Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0 GPS HR watch review

Here are the specs from Timex:

PRODUCT SPECS

GPS-Enabled to Measure Pace, Speed, Distance, and More in Real-Time
Fast, Reliable SiRFstar IV™ GPS Technology with 8-Hour Battery Life
Highly Customizable, Easy-Read Screen Shows Two or Three Lines of Data at a Glance
15-Workout Memory with Free Online Downloading and Desktop Software
USB Rechargeable and Water-Resistant Rated to 50 Meters (165 Feet)
Smaller watch with high-resolution, reversible display
100-Lap chronograph with customizable 2- or 3-line display
Hands-free chronograph operation based on distance and time
Pace, speed, and distance vibrating/audible alerts keep your training on-track
Hydration and nutrition alerts remind athletes to replenish at regular intervals
Interval timer with segments based on time or distance
Customizable alarm with backup
Rechargeable Li-Ion battery with 8-hour life in full GPS mode
Compatible with ANT+™ sensors for heart rate and foot pod data
Watch WR to 50m (GPS and ANT+™ features not available underwater)
INDIGLO® night-light with NIGHT-MODE® feature and Constant-On options
Connect to PC or Mac to conveniently set up and customize watch settings
Workout data can be downloaded directly to TrainingPeaks™, MapMyFitness™, Strava or Endomondo

Attachment Buckle/Clasp Type: Buckle
Attachment Material: Resin
Attachment Type: Strap
Case Accent Color
Case Finish: Matte
Case Height: 16.5 mm

Pros:

Very user-friendly buttons and menus–setup seems very intuitive
Comfortable Heart Rate Monitor chest strap (slim, cloth, easy to take on and off)
USB Charger easy to use, and it charges quickly.
Very customizable–you can easily change and customize the different notifications during a workout (how often to beep at you, even reminders to eat and drink at customizable intervals).
Vibration–this is my first watch to use vibration along with a beep for notifications, and I really like it.
Water resistant, so it can be used for multiple activities.
Pretty good workout summary page to see averages, total miles, etc (see Cons for laps summary)
Computer software: Relatively easy to set up (although I had to go through it a couple times for it to be recognized to my computer). Once it was synced, it was pretty easy to upload to TrainingPeaks.com, the site that Timex uses to organize your workouts online.
It seems to hold a battery charge pretty well. I’m not sure if it has made the 8-hour advertised limit yet, but definitely 6 or more (always with GPS on, and some heart rate monitoring).
Watch and band seem pretty durable so far.

Cons:

Small memory (15 workouts, officially, but mine told me it was almost full with about 11) compared to other watches I’ve used
No “button lock” to prevent buttons from accidentally being pushed mid-workout.
Laps summary: Although easy to access, the workout/laps summaries aren’t set up well and require a lot of scrolling through too many pages to view them. For example, when I go to view a 12 x 400 meter workout (with 400 rest jog laps), each lap has ___ pages just for each lap, so this is hard to get a good read on them and easily compare right from the watch. A list view would be much better to see all the laps listed, much how all the past workouts are displayed. However, once uploaded to the computer didn’t make this much better.
The online software and display at TrainingPeaks.com seems messy and over-complicated. Worst of all, it’s functionality is limited unless you upgrade (for a fee) to a Premium account. AKA, I could only view the first 7 intervals of a track workout unless I upgrade (see last image below). For a $275 watch, I would appreciate and expect full use of these services automatically.
The Timex was consistently coming up shorter in mileage compared to my Garmin when worn at the same time. On a 20 mile run it was over a quarter mile behind. On a 4 mile run still about a tenth short. I haven’t found a sure way to test it.
I wore this watch a few times on my right wrist, while testing it alongside my Garmin which was on my usual-left list. After awhile my wrist was super sore, but it was most likely because my right wrist just wasn’t used to a watch. Never bothered by left wrist at all. I’m weak…
It’s just a personal preference, but I like watches that the Start/Stop is the same button. This one is different–it has Start/Lap and Stop/Reset buttons. It just gets confusing also when different watches use different setups and combos for buttons.

Overall I really like this watch–mainly for the comfort of both the watch itself and chest strap, it’s ease of use (watch, not online tools), and it’s not huge. However, the limited online functionality is something to consider as well.