How long is a Timex ironman watch supposed to last?

siamesedream · December 18, 2014, 02:21:48 PM

My indiglo feature just died.

I just got the watch in August, WTF?

Do I need to replace a battery, or should I just get a new watch?

It's the basic 30 lap running watch.

rocketgirl · December 18, 2014, 02:31:03 PM

In my experience, many many years. Change the battery. It's kind of a pain in the ass though.

siamesedream · December 18, 2014, 02:34:50 PM

Quote from: rocketgirl on December 18, 2014, 02:31:03 PM
In my experience, many many years. Change the battery. It's kind of a pain in the ass though.

I'm just going to get a new one.

I'm thinking the humidity killed it, this never happened up north. All my past Timex running watches lasted for a goodish time.

siamesedream · December 18, 2014, 02:59:34 PM

Quote from: Uncle Fred on December 18, 2014, 02:57:28 PM
The watch part often outlasts the BAND

YMMV

Right?!

nadra24 · December 18, 2014, 03:26:28 PM

Quote from: Uncle Fred on December 18, 2014, 02:57:28 PM
The watch part often outlasts the BAND

YMMV

Exactly. I don't think I've ever had a battery die on me, the band always craps out in a very unfixable way before the battery dies. I generally get about 2 years out of mine.

siamesedream · December 18, 2014, 03:32:06 PM

Quote from: nadra24 on December 18, 2014, 03:26:28 PM
Exactly. I don't think I've ever had a battery die on me, the band always craps out in a very unfixable way before the battery dies. I generally get about 2 years out of mine.

I just ordered a new one from Amazon. Hee.

Maybe I dropped it, or it fell off my night stand. I'm puzzled.

rocketgirl · December 18, 2014, 04:29:41 PM

Quote from: siamesedream on December 18, 2014, 02:34:50 PM
I'm just going to get a new one.

I'm thinking the humidity killed it, this never happened up north. All my past Timex running watches lasted for a goodish time.

Humidity? You can go SWIMMING in a Timex Ironman watch. Water resistant to 100Meters. YOu just don't push any buttons underwater. Which pissed me off because I bought one with a lap counter specifically for the pool.

siamesedream · December 18, 2014, 04:35:45 PM

Quote from: rocketgirl on December 18, 2014, 04:29:41 PM
Humidity? You can go SWIMMING in a Timex Ironman watch. Water resistant to 100Meters. YOu just don't push any buttons underwater. Which pissed me off because I bought one with a lap counter specifically for the pool.

Really?

Everything else works, except it does not light up when I press the indiglo button.

rocketgirl · December 18, 2014, 04:37:05 PM

defective Indiglo. And of course 8 months later, you no longer have the receipt for a $30 watch.

siamesedream · December 18, 2014, 04:41:18 PM

Quote from: rocketgirl on December 18, 2014, 04:37:05 PM
defective Indiglo. And of course 8 months later, you no longer have the receipt for a $30 watch.

I guess so. I can still use the watch for daytime running, but I don't run during the day that often.

Fast Eddie · December 18, 2014, 06:20:10 PM

Mine have lasted at least five years. Usually the display will dim when you push the Indigo light when the batteries are dying.

Batteries usually last me a couple of years.

Ice Cream · December 18, 2014, 07:04:02 PM

DH has one that must be 10 years old.

siamesedream · December 18, 2014, 07:53:04 PM

Maybe I give off some kind of bad magnetic field.

Magic Microbe · December 19, 2014, 03:49:13 PM

Contact timex and talk to them about it.

Arrojo · December 19, 2014, 05:26:46 PM

Couple of years. The problem with changing the battery on these is that the bell/chime no longer works after you change the battery. So you lose the alarm, and any repeating chimes (whcih can be a good workout - ie 10 x 60 second repeats - its nice to have the watch chime after each 60 secs).

So dont bother changing the battery. If you really need the Indiglo. just get a new one. Compared to those Garmin things, they are a bargain.

rocketgirl · December 19, 2014, 05:40:08 PM

I never used the chime or alarm. now i gotta figure out if it still works on mine. (and if it does, i have to figure out how to turn it off again)

rocketgirl · December 19, 2014, 05:59:44 PM

Chime did not go off. A little icon blinked, but no chime. Interesting.

siamesedream · December 19, 2014, 11:20:26 PM

I never used the chime either, I just look at the numbers when I do intervals.

ihop · December 23, 2014, 11:59:27 AM

I always had a hard time finding a place that would change the battery - something about a gasket and ensuring it is weather resistant. I usually just give up and buy a new one - you can find deals at Sierra Trading Post, Campmore, etc.

And the little loop that holds the end of the band - that always breaks for me. So either the band or battery goes after a year or so.

rocketgirl · December 23, 2014, 12:27:36 PM

Ya'll are hard on your watches!

But, you can get them on sale pretty often. I think I got my current one as a discontinued model at WalMart for under $15. I've had it for several years and (knock on wood) the only thing wrong with it is that the chime doesn't work and that I have some acrylic paint on it. And I wear it EVERY DAY.