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Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 09:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.timex.com/datalink/' target='_blank'>http://www.timex.com/datalink/</a><br /><br /></div>In the past, we've written and talked about various wristwatches that can <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2290">synchronize with your Pocket PC or Palm devices</a>. Typically, these watches are about the size of a grapefruit and the downloading process is excruciatingly slow and complicated. But, I recently found the new Data Link watch from Timex, and it works great!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/timex1.jpg" /><br /><br />The Data Link doesn't actually interface with your Pocket PC, but it does synchronize with Outlook via a USB cable. And, as you can see from the screen shot below, it has MANY more downloadable modules than other watches I've seen.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/timex2.jpg" /><br /><br />There are a lot of other fun features, like a choice of alarm ringtones, customized backlight settings and the ability to download new applications. I'm not sure if wearing this watch makes me a geek, but it is one powerful PDA-wannabe watch!

Certified Optimist
09-23-2003, 11:20 AM
It only has 32K of memory though (see FAQ) "The Timex Data Link USB watch has 32K memory. Several hundred entries can be sent to the watch, depending on type and length." which still should be enough for contacts and basic calendar info.

Pitty they didn't add a little bit more memory, but the formfactor seems to be great.

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 12:20 PM
It only has 32K of memory though
I'm able to keep all the data you see in the screen capture on the watch, though, and it only registers 13% full. I don't think I'll outgrow the watch's capacity soon.

dangerwit
09-23-2003, 12:28 PM
This looks pretty interesting.

Someone here (Jason?) once posted a like to non-PDA, but nifty, watches that someone was selling as they imported them from Japan. Is that link still in anyone's bookmarks?

*Phil

Mike Temporale
09-23-2003, 12:47 PM
Wow, and it's only $90US. That's a pretty good deal. 8)

butch
09-23-2003, 01:01 PM
I like that I can set-up more than 1 contact list, so I have one for the job and one for others stuff, with more than 50 numbers in each it is much more easy to find one.
You can also re-order the list of program, and when you enter a note it will upload to your computer next time you sync your watch. :-)

GoldKey
09-23-2003, 01:04 PM
This looks pretty interesting.

Someone here (Jason?) once posted a like to non-PDA, but nifty, watches that someone was selling as they imported them from Japan. Is that link still in anyone's bookmarks?

*Phil

I have the link on my home computer. If I forget to post it here tonight, PM me a reminder.

dh
09-23-2003, 01:11 PM
This looks pretty interesting.

Someone here (Jason?) once posted a like to non-PDA, but nifty, watches that someone was selling as they imported them from Japan. Is that link still in anyone's bookmarks?

*Phil

To save Goldkey the trouble, you could do a quick search on "watches". One of the top results is this link: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16228&highlight=watches
which I think is what you are looking for. I thought some of these were pretty cool looking, I'm glad to get a reminder. :D

jmz28
09-23-2003, 01:17 PM
ms has some new stuff coming out using "spot" technology that I think will serve me better. RF broadcasts to the watch and you get live up to the minute info. Granted, its a different implementation into a watch, but I like it a lot.

MSN Messenger messages straight to the watch, you gotta dig that.

bdegroodt
09-23-2003, 01:28 PM
Rats! I just bought an Ironman watch too. I'd buy this one just to be able to have an interface to program my chrono settings on the computer. It's beyond me how to get it done with the existing buttons on the one I just bought.

BTW, Walmart.com always has great prices on these Timex pieces. This one is about $61 there.

arebelspy
09-23-2003, 01:42 PM
This seems cheap ($-wise), and the best part is the form factor. Most PDA-esque watches are literally like having a PDA strapped to your wrist. :roll: :lol:

-arebelspy

dh
09-23-2003, 01:47 PM
BTW, Walmart.com always has great prices on these Timex pieces. This one is about $61 there.

Hmmm.... I might have to get one. All summer I've been looking to get a decent watch for keeping track of my running. I've never made up my mind between the Iron Man, Nike or Oakley.

It looks as though the Data Link versions maintains the functions of the regular IronMan series and adds a lot more.

egads
09-23-2003, 02:01 PM
If I get one of these will I be able to sync my Axim and the watch on the same PC ?

arebelspy
09-23-2003, 02:11 PM
If I get one of these will I be able to sync my Axim and the watch on the same PC ?

Yes.

