Product Description

The Forerunner 301 is the next exciting addition to the Forerunner lineup. This product will take the training experience of the Forerunner 201 to the next level by integrating a continuous heart rate monitor. Why is heart rate so important? Simply put, heart rate can be used as a measurement of exercise intensity and an accurate way to gauge performance. The Forerunner 301 is the only 2-piece system that offers a heart rate monitor and GPS to provide instant speed, distance and pace data. There's no calibration required, and the 301 can be used for multiple sports, like cycling, cross country skiing and more. Itis a powerful training tool for those interested in losing weight, improving fitness, reaching peak athletic performance, or just improving health to reduce heart-related problems.Having the ability to analyze workout data is an important tool in reaching one's fitness goals. That's why the Forerunner 301 comes with the Garmin Training Center? software, which allows users to download workout data to their PC for a detailed analysis. Or, create workouts on the PC and transfer them to the 301.Like the Forerunner 201, the 301 also doubles as a basic navigator.Users can mark their starting point as a specific location, see their current position on the plotter display, and follow an electronic breadcrumb trail back to their starting point.Sh. Wt.4 lbs ... Read more

Features

• Up to 14 hours of battery life / rechargeable lithium-ion battery (charger included)
• Water resistant, IEC 60529, IPX7 (Submersible to 1 meter @ 30 minutes)
• Continuously monitors heart rate, speed, distance, pace, and calories
• USB interface allows for fast data transfer to the computer
• Built-in GPS receiver provides highly accurate data; no calibration required

Reviews (9)

Good idea, bad implementation.
The concept of the Garmin 301 is a slam-dunk. This is the setup everyone should want. To have the accuracy of a GPS with a host of computing power, and a good hart rate monitor. This configuration could provide everything folks could want with just two components. Unfortunately that's all the good news that their is. The fact is that the Garmin 301 does not work. I think Garmin has tried too hard to cost reduce the product and as a result nothing works very well and some things do not work at all. The hart rate monitor sometimes works and other times not at all or read rates that are way off. I found out from a tech. at Garmin that Garmin does not even make the hart rate monitor. They get an inexpensive one made for them by an over seas company. The GPS is so poor that I did not know anyone even makes one that is so inaccurate. I have a 5 year old hand held Garmin GPS that works much better then the new one in the 301! The software that comes with the unit is so lame that you can not even print your workout graph. The fact is that if you purchase this package you will get something that will not provide useful data. After getting my unit and seeing how bad the data was I started looking around in the forms on the web and sure enough I found lots and lots of people finding the same thing. Do not take my word for it, check around on the web yourself.
Good idea but very poor implementation.
Oh well.

Good tool, not completely accurate
I dont like that you cant print your results from the workout from the software. The device isnt completely accurate on distance. Close, but not precise.

If you accept this then the Garmin 301 Forerunner is a great tool for excersize. The workout partner feature I use alot. You set your pace and the display shows you a partner keeping that exact pace. It then lets you know how far ahead or behind you are. It has high and low alarms for your pace as well as heart rates. You can easily customize your workout by workout time, pace or distance.

It will lose signal if you go under large trees or underpasses. I recently did a half marathon and lost signal when I went under the bridges. This caused a discrepancy in the overall distance.

The software lets you trend your data (distance, pace and heart rate) on overlapped or seperate displays.

I do like the Forerunner. Its just a training aide and does a good job at that.

If you are particular about your information being very accurate then you should get a different product.

Because of these slight inaccuracies it loses one star with me. Its still worth a solid 4 stars.

ok but not very accurate
I bought the 201 and sold after it consistently reported a 8 mile run as a 6 mile run -- it couldn't extrapolate the distance when the signal is lost in a tree-lined neighborhood.
I have been using the 301 for the last 2 months. I like the integration with the heart monitor and the training software.
The heart monitor will spike randomly at 240bpm -- the software
doesn't seem to be able to throw those outliers out.
The GPS tends to overestimate distance -- I'm not sure how that is possible unless it is fooled by the arm swings.
Another reviewer said it could be .01 to .02 miles off per mile -- that adds up to 1/2 mile in a 26 mile marathon.
The pace readout is inaccurate even with the extra smoothing set. When shifting from walking to running, it will read a 7:44 pace even when our faster runner is running a 10 minute pace.
How is that possible to average faster than the real pace?
I got no answer from online technical support; I haven't tried the phone yet.
I'll keep the 301; it is better than a pedometer and still useful as training tool as it keeps training of mileage and calories, more or less. I'm not sure it's worth the 200 plus dollars.

A Little Gem
I have had this Forerunner 301 for a week now and it works flawlessly. I take walks on a trail that's approximately 1 mile every day and have done so prior to the purchase of the Forerunner for almost 2 years. I know the exact distance of the trail because they have signs that indicate the distance traveled along the trail. The past week I've been walking and running on the trail and almost every time the distance traveled was the same. You get instances where it's off by 0.01or 0.02 miles but that's as bad as it gets. Some will complain about this but, let's be honest, this is a tool and tools are never perfect. If you find it annoying that it's of by 0.01 or 0.02 miles then compensate for it.

I have used the heart monitor twice and it works as expected. One thing I don't like about it is the fact that you have to strap it to your chest. Perhaps that's the best way to get accurate reading but I would have preferred an arm band, wrist, or even finger type of device.

The navigation feature is not complicated nor is it complex. It's pretty much a waypoint based mapping. Basically, you set points along your trail rout and it will mark those points on your map. You can use the way points to navigate the map. The navigation map allows you to zoom in up to 20ft on your rout.

Customization is one area I would like to see improvements. You can only have one screen that's customizable. Personally, I'd like to see as many stats as possible. I can't complain though because you can always change the sports type and get a different customized screen for each sport.

You might have noticed that all the images of the device don't show someone wearing it. This is because the sucker is a bit blocky. Don't fret though, it's not enormous and the features its packing can't be had with a smaller sized device.

The good:
* Features, features, features.
* Accuracy.
* Heart rate monitor.
* Usability.
* Calories burned information.
* Elevation information.
* Workout history.
* Battery Life.

