Timex T5G971 Unisex Sports Personal Heart Rate Monitor Watch Reviews

• Best Display and Very Repsonsive

  
  By A3QKI6AOATXLGX on 2008-01-29
  This is my fourth HRM and by far the best. The display is big and very readable even in dim light without using the indiglo. My last two HRMs were the older model Timex Ironman 100 lappers. They became very unreliable even with new batteries. I used to have to use electrode gel just to get them to work at all. This HRM gives me an accurate reading immediately and continues to do so as my heart rate changes during my workout. It works great even without electrode gel. It doesn't have any fancy features but I don't need them. It does record your time in the zone that you can set and you average and peak heart rates. It also has a recovery time feature that measures how many BPM your HR drops in one minute. The sensor belt will also work with the HR display most treadmills and other indoor machines. This HRM has already improved my training significantly because it is so accurate and responsive. I highly recommend it.
  
  

• I can keep a beat, now.

  
  By A1OUFULYXG8GGP on 2008-03-11
  With so many heart monitors available, I had some difficulty deciding on what to buy. I decided on the Timex T5G971 because I have always wore the Timex Iron Man. I have come to know Timex as a dependable and affordable sport time piece, and so far I am very happy with the heart monitor. It was easy to set up and works great! I have also read that other brands require that you send off to the company for replacement batteries, but such is not the case with the Timex.
  
  

• Very pleased

  
  By A2EQYAZBGNOI4T on 2008-04-29
  The product is very easy to use once you read the directions. It syncs up easily with the watch monitor. One extra bonus that I did not anticipate is that it syncs with the cardio machines that I use at the gym, so I don't even need to look at the watch to see my heart rate. I have also enjoyed seeing the duration of my workout and how many calories I burned.
  
  

• A Great Heart Rate Monitor for a Great Price

  
  By A307G7QO14ZRFC on 2008-02-28
  Timex T5G971 Unisex Sports Personal Heart Rate Monitor WatchI bought this heart rate monitor for both my husband and myself. We wanted one that we didn't have to send back to the manufacture or dealer everytime it needed a battery in the chest strap such as the Polar.
  
  We've only been using them for about a month, but so far we really like them. It is very easy to learn hoew to set it and use all of the features. It also is very easy to get started. I put it on and just put a little water on the senors. In the past some of the HRM's I have owned I actually had to start sweating before they would engage.
  
  The only thing on the negative side is that you can not see the time when you are in the Heart Rate Mode. That mode is all you can see. It bothers my husband, but not me.
  
  I'd rate it a 5 instead of a 4, but we really haven't used them long enough to see if changing the battery goes smoothly. The 1st one we bought the buttons were jamed and my husband did change the battery to see if that was the problem. The battery was easy to change in the chest strap, but we had to send it back. The exchange went easily with Amazon.
  
  

• Good Features at a Good Price

  
  By A1MIZUFNT3W9UO on 2008-04-20
  I was looking for a heartrate monitor to track not only my aerobics workouts but also my weight training workouts. I wanted a wireless monitor with a large enough display so it was easy to read (yes, I've joined the reading glasses population). I needed to be able to replace the batteries myself, and it would be nice if it could tell time in case I wanted to use it as a watch.
  
  The Timex met all my needs and at a very good price. I was a bit concerned because I have a 54" chest and a fairly large wrist. I was also concerned because the packaging is not specific about whether it has a coded signal so that it does not pick up other heartrate monitor signals. The chest strap fits me well but if my chest gets too much larger, it's going to be a bit snug. The wrist band also fits but it's in the last hole, and so far, I haven't picked up anyone else's monitor or bled over onto anyone else's cardio machines.
  
  I'm very satisfied with this purchase.
  
  
• The Timex T5G971 A Perfect Choice
  By AD2PULLD1CNF8 on 2008-03-21
  If you are looking for a heart monitor which is easy to use and very accurate this is the one for you. I am 53 y.o. in cardiac rehab. A similar Timex model was one of the HR monitors recommended by the rehab staff. However after much comparison shopping, this monitor had additional features including calorie counting, target heart rate beep which you activate if you want it on and indigo light. The strap is very light and comfortable. It is also extremely accurate and it comes with a user replacement battery. I just love it.
  
  
• Great product.
  By A37IDF834A8FZF on 2008-05-16
  I've had this monitor for a month now and I use it daily. It's very easy and intuitive to use. The chest strap is so comfortable I don't even feel it. Keeping track of my heart rate helps me get the most out of my workout and keep challenging myself. Highly recommended.
  
