Has anyone used this watch from TIMEX? How is the accuracy?
THanks
I had the older model, with the larger GPS unit, and it worked pretty good when not running in the woods. On trail runs, the signal would get lost frequently, making the distance tracking almost useless.
Other than that, the watch is great, as are the HRM functions.
Yes, the new model, and like the poster before me, the older model too.
Short answer: Accurate as long as you don’t lose signal. On a known distance loop, it has repeatedly been under the stated accuracy in the manual.
Long answer: Overall I’m content with the unit. I like the size and weight. The lighter GPS unit is hardly noticeable on my waist compared to the old unit. I like the new altitude feature. Supposedly, the gps technology was to have been improved in the latest unit, but I haven’t seen it; at times it actually seems to drop out more often than the old unit. The drops are always around trees. Since I don’t collect data for precision, but more for relative feedback during the workout and for summaries, it serves it’s purpose well. I don’t have the data recorder.
I had one of the older units. IF it didn’t drop the signal, it was pretty accurate for measuring the overall distance traveled. It was not super accurate at calculating your exact pace. I never understood why they didn’t have the altitude function, all the info is there anyways.
The signal drops were frustrating enough to make the unit unusable, though. I’ve got a $9.99 timex that does all that I need it to now.
As you might guess, I use a lot. 
I’ve had good luck with it holding a signal, even when in heavy tree coverage IF the sky is clear. If the sky is very cloudy (like a storm is coming), you need to be in an open area to get a good signal. Trees + lots of clouds is a problem, but that’s true for pretty much any consumer-grade GPS. The GPS unit in the Timex device is a top-of-the-line (at the time of production, obviously GPS is an area where leaps are made all the time in technology) antenna/processor.
One thing many people do not know is that the GPS signal has trouble transmitting through your body. So you might get the “noisy GPS signal” error if, for example, you put the GPS on your belt somewhere on your back. Or if you wear the GPS on your right arm and watch on your left. The accuracy is much better if the GPS unit has a clear line of sight to the watch. I wear mine on my left hip (watch on left wrist) or left shoulder. I’ve tested it out on the same day swapping sides, and it is ALWAYS clearer when it is on the same side as the watch. So you might think the signal is bad, but really it is just the watch-GPS connection.
The new watch does have a vertical mode, with features for both running (net ascent) and hiking/skiing (elevation, altitude, rate of ascent, etc.).
The nice thing about the modular system is that you can always upgrade one piece without needing to buy everything new. I can also tell you that Timex is always working on improving all of the pieces, as I get to product test a lot of the new designs. And, in terms of being modular, you also don’t even have to buy the GPS if you feel like you won’t use it. You can get Timex’s top of the line HRM without the GPS and datarecorder for a lot cheaper than other brands, which force you to get features you might never use and don’t allow you to upgrade should you decide you do want to use them.
The system is not perfect, but it definitely gives you a lot more feedback than not using a GPS at all. As far as the base HRM, it does everything you want, and it is easily the most accurate & consistent HRM I’ve used, with much less “noise” in the data and much better reliability in cold weather and around power lines.
Mine worked well for 18 months, then the watch stopped picking up data from GPS and HRM. I replaced the watch for $35. It worked for about six weeks and then stopped picking up data. I have heard many similar complaints from other owners. I am giving up on it and will be getting a Garmin when they come out w/ a waterproof model.