-arebelspy

Birdman
09-23-2003, 02:26 PM
Speaking of running (and totally off-topic) I started running Jan. '02 and in May '02 I ran my first 1/2 marathon and then October '02 I ran my first full marathon. I started off using my ipaq in a tunes belt to listen to Audible books but then I decided to run without any music/books.

I use an Ironman Timex and it served me great! (Except for the fact that I trained using KM and the marathon that I ran was marked in miles. Kind of screwed me up a little.)

Philip Colmer
09-23-2003, 02:28 PM
Shame you have to use a cable, though :-( Come on, Timex - you could have used Bluetooth :-)

Although I suppose that might have limited the available market too much for them. Maybe next time.

--Philip

quidproquo
09-23-2003, 02:47 PM
This summer I just bought a Freestyle brand watch. They have all sorts of great configurations for the active lifestyle. They had Ironman type watches, pedometers, etc.

I don't think too many of them had the PDA type functions of this one, but the one I bought has a chrono, timer, alarm, second time zone and a COMPASS! It has a nifty little dial and you simply hit the compass mode and you can find north. It has the ability to set the declination for your local city, that way it is much more precisely calibrated. It also give degrees... i.e. N 5, SSE 152, etc.

Jon Westfall
09-23-2003, 02:56 PM
I am a previous datalink owner (Back when they first came out and synced by reading flashing light patterns off your CRT monitor). I loved that watch until it was screwed up by a battery replacement place. I've been hurting for one ever since. Needless to say - i placed my order today!

Got it online for $64 at http://www.jewelsmall.com/ . It was out of stock everywhere i was looking!

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 04:09 PM
Wow, and it's only $90US. That's a pretty good deal. 8)
Oops. I should have mentioned that I found mine at WalMart for $60!

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 04:13 PM
I am a previous datalink owner (Back when they first came out and synced by reading flashing light patterns off your CRT monitor).
I had one of those, too, and liked it because it could have up to 10 daily alarms. That one took about 30 seconds to synch, but this one takes about 5 seconds, and you don't have to hold it in front of your monitor.

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 04:15 PM
The other thing I like about this concept is that I can push my PC's clock settings to the watch. Every morning, my PC pings the government atomic clock and makes any needed adjustments. Then, those settings are pushed to both the watch and my Pocket PCs. That way, all my clocks are set identically.

jmulder
09-23-2003, 04:33 PM
Speaking of running (and totally off-topic) I started running Jan. '02 and in May '02 I ran my first 1/2 marathon and then October '02 I ran my first full marathon. I started off using my ipaq in a tunes belt to listen to Audible books but then I decided to run without any music/books.

I use an Ironman Timex and it served me great! (Except for the fact that I trained using KM and the marathon that I ran was marked in miles. Kind of screwed me up a little.)

If you're really serious about running, try this one...

http://www.fitsense.com

...it's damn pricey, but a great running watch.

dh
09-23-2003, 04:39 PM
If you're really serious about running, try this one...

http://www.fitsense.com

...it's damn pricey, but a great running watch.
Cool, that has to be the ultimate training watch. I like the way you view it from the side, although that would make it difficult to wear all the time.

I'm certainly not serious enough to spend that amount of money I must admit.

karinatwork
09-23-2003, 05:06 PM
I totally, absolutely, definitively need to get me one of these!!!
I don't even have a watch right now.

Any idea how to get one here in Canada, without getting ripped off on shipping?? ;)

Karin

Mike Temporale
09-23-2003, 05:18 PM
I totally, absolutely, definitively need to get me one of these!!!
I don't even have a watch right now.

Any idea how to get one here in Canada, without getting ripped off on shipping?? ;)

Karin

I'm planning on checking the local Wal-Mart before I order this online. One of the major retailers should have this. I hope. :roll:

dh
09-23-2003, 05:28 PM
The other thing I like about this concept is that I can push my PC's clock settings to the watch. Every morning, my PC pings the government atomic clock and makes any needed adjustments. Then, those settings are pushed to both the watch and my Pocket PCs. That way, all my clocks are set identically.
Howdya do that Brad????

By the way, Timex should be paying you commissions on all the sales they are going to make from your article. :D

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 05:43 PM
Every morning, my PC pings the government atomic clock and makes any needed adjustments.
Howdya do that Brad????
Download the free PC app here:
http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/service/its.htm

Then, set up a scheduled event for your PC to run it every day/week/whatever. Then, you can set Activesync to push the PC time to your Pocket PC during every synch and can do the same thing when downloading data to the Timex watch.

