[usclassic]

This is one Timex that should be at least held in your hand before purchasing. The reason can be gleened by simply reading through the hundreds of reviews. One reviewer says it is better than a Rolex the best watch they have ever had. Several others say it is horrible, impossible to read without using the indiglo and have sent it back. So it goes review after review, 5 stars, 2 stars, great, perfect watch, tough, durable, I can see it just fine, dim but it doesn't bother me. Then many who wonder why Timex would make such a watch display and go back to a regular digital model. I get that some people look at the stock listing picture but don't really understand what they are seeing and that is why everyone considering this watch should actually look at it in person before deciding if it is the right watch for them. The ironman features are similar if not identical throughout the line and present a multitude of options.

Features:
30-Lap Memory Recall
100-Hour Chronograph with Lap and Split Times
99-Lap Counter
Customize Menu by Removing Unused Modes
On-Screen Prompts Make Setting Easy
Forward or Backward Setting
On-the-Fly Lap or Split Recall
24-hour countdown timer with: countdown/stop (CS) and countdown/repeat (CR)
15 preset occasions to set reminders
3 customizable alarms: daily/weekday/weekend/weekly options
3 time zone settings
INDIGLO® night-light
NIGHT-MODE feature
Durable Resin Strap
Water-Resistant to 100 Meters
Top Pusher for Easy Operation
Durable and Lightweight Resin Case

As you can see it is jam packed with features. Features are not practical if getting to them or having to work through menu after menu becomes so daunting that the user simply gives up. Not so this Ironman where a particular feature can be toggled on or off so the user can make unused features dissappear from the mode screens so most used features are easy and faster to engage. Excellent user frendly design. I usually have problems with a moveable strap keeper loop moving around and off the strap it is supposed to be holding. Timex has solved this problem by a clever strap design that locates the keeper securely at the strap end. Those are some of the details that come from well thought out design and evolution of the ironman. Which brings us to the sticking point, the inverted display. Peronsally this writer favored the blackout, stealthy, black ops vib. Someone sitting next to me won't be able to snatch the time off my wrist nor will it be so obviously displayed. The biggest plus seen here is that of the way the indiglo works with the display. Instead of a big bright square of light with some dark digits this display lights through the digits leaving the background dark and retinas unsinged in the middle of the night.

The movement is from China as is the very comfortable strap the watch is assembled in the Philippines and the unique plastic packaging comes from Willemstad, Curacao.

Since it just arrived today I will wear it now for a couple weeks 24/7 and report back.

46 grams and overall nice size watch strap integrates into watch case giving a solid one piece visual.

 

[Wolfsatz]

I have this watch and I love it mostly for the looks and the features of it. Just got my younger one its sibling with very colorful theme. He also has the Blue one and I also have both of the Camo versions which also one has a negative display.

What makes the Rugged 30 a true gem; is the features which I assume were the standard on all the Ironman series... and that is where I found out that the 50 Lap and the 100 Lap are not as featured packed as the Rugged 30 series. So this movement is really just missing the Shock Feature to be a Golden Gem.

If you don't like the Negative Displays?... then why get one; that is the same common theme on all Negative displays regardless of the brand. My fix.. Get both.. or Many!

Great Pictures BTW

Timex Ironman by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

Pair of Ironmans by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

 

[usclassic]

Thanks for your comments and pictures Wolf. I think many buy the watch based on the stock listing photo which seems to be used by all sellers

and have no idea what the actual display looks like thus being disappointed when the watch arrives. Without overhead lighting the screen is very dark or blank gray in very low light conditions so it is understandable people return the watch and complain. Again this is a watch that needs to be seen in person and better yet during different lighting conditions before buying. Indiglo makes it readable under any conditions where the natural display does not but the button press is too much for some people. I find the display captivating and sometimes pleasantly surprising as I adapt to it.

 

[Wolfsatz]

Indiglo makes it readable under any conditions where the natural display does not but the button press is too much for some people. I find the display captivating and sometimes pleasantly surprising as I adapt to it.

I think the trick with these negative displays... is to just twist your watch as to reflect the light and not view it directly as you would with any other watch. I can read the watch in pretty much any lighting condition but with finding the right angle so that the light hits it on the right angle. I really only need to use Indiglo at night or when I want to be amused!

 

[Wolfsatz]

Here's the trio of the Negative Displays

Ironman Rugged 30 Neg Display by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

 

[Wolfsatz]

Thanks for your comments and pictures Wolf. I think many buy the watch based on the stock listing photo which seems to be used by all sellers

View attachment 13376969

and have no idea what the actual display looks like thus being disappointed when the watch arrives. Without overhead lighting the screen is very dark or blank gray in very low light conditions so it is understandable people return the watch and complain. Again this is a watch that needs to be seen in person and better yet during different lighting conditions before buying. Indiglo makes it readable under any conditions where the natural display does not but the button press is too much for some people. I find the display captivating and sometimes pleasantly surprising as I adapt to it.

While I totally understand why some people may be disappointed if they didn't know that they were purchasing a Negative Display; I also don't understand the lack of readability. I compared the ease of viewing the hour with dim lighting conditions next to a window in the late afternoon; where there is light coming from the window but nothing in the room being lit. So all light coming at you if you are standing in front of the window. I compared a Baby G that I bought my older son when he was in 2nd grade.