The bad:
* Bit oversized.
* Needs more customizable screens.
* Signal acquisition takes a few minutes sometimes (I live in Seattle and its cloudy sometimes).
* Doesn't work indoors (for me at least and that's not what I bought it for).

Great Unit - Poor Software
This unit is great at capturing all of the data I want to look at, but the training software leaves much to be desired. The data by themselves don't mean anything without the ability to do quality analysis. The included software was basic at best. Even the free MotionBased.com platform that is suggested seems a weak bridge. So far, the best software I have found to analyze actions sports is by a Finnish company called FRWD http://www.frwd.fi/static.php. If Garmin could put together something like this, this product would be amazing! ... Read more

Product Description

Suunto T-6 Heart Rate Trainer Unisex Watch T6. Any physical trainer could tell you that in order to maximize the impact of your workouts, you need to train hard enough to make a difference, but not so hard that you damage yourself. However, this optimal training range has always been exceedingly difficult to figure out, especially because your target training zone changes over time as your fitness level improves. The Suunto t6 takes both the guesswork and the need for a professional trainer out of the fitness equation. During training, the Suunto t6 measures your every single heartbeat, allowing you to analyze data that was previously possible only through laboratory tests. Then the easy-to-use PC analysis combines this training data with your personal background info, calculating seven different physiological parameters, including oxygen consumption, energy consumption, heart rate, respiratory rate, and EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption; this describes fatigue accumulation and helps evaluate your training load). Over time, the program automatically monitors your progress and continues to recommend training loads appropriate to your changing fitness level. In addition to the highly advanced heartrate and training functionality, the Suunto t6 also features an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, stopwatch, and, of course, full watch functions, making it the most useful and advanced health & fitness wristop computer on the market today. For some more in-depth info, see the product details down below. *Includes Suunto Personal Training Software and Heart Rate Monitor Belt. ... Read more

Features

• Wristwatch heart monitor with PC interface for developing workout routines
• Sets training goals and fitness targets while monitoring your progress
• Calculates oxygen consumption, energy consumption, heart rate, and respiratory rate
• Personal training software displays training data onscreen in easy-to-understand format
• Includes built-in altimeter, barometer, stopwatch, and thermometer

Amazon.com Product Description

Get all the information you need for hiking, climbing, or skiing with the Suunto Xlander Wristop Computer. The Xlander is a watch, altimeter, barometer, and compass in a stylish aluminum body with a carbon-fiber back and mineral crystal glass. It comes with a weatherproof black leather wristband and is built to be waterproof even if submerged up to 100 feet.

When traveling in the wilderness, knowing your environment is essential. Suunto X-Lander is packed with solutions enabling safe and responsible decisions. With the accurate electronic compass you can find your way whether hiking in the most demanding weather conditions or just strolling around in a foreign city. With the help of the barometric functions you receive essential information for forecasting the weather changes, which enables you to stay one step ahead of the storm.

The watch displays day, time, and date with three programmable alarms plus a stopwatch and countdown timer. Additional features on this model include a user-configurable logbook, complete calendar clock, and advanced memory functions.

The altimeter features a range up to 9,000 meters (29,500 feet), which puts all 14 of the world«s 8000+ meter summits within your range. It has also an adjustable altitude alarm, as well as different memory functions. With the logbook function you can record total and cumulative vertical ascents and descents, as well as the number of runs skied. Also view your ascent/descent rate in feet per minute. (All measurements are also available in metric units.)

The electronic compass displays the cardinal or half-cardinal point and the North-South arrow and can display bearings with 3-degree accuracy. You can also set it to track a certain bearing, which helps you follow a chosen direction in the terrain. The declination adjustment function allows you to correct the difference between the true North and magnetic North.

Suunto X-Lander displays the current barometric pressure and temperature as well as the pressure-related data for the past four days. It also shows you the present sea level pressure, which makes it easier to read and understand the barometric pressure at high altitudes. The barometer allows you to measure the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, absolute pressure, and a difference measurement to follow changes in barometric pressure and temperature.

The Xlander comes with a user-replaceable battery, which lasts up to 18 months, and a low-battery indicator. It is covered by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box This package contains the Suunto X-Lander wrist-top computer and printed instruction manual. It is backed by a one-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Watch, altimeter, barometer, and compass in 1
• Top-quality craftsmanship--aluminum casing with carbon-fiber back, mineral crystal glass, and leather band
• User-configurable log book, complete calendar clock
• Altimeter with 24-hour memory and log book, bubble level for accurate compass readings
• Features 3 alarms, stopwatch, and countdown timer

Reviews (6)

A Fantastic Gadget for those of us who like Cool stuff
I collect watches, and I am NOT one to shy away from big watches, and in some cases, the bigger the better. What I really love about the X-Lander is that it is big but also very light-weight. Normally when you see a wrist watch this large you have to exercise your arm quite a bit just to get used to telling time, but not so with the X-Lander. And best of all: it does WAY MORE than just tell time!

Interested in knowing where you are going? How about the current temperature? Are you just the slightest bit interested in what your current altitude may be? GO BUY THIS WATCH! 'Course for those Suunto enthusiasts, this ISN'T a watch, its a Wristop Computer that just so happens to be able to tell time. Unlike the Suunto Observer which is about half the size (and more than a little extra spendy), this baby will do all that and still look great doing it. From the 3 different Suunto models I personally own, I must admit that they make a great wristop computer, or for the picky out there, watch. I mostly use mine to tell simple time, but I must say that as I drive over the mountains up to Montana or over to Oregon and Washington, it IS handy to know a few extra details just by looking down at my wrist. Oh, I almost forgot the barometer! It tracks the barometric pressure and helps you track and even predict the weather! I must say that I haven't been able to figure out the finer points of how to do that just yet, but I AM working on it.

I guess if I HAD to point out one flaw, I would say that the night-glo feature it comes with isn't all that bright, and the alarm could stand to be louder -- but it IS about 5 TIMES more audible than the absolutely embarassing alarm built into the Observer. Other than these minor complaints, I whole-heartedly endorse pretty much everything manufactured by Suunto, and especially the models I own, the X6HR, The Observer and of course the X-Lander. Sylish, multi-functional and quite durable. Choose one of these models and you will no doubt be as satisfied as I am.

