Over the years the accuracy of all GPS devices has improved to the point (within a couple meters) of being almost mind boggling. Fortunately, for all of us, the cost of the technology has steadily decreased, even while the performance and reliability has improved. Only a few years ago the thought of buying a well made GPS device for under $100 would have seemed impossible, yet today, it is a fact. With the reduction in cost, the popularity of these devices has almost literally, exploded.

The GPS evolution has also meant a drastic reduction in the size of the units. This breakthrough may have allowed the popularity to increase even more than the reduction in price. Who would want a device the size of a shoebox mounted on the dash board of a car or strapped to ones arm? Clearly, a GPS watch would never have become practical without the reduction in size. I still have a “handheld marine unit” from the early 1990’s that makes me laugh at the size, whenever I see it, which admittedly, isn’t often. Thankfully those days are long gone.
GPS tracking devices, receive signals from orbiting satellites to determine the user’s latitude and longitude usually within a couple meters. This makes its simple to track your current location, speed, direction of travel, distance to go, exact time and many other functions. For the serious running/walking enthusiasts using a GPS watch a heart rate monitor adds the ability to tailor the exercise to personal targets and monitor them along the way.
The biggest challenge may be the decision of which GPS tracking watch is best for you, that’s where we will help.

Features;

Unit size – similar to a conventional digital watch

GPS Unit – Separate from watch

Battery life – up to 2 years

Battery type – AA for GPS unit

Water resistant – to 50 meters except GPS unit is splash resistant

Heart rate monitor – Yes

Lap memory – 100

Waypoint – 100

Routes – 50

Warranty – 1 year

As with the previous Timex GPS Watch we reviewed this one also uses a separate unit for the GPS receiver. This receiver will ordinarily be strapped to the arm or waist when in use. The GPS receiver itself is only “splash resistant” which we think is a poor design feature for an outdoor fitness product. It would be much better if it were designed to be water resistant to 2 or 3 meters, or more.

The Timex GPS watch did obtain a signal reasonably quickly but the manual does recommend remaining stationary until a signal is obtained. The receiver did a good job with maintaining the signal when the receiver was worn on the arm. Tree cover was a factor once it became moderately dense but in most cases performance was acceptable.

Accuracy was measured against a known distance and the results were almost identical. We also tested the speed and distance readout with other GPS devices and found the accuracy to be good. Given the intended use the unit is more than accurate enough.

The heart rate monitor also performed well and would be a valuable feature for a GPS training watch. In fact, given the low price we cannot make any good argument for not having the heart rate monitor. Most fitness enthusiasts will definently want to have the ability to monitor thier heart rate when using a GPS watch.