Steven Cedrone
09-23-2003, 05:45 PM
Download the free PC app here:
http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/service/its.htm


Another good one is Atomic TimeSync by AnalogX (http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/ats.htm)...

Steve

Foo Fighter
09-23-2003, 05:46 PM
I have one of the old Fossil PDA watches. Damn is it huge! 8O Got it on closeout for $25.

This watch actually looks like something I might use. But I'm waiting for the new wave of MS Spot watches. If the service is cheap enough I might sign up.

tccox
09-23-2003, 05:51 PM
Got mine a month ago and love it ALMOST as much as my AXIM. You can download ICAL data direct from the internet (I have the entire Atlanta Braves, Carolina Panthers and my sons Soccer teams schedules loaded on my watch) and yes it syncs to all of my Outlook data.

Drawbacks ???

Well, the plastic crystal scratchs too easily. I took one of the screen protectors (Belkin) for my Axim and made a crystal protector for my watch. Works great. and

Latest Datalink software is a bit buggy (You cannot change sounds) Timex has promised a release to fix bugs but I'm afraid they have the same folks as Dell doing software development.

Also come join the datalink Yahoo group. Not a whole lot of activity going on there right now but some good info avaliable. And new applications being developed all the time.

Paid $61 US for mine throught Walmart web site.

dh
09-23-2003, 05:53 PM
Thanks Brad & Steve.
My PCs, clocks and watch are usually spread across 15 mins or so. This will be a great step forward.

Had to correct spelling so as not to have nasty comment from Kati :D

jmulder
09-23-2003, 05:55 PM
Download the free PC app here:
http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/service/its.htm


Another good one is Atomic TimeSync by AnalogX (http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/ats.htm)...

Steve

Or, if you run WinXP, you can double-click your clock, select the 'Internet Time' tab, and check the 'Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server' box.

There are 2 time servers listed in the listbox (time.windows.com and time.nist.gov), or you can enter your own. Make sure your timezone is set correctly.

-Jim

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 05:58 PM
You cannot change sounds.
Huh. Good point. I had gone through and listened to all the sounds, but kept the default, so I never noticed the bug. Thanks.

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 06:01 PM
Or, if you run WinXP, you can double-click your clock, select the 'Internet Time' tab, and check the 'Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server' box.
Duh. I had never noticed that! It looks like there's no way to change from the default weekly update, but I can't imagine most people would need it more often than that.

Now, if only my PC could automatically detect which time zone I was in...

tccox
09-23-2003, 06:03 PM
Brian. If you loaded the datalink software off the CD that came with Oops, never mind. Just checked and saw Timex has just put new version of software on their website, version 1.2 dated September 9, 2003. Buggy version was 1.1 dated July 3. Version 1.0 comes on the CD .... As I said, come join our Yahoo group....

Steven Cedrone
09-23-2003, 06:11 PM
The thing I like about the AnalogX time sync: I have one pc set up to ping the time server every few hours, then the rest of my pc's sync from the first pc (it acts as the time server on my network)...

Sorry for taking this a bit off-topic...

Steve

Kathy_Harris
09-23-2003, 06:12 PM
I'm still wearing an old Timex Data Link watch right now. The light is no longer working but I just replaced the battery the other day. Is this new one smaller and is there some sort of indiglo light on it?

tccox
09-23-2003, 06:16 PM
1. Larger than my old Datalionk Watch

2. Yep has Indiglo light but it's a bit different than the old one, sort of reversed , numbers are lighted, not background, you have to see it.

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 06:20 PM
1. Larger than my old Datalionk Watch
...but not by much. I switched from the old Datalink and the size difference isn't noticeable. However, the readout is MUCH larger with the new one, something my old eyes appreciate!

butch
09-23-2003, 06:28 PM
Any idea how to get one here in Canada, without getting ripped off on shipping?? ;)

I ordered mine thru Watch-n-things I think 67$ 2nd battery, shipping to canada included.

T-Will
09-23-2003, 06:34 PM
I'm gonna check Walmart for one of these today... :D

Dave Beauvais
09-23-2003, 06:36 PM
2. Yep has Indiglo light but it's a bit different than the old one, sort of reversed , numbers are lighted, not background, you have to see it.
Slightly off-topic... how does that work? Does the backlight system also flip the polarization of the polarizing filter on the LCD? Kinda neat; I've never seen that before.