Reliable, rugged, clear and easy to use
I've had this watch for 2yrs+ now and have just changed the (user serviceable) battery for the first time, as the compass had stopped working. This is to be expected as it uses more power than the other functions (but it does have auto-off in the compass mode after a time to save energy). There is no bubble level on this model as it has a mineral crystal glass instead of the usual plastic. I have knocked this watch so many times against things and there are many surface 'threads' you can see given the right light, but no truly visible damage, like big gouges or cracks like the plastic would show. The logbook feature is a great asset. Based on a rolling record (oldest record deleted when the memory becomes full), the logbook records Altitude and can be set to different sample rates (e.g. depending on whether you are walking, climbing, driving, etc.) and includes a record of greatest height. The logbook cannot be deleted (but as stated records over itself) but the max height can be reset independantly. The backlight is a little dim, but fine to keep your night vision, and the temperature does not compensate for being on or off your wrist (like some Casio models can). For a large watch (you won't lose it!) it is quite lightweight, with an aluminium case and carbon shell it also looks great. The new Ti models do not have the same clarity of display though so I would say stick to this screen size, but maybe get the heart rate monitor (HRM) model if you also exercise (cycle, etc) - it's only a small premium and it *is* a Polar model! I imagine the batteries might last less time due to the HRM receiver, but this at least is user-serviceable (and retains the watches environmental integrity, unlike changing a Casio battery). The only sad thing is the screenprinted/anodised(?) graphics for the points of the compass rose are wearing off - Suunto take note, laser etch/engrave them next time!! Sighting grooves in the bezel would be useful too, for taking bearings, but at least the bezel stays smooth as silk on this model as it has ball bearing detents rather than the friction-based ring the plastic housings have which stiffen up so you can't use them.

A few minor details aside (like a strap not long enough to go over your coat - just get an velcro Animal strap - and the print wearing off, and maybe the price), this is a cracking product, rated up there with the Garmin eTrex Legend GPS :-)

If you want a barometer, altimeter, compass, thermo & HRM in a decent, reliable, user-friendly package, this is it!

Bought and returned
I bought this watch and found it to be too big. Even though its smaller than earlier models it still takes up too much room on my wrist. Be sure you try one before ordering online.

Solid and durable time piece.
A well engineered and durable time piece. The X-Lander lived up to its expectation. I bought this watch new in July 2001 and proceeded to take it on 3 month expedition to Chile. During this time it got dropped down the side of a mountain, trodden on, baked, frozen and accidently dived down to 40 meters and it came through with only a few minor scratches. Compass and Altimeter very accurate. Excellent tool for trekking in the Laguna San Rafael National Park. My only critisism is the Barometer that makes weather prediction a bit awkward and it's size. It's a bit big to fit under gloves/jacket sleeves. Anyway, a very useful tool. B.T.W: Wesley Fine... How does it measure altitude in a pressurized aircraft???!!!

Supreme acurracy from this small suunto device
This time piece rocks with accuracy in the mountains of + or - 10 meters it is very useful for expeditions in unchartered territory.
Short of having maps programmed into it, it can be used in confidence in conjuction with a map to more easily work out where you are located and the compass is beneficial to assist in getting from point A to B.
Coupled with this accuracy its robust design means at can be taken anywhere without damage or breakage.
Additionally the barometer functions assist comprehensively in predicting weather patterns as well as adjustment to altimeter settings.
Their are two quams however with this instrument:
1. The Compass is very sensitive to movements off the horizontal plane i.e accurate readings can only be taken off flat and still locations. Approximate directions can be taken when the watch is on the wrist but the equipment is far more accurate when in its horizontal and still state.
2. When operation occurs in certain weather patterns (e.g Cyclonic and rain depression or Anti-Cyclonic conditions)when the barometer is at both extremes of the pressure scale requires adjustment to reset correct altimeter conditions and hence changing weather conditions will affect the accuracy of the altimeter.
Overall, a fine timepiece for any outdoorsmen who requires accuracy, consistency and reliability. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

For all serious outdoor activities, the Suunto Vector watch provides everything you need when hiking, climbing, back country skiing, or traveling through any tough terrain.

With a range of up to 29,500 ft, the altimeter works within all fourteen of the over-8000 meter summits in the world. Altitude difference measurement can follow vertical progress between stages, an automatic 24-hour memory stores the altitude and ascent/descent rate for every hour, and the watch also features an adjustable altitude alarm, among other memory functions. The logbook lets you record both total and cumulative vertical ascents and descents, and the number of runs you've skied while on the slopes. Total displays include altitude, vertical speed, altitude alarm, logbook, vertical difference measurement, automatic 24 hour altitude memory, temperature compensation. Its logbook capacity is 8 kB, recording intervals of 20 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, and 60 minutes, with respective times 16.5 hours, 50 hours, 20 days, and 125 days.

Current barometric pressure and temperature is also displayed to help forecast weather changes. The Vector automatically records barometric data for the past four days: the first six hours in one-hour intervals, then in six-hour intervals after that. It can also show the present sea level pressure, for greater understanding of barometric pressure at high altitudes. Total displays include sea level pressure, absolute pressure, pressure difference, pressure trend indicator, 4-day barometric memory, and temperature.

The Vector's electronic compass uses cardinal or half-cardinal points, and the North-South arrow. It can also be set to track a specific bearing, to keep you on direction in more remote terrain. There's also a declination adjustment that lets the user correct the difference between true North and magnetic North.

When used simply as a watch, the Suunto Vector also displays the time in 12 or 24-hour format, with three daily alarms, a calendar pre-programmed through the year 2089, and a stopwatch with split time measurement and a countdown timer. The watch features an electro-luminescent backlight, and a user-replaceable battery. ... Read more

Features

• Altimeter
• Thermometer
• Electronic Compass
• Time
• New Color!

