The world of GPS running watches has transformed the running world over the last decade or so since these watches have burst onto the scene. The Garmin company was the first company to truly stretch the GPS running watch to the full limits of its potential, with the release of the Garmin Forerunner watch line as well as the many upgrades it has seen since. Up until now Garmin have literally stolen the show when it comes to providing fully functional GPS watches for runners with a GPS receiver chip fully integrated into the wrist watch, using the advantages of the technology, these watches are able to detect slight variations in position to register your running speed distance and many other useful real-time information.
While Garmin has been the clear dominator in the world of GPS watches, with most other watch manufactures simply tacking on support for an external GPS receiver device to their existing watches, it is refreshing to see, that Timex have come forth with their first Timex Ironman GPS watch, that is a serious fully integrated GPS watch to rival the Garmin Forerunner offerings - The Timex Global Trainer watch. The Timex Global Trainer watch looks like a mix between the classic Timex Ironman watch and the Garmin Forerunner 305, an older Forerunner watch that has a large rectangular screen with the ability to display four simultaneous data fields.
There is not denying that the Timex Global Trainer watch is a large watch when compared normal sports watches, however the discomfort you lose from the extra bulkiness is more than made up for in the vast number of features that are offered to athletes. The Global Trainer GPS watch goes beyond the mere task of providing you with real-time speed and distance information. The watch can store up to 1,000 laps of information in memory and the last 20 workouts with a detailed summary mode that allows you to review your statistics after you have completed each session. The watch also has the "old-fashioned" countdown and count up timers, that allow you to measure your interval performances and the watch can help you meet your goal, with an advanced performance pacer feature that allows you to see whether or not you are on track to achieve an event goal.
While some GPS watches only support running and athletics sports, the Timex Ironman GPS watch uses GPS to support navigation features as well. This allows you to use the Global Trainer watch, for climbing and hiking and general outdoor sports. With the ability to store up to 100 location waypoints and record routes, you will never get lost and can use the Global Trainer sports watch to follow a pre-planned route when you travel off the beaten tracks.
