Customer Reviews
Does not have a stopwatch! 
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.
Makes workouts more fun! 
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!
works great and easy to use! 2008-06-13
It is very easy to use and appears to be very accurate. I have used it a few times now and I love it. I didnt even have to read the book to understand what to do. Great product for a great price!!
Heart Monitor review 
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.
Great Device; Great Value 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.
Simply doesn't work 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.
good value for price 2008-07-12
Timex T5G971 Unisex Sports Personal Heart Rate Monitor Watch
This product works as advertised, and for the price, is a good value. I've used it for walking, jogging, swimming, and biking. The biggest drawback is that it does not store past workouts, so if I go for a bike ride, stop for coffee and then continue, I cannot store the first leg of the workout until I get home.
Heart Rate Monitor 2008-07-08
It works wonderfully. Is accurate. The wrist watch is attractive, has time and date plus "recall" to review your workout.
Great tool to monitor your heart rate! 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. :)
just as advertised 2008-06-25
I was very happy with this item. Worked with my gym heart rate monitor equipped machines.