  
• Excellent basic heart monitor
  By A1S7CWIVZNTLLG on 2008-04-20
  I bought this heart rate monitor because I wanted to increase my exercise level without putting myself at risk. The unit is fairly easy to program and seems to work very well so far. (I've been using it about a month.) The strap that goes around the chest seemed a bit awkward at first, but I soon forgot about it. I especially like the fact that the unit does not have any unnecessary bells and whistles. Its "recall" funtion is particularly basic and helpful: after a workout, it scrolls through your peak heart rate, average heart rate, time elapsed, calories burned, and recovery rate. (The last is especially important.) You can obviously spend more money on a heart rate monitor, and perhaps get more features, but I've found this to be a solid and reasonably-priced performer for someone who doesn't want a lot of excess baggage.
  
  
• Makes workouts more fun!
  By A1B12T0560FZXJ on 2008-06-18
  This is my first heart rate monitor, and I really couldn't be happier with it. The watch displays your heartbeat in real time with the little heart icon on the face. It recalculates every two seconds. It's simple to program it to your weight and target heart rate (just read the instructions), and the 'recall' button tells you all you want to know - time in your target zone, average heart-rate, estimated calories burned, etc.
  
  Previous reviewers have said that they don't like not being able to see the time of day when the watch is in heart-rate mode. If you press the 'set' button it displays the time.
  
  I'm in the process of burning off about 25 lbs of excess fat this summer. I'm cycling across the USA in my living room. This monitor is a very helpful tool for maximizing my cardio sessions. It's accurate, it makes workouts more fun and it lets me know when I have to get moving a little faster.
  
  There's been a significant price increase since I bought this monitor (I paid $44 three weeks ago, now it's listed at $69?). But if I had it to do over, I'd still go with the Timex over the cheaper, lesser-known brand listed along side this monitor. If you look thru the reviews, more people are satisfied with the Timex and you know you're dealing with a reputable company who will honor their warranty.
  
  The only 'cons' I can think of - #1 - The chest strap sometimes beeps when sitting idle, I guess because of electronic interference. This is not an issue when wearing the strap, but I'm thinking it may kill the battery before its time (easily replaced). #2 - The clasp on the chest strap is a bit scrawny. You have to force the tab thru it a little. I've seen no stress wear to the female part of the clasp, but if this part fails eventually, the business part of the chest strap will need to be replaced.
  
  I hate to recommend products to anyone, and it's very rare that I'd five-star anything. But I can honestly say that this item has met or exceeded all of my expectations.
  
  Congrats to the Celts!
  
  
• Does not have a stopwatch!
  By A2UGGLD6178MZ1 on 2008-06-19
  I suppose it's my own fault for not understanding that an "activity timer" is completely different from a stopwatch, but apparently Timex thinks they are. Buyers, be warned that this watch is pretty much JUST a heart rate monitor - barely even a watch. I wanted something with a stopwatch and heart rate monitor, and thought this watch had those features. The "activity timer" is just a recorder to time how long you had the heart rate monitor activated. As far as I could tell you couldn't look at the time while using the heart rate monitor feature either.
  I found the monitor would flake in and out and I had to wear the band very tightly to get it to register. Torso movements such as while spinning, weight lifting or paddling would also cause it to flake out. I think the best use would be for people doing activities like running or using the ellipticals at the gym, since you don't bend your back doing those.
  The display is nice and big, but I found the watch too bulky for my small wrists.
  
  
• Great health product
  By A192YH3YX4BS8K on 2008-04-06
  This heart rate monitor watch works very well. It is super easy to set up and use. It is comfortable and light weight, as well as being very accurate in measuring heart rate. The only thing I was a little disappointed about was that it is too big for me to wear as a regular watch (not during exercise). I am a small framed woman, so someone bigger could certainly use it as an everyday watch. I highly recommend this watch as a heart rate monitor.
  
  
• Great product - highly recommended
  By A3GAMU8LVPRNFX on 2008-04-18
  I am very pleased with this heart rate monitor. It is very accurate, the machines at the gym pick up its signal and it has made my workouts more efficient. The only drawback, which I read in previous reviews, is that you can not view the time and your heart rate at the same time, but usually that isn't a problem. I have recommended this product to my friends and family!
  
  
• Great Device; Great Value
  By A9A1X5UX2JBWB on 2008-06-11
  This is a great beginner's heart rate monitor. I've never had one before and in only 2 weeks I've experienced a clear increase in health and fitness. What swayed me in getting this one is that at the time I ordered it there were 21 4/5-star ratings and only 1 1-star rating. I've found it to be as great as the other reviews stated, a wonderful device, and a great value.
  
