path is incorrect until time 6:10 and the one mile mark. While the time is correct at 6:10 I believe, I was not running a 6:10 pace (nor is it one mile from my start taking the path I took). After this point however, the data seems correct and the GPS path follows the roads I took. The fact that it corrected at exactly 1 mile is a coincidence – I have other examples where it converged to the correct path at other times.
Thanks to anyone who can help.
-kurt
Here is the workout I referenced (the link is to a .pwx file as that is what the watch saves) The entire workout was on one trail, but lap 3 and the beginning of lap 4 are totally off course. It was strange because the first two laps and the last seven were fine, but the middle went totally haywire. Any input would be appreciated.
link to dl.dropboxusercontent.com
Second try. This links to a folder with the workout in three files (.fit, .wpx, and .gpx).
link to dropbox.com
This is getting to be a huge problem. I ran the same course today and had the same problem. This is after a “Factory Reset” on the watch. Also I am running the latest version of the firmware as well.
If Timex is watching, see attached .fit file. Again, I began and ended at the same point (although the .fit file does not have it this way). This time it converges onto the correct road at about 0.42 miles.
After this run, I tracked another brief walk with the watch and it tracked perfectly from the beginning. Honestly, it is weird, but it appears that the watch only has this problem for the first time each day.
Please let me know if you require anything else to troubleshoot this problem.
Thanks,
kurt
link to ge.tt
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for the info. Totally agreed that it is not a device agent problem. For sure it is a GPS tracking error. I also have tracked my runs with my Android phone and Endomondo and the path is correct on my Android phone.
Also, this morning the my run trainer 2.0 messed up again, so it has nothing to do with messing up the first run after a “factory reset”. It is a very frustrating problem. Almost ready to return this watch until they get it ironed out. It is silly to keep running with the watch and the Android phone to verify the watch results! I bought the watch so I wouldn’t have to carry the bulky phone.
The next thing I think it might be is that the watch displays a satellite lock prior to really having a solid lock. I think this because the runs that it tracks correctly, for one reason or another, I have left it is “ready” mode after achieving satellite lock for a few minutes before starting my run. Who knows…
Let me know if you discover anything, thanks,
Kurt
can anyone tell me why i cannot download changes i make in the agent back to the watch? i can upload my workouts from the watch and device agent to the training peaks website, I can download and install firmware updates from the agent back to the watch, but cannot save intervals, zones, nutrition, etc from the agent back to the watch. I am using Windows Vista on both of my PCs. Timex has been all but useless
Bought my watch 1 week ago, same problem for me. I call Timex Canada, after waiting for a while, they asked me to call Timex USA for technical support. And there, they told me that it was Training Peaks’ fault : according to Timex, there is a bug in their Device Agent that makes it uncompatible with Windows Vista for that application (cannot save settings from the agent back to the watch). Timex simply told that it was not their problem although it is written “Compatible with Windows XP or later” on the watch box. BOOOOOUUUUU Timex !!!!! I’m very very very upset by this situation. And I cannot return the watch where I bought it because the seller says it is not defective (in this case, if I return the watch, there is a 15% restocking fee + shipping, ouch !). It’s becoming a nightmare ! I sent a request to Training Peaks asking them if they foresee an update or something to fix that mess, waiting their answer.
Here’s the answer of TrainingPeaks for the problem of compatibility between the watch and the computer :
“As of now, Windows Vista is not able to work with the drivers in the Timex devices. Unfortunately, this is an issue with the watch itself; TrainingPeaks is only the software system that works with the files from the device. For these kinds of questions, I will have to direct you to Timex at custserv@timex.com as they should have the most up to date information on this issue. “
I am surprised at the comment from Training Peaks. The files from the watch work with any number of sofware releases. RunKeeper, Endomondo, SportTracks 3.1 to name just a few.
As a side note I have found that if I start the watch and set it outside and start Chrono then leave it outside while I continue getting ready for my run. Then it tracks okay. However if I don’t follow these steps then the first 1/2 mile is off track.
I agree, the TP response makes no sense, since the file format is .FIT, and as I showed above, it works with just about everything these days. Further, the TRT2 uses simple mass storage device driver, so it’ll show up anywhere.
Now, if you assume that the agent got it wrong and was thinking of the TRT1/TGT, then it all makes sense. Thus, I’d conclude that they got things mixed up. That said, the Vista thing doesn’t even make sense there unless something bizarre changed.
@Fran: I bought the TR2 and have the same problem with windows vista: when i try to update the setting parameters from the device agent to the TR2, after the 90% of work done, it stops.
Sincerely, since both the download of the workouts and the firmware update work fine, the issue is annoying but not a big problem. Furthermore, having many PC with vista, windows 7 and 8, I saved the the setting (manual configured) on the W7 PC.
So no one knows why when I change settings in the device agent and then go to save them, the device agent freezes and my watch disappears from “my computer”?Yet I can down load and install firmware and upload my workouts to training peaks…….Someone help if they know….Timex really has not been helpful im pretty annoyed at this point…..
Sorry, I don’t have any ideas there. But it’s only been three hours since you first posted the previous time, and four hours since the time before that. Sorry!
Im not taking it out on you, its just that Timex is pointing the finger at Training Peaks. I bought a Timex, I think its strange that I have to deal with training peaks to solve a Timex problem.
I am having the same issue as others with the first part of a run/activity the GPS is inaccurate. I wait until the GPS Icon is no longer flashing and the watch indicates it is ready to roll. Then I press start and go.
I am also using Run Trainer on my Android
TrainingPeaks – link to trainingpeaks.com
From RunKeeper link to endomondo.com
Hi Dennis,
I am the one who started posting about this problem above. Today is the first day in 4 that I did not have this problem. The only difference I could think of, is that I believe today is the only day that I did not perform a “factory reset” on the watch for some reason or another prior to going for a run.
Was this the first time you asked the watch to record GPS data after a “factory reset” by any chance?
It is a weird pattern, but it is worth investigating I think….
-kurt
Kurt,
I have not done a factory reset but did update the firmware.
Tomorrow morning I am going to use both my runtrainer 2.0 and 1.0 and then compare the two.
Using my Samsung Galaxy 3 I have used Endomondo and RunKeeper and neither one shows off route. My guess it is an issue with the GPS lock and certainly not an issue with Device Agent because I can upload the .fit to other services including SportTracks 3 and it shows the Timex off route.
