Timex Global Trainer GPS Review

One of my favorite pieces of gear right now is my Timex Global Trainer with GPS navigation. It is also my first piece of super-high-tech training equipment and something that I would have never dreamed of owning because it's so expensive. However, thanks to Agnes accepting whatever I could scrape together from my meagre bank account at that time, I became the happy owner of TGT.

First Impressions

My chunky wrist adornment

Most people I meet exclaim how HUGE the thing is. I take this as a compliment. It's most definitely eye-catching! Folks, TGT isn't all that big. It's my wrist that's small. :p

It was easy and intuitive learning how to use. That's saying something - I'm not a techie kinda gal. My most high-tech gear before this was my Polar Heart Rate Monitor, which I hardly ever used (sorry hubs!). TGT has nice fat buttons that just beg to be pressed and prodded. I quickly acquainted myself with his inner workings, guided by DC Rainmaker's most excellent and thorough Review.
Three Months Later

I've used it for training (swim, bike and run), in the Phuket Triathlon, and every time I need a partner for exploring the lesser known trails in the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve behind my apartment complex. I love that it maps my route and this route can be viewed in Google Maps. This enables me to share routes with all my buddies!

The Navigation feature has also come in handy on long hikes, a nice directional back up just in case I get lost.

However, I'm not so sure about TGT's accuracy when it comes to aquatic environments. Today I did laps for an hour in my 10 m pool. I counted 1.1 km. I focused on form, practising my Total Immersion breathing and working on my two beat kick. So I wasn't going fast at all. According to TGT though, I swam a ridiculous superhuman 3.7 km in that one hour. Don't quite know what to make of this. (For reference, my 1.8 km in Phuket took 53 minutes). I wore him under my swim cap as suggested by DC Rainmaker. Any ideas people?

Today's swim route at the Casa Venicia pool, according to TGT

Aaaanyway, all in all, I am seriously crushing on my TGT and look forward to many more adventures together.

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xo Gracie