--Dave

Fitch
09-23-2003, 07:02 PM
how does that work? Does the backlight system also flip the polarization of the polarizing filter on the LCD? Kinda neat; I've never seen that before.

:jester: Ha ha ha, I think that describes how the old b/w Palms looked, right? The sign of a pure Pocket PC user.

karinatwork
09-23-2003, 07:09 PM
Thanks butch!!!

I ordered it already. That was definitively the best deal. I saw some Canadian prices for $ 150 + Shipping with availability in NOVEMBER!! 8O

Now I just hope they are going to delivery my new toy soon! :mrgreen:

HTK
09-23-2003, 07:13 PM
I still think that 32k is small... for the basic usage may be ok, but I would like to put some applications and develop things for the watch, in that case 32k would end in blink time.
Still, I´m thinking about buying it, I need a sport watch and this may be a good geek oportunity to gadget my life a bit more :D

unxmully
09-23-2003, 08:04 PM
There I was thinking, it's not waterproof so I won't "need" one of those and what do I find in the FAQ? Waterrpoof to 100m.

Me want one. Me want one NOW!

GoldKey
09-23-2003, 08:21 PM
This looks pretty interesting.

Someone here (Jason?) once posted a like to non-PDA, but nifty, watches that someone was selling as they imported them from Japan. Is that link still in anyone's bookmarks?

*Phil

To save Goldkey the trouble, you could do a quick search on "watches". One of the top results is this link: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16228&highlight=watches
which I think is what you are looking for. I thought some of these were pretty cool looking, I'm glad to get a reminder. :D

Yep, that is it thanks! I've been meaning to order from them. There is also a link on their page to a place to buy some neat Russian watches.

bdegroodt
09-23-2003, 08:22 PM
I still think that 32k is small... for the basic usage may be ok, but I would like to put some applications and develop things for the watch, in that case 32k would end in blink time.


Applications? :?: Who develops anything for a Timex watch? What would such applications do?

Steven Cedrone
09-23-2003, 08:25 PM
Applications? :?: Who develops anything for a Timex watch? What would such applications do?

I have one:

I've always wanted an application that would give me the precise time, it's hard to use the sun when it's raining... :wink:

Steve

bdegroodt
09-23-2003, 08:27 PM
I have one:

I've always wanted an application that would give me the precise time, it's hard to use the sun when it's raining... :wink:

Steve

Kind of where I was going with this...But I did find a few "custom" applications in Google (String: timex custom applications). Nothing worth calling home. Seems the killer app for a wristwatch is telling time (in many different ways, but still time told upon request).

ctmagnus
09-23-2003, 09:25 PM
Every morning, my PC pings the government atomic clock and makes any needed adjustments.
Howdya do that Brad????
Download the free PC app here:
http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/service/its.htm

Then, set up a scheduled event for your PC to run it every day/week/whatever. Then, you can set Activesync to push the PC time to your Pocket PC during every synch and can do the same thing when downloading data to the Timex watch.

2k/XP have that built in as a service. Set Windows Time to automatic and you're set.

ctmagnus
09-23-2003, 09:33 PM
Any idea how to get one here in Canada, without getting ripped off on shipping?? ;)

I ordered mine thru Watch-n-things I think 67$ 2nd battery, shipping to canada included.

Which Watch-n-things is that? Google has three of them listed.

Brad Adrian
09-23-2003, 09:43 PM
What would such applications do?
I can see the usefulness of specialized timers or stopwatches, depending on the sport. Or, maybe an application that downloads only certain types of appointments...

dh
09-23-2003, 10:39 PM
Applications? :?: Who develops anything for a Timex watch? What would such applications do?
Wrist Word
Wrist Excel
Power Point for Timex and Swatch
Wrist IE
WristMVP - great for full screen movies whilst running!
Wrist Plus - a "must have" app according to Jason

I understand WebIS is hard at work on Wrist Informant as well :D

T-Will
09-23-2003, 10:50 PM
Don't forget about WristPaq Flashlight! :lol:

PR.
09-23-2003, 10:59 PM
Great, Google only shows one company in the UK selling it and they seem to have a broken currency calculator as they are trying to sell it for £69.99 when its only $61 (£40) :roll:

Anyone seen any other UK vendors?