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for the info. Totally agreed that it is not a device agent problem. For sure it is a GPS tracking error. I also have tracked my runs with my Android phone and Endomondo and the path is correct on my Android phone.
Also, this morning the my run trainer 2.0 messed up again, so it has nothing to do with messing up the first run after a “factory reset”. It is a very frustrating problem. Almost ready to return this watch until they get it ironed out. It is silly to keep running with the watch and the Android phone to verify the watch results! I bought the watch so I wouldn’t have to carry the bulky phone.
The next thing I think it might be is that the watch displays a satellite lock prior to really having a solid lock. I think this because the runs that it tracks correctly, for one reason or another, I have left it is “ready” mode after achieving satellite lock for a few minutes before starting my run. Who knows…
Let me know if you discover anything, thanks,
Kurt
Hi Kurt-
I’ve been trying to email you but it seems to be getting zapped somewhere.
The Timex Engineering team would like to chat with you, do you mind if I share your email address with them (I have it)?
Thanks!
Ray
Hi Ray,
I would be more than happy to speak with Timex. Please do share my email address. I have verified the email I am posting with is the correct email.
Thanks again for hosting this resource. It is invaluable.
–Kurt
This morning I did things a little differently. I started the Chrono and sensors and set on my deck railing until I was ready to run. Then I stopped the Chrono and restarted with my heart rate monitor on. The results were what they should have been and the track was not all over the place. I think some of the comments are correct in that the watch is showing GPS ready when it in fact is not.
link to maps.google.com
Once again this morning I started the GPS about 5 minutes prior to my run and the route shows following the roads as it should.
I can say that SportTracks 3.1 does not like the .FIT files. When I imported to SportTracks it showed my 2.3 mile run as a 1/2 mile run. I went ahead and imported the .PWX file and it was correct. So it appears that Timex has come work to do on the .FIT files. I did Import the .FIT file to Strava and it was fine. So it could also be an issue with SportTracks. Time will tell. Happens quite often with early adapters.
Hi Dennis,
I agree – I have also confirmed that if you let the watch sit with satellite lock for ~3-5 minutes before starting your run, it eliminates the spurious GPS data.
The watch says it has satellite lock in <10 seconds usually, but this is a false lock of some sort.
–Kurt
I have also found that SportTracks prefers the .pwx files. You can import them directly from the watch or save them to your hard drive through the device agent and and import the saved files and it definitely seems to prefer the latter. Right from the watch it adds dozens of zero distance laps at the end and does not include the recorded laps on the map, while it does not do this if imported from the hard drive. I can only assume that they do some kind of conversion when saving it to the hard drive. For better accuracy on distance and time you also need to make sure you have unchecked all the boxes to include pauses in the data and select “Use manually calculated values”.
Overall I find SportTracks adds about 4% to the distance (their algorithm to connect the gps dots must be a little different from Timex’s). I am going to give the Timex one more shot tomorrow on tracking accurately. If it still is not performing i will probably pull the plug and switch to the TomTom. I will miss the nutrition alerts and auto laps across all modes but the accuracy of distance is my primary need and Timex is not cutting it.
So that watch has a bug that needs fixing. Going by the above With Ray saying the Timex engineering team wants to work with him to resolve the bug then I’d say that Timex is doing the right thing and trying to fix the problem. If they are unwilling to look into it and fix it thats one thing but they aren’t. Do you really expect the TomTom to be bug free?
How much do you want for the trt 2.0?
The unit I bought isn’t for sale.
Thank you for the detailed review. I know the g doesn’t concern mearmin 410 is discontinued hence there are some good deals going here in the UK, would you say the 410 is a better running watch than the TRT 2? The lack of virtual partner on TRT doesn’t concern me as average pace gives similar results but the intervals on the TRT look quite limited especially if you include a warm up/down. I do like the look of the TRT 2 it’s a nice looking watch, if I went for that one would you recommend buying the Timex heart rate sensor or will the garmin one work just as well? Has anyone else used the garmin heart rate with this watch? Do you find it spikes?
Thanks again
Oops apologies for the nonsense in , I’m typing on my mobile phonethe first sentence
Done it again, I’ll stop typing for now
I’m interested to see the problems people are reporting with the TRT2. I’ve had mine since March, and only recently I’ve had terrible luck getting a GPS lock. Today, for instance, the watch spent more than an hour (with multiple restarts of the process to make sure it was still looking once the satellite image disappeared) searching while I went for my run, did my post run exercises, and then finally while sitting in the window for a few minutes.
The watch reset itself last night, which is another problem I’ve been having – if I remove the watch from the computer without “ejecting” it, it seems to trigger a reset that isn’t obvious until the next time I try to start an activity, at which point it forces me to go through the set up. Likewise, if I eject the watch but leave it connected to the computer to charge and then the computer power cycles (e.g. for a windows update) and then I remove the watch it resets as well, so I’ve had quite a few unexpected resets.
Looking above, I wonder if the trouble locking onto the GPS might be related to the resets. In my case the watch definitely does not indicate that it has a lock. I hope Timex can address the trouble finding the GPS after factory reset, and it would be handy if they could also look into the problem of the watch resetting itself so often.
Ray, do you know an appropriate way for me to contact Timex directly or through Clever Training (where I bought it) to provide them with details?
Thanks.
Hi Courtney, assuming you’re good with me passing your information to Timex (as I’d expect), then I’ll be happy to send along to the engineering team.
Yes, absolutely. Thanks Ray.
Hi Ray,
Thanks for passing on my information. I want to share my experience so your readers can find out the outcome. I emailed Timex support around the same time (perhaps before I got your response) as well.
Timex was very quick to respond, saying that some of the early units “had that problem”. I told them about two problems (GPS lock and resetting after disconnecting from the computer), and I’m not sure which one they were talking about. They offered to send me a new watch with no hassle, so kudos to them for the support.
I’ve been using the new watch for a month or so. I’ve still had the odd occasion when it takes a few tries to get a GPS lock, but nothing like the hour of tries I mentioned above. I haven’t had a situation when I couldn’t get a lock. I do occasionally need to exit the chrono (before I start a run) and go back in to chrono to trigger it to look for the GPS again. This is partly my fault, as I am now in the habit of setting the watch in the window before my lunchtime run so it can get a lock, then spending time in the basement locker room of my building just before my run.
