I’ll admit to being a Timex fan. I like the Ironman watches (along with Casio G-Shock and those Luminox analog watches).
When Timex released the Ironman 150 Lap TAP Sleek, especially in bright “rescue” orange I was stoked. Then I started reading tons of buyer reviews on Amazon.com etc. that the TAP screen didn’t work well and actuated too easily when in water- that the design was “defective”.
I decided to get a new Timex Ironman 150 Lap TAP Sleek and do some testing. However it shook out- it would be an interesting story. After “torture testing” the TAP screen by blasting it with sink and shower spray while actuating the TAP function and swimming, cycling and running in it I found out the TAP function works as described. I like the watch. It is relatively inexpensive, works well and is fun.
Here’s the full story- but there is one odd gripe that I am a little surprised Timex let slip…
http://university.tri-sports.com/...n-150-lap-tap-sleek/
Nice review.
In regards to not being able to erase a workout, what happens to the previous workout when you start a new one? If I only do 75 laps does my new workout just keep adding on top of that until its full and turns over to zero like an odometer? Or does it recognize a new workout? How many workouts can it store?
The full version of the owner’s manual (Timex manual W254 509-0950000-02 NA) says on page 19 that,
“This watch records up to 100 hours and counts up to 199 laps. It stores the most recent 150 laps in Recall Mode.”
and then, page 29:
“As the memory is filled (150 laps maximum), the oldest unlocked workouts are automatically deleted.”
I guess that is the answer- although I am still waiting to hear back from Timex.
I thik I just have to convince myself this is no big thing, but I didn’t like having extra workouts rattling around inside the watch on my previous Timex’s. Being able to delete the workouts/laps manually was a nice way to keep the memory tidy.
Then again- I suppose you could argue this would prevent accidental erasures… ?
A very nice review.
I purchased one this past May and have worn it off & on since. While I did read the manual and have set the tap function to its hardest setting, I do, on occasion, receive false taps. This has not happened in the water but on both the bike and on the run. The bike may have been a fluke: The watch was not terribly tight on my wrist, and the chip-seal road surface was unusually rough. After four false splits on the bike, I stopped the watch and put it in my jersey pocket for the duration of the bike.
On the run, false splits have been more frequent, typically occurring when re-stashing bottles into my Fuel Belt. If I remember to be mindful of the watch face, this is not an issue. In the midst of a race, though, one’s mind tends not to focus on the face of the watch.
In all, I agree that this is a very nice watch, second only to my Nike Triax Speed 100. With a more easily replaceable battery, though, and the large, touch-screen face, I find myself more inclined to use the Timex.
So the standard “hold the reset/stop button” in recall mode doesn’t work with this watch? I would assume that it auto stores then as well as compared to holding the “recall/set” button after a workout?
Is the band similar to the Nike watches? If so I’ve had horrible experience with them failing after a couple of years and then replacement of the band is quite a pain even though the watch is fine. Can you comment? Although perhaps since the watch costs way less than a Nike it’s no big deal just to get a new one.
Great review as when they first came out, it looked interesting but the early reviews turned me off as well thanks for setting it straight.