Reviews (1)

suunto vector
FOR ANYONE WHO HIKES CAMPSOR ENJOYS THE OUTDOORS-THEVECTOR IS THE ITEM TO HAVE=THE COMPASS IS SPOT ON ANDEASILY CALIBRATED=BAROMETER ISVERY USEFUL IF OUT AND ABOUTIN *IFY*WEATHER AS WILL GIVEYOU TIME TO GET SAFELY LOCATED=ALTIMETER IS A LITTLE DIFFICULTTO UNDERSTAND BUT ONCE YOUKNOW IT IS AFFECTED BY BAROMETERYOU CAN JUDGE ACCURACY ACCORDINGLY==OVERALL A GREATITEM FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES THEOUTDOORS== ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Casio's DBC310-1 men's databank watch is ideal for busy people who love the convenience of having telephone numbers and other essential data right at their fingertips. The watch lets you store 300 pages of either Telememo (names, telephone numbers) or Schedule-memo (messages, months, days, times) data with up to 8 digits and 12 numerals per page. A built-in keypad facilitates data entry, and its EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) retains your data even when the battery goes dead. So don't worry: you'll never have to retype it all.

Your eyes will like the DBC310-1's electro-luminescent backlight with afterglow, making it easy to read anywhere, anytime. View time in either 12- or 24-hour formats. The piece is water-resistant, and it offers a stopwatch with readings down to .01 seconds. It's accurate within +/- 30 seconds per month, and the supplied battery should last you about 2 years. Other features include a daily alarm, a countdown alarm, hourly time signals, and an auto-calendar feature (preprogrammed to the year 2094).

What's in the Box
Watch, battery, instruction manual, and warranty information ... Read more

Features

• Digital watch with 300-page databank capability, 8 digits and 12 numerals per page (Telememo of Schedule-memo)
• Water-resistant; includes electro-luminescent backlight with afterglow
• Dual-format digital time (12- or 24-hour formats), daily alarm, world time feature with 24 time zones
• Built-in stopwatch offers readings down to .01 seconds
• Includes 2-year battery

Amazon.com Product Description

Get the best out of your training with the new Suunto X3HR, an easy to use and versatile wrist-top computer/timepiece for both people with active lifestyles and athletes who want to actively monitor and analyze their performance. The Suunto X3HR features a heart rate monitor, as well as an altimeter, barometer, and thermometer.

With Suunto X3HR's unique heart rate functions you can measure and analyze your heart rate level to further improve your training program. The Suunto X3HR displays the average heart rate in real-time throughout the training session, which makes training level management easier than ever before. The possibility to compare the instant heart rate with the average is especially practical in sports where heart rate varies a lot, such as biking and cross country skiing in a hilly terrain.

The graphic display of the current heart rate in relation to the target zone helps you control the training intensity even when training within the target zone limits. Another useful training function is the interval timer that assists you in circuit training and interval training.

For post-performance assessment, Suunto X3HR stores data on training duration; average, minimum and maximum heart rate; cumulative ascent and descent; and the highest and lowest altitude in the training session. It also stores up to 10 laps and the heart rate for each training session, and memorizes the data regarding the last 10 training sessions.

When traveling in the wilderness, safety comes first. Suunto X3HR has many features that enable safe and responsible hiking. The altimeter supports navigation and gives you necessary information when you are on the move in nature. The barometer and thermometer help you estimate the weather conditions.Additionally, the weather functions help you track the weather changes and plan the day's activities more carefully.

What's in the Box This package contains the Suunto X3HR wrist-top computer, transmitter belt, 3-volt lithium cell (for belt), and printed Quick Guide and Pocket Guide. ... Read more

Features

• Wrist-top computer/timepiece with heart rate monitor and altimeter, barometer
• Graphic display of the current heart rate in relation to the target zone helps you control the training intensity
• Holds up to ten workouts in memory
• Two programmable interval times
• Water resistant, tested to 30 meters/100 feet

Reviews (1)

A new dimension to outdoor living.
Ask any outdoor enthusiast what manufacturer they'd trust when it comes to precision instruments and the answer would probably be Suunto. Their slogan is "Replacing Luck" and that's very true when you see how accurate their instruments are. Case in point: I recently bought the Suunto X3HR and went hiking up a mountain with a few friends. We reached the summit and hiked to the trig beacon to get an "accurate" indication of how high we were. The X3Hr was spot on (to the metre) while the GPS unit we carried was out by quite a few (and there wasn't a big tree above us or cloudy conditions to affect the GPS signal). Apart from the accuracy of the altimeter, what makes this watch even more useful is the fact that it has a heart-rate monitor, barometer and thermometer. That's in addition to the obvious functions like stop-watch, back-light, etc. If you enjoy spending time outdoors and want to get the most out of it, I'd highly recommend this watch. It takes a little while to get the hang of the functions, but once you do it really opens up a wealth of knowledge as to your performance.
For myself the watch has almost everything I need. When I'm training for runs the heart-rate monitor is incredibly handy and I didn't realise how much it can be an asset to measuring performance. The watch will show you your max heart-rate over the run, the average heart-rate, and the highest altitude you reached. The only drawbacks are that if you want to measure your split times over a long run, the 10-split memory isn't really enough and if you're not yet used to the watch buttons you might press the wrong one and comprimise the data you've gathered. But for the price you'd pay for the X3HR, you'd be hard pressed to find another make of watch that can do the same things. If you are looking at something more advanced, the X6HR might be worth looking into. I was sorely tempted to go for that model when I tried it out in the shop. Self control sucks sometimes. ... Read more

Product Description

Sport Brain SportBrain iStep X1Technology for tracking health and fitness! SportBrain tracks your key statistics and displays them for you on your personal web page. Each day you can view your total steps miles speed duration of activity and calories burned. Altogether SportBrain is your best wearable motivator. Not only does it fit your lifestyle it takes you places youve never been before. So what moves you?Features:* Simple to use - keep motivated lose weight and stay fit* USB Interface - uploads in seconds!* No monthly membership* Chart progress and monitor fitness on website (Internet connection required)* Check your distance* Dual-line LCD display with Steps Miles and Calories ... Read more

Features

• Features include Step Counter, Calories Counter, Distance Counter and Clock
• Easy to Read Display
• Compatible with Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, XP

Reviews (23)

XACT COMMUNICATIONS X2X 2-Way Wrist Watch Communicator
I PURCHASE XACT COMMUNICATIONS X2X 2-Way Wrist Watch Communicator ABOUT 2WEEKS AGO AND I LOVE IT.I LIKE TAKING IT TO SUPERMARKET,MALLS AND AT WORK TO. IT WORKS VERY GOOD,IT COMPATIBLE TO ANY 2 WAY RADIO.AT THIS TIME AM ABOUT TO BUY 6 MORE TO.