Sometimes it asks me if I want to connect to the sensors when I hit start if a while has passed between switching to chrono mode and actually starting. I haven’t figured out how it decides when it will ask and when it will just assume I don’t want them. I find this annoying for two reasons: 1. If I’m trying to trigger the GPS to lock then start the stopwatch (since sometimes that will make the watch ask to connect to sensors), stop it, delete the workout, and go back into chrono mode to get it to search for the GPS again. 2. At times I’m ready to start a workout, but when I hit start it asks if I want to connect to sensors instead of starting, then it won’t let me actually start the stopwatch until a few seconds have passed by.
I’ve stopped using the recovery option, which keeps the heart rate monitor going for up to 2 minutes after saving a run, because it also keeps the GPS going and then switches both of them off regardless of whether I’ve started a new activity or not.
I have not had any trouble with the new watch resetting.
I’ve been very happy with the tracks. They’re often a little skewiff at the start, but I accept that this is almost certainly the result of the basement locker room and alley way start to my runs.
Been using this watch for a while now. Overall I’m very happy with it. It locks on to satellites very quickly, usually within 10 seconds sometimes as quick as 5, longest it has taken is around 35 seconds. The GPS accuracy is very consistent, I can run the same course and it will beep at the same spots almost every time. My old garmin 301 always did record short compared to my training partners, this device seems to be on a par with mates Garmin 610 for accuracy.
The interval option is a little frustrating, it doesn’t really allow you to build an advanced workout – only repeats of the same distance, and you can’t really include a warm up/cool down.
I agree with Stuart above, lack of virtual partner isn’t an issue – basically virtual partner if you want to run 5 miles in 30 mins, thats what you set it to and it tells you how far ahead/behind you are. By using average pace you get the same picture i.e you know you are looking for 6 minute miling, so keeping a check on average pace does the job, if you’re averaging 5.59 you know you are ahead. Average pace is very accurate. Virtual racer on the other hand is a different thing altogether, but I’ve never had that so don’t miss it.
Training peaks is ok, one thing that bugs me is that if you stop/start the watch during a run (or use auto pause) training peaks seems to include that pause in the lap time, so a 7 min mile with a minute paused shows as an 8 min lap (although it is correct on the watch), anyone else have this issue? It does uploads well to Strava.
Is there a way to mute the auto lap alert and just have the vibration? Been trying to figure this out but with no luck.
I can’t comment on whether the Garmin HR strap works as well as the Timex one, but I can say the Timex strap is very good, very rarely do I get a spike/drop out.
All in all a very good device, highly recomended for those who prefer good old fashioned buttons rather than Garmins touch screen/bezel
I am also having the GPS tracking issue – just got my watch this week and ran some test runs today although mine did not exhibit the error at the start but rather in the middle of a run on a loop that I did around my block. The entire run plot was shifted by a city block on the TP site except the start. Additionally, in the middle of the run in an area with no obstructions the plot jumped instantly an entire 1/4 mile then started with offset plotting again. Really strange behavior – it’s got me really worried and it may be headed for a return trip to Amazon if Timex doesn’t respond soon. Back to my iPhone on an arm band if I have to. Sad – I really wanted to like this watch.
Update: what I have found after several runs is that if before I run I monitor the instant pace field and wait until it reads 0’00” instead of jumping around (assuming you are standing still and the GPS lock indicator is locked) I will get accurate data instead of erratic indications for the initial stages of my run. Minor work around but easy enough to do while I am loosening up.
Same GPS tracking issue. First km is shifted and it is shifted every time in the same way (I am starting from the same point) but distance is accurate.
The Garmin HR strap works just fine with this device, I haven’t experienced a single spike in 6 weeks of using it. In fact it seems to work better with TRT2 than with my Garmin 410 – weird, maybe it’s because Timex is a newer device!
Great watch no issues so far.
A firmware update for mid-end July was mentioned earlier in the comments, any further news on this Ray?
I’ve heard nothing new there.
I’m seeing one of the same issues that people have had with the TRT2. Even on a clear day It takes quite a long time to find a signal. Almost 5 minutes at times. And that is starting from my doorstep every time. However, there has been no accuracy issue. After it finds the signal (sometimes after telling it I’m not indoors) it works fine and seldom loses it unless it’s overcast. I can even see that it is accurate when I run on the opposite side of the trail on the way back home along my route. The distance run is fairly accurate as well.
If they update the firmware again I think I’ll wait to hear how it works for people. I’d rather have it accurate than speedy. FYI, I’m using build 3.0.88.1 of the device agent, with the firmware put out in May (V25). If there was a newer version put out since then, maybe going back to the older firmware will fix some issues.
Stay hydrated! That run today was a rough one!
Matt
I just answered my own question. I checked on the Training Peaks site where the firmware is available. V25 was April 2013 and was the most recent. I’ve never looked before, but they post a log of updates..
M255 Run Trainer 2.0 GPS V.25 Release Notes
Critical power and battery management bug fixes.
Auto-Split feature provides audible and vibrating notifications when a split is recorded, no matter the user’s settings.
Hands-Free, Auto-Start feature has been eliminated in lieu of Auto-Resume.
NOTE: The user must start the Chrono workout manually, but workouts, paused by Auto-Stop, will Auto-Resume when the speed threshold is reached.
Review Mode workout data now states the Time of Day that each workout began, instead of its duration.
Corrected French translation of “No GPS SIGNAL – Are You Indoors?” message. Now reads, “Aucun Signal GPS – Etes vous Interieur?”
Additional bug fixes.
I should read these more to know what the new firmware updates do!
Received the TRT 2.0. Plugged it in to charge – nothing. Performed the reset – nothing. Called Timex. Turns out some TRT’s were sent with a battery in dormant mode (standard from the factory) that will not “wake up”. Retailers were notified and told NOT to sell them. Mine did anyway. So, back it goes. Timex knows about this problem.
Hi Randy, my name is Lindsey and I do work with Timex. We are sorry you are experiencing problems with the Timex Run Trainer 2.0. Please contact Timex Customer Service at timexcustomercare@timex.com for assistance with the watch. They’ll take care of you right away. We want you to love your Timex. Thanks so much.
I have had the same problem with charging as some commenters above. When charging using a wall USB adapter, the screen switches from the computer connect to the time, and the watch will reset (as evidenced by a small triangle in the lower left corner of the screen and the prompt to “Start First Time Setup” when I push the menu button after disconnecting the charger.) Timex Customer Service sent me a new watch which I received today. Same problem with the new watch. Tried with different wall chargers, same problem on both. Only thing that works is charging via the PC only. No flipping of screens, no resetting, etc.
