Yes this is a good tool for timing, counting laps and calculating efficiency, especially the handsfree lap counting capability but the strap buckle seems completely unsuitable for a sports watch like this. The buckle is very small and fiddly, especially the buckle pin and probably more suited to a women's watch than a mans. As the watch and strap are all one piece they can't be replaced so I hope they do not ever break! Secondly in the instructions it warns against pressing the buttons underwater which made me nervous about pressing buttons to time individual sets while still in the pool. On balance for the money I was a bit disappointed overall.
While I am still learning it's features, a fews simple tests show that it does count the laps accurately. I wish the Lap Counter number was bigger so you could just glance at it. I haven't found it that useful for Masters swimming but I think it'll be great for long solo swims when I just zone out on lap counts. I'm sure the next version will be better but this one works!
I usually swim a mile at a time in sets of 300 yards, each set being a different stroke, and IM. Since the Swimovate is set in meters and I swim in a 25-yard pool, I had to convert meters to yards: rounding up did not work too well, I was on my second lap and the computer was not registering it. So now I have it set for 22 meters and except for showing an occasional extra lap, the computer is pretty accurate. Now I don't have to count all the laps myself. Disadvantages: 1. as soon as you press pause, the time swum resets to 0, so you cannot see how long it took to finish a given set (you can only see it from the log mode later)2. it is difficult to see which lap you are on without pausing, especially if your goggles are slightly foggy.3. the effectiveness measure on the guide should show the ranges by stroke
I did not find the data accurate.
The watch comes with directions, however the directions to not do a very good job helping the swimmer determine what all the information means. It does count the laps, and elapsed time, and calories burned. The other information it gives- average stroke, strokes per lap, speed and efficiency index are all new terms to me.The watch is a little large on my female wrist, and a few times my arm has paused the watch while swimming, which will throw off the count. Overall I am happy with the watch, it allows me to swim laps with out counting or timing.
I am currently training for triathlons and have found this swim computer to be incredibly useful!! I am new to the sport and started out with no idea about my times or efficiency. Now, with the pool-mate, I am able to track my times and can focus more on my efficiency. NO MORE COUNTING STROKES!!! I have found the computer to be very accurate. So far, I haven't found anything that I don't like about the Pool-mate!