T-Will
09-23-2003, 11:25 PM
Are SPOT watches going to be released any time soon? I'm trying to figure out if I should save my $$$ for a SPOT watch or just go ahead and get this nifty watch...

yoda16
09-24-2003, 01:53 AM
I was thinking the same thing about the SPOT watches. Would love to know if anybody knows when they are coming out or a price range.

dh
09-24-2003, 01:58 AM
Don't hold your breath. I'd go for the Timex. In the meantime, here's a pic of a typical SPOT watch that was on the earlier thread here:

http://members.chello.hu/kozari.erzsebet/watch/GI-msw.jpg

Mike Temporale
09-24-2003, 02:13 AM
Are SPOT watches going to be released any time soon? I'm trying to figure out if I should save my $$$ for a SPOT watch or just go ahead and get this nifty watch...

Check out http://www.microsoft.com/spot. I got a lot of server errors, but a refresh seemed to solve it.

From the FAQ:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/spot/faqdetail4.mspx

When and where will watches with MSN Direct be available?

Watches with MSN Direct will be available in the United States and Canada in fall 2003 from leading retailers.

butch
09-24-2003, 02:57 AM
Which Watch-n-things is that? Google has three of them listed.

Here http://shop.store.yahoo.com/watch-n-things/mens1.html at the bottom of the page, there the two models :-)

butch
09-24-2003, 03:03 AM
Here a good group about the datalink USB http://groups.yahoo.com/group/timexdatalinkusb/

tzirbel
09-24-2003, 03:25 AM
Ok, I've been waiting for spot to come for a long time. I don't think it's going to happen any time soon. If it is released the service will not come to my area before the next decade. Given that, I rushed out to my local Wal-Mart store and picked up the timex data bank. First impressions after getting this baby home was WOW!!
I have small wrists. I'm a bicyclist not a bodybuilder and this thing is a little big. But not too big as notice it after it's been on my wrist for a while. It is starting to get comfortable even though I rarely wear watches. The pc applications where easy to install and use. Rather intuitive if you had a pda for a while. The Watch interface seemed clumsy at first but after playing with it for a while it starts to make sense and becomes easy. I don't think it will ever replace my much beloved ipaq but it sure makes a good backup for those long bike rides when risking damage to a loved one such as the ipaq would be absurd.
After downloading a few apps and working with magic 8 ball and the like I am amazed.

PatrickD
09-24-2003, 12:50 PM
I picked one of these up last night. It works great. I've got the whole Toronto Maple Leafs schedule loaded. I also like the way you can schedule alarms to repeat daily or weekly and on weekdays or weekends. Very cool little watch and cheap as well.

bdegroodt
09-24-2003, 01:20 PM
I picked one of these up last night. It works great. I've got the whole Toronto Maple Leafs schedule loaded. I also like the way you can schedule alarms to repeat daily or weekly and on weekdays or weekends. Very cool little watch and cheap as well.

Curious where you guys get these sports schedules in a format that downloads to your calendar? That's a real cool idea.

PatrickD
09-24-2003, 02:06 PM
You can get them here.

http://www.apple.com/ical/library/

and the instructions for how to get them on the watch are here:

http://www.timex.com/datalink/schedules/


It works great and is really easy to use. There also seems to be a wide variety of schedules available. BTW the watch stores your schedules separately from your appointments, so your sports schedules are not mixed with your personal appointments.

Mike Temporale
09-24-2003, 02:21 PM
I picked one of these up last night. It works great. I've got the whole Toronto Maple Leafs schedule loaded. I also like the way you can schedule alarms to repeat daily or weekly and on weekdays or weekends. Very cool little watch and cheap as well.

Curious where you guys get these sports schedules in a format that downloads to your calendar? That's a real cool idea.

I grab the schedule from the Maple Leafs web site (http://www.torontomapleleafs.com) and then import it into Outlook. You don't need anything fancy. Outlook will automatically (or manually if you like) map the fields in Excel to your calendar fields. Just be sure on import that you select CSV format, and pick calendar as the destination folder.