Hopefully this information helps Timex solve any sort of charging bug issue that the TRT2.0 is having.
Hello Ray,
I have a question for you:
What do you think about the stability of the instant-pace in TRT2?
Thanks for your reply.
Carlo.
I didn’t have any issues with it. Stable for me.
Hi Ray,
Recently discovered your site. Keep up the good work.
I had just about made up my mind to get a TRT2 until I read what are now up to 350 comments with all the issues relating to GPS acquisition (amongst others)and googling for similar issues around the web seems to reveal other people with the same problem.
Given all the problems everyone seems to be having, would you at this point recommend the RC3 over the TRT2, at least in terms of reliability? And between the RC3 and FR210, which would you recommend for running?
Cheers,
Chandler
I opted for the TRT2.0 over the garmin 410 (couldn’t decide so bought both to try then sold the garmin on Ebay). I have had no issues with the GPS, it always finds the satellites within 20 seconds. As someone else commented it it is probably best to wait another 30-60 seconds until the live pace stops jumping around and settles on zero before you start your run, that’s what I do anyway, by the time I’ve tied my laces its fully locked on. It is very accurate and compared well with the garmin, in fact I ran the same course 5 times with both watches and the Timex was more consistent. The menu is easy to navigate and the display is easy to read on the run.
An excellent running watch!
The results of the TRT2 on my trail race are as follows:
1. The watch picked up a GPS signal within 5-10 seconds. Being out in the open probably helped with acquiring a connection quickly.
2. The official time compared with the watch was only 4 seconds off. This surprised the heck out of me. With my Global Trainer, it was always 45sec to 1 minute off each road race I’ve done.
3. The display was superb. At a quick glance I was able to monitor my pace and distance. A+ on the hi res display.
I didn’t enable the eat/drink reminder. Since it was only 9 miles, I didn’t feel the need to eat. Because trail running is so dynamic, I drink whenerver I feel thirsty, so I didn’t bother enabling the drink reminder. The one suggestion I have with the eat/drink reminder, which someone already posted, was the ability to disable the sound when enabling the eat/drink reminder. Other than that, the watch worked flawlessly. I would highly recommend the TRT2.
Thanks, Ray, for the great review on the TRT2.
I just bought my the TRT2 and didn’t experience any problems with charging (I guess I got lucky with the “good” batch) or locking onto a GPS signal. I haven’t used it on a run yet but I do have a trail race this Sunday that I’m looking forward to using it on.
The TRT2 is a pure running watch that I’ve been looking for and didn’t need to spend more money for a watch that was more than I need. I previously had the Global Trainer so it was an easy transition. In addition, the HR strap from the Global Trainer worked flawlessly with the TRT2.
I will post my results of how the watch performed during my race and will report any issues, if any.
I was thinking of giving up on my RT2 for the new TomTom, but unfortunately TomTom has too many shortcomings to make it a suitable replacement. I called Timex customer service to deal with the issues I had been having (failure to lock-in GPS and HR strap malfunctioning) and had a great experience. No diagnostics or questions, just have to send them my receipt and they will send me out a new unit. Hopefully my problems were just a bad unit (which I believe is the case as it was not always this way, it has gotten steadily worse, leading me to believe it is a default in the watch itself, not in the design).
That is how customer service should be!
I had a problem with heart rate strap. Few skin burns. I will write to Timex. Anybody experienced same problem?
That is the nature of chest straps, they tend to chafe. Definitely invest in a stick of Body Glide and use it generously. You can also play with the placement (above the nipples, below the nipples) to find a placement that works for you. It is not a problem with the strap itself, I get chafing from any strap that snaps at the side. I like my Wahoo Blue, as it snaps behind the transmitter in the center of the chest and seems to chafe less. Ray has a few articles on the site about how to avoid chafing, you can search for them.
I also had terrible problems with the heart rate strap. Ended up buying the model without a strap and getting a 4iiii Viiiiva so I can use either my Timex or iPhone w/iSmoothRun. No issues since.
You could also try getting a different fabric strap – I believe any kind of strap will work, even a Garmin or Polar.
Yup, here’s The Girl’s solution to it: link to dcrainmaker.com
Hi,
Fantastic review! The details and effort are much appreciated. If I purchase this with the HRM (using your generous discount code!) will my HR get picked up by a Garmin cycle computer (with ANT +)?
In other words, once I get on the bike after a run for example would both devices simply pick up the HR using the Timex HRM?
Thanks!
Yup, the ANT+ HR strap can be paired to multiple devices at once (it’s how I do testing). Enjoy! And thanks for the support via Clever Training, I appreciate it!
The HR strap that comes with this is pretty thin and has a tendency to roll up under my arms. Any input on where I can get a thicker strap that wont do this?
Ray,
Thanks for the in-depth review and the discount code for clever training. I took my TRT 2.0 on it’s first run and it performed flawlessly. One quick question, I noticed an arrow on my pace time it would either point up or down. I checked the owners manual online and had no luck finding an answer. Any idea what this is indicating?
Thanks.
Up is above target pace – down is below target pace. They were supposed to add this to the updated manual – looks like that hasn’t happened yet…
As always a great review.
Based on your review recently I bought the runtrainer 2.0 and I’m more satisfied than I expected. As you remarked, the big improvement with respect to the runtrainer 1.0 is the display quality( contrast, brightess illumination), the new menu and the fact that now when you connect the watch to the PC it behaves like an ordinary storage device, allowing an istantaneous transfer of the workout data to the Training Peek device agent (unlike the original very slow transfer procedure).
I would however point out an aspect that you dont ever keep into account in your sportwatch reviews, may be because you are too young. Mid aged people like me, usually after the 45, frequently begin to loose the ability to read closely and need reading glasses unless the characters to be read are very large. So, while the ability of a sportwatch to display in a single page many fields of information is very important for young people, this feature is useless for many over 50 and, i suspect, also for shortsighted. What really counts for over 50 people is to be able to read the displayed digits without being forced to wear reading glasses and to do so, the display must have very large digits, hight contrast and brightness.
To conclude, sportwatches with small screens (like the garmin forerunner 110,210, 610) are not an option for people like me. The only watches that I can read confortably, at least among those that i’ve tried, are the Garmin 910XT and the Timex Run Trainer 2.0, both configured to display only 2 lines per page.
