Unlike your usual bunch of USB watches, Timex Ironman USB Data Link System is not a usb storage on a watch (it only has 31424 bytes of memory). Instead, it is a prime example of geekery (Binary time anyone?). In fact it is advertised as “the watch that thinks it is a PDA”. And unlike other smart watches (notably Casio’s databank), it is not completely ugly and looks relatively normal. The watches even have a dress, sport, and normal version. The ~$70 watch allows you to install apps from your computer via USB. But of course, Almost like everything I buy, it was on sale. It was a steal at $20 from Walmart.

The Hardware

The watch is controlled is mainly controlled by a crown that you can spin (scroll), pull out (edit), and push in (light). It is accompanied by a large start/split button, a mode button and a stop/reset button. The button arrangement is different than your usual watch so it might take a day or 2 to get use to (ex. other watches I have combines the start and stop button instead of the start and split combination). Although after using the watch, I realized that the button arrangement on the Ironman makes much more sense.

The watch uses a proprietary USB connector to connect to the computer. Probably to give it a good water resistant number (100 meters). If you are skeptical, let me tell you first hand that it IS water resistant. I’ve swam with it a few times already. I’ve even heard that some people wears it while having a light scuba diving session. Although if it’s not necessary to wear I wouldn’t risk it. The Connector itself is pretty sturdy and doesn’t seem like it’s going to break. Although it is quiet big. It connects to the bulge on the left side of the watch using a 4 big pins (presumably corresponding to the USB’s 4 transistors).

Although not really a feature the back of the watch has a shiny stainless steel back. It impressed me to see it because I’ve never seen one on  a non-suit watch. And plus, if you are narcissistic you can use it as a mirror. Or if you really need to, you probably can use it as a reflector.

There is also a simple but effective locking “mechanism” in the band so that the watch is more secure. It is a pretty smart design trick and more watches should use it. Presuming it isn’t patented.

The Apps

You can freely develop the apps (known as wrist apps) for the watch or download them from several sources. Apps ranges from games such as Black Jack, Space Invaders, Tetris and Pong, utilities such as counters, metronome, contacts, scheduler and appointment to geekeries such as a scientific calculator. There are even apps that replaces the watch’s time “Time of Day” app. Beside the downloadable apps, there are the usual ones such as countdown (the lowest it could go is 1 minute though), stopwatch with memories, multiple alarms, time zones, and indigo auto-light (known as night mode). Some of the watch’s apps even synchronizes with Microsoft outlook. It’s worth noting that there aren’t much apps out there. But there are a bunch of useful and interesting ones.

The watch also allocates how much memory a certain app can use. For example you could allocate more room so you can add more appointments, alarms and more memories for the stopwatch. Ex. from 200 laps memories to 250 laps. So this is probably one of the most customizable watch yet.

You can also add entries to contacts and appointments etc. on the fly so you don’t always need a computer with you. Although it is probably easier to add stuff on the computer because spinning the crown isn’t always the most practical way to type.

The watch also comes with a personal tracker that probably uses the watch lap memories. I’m not sure because I don’t use it. Although from what I’ve seen, it is not the greatest thing. And no, I don’t use it not because I’m a couch potato.

My Favorite Wrist Apps

The UI of the “Time of Day” screen is not the greatest looking one. It doesn’t even use the whole available screen. If you’re going to buy or if you have this watch I suggest you get the “My Watch” wrist app. The app allows you to use a bigger and custom font (not font files such as .TTF). The fonts are drawn inside the application. But don’t worry, you can download the special fonts if you’re lazy). The app looks multiple times better than the factory one. The bad thing about this app is that it can’t replace the watch’s Time of Day screen. So you will have to switch to it manually (but it won’t revert so it’s not a big deal).

Probably one of the most useful ones beside the My Watch app is the “SciCalc” apps. It does what the name says, give u a scientific calculator on your watch. Of course it won’t replace a real one, but it is mighty useful if you need to calculate something and don’t have a calculator around. It is also useful in your daily life application because it has a tip calculator, and converters.

Not all the apps are serious though. There are a few good games. Some fine examples are like I said earlier, Tetris, Paddle (Pong), Black Jack, and invaders. The Tetris is a bit different that your normal Tetris because of the layout of the screen. But not to undermine anything, it is a fully working and fun game to play. Although the block does fall sideway so you probably have to take of your watch. But probably the best game to play on it is Paddle. It is simple to start and control. The goal is to get to 5 before the computer. But don’t take that lightly. It is a hard game to beat. The AI is pretty smart.

The Achilles Heel

Unlike other watches which are advertised as being able to run on a battery for 10 years, this watch’s Achilles heel is probably its battery life. It’s rated between 1-2 years. So if you don’t like changing watches so much this watch is not for you. Also note that a lot of watches are ruined because they didn’t change the battery properly. So you might want to be careful when changing the watch’s battery. The watch uses CR-2025 which are not the cheapest battery ever. It goes for about ~$1. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Verdict

Timex Ironman USB Data Link System, I dub thee a geek’s watch. If you have some money to spare and like customizing things, I recommend this watch for you. Especially if you use Outlook to keep track of things. Even if you’re not in the technical know how, this watch is simple to use and easy to customize. Although if you’re the lazy guy, i wouldn’t buy this watch. Although it doesn’t take much effort to add stuff into the watch, the watch itself is probably not worth it if you’re not going to customize it. But overall this is a good buy whether you are a geek, a businessman, or an athlete.

Links for Wrist Apps

• MyWatch
• SciCalc, Calendar
• Wristapp Database and Help
• Simple SoundSet (To change tones)
• More pictures

UPDATE: If after changing your battery, you no longer get any sound, the problem could lie in the back cover of the watch. For some odd strange reason, although it may fit both way, there is only one right way to put the back off the watch. The 5 dots that is on the back cover should be the side close to your USB port as nicely explained by an Amazon reviewer.

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