Timex Watches w/ Compass

Thirteenth Star · Jul 23, 2005

This watch has caught my attention:

http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=048148486515

It's one of a number of watches by Timex that has a compass incorporated. Does anybody know how well compasses embedded in watches function, in particular from Timex?

jstewart16701 · Jul 23, 2005

I have this model:

http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=048148475120

The compass on it works pretty well except that you need to calibrate it often, at least once a week. The calibration is pretty simple and only takes a few seconds however if it goes out of wack and you don't realize it you could really get messed up on it. Also I would only use it for a general indication of direction even though it gives a reading in degrees it's hard to see exactly the direction its pointing in when it's strapped to your wrist. As a watch its your typical timex, stopwatch, alarm, countdown timer, and an excellent indiglo light. I don't care for the velcro strap on mine but that is easilly fixed. I received mine as a gift but I think the model I have goes for around $30-35 at WalMart. All in all a decent watch.

hope this helps

Jamie

klattman · Jul 23, 2005

I saw those too. They have a few now with an analog compass hand as well.

They should work about as well as any electronic compass.

I had one of the older digital ones that only gave you a reading when you pressed a button. Apparently the new ones run for 20 seconds at a time (at least the analog one does - anyone know about the newer digitals?), allowing you to 'track' the needle while you figure out your heading.

http://www.timex.com/compass/

and if you just want a quick estimate and you always wear an analog watch anyway:
http://www.time4watches.com/Watch Articles/using_a_watch_as_a_compass.htm

I've had far too many timex watches fail on me though (crown breaks, alarm stops working, indiglo dies...) so I'm apprehensive about getting another, though these new compass ones are tempting.

Edit: The manuals claim +/- 10 degrees, which they should be capable of. I never tested my old one to that precison though. I'd be interested in the following:

1. Calibrate the watch as per the instructions.
2. Set the watch level on a (non-metallic) surface. Take a reading.
3. Wait for a minute and press the button to take another.
4. If you get the same answer, then pick up the watch and walk around with it, setting it down in the same place at the same orientation.
5. Press the button and take another reading.
6. Repeat the tests, rotating 90 degrees.

If all the readings are correct, and it matches a bubble compass, then it should be good enough to be usable (even though you may need to calibrate it in the field).

As a final test, you could set the watch on a protractor (which is taped to the surface) and align 0 to 0. Then take readings while moving the watch at 5 or 10 degree increments in a circle. This should give you an idea of how precise it is.

Hmm, I may have to get one...

Thirteenth Star · Jul 24, 2005

Thanks for the responses. Interesting.

Jstewart, given that your compass needs to be calibrated once a week, is the compass gyro based?

jstewart16701 · Jul 24, 2005

I don't relly know that much about compasses not even sure what gyro based means so I can't answer that. My watch does only give a reading when you push the button. I'll dig it out and test it as klattman suggested and let you guys know the results.

Jamie

klattman · Jul 24, 2005

It's most likely a very small 2 or 3 axis magnetometer, which explains it's lack of sensitivity. All it does is measure the magnetic field and give you the azimuth projected onto the horizontal plane (better hold it level).

I saw a newer digital one in a store and had to pick it up.

It's this one:
http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=753048107803

Here's the deal. I haven't had time to test it yet, but, once calibrated and activated, the heading is given (and you can track it) for 10 seconds with one button press. It moves around a bit. but is pretty stable. (My old-style digital only gave you one heading per button press - I think this is the one http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=048148778627).

The main thing that impressed me about the new digital display is that it is NOT the green colored 'day'-indiglo, like on the older models, but is a whitish gray and just as easy to see in sunlight. Also, the night- indiglo lights up the LCD lines, not the whole watch face, making it much better than the old digital displays.

Typical timex construction. I don't expect it to last, but we'll see.

Just make sure if you get one of these you get the newer ones with the white/black display (not the green). This one is easier to read (bigger numbers too) and the compass is much easier to use than the old version.