FRS Channels FREE, GMRS Channels License CHEAP
FYI - If you do intend to use the upper channels (GMRS), the FCC license is required. But you don't HAVE to use those channels.

Even if you do, the FCC licence fee of $75 is actually a $50 one-time processing, plus $25 for the license - WHICH IS GOOD FOR 5 YEARS. Also, if you buy the license for yourself, it also covers friends/family members that use the same frequency. So not EVERYONE has to buy the license. All in all, it's not that bad a deal...

I had to get one!
This watch is incredible! My roomate bought one so i figured it would be nice to get one for myself. We use it on campus all the time. It makes me feel like inspector gadget. And the ladies love it. Good Buy.

Really cool product, BUT....
...I've bought 4 of these. Three of them are now broken and useless because you can't buy the part...nor get them serviced. They all broke in the exact same spot...a pin fell out that holds the metal clip together in the band. Nice idea, but now what do I do with three watches without bands?

Great!
This walkie talkie is great. It is well worth the price of 25$. Most walkie talkies cost about 40. You can contact anyone with a walkie talkie with frequencies. This watch has a scan feature so you can see who is on any channel. The range is ok, at 1.5 miles. It is great to wear, and it has Vox. (you can transmit a message by just talking and you dont need to press the talk button). I bought one of these and one x3x. The x3x is the same, it is just a different color and it is a little less bulky. I have great fun with this. ... Read more

Features

• New out-of-the-box channels from MSN Direct
• Leather and polyurethane (rubber) strap with integrated antennae
• Cable-free charging solution included (no plugs on the watch)
• Automatically changes time as you cross time zones
• Chronograph with up to 99 lap times

Reviews (39)

Fossil Spot - Ready and Able
Had the Fossil watch for over a week now and it has performed flawlesly. Short of a wrist PDA, this is the next best thing. The screen is extremely readable and the backlight is very bright. Yes, the watch needs to be charged, but unless you insist on wearing it 24/7 this shouldn't be a challenge. The charging stand is well-designed - no wires to attach to the watch - just sit the watch on the ergonomic stand and you're set. The MSN site is well-designed and there is a good selection of data sources. One nice feature is that the MSN service provides a local news channel. I've had lots of static zaps over the past week with no problems to the watch. The band takes a little getting used to, but is comfortable. Basically, it's just a fun watch, and if you like the geek factor - it's there - but not THAT geekie that you'll be mistaken for a Borg. If you want data and appointments at your disposal without juggling a PDA or cellphone, this is an excellent alternative. The only small caveat is the coverage area, so make sure you go to the direct.msn.com website and check out your zipcode.

Impressed so far...
I purchased this watch after a 3 year lack of a wrist watch. My Phone was too clumsy to look at time, and I wanted a tech saavy watch. This is my first delve into MS Watches, but so far I am impressed. Set up was a breeze, Once it had charged (overnight) the morning, it was ready with all my calander and news and stocks right there. I did purchase the extended warranty, why not its an expensive little new gadget...I want to be covered incase something happens...

One drawback...not water proof per say...it can get splashed...but you have to take it off to shower or swim... I have a big wrist so the watch is the right size, though it will be big on some people.

I love this thing so far...and no issues yet.

Worst thing I ever bought.
I love gadgets so I was real happy to get this. But, it is poorly designed. It hardly ever works. If I go into my basement or on the subway it sets itself to 12:00. It constantly turns off. Too bad they only give you a 90 day warranty, because they charge you $120 to fix this $130 watch. Avoid this. It is garbage.

immature technology: 4 resets / 24 hours, big billing issues
Great idea, $5/month (annual subscription) is good deal for news, weather, your Outlook calendar, 15 stock tickers, very good user interface BUT:
1. My watch suffered up to 4 resets in 24 hours - it would just go to 12:00 noon and forget everything.
2. Once I returned the watch and cancelled my subsription, MSN kept charging me even though they acknowledged I did cancel the account. They also said they "can't" delete my credit card information from their records so they can't guarantee they won't "accidentally" charge me again... Also, over 10 minutes of waiting on line for a person to speak to. Really awful service.

In short, great technology and I'll try it again but not for another 6-12 months - let it mature first on both technology and service.

Also: watch design is VERY dorky and was too geeky even for for geekiest friends. you might want to wait for more "earthly" desings to come out.

Loved it!
I brought this recently for my husband and I must say I think it is great. Everything right at your wrist. I am able to send him messages; get my lotto numbers; get my horoscope and he is able to keep up with his sports and select what teams he wants to get updates on. Excellent, Windy today, humidity, just look at your watch. Excellent. You do have to have a subcription for 60 a year. but its worth it. Your also able to change the face of your watch. COOL! ... Read more

Features

• Easy access to essential information in one compact package
• Alarm clock with snooze function, calendar, thermometer and compass with cardinal points
• Rugged rubber armor
• 100 percent waterproof housing
• Large, backlit LCD display

Amazon.com Product Description

Vital data you need hiking, climbing, or skiing is just a glance awaywith the Suunto Altimax Wristop Computer. Get all the functionality of a watch,altimeter, and barometer in a stylish red design. The Altimax looks like a high-endwristwatch, with an ABS plastic body and elastic wristband with a Velcroclosure. The body is black, with a ring of black around the dial and anoversized, backlit LCD screen. The Altimax is made tough, built to be waterproofeven when submerged up to 100 feet.

The watch displays day, time, and date with three programmable alarms plus astopwatch and countdown timer. The dual time function allows you to stay on timeeven when traveling in a different time zone. The Altimax also offers acombination of altimeter and barometer functions.

The altimeter allows you to view the current altitude with a range up to 29,500feet and a resolution of 10 feet. Also view your ascent/descent rate in feet perminute. (All measurements are also available in metric units.) One-button accessallows you to see immediate information about vertical ascent/descent and thenumber of runs skied.