The ease of viewing goes to Timex by miles (even though the pictures below are deceiving as the camera compensates under low lighting conditions). I shall explain: I got the idea of comparing the dials and displays since I also just got the Fairfield Chrono which I actually have a harder time reading the dial even during plain daylight outside.

This picture is taken atop a desk which is next to a window. At that angle, the timex has a very good read while the Baby G is almost impossible to make. The Fairfield seems very legible on the picture; but my eyes have a really hard time making the hands and markers.

Timex Reviews by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

This picture is taken under the desk and just angling the watch to receive reflection light from the ceiling. I can see the time really easy.
Timex Reviews by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

In this picture, the camera is compensating a lot on the dark area; but my eyes have extremely hard time reading the time.
Timex Reviews by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

same location under the desk using Indiglo:
Untitled by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

 

[cayabo]

I really like the look of a negative display.

Here's a shot of a T5K793 and a T5K822 with their movements swapped (you can't get a T5K822 case with neg-display) - it illustrates the difference in legibility:

The movement ended up in a T5K693 as a hydro-mod. I've found this to be quite useful in improving the legibility.

 

[yankeexpress]

The previous negative displays were better.

Timex used to make Solar powered versions, which so far have lasted many years and may end up lasting decades, as the Casio Tough Solars have (20 years Plus for me so far). Only issue with the Timex Solar is the proprietary straps rot away from sun decay.

 

[yankeexpress]

This one is fairly readable

 

[Wolfsatz]

I really like the look of a negative display.

The movement ended up in a T5K693 as a hydro-mod. I've found this to be quite useful in improving the legibility.

View attachment 13390635

That is bad @SSSS!

 

[Pat1978]

View attachment 13374615

This is one Timex that should be at least held in your hand before purchasing. The reason can be gleened by simply reading through the hundreds of reviews. One reviewer says it is better than a Rolex the best watch they have ever had. Several others say it is horrible, impossible to read without using the indiglo and have sent it back. So it goes review after review, 5 stars, 2 stars, great, perfect watch, tough, durable, I can see it just fine, dim but it doesn't bother me. Then many who wonder why Timex would make such a watch display and go back to a regular digital model. I get that some people look at the stock listing picture but don't really understand what they are seeing and that is why everyone considering this watch should actually look at it in person before deciding if it is the right watch for them. The ironman features are similar if not identical throughout the line and present a multitude of options.

Features:
30-Lap Memory Recall
100-Hour Chronograph with Lap and Split Times
99-Lap Counter
Customize Menu by Removing Unused Modes
On-Screen Prompts Make Setting Easy
Forward or Backward Setting
On-the-Fly Lap or Split Recall
24-hour countdown timer with: countdown/stop (CS) and countdown/repeat (CR)
15 preset occasions to set reminders
3 customizable alarms: daily/weekday/weekend/weekly options
3 time zone settings
INDIGLO® night-light
NIGHT-MODE feature
Durable Resin Strap
Water-Resistant to 100 Meters
Top Pusher for Easy Operation
Durable and Lightweight Resin Case

As you can see it is jam packed with features. Features are not practical if getting to them or having to work through menu after menu becomes so daunting that the user simply gives up. Not so this Ironman where a particular feature can be toggled on or off so the user can make unused features dissappear from the mode screens so most used features are easy and faster to engage. Excellent user frendly design. I usually have problems with a moveable strap keeper loop moving around and off the strap it is supposed to be holding. Timex has solved this problem by a clever strap design that locates the keeper securely at the strap end. Those are some of the details that come from well thought out design and evolution of the ironman. Which brings us to the sticking point, the inverted display. Peronsally this writer favored the blackout, stealthy, black ops vib. Someone sitting next to me won't be able to snatch the time off my wrist nor will it be so obviously displayed. The biggest plus seen here is that of the way the indiglo works with the display. Instead of a big bright square of light with some dark digits this display lights through the digits leaving the background dark and retinas unsinged in the middle of the night.

The movement is from China as is the very comfortable strap the watch is assembled in the Philippines and the unique plastic packaging comes from Willemstad, Curacao.

View attachment 13374629 View attachment 13374631 View attachment 13374633 View attachment 13374635 View attachment 13374647 View attachment 13374649

Since it just arrived today I will wear it now for a couple weeks 24/7 and report back.

View attachment 13374665

46 grams and overall nice size watch strap integrates into watch case giving a solid one piece visual.

The display is unreadable and the promo materials showing a well-lit display are deplorably deceptive. I can't wait to return. A waste of time.

 

[Petrus001]

Negative display definitely looks cooler but is a little harder to see. A question I have (maybe for an engineer) is: Does the negative display use more battery to stimulate the “negative” portion of the LCD screen? Would that reduce battery life quicker day in day out?

 

[cayabo]

Negative display definitely looks cooler but is a little harder to see. A question I have (maybe for an engineer) is: Does the negative display use more battery to stimulate the "negative" portion of the LCD screen? Would that reduce battery life quicker day in day out?

Nope - you can reverse the display on an LCD by changing the orientation of polarized sheets in front - a purely mechanical change.

 

[PA86]

I just ordered one of these to check out after my Essential 10 died. Was optimistic that it would visible enough to be functional but its absolute rubbish. Going right back!