Wristwatch info

I am in the market for a new wristwatch, preferably a digital one with chrono and timer and all that.
I have seen the timex Expeditions but are they still good for the low price?

Most importantly one that keeps good time!

I love my watch, but it isn't the type you're looking for. It is a Citizen Eco-Drive, which means it never requires winding or batteries. The face is actually a solar cell, but you can't tell. The cruystal is also scratchproof. I know because the guy at the store did a "can't scratch it with a car key" demo. I've had it for 4 years and it has been snorkeling, mountain biking, backpacking, and upside-down in a biplane. It isanalog (with hands), but it has a stopwatch function and alarm.

My brother-in-law, on the other hand, has one of those watches with a GPS and compass built in. Very cool.

Might as well check out the Suunto Vector line. Great digital watch, altimeter, compass, timers, barometer etc. Large but light. I have had mine for about 4 years and it is my all-time favorite watch/multi-instrument. Comes in more subdued colors <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



at REI

Do the compasses actually work in watches?

Yes they do. It's a great watch but on the big and bulky side. I have that watch for hiking and kayaking but always complained of the back lighting and calibration. So it stays home a lot and I get to use my GPS and regular watch.

I heard good stuff about pathfinder watches from casio. And I think that I will get one as soon as I get off my traditional watch horse.

I bought into Luminox watches for a while but after destroying few of them I gave up. I just bought a Marathon watch which is US Gov version of the Luminox but I already scratched the living hell out of it. Fortunatelly for me I found a local guy who can change glass for me and pressure test my watch. I needed a watch that glows stronger in the dark than regular phosphorus since when I'm hanging upside down in the car working on the patient I need to know exact time with a glance instead of trying to turn the backlight on with a second hand or shine my flashlight on the watch.

Matt

I am on my second Casio Triple Sensor, and love it. The first one still works, but one of the little arms that hold the band got broken, so I can't wear it anymore. Compass seems to be pretty accurate. Tthermometer is so-so, you have to take the watch off and lay it down for 20 min or so to get a reading, which is not worth the trouble most of the time. Altimeter is my favorite part, except of course the time keeping. It seems to be very accurate, as long as you re-set it whenever you are at a known altitude. I assume (hate that word) that the barometric readings are similarily accurate.

If I had one complaint it would be the backlight, which just isn't bright enough for my old, worn out, eyes. Costso has 'em for the best price I have seen...

Hey Matt,

Have you looked at the FLIX watches from Timex. Just like it sounds, a quick flick of the wrist activates the Indiglo for 3 or 4 seconds. It takes a pretty pronounced "flick," but nothing too extreme. I'm a big fan of the Timex Ironman watches because they hold up well (I have one that I've beat up for probably ten years and it still works) and inexpensive (unless you step up to the ones with the heart-rate monitors or things like that, which I don't bother with.)

This one can be found at Walmart for about $35.

For what it's worth,

Chris.

I agree with your comments on the Suunto. The compass works very well and has a declination setting which my Casio did not. I never use this compass as my primary but it is superb for all those occasional compass uses that do not require precision map work etc.

The backlight bugs me too...not bright enough and does not stay on long enough for me. The only other issue is the lack of a constant display of seconds. The watch may have this option somewhere but I have not found it. The seconds tick off around the dial so there is an indication, but not my favorite.

How does the triple sensor stand up to the Digital Expedition? Also if you all (im a texan <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />) had to pick a timex watch, which one whould you pick?

I have the TIMEX Expedition watch in stainless steel with the blue face as seen here .

Some of the features of this digital and analog watch are:
3 time zones
2 alarms
24 hour timer
Chrono/lap timers
Day/Month/Year
12/24 Time displays
Glow in the Dark Analog hands
50 M Water Resistant
Indiglo Display, which if you push the switch until it beeps you can then use any button.

Though the watch feels heavy and bulky when worn I hardly notice the watch. I verify the time periodically using my GPS or the official US time website and have found the watch is accurate to within 10-12 +/-seconds. I have had this watch for four years and bought it at Target. I did have to replace the battery once and other than that it is a great watch. The stainless steel option allows for a sporty watch in a dress style.

I swear by my Casio G Shock.I have had it for fifteen years and have only changed the batteries once.I put that watch through hell and it just bounces,literally!! I dropped it four stories onto a steel deck and it bounced twice and only had a couple of scratches to show for it.For around fourty bucks you cant beat it.

I am pretty well convenced to get the Flix Timex from wal-mart, but its advertised as $41. Hutch, are you sure you saw it for 35?

I was with my brother when he bought that watch at the Walmart here for $35+tax. It could have been on sale, but that was last summer, so I honestly don't remember. Sorry.

Chris.