The barometer allows you to measure the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit,absolute pressure, and a difference measurement to follow changes in barometricpressure and temperature. The automatic four-day memory keeps track ofatmospheric pressure information. Another feature is the adjustable sea-levelpressure function.

The Altimax comes with a user-replaceable battery, which lasts up to 18 months,and a low-battery indicator. It is covered by a one-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Watch, altimeter, and barometer in 1
• Stylish design, waterproof to 100 feet
• Altimeter with 24-hour memory and log book
• Barometer with 4-day memory
• Dual time display, 1-button access to altitude information

Reviews (2)

two year owner of altimax
an excellent watch that could use some downsizing, but its size gives the advantage of an easily readible face. could use a mineral crystal lens...even though plastic and inset, ...but the best feature is the fact that the easily obtainable battery is so easy to replace that the wearer is not discouraged from using the features as often as necessary. Unlike many other digital watches, the band still fits my 6 inch wrist with holes to spare. Although the operational functions are laid out well, I was lost in trying to remember how to operate the watch after storing it away for several months...after all, to download the manual is 50 odd pages. Still I think this is an excellent product that could be made better with the additions I mentioned.

A very good choice for mountaineers, skiers
This watch has many great features, and few shortcomings. The bad first, and then the good: First; It is quite big. At first it seems like a hockey puck has been strapped to your wrist. Second; it uses a barometer to guage altitude, and therefore it requires some study, attention to detail, and monitoring and adjustment to get the most out of it.

Now the mitigating factors on these shortcomings: First (large size); while it is a bit large on your wrist, it is quite lightweight, and after a while, you get used to it. Overall, it is quite comforable to wear. The large control buttons are easy to use in winter with gloves on. And, the large display makes the data easy to digest. Second (barometer-based altimeter); all the other altimeter watches on the market work in much the same way, so this shortcoming should not disqualify this watch in comparison to other climbing/skiing watches.

Now the good: First; it has the features you need and not a lot of others you don't. Timekeeping, altitude, barometer. That's it. No other gadgets to confuse and add to the cost. Second; it's very rugged. I've abused mine heartily and it's stood up very well. Third; the features it does have are comprehensive and well executed. Fourth; assuming you master the arcane science of tracking altitude with a barometer -based altimeter, this one is quite accurate compared to some others I've tried (like the casio models).

Quick summary of features: the basic timekeeping functions are great! Time, date, multiple alarms, countdown timer, stopwatch, dual time zone -- all work easily and intuitively.

In Altimeter mode, the main display gives you your current altitude and a quick display of your recent trend. After this, it get complicated. The feature set is robust, and you'll have to spend some time with the manual to master it. It will measure just about anything related to going up or down a mountain that you could ever think of. It can also log these things and remember them for your future use. It can be changed from measuring feet per minute skied (for example) to feet per hour climbed. You name it, this thing can record and measure it.

What I use it for mostly, is just to show me where I am on the mountain in terms of altitude. To do this, you'll need to know what the actual altitude is where you start (parking lot, for example) and use that to set the altimeter. From there, the watch will keep an extremely accurate account of where you go from there. The only problem will be if a new weather pattern moves in. This will cause a change of barometric pressure and will affect the accuracy of the altitude reading.

In barometer mode, this watch will also give you a very accurate warning of a new weather pattern moving in -- as long as you are not changing your altitude substantially. As with the altitude mode, you can ask it to log data into memory to see trends and keep track of pressure over time.

In summary, it is an excellent tool for mountaineers and skiers. Used properly, it is a very accurate tool for navigation and weather forecasting. However, expect to spend some time with the user manual to master the features before you ask it to help save your life. I've tried several of the other watches on the market (Casio, Avocet, Nike) with similar features and this is the best of the bunch. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Suunto's Advizor Wristop Computer is more than just a techno-geek toy.With an accurate compass and features such as measurement of air pressure andtemperature, the Advizor can keep you on the right track during your outdooradventures.

The Advizor also doubles as a digital personal trainer, with a heart ratemonitor via its included chest strap. We clipped the strap on under a shirt (itwill also work through the shirt, but you'll need to get the shirt quite wet),moistened the electrodes, and the Advizor automatically picked up our heartbeat.With the plastic bar on the front, the strap wasn't exactly comfortable, but wewere able to forget about it after getting into our workout.

The simple-to-use monitor worked well for setting a target heart rate zone andalerted us by beeping an alarm when we went over or under the range. The heartrate monitor also stores information from past workouts, which let us keep trackof average heart rate, maximum and minimum rates, and time spent in and out ofthe target heart rate zone.

Like other Suunto watches, the Advizor offers a barometer mode that keeps trackof air pressure and trends (which let you forecast changes in the weather) aswell as temperature. However, as the watch's reading is affected by body heat,using the temperature gauge while working out can be problematic.

It also features a compass, useful for cross-country hiking and running, as wellas an altimeter--accurate to within 10 feet. We did have to reset the altimeterrather frequently as it measures altitude using the barometer, so changes in airpressure can affect the altitude reading.

Its outer plastic bezel proves handy in different modes for showing barometricchanges or changes in altitude denoted by a segmented digital circle that lightsup around the perimeter of the watch.

And hey, get this, it tells time too. The watch functions of the Advizor includethree alarms, a stopwatch, and a countdown timer. A bright backlight illuminatesthe watch face in dark environments, and it's also waterproof to 100 feet.(Note, however, that it's not a diving watch, so you can't use the buttons tomanipulate the modes while underwater.)

The Advizor is more expensive than other Suunto watches and other heart-ratemonitors. But if you need all these tools packed into one device and are willingto pay for the consolidation, the Advizor definitely does a nice impersonationof a digital Swiss Army knife. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Accurate heart rate monitor
• Ruggedly designed--great for the outdoors
• Easy to switch between modes

Cons:

• Large size can be unwieldy on wrist

Features

• Watch with heart-rate monitor, altimeter, barometer, and compass in 1
• Stores total training time and maximum, minimum, and average heart rate during training
• Altimeter with 24-hour memory and log book
• Bubble level for accurate compass readings
• User-replaceable battery

Reviews (3)

Great watch with slight durability problems
I have owned this watch for about a year and a half, and it has been great. I liked the heart rate monitor for cross country running (although I didn't "use" it exactly - I tried it out and though it was cool, but didn't go so far as to incorporate it into training.) The altimeter is great - I like to use it as a reference for orienting myself on a map (if you're lost on a trail, find your altitude, match it up with that altitude on the trail, you have a rough idea of location). My only complaint is that after awhile the bazelle on the compass wears and breaks off. I have met other people who experienced the same problem. Suunto has a 1 year warranty, so be sure that yours breaks by then so that you can send it in to be replaced. Overall a great watch. My dad gave it to me as a present so I can't complain about the price (which is very steep).

