The pool-mate is a watch which records your swimming laps, swim stroke count, elapse time, etc. It has a built-in accelerometer which makes this possible. It recognizes a swim lap from turning around in the pool. When I received the watch I went through the manual and found it very difficult to use. I could not figure how how to use the chrono properly. So I was a little worried. I actually the manual with me to the pool just in case. But when you use the watch for actually swimming the buttons make sense and it is very easy to use. Still have not figured out the chrono but I really don’t care.
I only swim freestyle so that is the only thing I tested the watch for. It was perfectly accurate for me during two sessions of 150 laps each. I have used it for several sets each time. Previous to getting the watch I would use a lap ring counter, Chrono 100. You had to push the button after each lap. This worked well and it kept track of the time for each lap which the pool-mate does not. But the Chrono 100 only recorded 100 laps and it did not handle sets.
Here is a quick list of the positives and negatives
Negatives
- Does not record lap time. Instead average, total, etc
- Only supports meters. Not a huge issue. But it does give you a swimming efficiency rating but it is based on meters. Don’t know how valuable this number really is. But in a yard pool the number will not work how intended. I have been taking 10%
- Not very attractive. I have the light gray. Only one that was in stock. This is also a very minor issue for me.
- I have not been able to figure out how to see avg lap time for the just completed set without going into the log section. Probably user error
Positives
- Works as advertised. I was very worried it would not be accurate in counting laps
- Gives you stroke count. I love this.
- Nothing to remember to click
- Stores 400 sessions I believe. No worries running out of space
One additonal comment. I purchased mine from Swimoutlet.com for $99. When I was going through the settings my watch indicated that it had 5 out of 8 left of the battery. So I sent Swimoutlet an email and they replied within 5 minutes saying they would send a replacement and then give me instructions on how to send back the original. Very few retailors work in this manner. Usually they either want you to first send back the defective one and then send the new one or charge your credit card for the 2nd then then credit when original is returned. I actually understand this because they are on the hook if the original is never sent back. I also really don’t have a problem with it. But premium customer service, IMHO, is how Swimoutlet handled it. I question if it is the battery or that the watch does not sense what is left in the battery properly. I will be surprised if the new watch comes with 8 left but we will see.
Overal I highly recommend the watch.