I hope you will take into account the size and the readibility of the displayed data in your future review.
P.S. Despite the forerunner 610 is your favorite sportwatch, and skiping my personal needs, I believe that its lack of full waterproofness is a major unbearable issue for a top class device.
Hi Ray really like your blog based on it I purchased the TRT 2, however this is really a question to anyone who knows the answer.
I want to start using the heartrate zones, and I just can’t figure out what the percentages are for.I determined what my target hr zones are (Low and High) but I dont understand how the percentage fields impact it or what to input there?
Thanks in advance!!!
Yesterday I input my heartrate zones in the TRT 2 and after I saved I took it off the computer it completely died. The only thing still working on it is the backlight, has anyone had this?
I’ve had it for approx 3 months and haven’t had any other issues aside from the occasional slow gps pick up.
Hi Ray,
I tried setting the interval settings to something other than .25. For example, I would like to set it to .12 and .06 which is equivalent to 200m and 100m respectively. However, it always defaults to .25. Do you know if Timex will have a fix for this?
Thanks!!
All I want it a basic, reliable GPS watch – I don’t need a lot of bells and whistles, but I really like the vibrating-pace-alert option. Least expensive watch I can find with this option is the TRT 2.0, which sounds like a good buy. But with the current rebate I can get a Garmin 610 for only $63 more – is it worth it the extra money, or are they pretty much equal in terms of GPS accuracy and watch durability, so all I’d be getting the 610 is extra features I don’t need? Thanks to anyone who can help with this decision.
Really struggling between deciding on a refurbished Garmin 610 and the Run Trainer 2.0
Seems like both will meet my “needs” – just not sure on which one to drop the $ on.
Biggest things for me are probably quality, durability and accuracy. Thoughts from anyone who has used either/both?
Hello. Something that is really annoing for me is the fact that Timex take so much time to update the Run Trainer 2.0 firmware in order to correct basic software bugs, like the GPS signal catching, that always in this latest firmware, asks if I am at home and needs a second time to really catch signal… The fact that if I start sensors and back to time, they stay ON forever and I need to start/stop chrono in order to they automatic disconnect… Do you know if the Timex guys are soon release a new firmware? Thank you.
Does anybody know how to save a workout as a .fit file? When I save my workout it is a .pwx file format.
I bought TRT2 few days ago and I am quite disappointed of the GPS accuracy which seems to be not good. I ran a marathon in Ostrava, Czech Republik this Saturday and it measured 40.5 km instead of 42.195 km. The main part of the route was a park with lot of trees so I thought that was the reason for the inaccuracy but when I checked my friend’s Garmins 305 and 310 watches they measured ok. One of them 42.2 and the second one 41.9… My real avg pace was 5.19 min/km but the TRT2 were showing me 5.30 or 5.29 min/km during the race so I could not count on it and had to calculate the real avg pace in my head…
I would love this watch unless this GPS inaccuracy issue. However the possibility to check my avg pace during a race was a main reason why I bought this watch so I quite dissapointed now.
I will do more workouts to double check if this is going to improve and if not I will think of changing the TRT2 for Garmin XT 310 or 910.
Unfortunately I believe it only saves as a .pwx as it is tied to Training Peaks. In the paid version of TP you may be able to export it back out as a .fit, but I am not sure.
The GPS accuracy was ultimately why I ended up returning the watch despite liking a lot of other things about it. It took a long time to find signal, measured consistently short (up to about 10%) and lost signal very easily. This was true over two units, as Timex replaced my first one in the hopes that the GPS issues were unit specific, but it simply seems to be a function of the GPS chipset and programming used.
I ended up going with the TomTom Runner which works great for me. I just need accurate GPS and the ability to track distance, time and pace, which it does superbly. It is missing a lot of advanced functionality currently, but I knew that going in and didn’t need intervals, race mode, etc., so I am happy with it. For the price point I was not expecting the functionality of a Garmin 610 or other advanced watch.
The unit automatically creates the .FIT file on the device itself, it’s just sitting there when you plug in the device. Whereas the PWX file is created after you have TrainingPeaks device agent touch it.
TrainingPeaks does not delete the .FIT from the device. You should see the Timex as a folder under Computer when connected. Create a folder on your hard drive and drag and drop the files from the Timex to that new folder. Now you have both the FIT and PWX files.
Many thanks! I will try it.
Many thanks. I will try it.
What kind of real world battery life are you getting? As an example I charged mine on oct 2nd and went for an hour and 10 minute run on the 3rd f October. 1 bar is gone. Normal?
In general I wouldn’t worry too much about progress bars. Across a wide range of devices from various companies I see progress bars as a mixed bag where sometimes they work and sometimes you can make that last 25% somehow last 50%.
Great review, will use this if I opt for TRT2. Money no object would you buy this of Garmin 910. new to The Tri sport. Thanks
The TRT2 isn’t really a triathlon watch, so given that, between these two I’d go FR910XT.
As a pure running watch would that still be the same decision.
It depends on how many features you plan to use. If you’re looking for a simplistic experience – then any of the units in that category work well – TRT2, RC3, FR210/210. If you’re looking for more customization, then the FR910XT/Ambit2/etc.. are better options.
Well, I think I have reached the end of my patience with my TRT 2.0 – have realy just gotten tired of waiting for the next firmware update from Timex (which was to be mid-year, then August – but still nothing).
I love the display – and when the GPS works it’s brilliant – but when it decides that the signal is weak all bets are off. I ran my first Ultra last weekend and was about 20km in when I noticed my average pace was slowing down. I picked up my pace and decided to just focus on my footfalls and not the watch – but when I checked back 20 minutes later, it had dropped even more – flipping screens to the distance showed the watch stopped at 18km (I was now at about 25km). I stopped the recording and attempted to restart the GPS – after the normal couple minutes of searching it came up with the dreaded “are you indoors” – nope – outside, in the sun, running alongside a river… but when I answered No, instead of it locking on as it normally did it continued to search and then eventually it stopped even attempting to connect.
Over the remainging 25km of the run (mostly in the open) I attempted to restart the chrono mode several times – it only managed to record another 3km before again going into the Weak Signal warning… so did the rest of the run without my pacer.
When I got home, attempted again and it connected without issue.
Today I ran with a Garmin 610, overcast skies with rain, tree lined route and never once had an issue with GPS reception.
I had been impressed with the contact from Timex when I originally posted issues on this forum – but they have taken no action that I can see (even changes to the manual which should be easy as it is all on-line have not been made).
