Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Heartbeat

Product Review Time!

The fine folks over at Tech40 asked me to try one of their sports watches and write a review.

Today I'm giving my two cents about the The Tech4o Women's Accelorator Pulse.



Features:
* Highly Accurate Accelerometer-based Exercise Mode
(speed, distance, calories, steps, exercise time measurement)
* Heart Rate Monitor with conventional chest strap
* Chronograph (50 laps)
* Countdown Timer
* Alarm

What I liked:

I was somewhat reluctant to use a non GPS device to track my mileage, so I was rather anxious to use the pedometer feature along side my GPS tracking device that I subscribe to on my cell phone. Much to my surprise, the pedometer was very close to my GPS tracking. I did find that it would be slightly slower or slightly faster than my GPS depending on how fast I was running, but it was only off by a few seconds.

I like knowing how many calories have been burned and distance. My prior HRM/sports watch didn't have those features.

A minor detail, but I liked that it comes in a snappy bright blue color. I have a hard time finding fitness gear made for women that isn't all pastel colors. Just because I'm female doesn't mean I want everything in pastels.

There's a setting to track my heart rate zone.

Easy to read display for my presbyopic eyes. *sigh*

What needs improvement:


I'm a stickler for reading directions before using anything, but if you're the type of person who likes to use a gadget right out of the box without reading directions, like my husband, then this sports watch probably isn't the best choice for you. Carefully study the directions then do a test run on all of the features before you apply them to real life workouts and/or runs.

This is considered a women's watch. I have small wrists and I could have used at least one more notch to make the wrist band fit better.

The heart rate monitor chest strap stopped working after only a few uses. Yes, I'm going to replace the battery and give it another fair try, but the battery shouldn't give out that quickly.

In conclusion:

The The Tech4o Women's Accelorator Pulse is a great tool, especially if you're trying to take your fitness up a notch, without having to spend the big bucks for a GPS device. It retails for around $89.99. The accuracy of the pedometer feature was a pleasant surprise. I plan on using this watch during all of my workouts and runs.

EDIT
I replaced the battery in the heart rate monitor chest strap and it works MUCH better.


Yesterday's song:

The Morning After - Maureen McGovern - Heffer Blog (AKA Alice)


PEACE

6 comments:

IronWaddler said...

Great review--thanks for sharing.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Great review! It's great to know that there are other products out there, and the price seems right! :D

iJuls said...

Great review. I'd be interested in seeing it on your wrist.

barbie2be said...

buddy holly?

funny, i was just watching a saving grace episode last night and the murder victim had this very same watch on. in fact that was how they ended up solving the murder. :)

Dori said...

Yep, Buddy Holly.

That was a great review, Irene. I have a hard time trusting anything except GPS, but the price sure is right. And I agree with you on "women's colors", even though I like pink.

Thanks for the congrats. :-)

Irene said...

Waddler26.2,
You're welcome!

Melanie,
If my GPS gives out this will be a decent back-up.

Juls,
I'll try and get pics this weekend!

Barbie2be,
Winner! I missed that episode!

Dori,
Winner! I do like pastels, but it seems that most women's athletic gear is in pastels. I'd like to see more reds and cobalt blues. :)