Quantcast

Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

TFS Review: Timex IRONMAN Sleek iControl™ Watch

Posted November 15th, 2007 at 9:30 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous, Motivation, Music, Product Reviews

Timex IRONMAN Sleek iControl™ watchIf you’ve ever had to fumble with your iPod to try and find a song or crank up the volume while on a treadmill, elliptical trainer, stationary cycle or – especially – running, you’ll appreciate the Timex IRONMAN Sleek iControl™ watch with its Play, Pause, Track Forward/Reverse and volume-control functions.

According to the Timex website, “the iControl™ watch transmits signals seamlessly to your iPod so you can control your music in a heartbeat. Designed to work with your body and coordinate with your iPod, the iControl watch is sleek and comfortable to wear - with all the features you need for running around the track or traveling around the world.”
Read the rest of this entry »


4 comments, add yours | Permalink

TFS Review: Polar RS800sd (Polar/adidas Project Fusion)

Posted May 18th, 2007 at 1:48 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews

Product: Polar RS800sd Running Computer
Prices: $469.95 (watch + HR monitor + speed sensor), $50-$70 (adiStar Fusion top), $120 (adiStar Fusion shoe)
Rating: Very Good 7.6/10.0
Pros: Very intuitive, easy-to-use watch interface. High amount of functionality and features. Very reliable, accurate heart rate monitor. Low-profile, easy-to-use speed sensor. Comes with Polar ProTrainer software. Can be used with or without Adidas adiStar products (versatile).
Cons: Very expensive. Stride sensor yields inaccurate values when your stride changes. Different calibrations needed for different types of running.
Overall: This is an expensive, high-end personal training system. In general, you get what you pay for. I loved how easy the watch was to use, especially considering its vast array of features. The heart rate monitor was superb, and reported very reliable values. The only weakness of the system involves the Stride Sensor. Although it is accurate and reliable when running at the speed it was calibrated at, it becomes less and less accurate as you increase or decrease your speed (which changes your stride), up to 10 seconds/mile. For many, this relatively small “drift” is either not applicable (if you generally run the same speed every day) or unimportant (if you are not concerned with 10 seconds/mile). But runners who regularly vary their stride through speed work, or are concerned about obtaining their precise pace, may want to look instead at other GPS units.

Fusion-Adidas-polarGarmin, Suunto, Timex, Adeo, Polar… and the list goes on and one. In today’s saturated market of fitness toys there is a plethora of gadgets available that can measure running stats such as pace, distance, heart rate, and more. The gadget companies respond by releasing increasingly innovative products that offer features of increasing quality and quantity.

The Polar RS800sd (speed+distance) may have just trumped them all. Using a foot pod to measure speed and distance, and an ECG-accurate transmitter to measure heart rate, the RS800sd running computer offers enough features, analyses, and bells-and-whistles to make your head spin. I recently had the pleasure of taking this unit for a “spin”.
Read the rest of this entry »


9 comments, add yours | Permalink


Casio G-Shock GW-800: Finally … a positive sports watch experience

Posted April 19th, 2007 at 3:05 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Product Reviews

Casio GW800-1V alt viewI am often surprised at just how flimsy and breakable many of my expensive sports watches turn out to be. Too often these gadgets, which are high-tech in functionality, literally fall apart (usually from the band breaking). And if the body of the watch actually withstands the punishment I dish out, the battery inevitably dies a premature death. These past experiences have made me - admittedly - a bit cynical when it comes to sports watches.

However, this all changed when I had the opportunity to try the GW-800 1V model of Casio’s G-Shock watch series.

At first glance it appears to be a normal sports watch, and it many ways - it is. Its core modes include date/time, world time, stopwatch, countdown timer, back-light, and alarm. But there are several “special” features that separate it from it’s peers:
Read the rest of this entry »


4 comments, add yours | Permalink

TFS Review: MotionLingo’s Adeo GPS Fitness Trainer

Posted February 12th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by Paul Petersen

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews

motionlingo.jpgMotionLingo’s Adeo has garnered much attention this year as an innovative GPS-based fitness trainer that not only tracks your speed and distance, but also accommodates full integration with any mp3 player.

I have run with many other GPS products, but the Adeo is the first to provide workout feedback via audio messages rather than a visual watch interface. This sounded like a great idea to me right off the bat and I enjoyed putting putting the Adeo to the test.

