Wristwatch For Racing

[SEMIJim]

Been thinking about a wristwatch that would be handy for racing. ISTM the ideal watch would have large numerals, dual time displays, and a programmable count-down timer that would (optionally) trigger stopwatch mode.

The Casio Pathfinder SPF40-1V looks like it would fill the bill, but is kinda pricy. The digital compass, barometer and thermometer would be trick to have, but I wonder how accurate they are and really don't see the necessity. And it only has an 18 month (estimated) battery life. I'd prefer to spend a lot less, if possible, get longer battery life and do away with those sensors/functions.

None of Casio's other, simpler, less expensive watches appear to have the features I desire. Anybody have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Jim

[pegasus1457]

I have owned a Sea-Pathfinder since 2002 and love it. The large numerals plus the programmable start timer are fantastic for racing. The accuracy is excellent. Battery life is much better than advertised, if you don't use the compass function and the backlight too much. I am on the same set of batteries since 2004. Tide clock is useful as is the barometer -- it is always within 1mm of the actual pressure, AND you have the useful 24 hr history.
Compass is sometimes a lifesaver (not on a boat where you always have a better compass anyway, but coming out of the subway in a strange city or getting lost driving somewhere new. I have used mine for both.
One function which is NOT useful is the thermometer -- by definition it is normally measuring the temp of your wrist -- not so useful.
It looks big and heavy. It is not heavy and is comfortable to wear.

[6string]

I have used the basic Timex Iron Man for years. Bought a different boat for racing last year and it came with a Tack Tic. Boy is that great, Large Numbers for the count down right where you can see it as you are working through the crowds at the start line. You can switch it to compass and it gives you a count up after start.

Jeff

[Giulietta]

I use the timer on the ST60 tri data for the 5 minute and 1 minute pre racing alarms, and use this one bellow, as the bezel rotates to tell you the headings for the buoyes, based on start wind, downwind legs and upwind legs.

The bearings are given by the red and green rectangles and triangles

Its a wonderfull tool. My wife gave it to me.

[uspirate]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

I use the timer on the ST60 tri data for the 5 minute and 1 minute pre racing alarms, and use this one bellow, as the bezel rotates to tell you the headings for the buoyes, based on start wind, downwind legs and upwind legs.

The bearings are given by the red and green rectangles and triangles

Its a wonderfull tool. My wife gave it to me.

you suck...spoiled bastard

[uspirate]

$35 bucks hehe!

[sailingdog]

I have the Citizen Sailhawk.

[IrishMistRacing]

I also have the Sailhawk. Runs on the sun and I'm amazed at how it keeps time to the second over years!

For racing though I bought a $10 LCD cooking timer and velcroed it to the cabin. Everyone can now see the countdown (not just me with my watch) and our starts have been much better since.

[SEMIJim]

Thanks for the ideas, everybody. Looks like the Casio Sea Pathfinder is still winning, for what I want, tho.

On closer examination, it looks like maybe some of the Casio G-Shock models may do the count-down-and-stopwatch-start thing, but not also the dual time displays and as-large numerals.

Jim