Timex Challenges Garmin and Fitbit with GPS watch that Lasts 25 Days on Charge

Timex Challenges Garmin and Fitbit with GPS watch that Lasts 25 Days on Charge

Timex takes aim at Garmin and Fitbit GPS fitness trackers. Timex, known for its plastic children's watches, has introduced the Timex Ironman R300, which touts an impressive 25-day battery life and a low price of $120.

The Timex Ironman R300 GPS, available for purchase on the Timex website, is the brand's most advanced wearable. Timex sells a number of GPS and fitness watches, but the Ironman features a constant display of athlete- and coach-guided workouts. This is not a new feature for GPS watches in general, but it is rare for such an inexpensive fitness tracker.

Timex calls the Ironman R300 a fitness-first smartwatch, but it is quite limited in the smartwatch department: you can receive notifications, but you cannot reply. It also has no app store.

The Ironman R300 comes in black, dark gray, or silver gray and has a simple square case with a thick bezel digital display. It certainly doesn't have the bigness of an Apple Watch, but it may not have to.

Timex's new watch promises an impressive 25-day battery life, which drops to 20 hours when GPS is turned on, but could still be the company's secret weapon over its competitors. Garmin's Forerunner 35, for example, lasts only 13 hours with GPS on continuously.

The Ironman R300 is waterproof to 30 meters and overall seems quite durable. However, it needs to be used in person to be sure.

While we think the best overall sports watch is the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music, the $350 price tag is definitely attractive; the Ironman R300 doesn't seem to pack a lot of features into its small display, but at $120 For $120, it certainly has our attention.

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