  The only problem I've experienced is when I hadn't wet the sensors as the directions specified. Once I did that it worked perfectly. This could be the problem of the negative review.
  
  I do wonder how well the chest strap will endure. There are 2 small rubberized plastic clips which are each potential points of failure.
  
  The sensor and watch both use standard lithium batteries, so that will make replacement easy when the time comes.
  
  Unlike heart rate monitors that are at least 5 times the cost, only the readings from the last session are saved, so they do need to be recorded manually if you want the save them.
  
  I looked at strapless models, but most people recommended the strap. One advantage of the strap is that you can check your heart rate throughout the day which would be hard to do with the strapless models.
  
  I marvel at the technologies used to create this device for such a reasonable price: heart rate sensors, wireless data transmission, data storage, and calculations. It's an incredible device and great value.
  
  
  
• heart rate monitor
  By A256HPIM71B0EW on 2008-05-29
  I have to admit now it is difficult to exercise without my Timex heart rate monitor- yet it does have some minor flaws. For me, it takes a while to pick up my heart rate- even with a little water behind the monitor (it takes a lot for me to sweat to aid with transmission). Usually within 5 minutes of strenuous activity the monitor will work and transmit. Now for my husband, this monitor has been flawless and is GREAT!! For the price you can't go wrong- and I tried the more expensive heart rate monitors and had similar problems. I definitely recommend this heart rate monitor!!
  
  
• Good for regular heartbeat
  By A2G4OR9Z7A4BT0 on 2008-04-02
  Combination watch & heart rate monitor works well with normal heart rates. I originally bought it, hoping it would help monitor my irregular rhythm(due to atrial fibrilation). Most of the time, it would not pick up a my irregular heart rate, even after wetting the contact strap.
  After my cardioversion, and a return to a regular heart beat, it seems to work well.
  It is stylish and works fine as a regular timepiece, as well. I'll continue to use it as a utility watch, and occasionally check my heart rate during physical exercise. Since it's waterproof at depth, I'll also use it as a dive watch while snorkeling.
  
  
• Good Wireless Heart Monitor
  By AAAWFQOC84VXN on 2008-04-07
  The Timex Heart Monitor watch does exactly what I expected it to do with a BIG easy to read display useable in dim light. What's great is that it's wireless, which I didn't expect when I ordered. Wear it around wherever you go with the chest sensor under your clothes and turn it on whenever you want to see your heart rate; otherwise it is a great watch with the BIG time display which is great for me since I need reading glasses usually to read other digital watches.
  
  
• Great Buy!
  By A2O69QSCKOHPL5 on 2008-04-11
  I just started training for a half-marathon earlier this year! My boyfriend suggested I purchase a heart rate monitor! I purchased this Timex and absolutely love it! In fact, my boyfriend, who has a Nike monitor, likes mine better!! It's got everything you need to monitor your training!! The only setback is the "on/off" button, when pushed slightly, can erase the saved info from your most recent run! Other than that, I definitely recommend this monitor! :o)
  
  
• Don't work
  By A2QP0K1QW6RUWR on 2008-04-15
  When I got this, it didn't work. I even bought a new battery for the monitor and it still didn't work. I sent it back.
  
  
• Simply doesn't work
  By A1DACABLBMAZOR on 2008-07-25
  I was very excited to be getting my first HR monitor and based on the other reviews I had high hopes for getting a quality item. However it just does not work. I've tried different positions for the strap. I've tried changing the transmitter battery. I've tried it wet and dry. The watch will not pick up any signal until I am about 20 minutes into my run. Then the reading is not even close to accurate. It intermittently shows a ridiculously high or low reading.
  
  
• Wonderful!
  By A1RR0UEEPLX4NC on 2008-05-10
  This watch is a great buy! It works wonderfully, and dosen't miss a beat. It is worth more than the price. I am completely satisfied.
  
  
• Very nice, large #s + light
  By A2UEO5XR3598GI on 2008-06-02
  Great monitor & watch, for a extremly reasonable price.I baught a Schwinn Airdyne exercise bike recently. To my surprise and pleasure when I wore the chest strap from the Timex watch my heart rate was regestering on the Schwinn monitor. Can't go wrong with this watch. Looks good,has large #s,heart rate, time and date + it light's up.
  
  
• Curious about the calorie count
  By A3DWK3E9P21L7G on 2008-06-02
  This works great as a heart rate monitor, however I'm not sure how accurate the calorie counter is. It says I burned about 1000 calories in 45 mins when the machines I was using said I burned about 600 and when I logged my workout into a website I'm using to track my calorie intake, it said I had burned about 700. Not sure what to think since the HRM is the only thing that was actually strapped to my body, maybe its the most accurate. I'm not going to count on it though.
  