Product: MotionLingo Adeo Fitness Trainer
Price: $149.95
Rating: Good 7.1/10.0
Pros: Hands-free GPS updates; Works with all mp3 players; Lightweight; Considerably more affordable than other GPS units, Easy to configure workouts and view data; Rapidly-evolving online training log; Affordable cost compared to other fitness GPS units; Multisport support; Excellent, frequently updated software package
Cons: Often takes several minutes to connect with satellites; Unstable, GPS connection could be improved; Small, unresponsive buttons
Overall: The Adeo is a very innovative and exciting concept; one that true audiophiles will want to immediately add to their running rig. However, others may want to wait for the next generation of Adeos (to be released later this spring) because like most first generation products, there are a few issues (i.e. - GPS performance) that could use an upgrade.

Read the rest of this entry »


8 comments, add yours | Permalink

TFS Re-Launch Contest #4:
Adeo GPS Fitness Trainer

Posted December 28th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Announcements, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Resources, Special Features, Sweepstakes

adeo-fitness-trainer.gifThank you for all of your interest and participation in The Final Sprint’s Re-Launch Contests. Today begins the fourth and final phase of this month-long celebration (Don’t worry - we’ll be launching another exciting contest in January!).

This week and back by popular demand we will once again be teaming up with MotionLingo to give away . . . Adeo GPS Fitness Trainers! Two lucky winners will receive the Adeo (retail value $150); a personal training companion that gives you motivational audio updates on your pace, distance, calories burned and much more!

This contest is now closed. Stay tuned for the next giveaway contest and thanks for entering!

TO ENTER: All you have to do is comment on this post with what features of a training assistant device, like the Adeo, are most important to you (i.e. audio updates, GPS, etc.) and/or what you would put on your “wish list” in terms of ways to improve these types of devices.

This will enable you to have a real voice in the design and re-development of these types of products as we will be sending the final accumulation of your comments to all of the major training assistant manufacturers (i.e. - MotionLingo, Garmin, Timex, Polar, Suunto, etc).

Read the rest of this entry »


110 comments, add yours | Permalink

TFS’s Top Picks of 2006
Gear and Accessories

Posted December 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Announcements, Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous, Product Reviews, Sports Medicine, Special Features, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise, TFS Reviews, TFS Top Picks

tfstoppick-200200.jpgWant the gear that will go the furthest, last the longest and do the most to improve your performance? Want to buy the perfect holiday gift for the runner in your family? Want the newest, most advanced training tools on the market?

Then look no further! The Final Sprint’s Top Picks of 2006 is your ultimate guide to running gadgets, hydration devices and much more! We have put hours into testing and comparing each of these items and take pride in recommending each of our top picks.

TRAINING SYSTEMS (HRM + Training Assistant)

Overall

GPS Training System

Non-GPS Training System

MP3 Player

Hydration Device (short/moderate distance)

Hydration Device (long distance)

Injury Prevention and Treatment Products

Read the rest of this entry »


4 comments, add yours | Permalink


TFS Re-Launch Contest #1: Timex IRONMAN Sports Watches

Posted December 5th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Announcements, Gear & Apparel, Special Features, Sweepstakes

timex-ironman-1.jpgThe Final Sprint re-design is live and causing quite a buzz. Between this and the holiday season we have a lot to be happy (and celebrate) about. Most importantly we are thankful that you, our loyal readers, keep coming back day after day to share in our love for running.

This contest is our way to celebrate with YOU! We are going to be giving away a whole bunch of running/fitness products over the next month. Make sure to check back often and enter each week’s contest – because like they say, you gotta be in it to win it!

This week’s giveaway will be . . . Timex IRONMAN Sports Watches! We have a few different models to giveaway (Would otherwise sell for $65 - $75 each); all of which are awesome tools for running and all of your cross-training workouts.

TO ENTER: All you have to do is click here, fill out the form below and tell us what it is that you love about running. The length of your submission is up to you; we just want to learn about your passion for the sport. This portion of the contest will close on Monday (12/11/06). Then we will pick winners at random and post next week’s giveaway contest! Read the rest of this entry »


6 comments, add yours | Permalink


-->
Add to Google

Subscribe in NewsGator Online



What's this?

Or subscribe via email


Which currently declared candidate would most improve USATF if elected as President of the Board of Directors?
View Results