A good back up for military field usage, but not a replacemn
I ordered this watch to use during my Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) 20 Nov-13 Dec 2001 class. My intent was to use it as my primary compass, just as I had the used my Suunto 'analong'wrist companss as my primary during IOBC and Ranger schools. The Advizor failed me in that aspect. Its North pointing arrow is a digital dot, opposed by a digital "tail" of three dots on the south side, making it a cool tool and a toy, but not a precision instrument. Hence, I could not rely on such a civilian system to earn me my SF selection. I ended up using the army issue compass to find my points on the STAR and the TREK. Since then, I use the compass when I am driving, or when I am lost in the underground road system in my city, where the Sun is not visible.

As for other elements, I use the heart rate monitor for my runs. That is the most use that I get out of my watch. But it is very very complicated, in that I have yet to learn how to opbtain the highest pulse, as well as the average pulse per workout.. The altimeter and barometer functions are useless to me, as the terrain in my area is so diverse, that terrain association alone can locate me within 50m of my location.

So for you soldiers out there, Suunto analog wrist compass (do not recall the actual name) that is available in AAFES clothing store is your best bet for compass. This watch is useful only if you are out to get a heart rate monitor, but wouldn't mind paying a bit extra for a "last minute back up compass" that also shows time and air pressure. Oh, it is water resistant only to 30 meters.. So you NAVY SEALs and SF Scuba dudes, stick to your G-Shocks.

Krusader, Out.

The Best Training Tool Ever For Endurance Athletes
I after drooling over this watch for two years wishing I had one, I finally got one and have had my Advizor for two months now. All I can say is that if I had known how cool this thing really was, I would have shelled out the $300 a long time ago. Each one of the features listed above does everything you could want. The Heart Rate Monitor has target zone settings, average workout heart rate, highest and lowest hear rate, and more. The Altimeter tells your rate of ascent, total vertical climb and stores all the data from recent workouts in memory. The coolest feature is that it will store your heart rate, altitude and rate of ascent/decent at intervals from 20 seconds to ten minutes so that after a workout you can scroll though and see how your heart rate was affected by altitude and acent rate. I got completely geeky with this information after one workout, and I typed it all into my computer so I could see what it looked like. The only drawback to the Advizor is that it gives you so much information, it would be great if you could download it directly to a computer for analysis. There is no PC link, so any analysis has to be done on the watch or typed in by hand. But other than that, this gizmo is perfect. No problems at all so far and I use the thing for two workouts a day. I am a cross country ski racer and for a long time I had thought that this would be the perfect training aid for endurance athletes and now that I have tried it I know that it is. ... Read more

Features

• Atomic Watch - Receives time calibration radio signals which keeps the displayed time accurate
• Auto receive function (three times per day at 12 - 00am, 2 - 00am, 4 - 00am) and Manual receive function
• 150 pages of Telememo
• 8 letters and 12 numerals per page
• Auto-sort function

Features

• For the rugged outdoors men who love to answer nature's call, Timex now offers you a watch that helps you get around in the great outdoors
• This sports watch features a digital compass so you'll never get lost in the wilderness
• The all day Indiglo Night Light uniformly lights the surface of the watch dial using patented electroluminescent lighting technology so you can tell the time in the darkest of nights
• Other features include - water resistance up to 100 meters (328 feet)
• Countdown timer

Reviews (4)

Grate product
The watch is grate. The only thing I am confuised about is the compuss but if you know how to use it ,it works grate

GREAT WATCH FOR THE PRICE!
This Timex watch is great. I have used it for several months now. I don't seem to think the display is light. I use this watch at school most of the time. It also works well in water. It doesn't seem that you have to push hard for the indiglo to work at all; it seems fine. Timex has always stood up to their slogan, It takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking.

Great Watch but could have been better
Received this watch a about a week back. Here is what I feel so far:
Compass: After initial calibration, the compass works great. Its really easy & fun to use.
Display: Display is not that bright without the Indiglo light. So in low light conditions or with indoor lighting you may have trouble seeing it.
Indiglo light: Works great at night, when you press the light button hard enough. There is a night time mode as well, where it will light up using any button. The night time mode only lasts for 7 hours. After that it goes back to day time mode. I wish there was some way to keep the night time mode on all the time.
Stop Watch/Timers: Stop Watch and Timer works great. You can start and stop various laps, though I don't have much use for it.
Overall:
Great watch for the price. The Display needs to be a little brighter.

great watch
this is a great watch. i haven't found much use for the compass yet but i'm still looking. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Stylish and comfortable watch
I've had this watch for 2 years and have been very pleased with both appearance and functionality. For those of us who travel and need to change time frequently, this analog watch is perfect. Light up function is great. Highly recommended.

Sleek, modern and a good value
This watch is of a clean, modern design that can go with both casual and work clothes. It features a light-up function for the dark (just press in the dial on the right), so you can see the time at night. It keeps time solidly - no cumulative lagging or skipping ahead. The numerals and minute/hour hands are large and clear enough that I can read them without my glasses or contacts - great for right before bed or first thing in the morning. My only problem is that the strap can snap off easily - mine did when I caught it in a strap while I was putting on a backpack. Hence, you may need to reattach or replace the strap, which is likely to wear out or break long before the timekeeping part. Still, the quality of the timepiece makes this a fine product, and a good value for the price.