I still need to decide what I am going to go with to replace this (the 610 was on loan from Garmin in a run they sponsored today) but I can say with certainty that it will not be another Timex..
Interestingly, one of the major sellers of these watches in Canada (Mountain Equipment Co-op – MEC) recalled all of the Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0s it sold. I returned my unit about 2 weeks ago (exchanged for a Sunnto Ambit 2.0 and paid the upgrade difference). The reason for the recall according to MECs phone support and in-store return desk was a result of too many GPS connectivity and accuracy issues, as well as tech hiccups for Mac users, like myself. These tech hiccups mostly were in the form of the Run Trainer’s constant freezing at the 99% mark when trying to update the watch firmware to the latest version, and subsequently causing a hard reset and erasing user settings thereafter.
Otherwise, it was a great watch that rocked 3 very dirty Spartan Races (5km, 10km, 25km), a marathon, biking and jumping into various lakes in the Gatineaus (Canada) after a hot summer trail run. Too bad about the bugs!
What do you use to clean your TIMEX Run Trainer 2.0 from clotted sweat? Regular soap? Based on my experience it does not clean very well. On the other hand, this detergent should not damage the watch and watchstrap..
I’m confused. Water?
It doesn’t just wipe off? Sweat is just salt, so just a quick rinse after a run you should be good.
While I do shower right after each run, I don’t always clean the watch properly and after a while it’s like coated with wax: link to s18.postimg.org
After reading the review here, i got a unit from CleverTraining when i happen to be in a training trip to Boston. It was a unit that i love until recently, it started to trip on me and the worst was today.
Always been keeping software up to date. Downloading records of my weekly runs and upload to TrainingPeak without issue using my Mac.
Lately, it started to die on me during my 10k run. That is after charging for more than 24 hours via a computer USB port. Full bar before start, into 6k, it just went blank and stop me from running a new route since i wanted to checkout the total distance for the new route planned.
Once home, connect to the computer and it came alive. Clear off the memory, factory reset and reconfigure the watch again. I try not to load back the old configuration to narrow down the possibility of a corrupt config file. It went on fine for 2 weeks till i took it for my NorthFace Trail 25k race.
Less than 7k on the watch, sky gets a little gloomy with light showers. The moment i hit on the button for Indiglo to check my pace and time, Boom and it restarted. Great time to fail on me as i rely it to tell me my pace as well as time to drink and gel since there is no hydration stations in this trail run. Have another 18k more to go, i have to depend on occasional distance markers to tell me when to drink and gel and give up on my pacing since i have no more means to do so. And as most can predict, the outcome of this race was terrible. I almost DNF and low sugar as well as salt almost got me quit at the 23k mark…. 2 k more to completion. Probably i should train harder, or perhaps i should not rely on a piece of gadget too much.
Today, 2 weeks after the NorthFace Trail 25k, i attempted my first 32k run and as usual, i bring this watch and decided to give it a last chance. Sadly, it failed me miserably with 5k into the race. As the race started early this morning, it was dark so i press and hold to enable the Indiglo to turn on permanently so i can see the reading. I started with a 2 line reading of my distance/pace and wanted to switch to distance/speed when there is a slight bottleneck due to the crowd. It restart the watch the moment i press on back/display button to switch view. I almost wanted to take the watch off and dump into a bin at that point of time. It is driving me nuts!
And once again, with the remaining 27k, i rely on distance markers and thankfully, there is one marker for every 2k. Miss my target timing but manage to cross the finishing line. I look like a complete idiot when i stop at each hydration point (one at every 2k) and ask: may i know what is the time now? while i wait for the helpers to pour water into my cup. 2 asked: you have a good watch and it does’t tell you time? I am too tired to respond back and just smile and say: please? time?
Sorry for my ranting but this watch though it is cheapest in it’s class, it cost quite a bomb for my pocket. I chose this to save some dime for my running gears and have to say: i kinda regret it.
I got it for like 6 months now and i cannot return this anymore so i am pretty much stuck with a unreliable watch which failed me in 2 races and i do not want it to kill me on my upcoming marathon.
And there is no recall back of this watch from CleverTraining like what happened to a Canada store which might help me to get another watch.
For those who are looking at this watch and planning on one, my personal opinion is: save up for a better unit.
Just to mention:
I have sent a feedback to Timex at custserv@timex.com and hopefully it grabs their attention and hear from them.
Same time, i want to stress that the reviews here are awesome and trusted but i am just the unfortunate few in the world who got a faulty unit somehow. I still have faith in Timex and total trust in the product reviews that rainmaker have spent precious time and effort to put it up.
Appreciate the work you have done! You have a fan in Asia! 🙂
Also my unit started to loose signal and to die during running. Power was 3 and 4 bars. Battery got discharged in few hours even in time mode. Settings lost. I wrote to seller and Timex after sale service here in Italy and I asked full reimbursement because unit can not be utilzed as a running gps. After one week I called Timex because they did not reply to my e-mail.
Now units is complete out of service. It switched off and display shows “Built in self test, 12, GPS failure” and it is not possible to reset.
It happens to me once. I let the battery drain flat and leave it charging overnight.
It came back alive and kicking after that. But oblivious not for long before it started to fail on me.
I hoe you have better luck than me!
Hello. My watch is not connecting to Device Agent. If I format it, it will connect, but when saving settings to watch, appears a window telling that this device has errors… After that cannot connect anymore, just if format again. Can anyone help? Thank you.
What you are seeing is not coming from Device Agent, it is coming from Windows. NO do not format. Windows is seeing it as a removable drive with errors. Just close the window and carry on.
@Rainmaker Thank you very much for such exhaustive review! What I can add is that TIMEX Run Trainer 2.0
1) ..has no support for daylight saving time(DST). Of course I’m not looking for IANA timezone based dynamic solution found in most Unix-based operating systems or anything similar, but for example something like Cisco IOS where one can manually configure the DST start and end time and offset from UTC.
2) ..has indeed very little storage. 950784 bytes to be exact.
In addition, you mentioned about time-zone map in order to automatically detect the timezone based on the location coordinates. As far as I know, there are virtually no offline implementations of such map. Most of such services use online databases like Google TimeZone API or AskGeo which obviously would require Internet connection.
Hmm, it wouldn’t likely have DST support since it doesn’t support a TZ map, and since it’s sold globally the DST varies by country/region (i.e. US was this past weekend, CET was two weekends ago).