(Oh, and if anyone wants to try the analog version, I'd like a review

)

I'll do some more compass testing when I can find a controlled environment and report back...

jstewart16701 · Jul 24, 2005

klattman, the one you bought sounds a lot nicer then mine, I can't track the reading it just gives it when you push the button.

Well I tested mine as suggested laying flat on the table my first reading was 272, one minute later I also got 272. My regular compass was reading about 270 so thats pretty darn close. After turning 90 degrees I got 181 and 177 not to bad my regular compass was about 180. Keep in mind it's virtually impossible to push the button without moving the watch on the table and much harder when it's on you wrist. All told as long as it's calibrated it works quite well.

hope this helps

Jamie

btw I also noticed timex has a watch with a built in GPS but you have to wear a seperate antenna.

klattman · Jul 24, 2005

jstewart16701 said:
The one you bought sounds a lot nicer then mine, I can't track the reading it just gives it when you push the button.

I checked them in the store because I really like that it stays on for 10 seconds. That way your button press doesn't move the watch while you read it. It's not vital, but nice to have. What really got my attention is the new type of LCD display. Very sharp and readable!

jstewart16701 said:
Well I tested mine as suggested laying flat on the table my first reading was 272, one minute later I also got 272. My regular compass was reading about 270 so thats pretty darn close. After turning 90 degrees I got 181 and 177 not to bad my regular compass was about 180. Keep in mind it's virtually impossible to push the button without moving the watch on the table and much harder when it's on you wrist. All told as long as it's calibrated it works quite well.

If I set it down it wobbles a few degrees in the 10 seconds that it samples. Matches another compass very well. Certainly these are good enough to navigate with while hiking etc.

jstewart16701 said:
hope this helps
btw I also noticed timex has a watch with a built in GPS but you have to wear a seperate antenna.

Casio has a GPS watch that is fairly compact.
http://www.watchzworld.com/casio_satellite_navi_gps_watch.html

I wouldn't expect it to perform as well as a bigger hand-held rec. Plus it would be awkward to look at it for a long time with your wrist bent up. The GPS signals will not go through your body, so you have to hold it out at arm length anyway. Cool nonetheless.

http://www.equipped.com/casio_gps.htm

Most GPS devices have an electronic compass built in (I don't think the casio GPS does though). Since they know your position, there's should be no need to program in the declination.

GPS will tell you where you are, but you still need a compass (electronic or otherwise) to determine direction.

If you are moving fast enough, the GPS reciever can calulate your velocity (assuming it's nearly constant) and determine your heading, but if you are stopped, the old compass is still valuable.

A GPS with built in compass and maps on an extremely waterproof watch with a long lasting battery would be ideal...

jstewart16701 · Jul 25, 2005

A GPS with built in compass and maps on an extremely waterproof watch with a long lasting battery would be ideal..

That would be great, probally won't be too long before we see something like that. After reading a little bit it appears that the timex only uses gps to calculate speed and distance. It doesn't offer any navigational functions. It also appears that the casio gps watch has been discontinued. Garmin also has a gps watch but it seems to be more of a small gps with a wrist strap than an actual watch.

jamie

klattman · Jul 26, 2005

jstewart16701 said:
That would be great, probally won't be too long before we see something like that. After reading a little bit it appears that the timex only uses gps to calculate speed and distance. It doesn't offer any navigational functions. It also appears that the casio gps watch has been discontinued. Garmin also has a gps watch but it seems to be more of a small gps with a wrist strap than an actual watch.

jamie

I guess the reason the GPS watch didn't catch on is that the screen is too small for a useable map. It would be a pain to navigate with it. Maybe with a new 'fold-out' super thin LCD screen it would be really useful. I guess we have to be patient.

It's annoying that the timex one doesn't do navigation, since it has to do the position solution anyway to get your speed or distance, they should have an option to display it.

Oh well, i'll stick to my compass...