PatrickD
09-24-2003, 02:39 PM
I imported the Leafs schedule into outlook using a CSV file as well. But if you have the data link watch the iCal format works great. Too bad outlook can't import the iCal files :wink: . Importing CSV files into outlook works fine, but I find I have to search the web to find what I am looking for. On the other hand there seems to be a few web sites devoted to swaping iCal schedules. Maybe we could start a CSV schedule swaping forum.[/quote]

Certified Optimist
09-25-2003, 03:28 AM
I'm able to keep all the data you see in the screen capture on the watch, though, and it only registers 13% full. I don't think I'll outgrow the watch's capacity soon.

So the memory is enough for keeping a copy of ones diary on the wrist. That's great!

...just need to come up with a good reason for wearing two watches... (currently using a Polar M91ti=great watch for training!)

Certified Optimist
09-25-2003, 03:38 AM
I've never made up my mind between the Iron Man, Nike or Oakley.

It looks as though the Data Link versions maintains the functions of the regular IronMan series and adds a lot more.

Had a Nike training watch. Great functions, but it wasn't "sweat proof"...

Before I got it I read in some forums that sweat would get into the watch and short circuit it... Got it anyway... worked for about 6 months... screen went blank... handed it in for repears... worked for another 7 months (past warranty time)... screen went blank again (sweating)...

Also, the batteries for the chest strap (to measure the pulse) would wear out waaaay to quickly.

So... back in May I got myself a new Polar M91ti... Works like a charm!

fireflyrsmr
09-25-2003, 05:03 AM
my kid works at a fossil store. she tells me the spot watches are expected around Nov. - gotta believe they would push like hell to get them out before x-mas.

bdegroodt
09-25-2003, 12:07 PM
my kid works at a fossil store. she tells me the spot watches are expected around Nov. - gotta believe they would push like hell to get them out before x-mas.

Yeah. The SPOT Santa tracker should be the killer app. :twisted:

petemillar
09-26-2003, 02:15 PM
Guys, anyone had one long enough to know what the battery life is like? The old style PDA watches just ate batteries.

Thanks

Pete

PatrickD
09-26-2003, 05:38 PM
Timex claims 2 years depending on usage. I'll get back to you in two years :D

Brad Adrian
09-26-2003, 05:43 PM
Timex claims 2 years depending on usage. I'll get back to you in two years :D
And the battery type is a CR2025, which you can get from most stores like WalMart for around $3.

petemillar
09-26-2003, 05:44 PM
:D

zippy070650
09-28-2003, 02:23 PM
I just purchased the watch but don't see how to set up multiple contact lists. Would you please send me a brief description of how you did this?

thanks


I like that I can set-up more than 1 contact list, so I have one for the job and one for others stuff, with more than 50 numbers in each it is much more easy to find one.
You can also re-order the list of program, and when you enter a note it will upload to your computer next time you sync your watch. :-)

jjx
09-28-2003, 02:27 PM
Anyone heard when/if Timex plans to come out with new styles of this watch?

Brad Adrian
09-30-2003, 04:21 AM
I just purchased the watch but don't see how to set up multiple contact lists. Would you please send me a brief description of how you did this?
In the Timex application, go to TOOLS>Add Mode and select Contacts.

aldamon
10-02-2003, 01:24 PM
Can someone comment on the usability of this watch when compared to a real PDA? I have a Kyocera QCP-6035 Smartphone that I snagged for free from Sprint Retention two years ago. I only use it for phone numbers, addresses, password storage, occasional projects, E-mail and Web browsing during my one or two road trips a year, AvantGo and of course as a phone. It's rather large, but it beats carrying a phone and a PDA. I'd like to ditch the 6035 and buy a tiny Vision flip-phone, but then I'd have to buy a PDA. The newer Smartphones are out of the question because I don't want to spend $500 on a new combo phone (hard to swallow when my 6035 was free). I know the Timex would be a step down for most people, but I think I could get by without AvantGo, and the Vision phone would do everything else except encrypted password storage (YAPS).

Would the Timex be suitable for my needs? Is it clunky to use with multiple contacts? How do you enter contacts on the fly? Timex has a small demo online, but nothing interactive enough to see how it works.

Brad Adrian
10-02-2003, 10:57 PM
Can someone comment on the usability of this watch when compared to a real PDA?
Not really close. The watch is best for special timers, alarms and contact lookups. The downloading of calendar events and entry of data on the watch are weak points, IMO.

Don't get me wrong; I love this watch. But, I would never be able to use it as even a rudimentary substitute for a PDA.

aldamon
10-03-2003, 01:01 PM
Thanks. I think I'll stick with my 6035 for now.