As for time zone maps, most other units do this just fine. For example, Garmin unit firmware updates occasionally download an updated time zone map. One particularly funny example of this going wrong was last year the FR10 had an error in the TZ map for the UK which caused the UK folks to trigger a week early. It was fixed with a new TZ map 24 hours later.
IMHO you don’t need a time-zone map for this as long as you have a built in calendar which TIMEX Run Trainer 2.0 seems to have. Once you have a built in calendar you can configure the watch to “shift forward 60 minutes on second Sunday of each March at 2:00 and shift backwards 60 minutes on first Sunday of each November at 2:00”. This was just an example and one could use every date and time offset. The other option would be the time-zone maps along with firmware updates as you explained. However, I guess that those Garmin watches allow one to specify time-zone and then the watch automatically sets the DST offset from UTC for this specified time-zone at the correct time based on the data in time-zone database? What I meant was an offline implementation of geolocation database, e.g. database which matches location coordinates and time-zone.
No, on Garmin watches you specify nothing. No time zone, no location, no anything. It just works, no matter where I go in the world (which, is a lot of places every week), it correctly knows the time.
As for a calendar for the TRT2, remember that you’d have to also specify the date it shifted forward, since those vary by regions.
The time is so easy to change on this watch – it takes literally 6 seconds – that it’s not an issue
There is a new firmware update with some nice stuff…
Very nice, and I agree with Stuart – especially on adding the interval options.
Thank you Akis! Some good updates there particularly the warm up/cool down option and the silent alarm (vibrate only)
For some reason I was thinking the silent alarm meant the distance alerts, which would have been nice. However, the biggest flaw with this watch in my opinion was the lack of a warm up/cool down option in the interval timer, that has been resolved, well done Timex!
Finally an update… but no mention of anything related to GPS fixes 🙁
Such an excellent well-written review…except for one item: just how many of those cupcakes do we get with the purchase of the watch? J.K. Thanks for the great review 🙂
At list prices, you’d need to purchase 64 cupcakes (ignoring any messy currency conversions). 😉
(I usually don’t list the prices too many places, as it enumerates out from the Amazon widget thingy. Otherwise I find that over time I keep having to change things on old reviews as prices shift.)
Anyone having issues with Windows 8/8.1 detecting the TRT2.0?
Mine kept installing itself as GPS Global Trainer and Device Agent cant detect the watch.
The new firmware and Device Agent doesn’t help either but I’ve narrowed it down to a Windows issue.
I’m running W8.1 with Media Centre. No issue detecting my TRT2.0.
Have you tried switching USB ports?
Maybe you like to try this: uninstall Timex software, reboot, make sure your Timex USB Sync/Charge cable is not connected to the computer, run the installer again.
Hope you can work this out to use your TRT2.0
Excellent site. Outstanding reviews! I’m considering a TRT 2 purchase. Are you able to set up warm up and cool down periods that do not repeat when setting up intervals? I’d like to be able to set up a complete interval workout complete with warm up and cool down and repeating intervals in between.
Yes, they just added a firmware update last week adding this capability. link to home.trainingpeaks.com
Following up with my previous post #400 which i mentioned contacting Timex customer service US.
Got a response within 24 hours and a representative helped arrange with their distributor in my country.
Within 2 days, my local distributor contacted me via email and arranged for an exchange.
I collected the new watch as well as a new charging cable and started charging overnight, using a dedicated USB wall charger.
1st thing i notice is the firmware. It is of the v.25. Similar to the faulty one i have exchanged.
2nd thing is the display on watch as i charged it. Faulty one switched between my time display and a “connected to computer” graphic every few seconds. The replacement stay on with the time display all the time along with the battery bar indicating charging progress.
Same wall charger used on both watch. Same firmware. Different behaviour.
Next day, i wear it out and drive around with the GPS on just to perform some testing on the GPS tracking as well as battery life. 7 hours GPS clock with 1 bar left at the end of the road trip. Downloaded the “workout” and map check turns out fine.
Since then, i have been using it for 3 runs so far and it seems to locate the GPS much faster as compared to the faulty one. No more switching off on me in mid of my run and it is fully charged within 2 hours using a wall charger as compared to 3 days of charging with only 1 hours battery life on the faulty one. Not sure if the component within the watch have changed or maybe the component on old watch have fried. Or was it the charging cable that caused the problem thus they insisted that i bring down the charging cable to swap for a new one as well.
Oveall experience: Responsive customer service and standby their product despite i’m just one of the few millions oversea customer which they can choose to ignore. Knowing something is not right, admit to it and get it rectify with a exchange earns my trust in them.
Now i have to swallow back my words and say it loud: if you plan on getting one, go ahead without a doubt if you figure out the functions suits you. At this price point, there is no better contender i believe.
Sidetrack: just updated with the new v.29 firmware. Got to say i love the option of having Time of Day display on one of my 3 lines display setting.
Lap issues
I recently bought the TRT 2.0 because it was insanely cheap and it had a feature that the 220 doesn’t have (along with another screen) I can’t fathom why the 220 doesn’t have last lap information.
Anyway, on my 4th run today, I notice something screwy with the laps. I had the auto lap on and I had to stop my run .25 mile in to tie my show (I hit the lap as well because the pace seemsedscrewy) . I stop the watch then get running again. At the mile mark, the watch vibrates/beeps. This lap however was not a mile it was only .75 of a mile to reflect the remaining distance to the first “absolute” mile.
Now it’s my recollection that the garmin will do what I call a “relative” mile meaning a mile past the last time you hit the lap button (or do the auto lap). The TRT 2.0 seems to do record “absolute” miles ie. actual miles from the start of the run and if you hit the lap button in between miles it will still hit the laps at Mile 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
I’m undecided if I like this feature or not and for the vast majority of my runs it won’t make a difference.
Hi you all,
Ray, thanks for your review. As good as the others, btw.
I am searching a watch that primarily:
– Sets complex intervals on the PC and send it to the watch. I love the RCX5, but the Polar Personal Trainer web offers a too simple customizing possibilities when intervals are the thing. That is, I would like to create a workout sort of like that one for my spinning days:
– 10 minutes warm up.
– (One minute high cadence+2 minutes easy recovery) x 4 times.
– Five minutes easy.
– (30 seconds on at max+30 seconds off easy recovery) x 12 times.
– Cool down.