  
• Heart Monitor review
  By A3AGPOEFXC3WUS on 2008-06-13
  So far this has met my expectations. It was a little confusing to figure out right at first, but it serves me well now to monitor my heart rate during exercise. I was a little disappointed that it also had a chest band, since the advertisment didn't show that. All in all it is an okay product and I would recommend it to someone else.
  
  
• Don't use in a pool.
  By A324QHW6EGQONT on 2008-08-17
  There's nothing in the manual about using this swimming. I didn't press the buttons underwater. But after the first swim it isn't working like it was before. It shows a HR of 30 out of the water. Now I can't use it cycling.
  
  
• All good except chest strap
  By A23XGOHS6GAY97 on 2008-08-28
  I've owned this heart rate monitor for almost a year, but I can't use it now because the chest strap broke. The clasp on the elastic part going into the sending unit broke off when I was taking it off. I have e-mailed Timex in an attempt to get a replacement strap. I would hate to have to buy a new monitor just for this strap. Other than that, the monitor worked great. I used the sending unit to feed both the Timex heart rate montitor watch that came with it and a receiving unit that I bought separately that can be hooked up to my computer to record a workout's data. It did a great job before the strap broke. If the clasp hadn't broken, I would have given the monitor another star.
  
  
• Great entry-level HRM--highly recommended
  By A2INI7QUGXGZCA on 2008-10-09
  For an entry-level device this one rocks! I bought this HRM to help my training program and am not disappointed. It works with the cardio equipment at the gym (Lifecycle brand) so I can focus on my workout, not my wrist. Even when I do look at the HRM display, it is large enough to see while running, so bouncing is not a major concern. It may not be the most attractive timepiece, but it works exactly as designed. Add to that the user-changeable battery on the chest strap (Polar and others do not offer this feature) and you have a nice device that will be a great work out partner for years to come.
  
  So far, accuracy is solid and the functions that I need are there--plus some I didn't realize I wanted before I had them. I love the post-workout breakdown of max and average HR, time in the zone (that you define), and calories burned (based on your weight and HR).
  
  If what you need is a basic, high-quality HRM, this one gets two thumbs up.
  
  
  
  
• Good Heart Monitor for the Money
  By AMY2VJUYKBCGH on 2008-10-12
  I bought this heart monitor after burning through two (more-expensive) Polar F6 heart monitors in two years, part of a healthy eating/exercise plan that helped me lose 100 pounds in a year.
  
  In general, I like the Timex T5G971 very much -- particularly for the money. It's functional, easy to program & use, and easy to read. It lacks the more sophisticated display screens of the Polar, but I don't need these any longer now that I am in weight/health-maintenance mode. I also like the fact that you can replace the battery in the sensor strap, and that I can probably get a local jeweler to replace the watch battery when it goes (both of which were not possible with the Polar).
  
  However, I have two criticisms:
  
  First, do yourself a favor: put a fresh battery in the sensor strap before you program and use the watch. I didn't do this, and almost gave myself a heart attack trying to get my heart rate up to my usual exercise level before realizing that the watch reading was about 50 bpms off because of a dying battery. I replaced it (easy) and the watch works fine now.
  
  Second, the calorie counter seems to run a bit "hot." On the same 90-minute exercise program, my Polar would record 700 calories while the Timex will record 1000 or more. My Tunturi bike counter seems to run closer to the Timex, so I am guessing that the right number is somewhere in between. We will see as the weeks wear on.
  
  Overall, I am glad that I bought this watch -- at least so far.
  
  
• HR Monitor
  By AFVCUISN9F9DB on 2008-04-12
  This has been a great tool to take my spin cycle class to a new level. Cheap and easy to use.
  
  
• enjoying the product
  By A2ANKMS6YUJTY8 on 2008-06-16
  I found that this watch suits my needs nicely. I'm enjoying the features it has. Thank you for your service.
  
  
• Great tool to monitor your heart rate!
  By A3MCDU7ZEE0W1E on 2008-07-06
  Works great and really lets me see that I'm getting my heart rate up high enough during exercise. I was a bit concerned at first about the band that you have to wear around your chest, but it fits right at or under my bra strap and I really forget that it's there. I like tha fact that it shows how many calories you burned as well, because sometimes I'm not sure if the machine at the gym is correct. I am glad I purchased this item. :)
  
  

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