Good watch for work and evening!
Very practical watch but not unfashionable either. Dear wife has used it over the past 8 months and loves to wear it to work and to parties. Highly recommended, especially now that it is only a fraction of the original cost. Grab one while it is still in stock at your favorite store! ... Read more

Features

• New out-of-the-box channels from MSN Direct
• Leather and polyurethane (rubber) strap with integrated antennae
• Cable-free charging solution included (no plugs on the watch)
• Automatically changes time as you cross time zones
• 28 different watch faces to choose from

Reviews (39)

Fossil Spot - Ready and Able
Had the Fossil watch for over a week now and it has performed flawlesly. Short of a wrist PDA, this is the next best thing. The screen is extremely readable and the backlight is very bright. Yes, the watch needs to be charged, but unless you insist on wearing it 24/7 this shouldn't be a challenge. The charging stand is well-designed - no wires to attach to the watch - just sit the watch on the ergonomic stand and you're set. The MSN site is well-designed and there is a good selection of data sources. One nice feature is that the MSN service provides a local news channel. I've had lots of static zaps over the past week with no problems to the watch. The band takes a little getting used to, but is comfortable. Basically, it's just a fun watch, and if you like the geek factor - it's there - but not THAT geekie that you'll be mistaken for a Borg. If you want data and appointments at your disposal without juggling a PDA or cellphone, this is an excellent alternative. The only small caveat is the coverage area, so make sure you go to the direct.msn.com website and check out your zipcode.

Impressed so far...
I purchased this watch after a 3 year lack of a wrist watch. My Phone was too clumsy to look at time, and I wanted a tech saavy watch. This is my first delve into MS Watches, but so far I am impressed. Set up was a breeze, Once it had charged (overnight) the morning, it was ready with all my calander and news and stocks right there. I did purchase the extended warranty, why not its an expensive little new gadget...I want to be covered incase something happens...

One drawback...not water proof per say...it can get splashed...but you have to take it off to shower or swim... I have a big wrist so the watch is the right size, though it will be big on some people.

I love this thing so far...and no issues yet.

Worst thing I ever bought.
I love gadgets so I was real happy to get this. But, it is poorly designed. It hardly ever works. If I go into my basement or on the subway it sets itself to 12:00. It constantly turns off. Too bad they only give you a 90 day warranty, because they charge you $120 to fix this $130 watch. Avoid this. It is garbage.

immature technology: 4 resets / 24 hours, big billing issues
Great idea, $5/month (annual subscription) is good deal for news, weather, your Outlook calendar, 15 stock tickers, very good user interface BUT:
1. My watch suffered up to 4 resets in 24 hours - it would just go to 12:00 noon and forget everything.
2. Once I returned the watch and cancelled my subsription, MSN kept charging me even though they acknowledged I did cancel the account. They also said they "can't" delete my credit card information from their records so they can't guarantee they won't "accidentally" charge me again... Also, over 10 minutes of waiting on line for a person to speak to. Really awful service.

In short, great technology and I'll try it again but not for another 6-12 months - let it mature first on both technology and service.

Also: watch design is VERY dorky and was too geeky even for for geekiest friends. you might want to wait for more "earthly" desings to come out.

Loved it!
I brought this recently for my husband and I must say I think it is great. Everything right at your wrist. I am able to send him messages; get my lotto numbers; get my horoscope and he is able to keep up with his sports and select what teams he wants to get updates on. Excellent, Windy today, humidity, just look at your watch. Excellent. You do have to have a subcription for 60 a year. but its worth it. Your also able to change the face of your watch. COOL! ... Read more

Features

• Solar Powered
• Atomic Timekeeping
• Shock Resistant
• 200 meter water resistant
• World time - 26 time zones, 30 cities

Reviews (9)

No countdown time
Please note, despite the editorial review description, this watch does not have a countdown timer. Indeed it's the only flaw. I don't know why the description is in error, but beware!

G-Shockingly great watch!
I love knowing that my watch is ALWAYS in perfect time. My workplace uses the atomic clock for it's network time so I know that my time is in perfect synch with every PC, network server and timeclock, as well as every clock in my house! If all of your friends have one, your will always know exacly what time everyone has! I am also VERY hard on watches. I can hardly ever keep one for more than a few months before I manage to break them, but I plan on having my G-shock for many years.

For Punctuality Freaks - Like Me
Even though I lead a life of leisure, knowing my watch is correct to the second is important to me. I find this watch very comforting in that respect. I would like to address the problem of picking up the atomic signal that a couple of previous reviewers mentioned. I wonder if they set up the watch as the instructions dictate, laying it flat, near a window, away from electronic interference, etc. I live in an area of poor radio reception, far from the signal in Colorado, but the watch successfully receives the signal overnight if I follow the instructions. It's true, however, that it can be difficult or impossible to get the signal manually or if I haphazardly leave the watch lying around overnight. I have found that if the watch misses the signal one night it's still on perfect time the next day. Therefore, I'm very happy with its accuracy. I can't give it a five-star review because I find the function buttons don't work well. The way they're recessed makes it hard even for slender fingers to push. I like to use the stopwatch function for cooking, but it's rather annoying to start and stop it.

Good watch - quirky battery
I have now purchased two of these watches and both batteries have died after exactly 2 months of use. Overall, this is a really great watch; well made and solid. I've had no problems receiving the atomic signal each night at 5:03AM. The only problem I've had is the fact that the battery does not seem to recharge itself under normal conditions. I wear the watch everyday, outdoors and indoors and in all types of light. I have since discovered, however, that if the display ever goes blank (like mine did) then all you need to do is get into some direct sun light and it should recover. I can't seem to ever get the battery to show a "full" charge regardless of how long it's been in the sun. I turned off the auto light feature on my watch as I believe that was probably contributing to excessive battery wear. Again, a great watch but a bit of an annoyance with the quirky battery performance. I had to edit this review and revise my rating on the watch once I discovered the trick to the battery. I would recommend this watch but just be aware of how to solve the problem if the battery goes dead and the display goes blank.

Waveceptor Doesn't Work
Lacks sensitivity to receive WWV signal every nite. Receives signal once about once a week on average. Returned three times under warranty. Casio replaced watch. Replacement doesn't work either despite Phoenix being only 800 miles from Ft. Collins CO. Other atomic clocks in the house work just fine. Evidently watch won't work in some locations. ... Read more