I would like that the watch to warn me about new stages to come and its goals as beats per minute, length and so on. Thus, I just have to look at the screen when hearing a beep and do what it says for the next minutes or seconds.
In addition, i would like to record my outside bike rides, not from a scientific approach, but from a curious one just to know length, calories, duration, fit improvement, etc. I would be able to know if I am improving my overall performances just to justify my wife the spent money 🙂
The RCX5 is quite good as a heart rate monitor, but poor when bespoke use. And here comes the Timex Run Trainer 2.0.
I know that it is not a cycling device, but cadence and watts are out of my wishes. On the other side, I see that it shows a very good workout intervals capability.
Summing up, I will ask the watch to do its best when spinning inside, but I won’t be that demanding when riding outside.
Your thoughts will be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Hello!
I’m an Italian owner of the run trainer 2.0.Almost all of my runs are at night,I consider so very important to have the backlight alert together with the vibration during the auto split (automatic laps).
When it will be implemented? does anyone knows?
so we will have the perfect running watch!
ciao!
The unit has a backlight already, so you can just keep it turned on. It also already has vibration for auto laps.
Enjoy!
Hei! thanks a lot for the answer!
my problem is when I run in dark I always keep the backlight turned on by pressing the indiglo button for 7 sec
that is ok for all the buttons when I phisically press them but when I feel the vibration every km the light doesn’t automatically appears,only the screen info,you can read the screen only under a street light…
You are agree with me that is quite frustrating and removes most of the advantage to have the vibration alert and the auto lap…
I don’t know if that is a problem of my unit only…
bye!
Once again fantastic review. I purchased the TRT 2 a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been pretty satisfied so far with all. I especially like the audio and vibrating alerts for various zones that can be created for interval training or other ordinary runs. The nutritional alerts are a real plus for long runs. I always forget to take in water and gels when I need to. Garmin Connect looks a lot more polished but I can work with the Training Peaks desk top application. What really sold me was the price. I was considering either the TRT 2 of the Garmin 220. For me, and my tight budget, I couldn’t pass up the TRT 2. 30% off and a $50 rebate from Timex was enough to convince me to buy. Love the watch so far. We’ll see how it fairs after a couple more miles. If it doesn’t no big deal. I don’t have a whole lot invested into it.
Update: Had the TRT 2.0 for 3 months. EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED. First one was shipped with the battery in “Dormant” mode and would not turn on. Timex new about this condition and told retailers not to sell them. It was replaced by the Timex Service center after a two-week wait at no charge other than shipping. The second model worked as advertised for about a month. Then, it became very slow to acquire a GPS lock on, sometimes taking 30 minutes to accomplish. Needless to say, it was useless for use – and the problem got worse. It began to reset and go into test mode when it did function. Contacting the Timex Service Center became impossible – they would put me on hold and never pick up the phone. So, in the trash it goes and I’ll spend the $ and buy a Garmin. At least i am fairly sure it will work. I’m done with Timex.
I don`t understand about memory problems.
Could you explain me:
If memory is full – does TRT2 remove oldest workout record automatically? Or I have to clean memory by my hands?
Should I do something if I don`t need to memorise my workouts?
What will happen if memory become full during my workout?
Is there are any memory problem with Polar RC 3 GPS ?
Thanks
I have purchased the 2.0 after opening and setting up everything was looking forward to my morning run and I would not pick up the GPS. After waiting for 30 minutes I gave up on the idea of running today and thought I would pick it up later in the day. Still nothing, as I have not used the watch for any training I opted to reset to fatory settings and Now i have amessage reading Built in self test 12 GPS Failure. none of the buttons work now just the indiglo
Cant find a solution anyware on web have emailed Timex waiting for response, Any thoughts?
Not happy
Garry Brisbane Australia
Hi,
Is it possible to track HR avg and time spent in target zone?
I have an old Timex triathlon that does that -)
Say, i have 5 HR zone, 1) 120 to 130, then 2) 131 to 140, etc …
After i have terminated my workout, in review mode, can i get the time spent and HR avg for each time zone ?
Thanks!
.
Not on the watch itself, however, on Training Peaks you can.
Hi, I have this watch and since three days ago not charge the battery ‘, I have tried on different computers and plugs also reset by pressing the four buttons at the same time and not work, so I do not know where the fault in the clock or cable. I live in Croatia and the watch was purchased in the U.S.(Clever Training), so I do not know what to do?
The Timex Race Trainer 1.0 using the same USB cable to charge?
try resetting by pressing all 5 buttons at the same time. This might help.
Eric
Hello everyone!
help…does anyone knows the reset procedure for this watch? because it’s blocked to the “built in self test” screen…
very annoying problem…
Thanks a lot!
You can reset the watch by pressing all 5 buttons at the same time. You have to reset time and date, but all other settings were still there (although the TIMEX agent told me otherwise).
Good luck,
Eric
Thank you for the review.
My Global Trainer died (under warranty), and Timex told me that they have discontinued the TGT (they are not doing a multisport watch at all any more – strange for an ironman branded watch). But they offered to replace it with the TRT2.
Can you “fake” the TRT2 into being a multisport watch for a short distance triathlon?
If I want to just get my swim time, bike time and speed, and the run stats for a race, is there a way to transition during the race?
Thanks!
Not really. It’s really only for running, and in order to ‘switch’ between sports you’ll need to end the activity and re-start a new one. And you can’t easily switch over to MPH during a transition.
Guys, yesterday I tried to run within a 10 seconds / km interval. I set up the watch (settings- zones- chrono- pace=yes, fast=6:30, slow=6:40). The watch measures GPS coordinates every 2seconds (as I learned by writing a convertof from Timex .FIT into .GPX format: but this is another story). Annoying feature of the watch is that it notifies you every time you are not within the set up interval. As the GPS measurement is not always accurate (buildings, trees…) the speed within 2 second’ interval varies quite wildly. My experience was that every two seconds the watch was beeping “you are too slow”, “you are too fast”…
My old Garmin 205 had this almost perfect as it notified deviation from interval only once in 15 seconds: which is sufficient interval for smoothing erratic GPS measurements. I read about ‘smoothing’ parameter in older version of Timex products, however not a word about this in 2.0.
I think that having wider interval (like 5:00–5:30/km) could help, however this is useless if you aim at specific tempo say during a marathon.
Any idea how to solve this? Your experiences? Contact to Timex engineers that work on new firmware release?
Thanks.