FINIS Swimsense Watch Reviews

By Jack from California on 4/12/2013

After a year and a quarter I have found that the Swimsense''s stroke and distance tracking, especially with the several software updates, to be quite good, and the new website/interface to be very useful.  (Though uploads later in the evening sometimes seem to be blocked.)  My big gripe is that the watch band is not replaceable and even before the first year was up the holes in the band started to tear.  Now the two sets of holes I can use are almost completely torn through and I''ve noticed that the band is cracking/tearing on both sides up near the watch itself.  Because I also run from time to time and do some open water swimming, I decided to replace the Swimsense with the Garmin 910 GPS watch, but that''s at a whole different price point (and has a replaceable band).

By Andrea from NEw York on 3/15/2013

I have only great things to say about the Swimsense functionality, both the software on the watch and the newly re-designed online app. I had it for over a year.
The problems I had are with the materials: first the loop that holds the free end of the strap broke, Finis sent two replacements. Then the strap broke - the hole were I was locking the clasp just wore out and cut through the next hole. Finis replaced the watch. On the new watch same problem with the strap. Now water got inside and the buttons on the left no longer work, maybe it will dry. Still, just too many problems with the materials.

By Michael B. from Old Greenwich, CT on 1/11/2013

Having purchased lap counting watches over the past 15 years, one gets to realize that besides being able to record laps and times, there are a number of operational features that are just as important.
 It contains a rechargeable battery; regular batteries/gaskets have a limited life  
 Periodic software updates continue to make it even better
 You can format your own read-out screens that show what you want.
 Just upload your results and see graphic images
 It''s hands-free once you push off until you finish your workout - uncanny

I''ve been using this watch for almost 2 years. They just came out with new (free) software for the uploads with improved graphs, and ease-of-use and overall design is on the money.

The only thing I would like to see is a blue tooth ability to upload.

By Michael W. from Fredericksburg, TX on 11/6/2012

I've used this watch for 2 weeks now, and have to say its one of the best birthday gifts. The lap counter alone has been reason enough to have one. But there are so many other functions that have already helped my swimming. The 25 yard breakdowns and dps are great training aids. The software let's the user see all the workout info in graph form or tabular. So nice.

By Harley from Chappaqua, NY on 6/22/2012

This nifty device works in my case to largely replace the constant effort to remember what lap I'm on or how much time I am doing.  As a result, after I finally let go of mentally counting, I found I could really free up to work on other things, or nothing.  Pretty different.  I just wish I could read it better without my glasses, which, of course, I don't use whilst training.  Overall I'd give it an A.

By Joe F. from Burnsville, MN on 3/28/2012

I swim about 55 miles a month in different sized pools, and have used it on almost every swim so far this year.  It counts laps correctly, I have had no problem with that.  You do have to configure the watch to the pool, and as you do, it converts laps to distance in meters or yards, and when you stop it provides lots of data such as average 100 (yards or metrers) time.  I enjoy being able to review the data from the watch and the various outputs it gives.  It is a great idea, and frees the swijmmer from tedious counting, I can now listen to my swim player and not worry about counting laps.  The downside - I am on my second watch.  The first one, has failed.  I have asked for assistance through Finis, and not gotten any replies.  The watch routinely failed to connect to my computer to download data, to the point it now has no display at all, so I don't know if the watch is running, though I can get it to be recognized on my computer, so I know it is doing something.  My second watch, which I got through SwimOutlet, has had no problem at all.  It connects, it counts, it displays and is a lot of fun, particularly when I trade info with swimming buddies.  I'd have given this a higher rating, had my first watch not failed, or I had gotten some help from Finis.  I liked it enough to try another one, and have been, so far, satisfied.  If this one fails, then I will be sorely disappointed, and am hoping it continues to operate properly.  I really don't want to count laps again. Finis continues to provide free updates to software, and notifies you everytime you upload  data, which is a plus.  I'd have just liked to have been told my first one was a lemon, as opposed to silence on the other end.

By Jody L. from Smithville, MO on 3/16/2012

I am by no means the fastest swimmer but I am improving.  This watch gives me the motivation I need.  After my workouts I can hardly wait to upload the data and see how I did.  There are so many things to measure and it's fun and easy.  When you know your intervals are being timed and measured, it pushes you to do well.  Being lazy will show up to haunt you later as you look over the data.
It's very user friendly.  I find it MUCH easier than the previous watch I had from a different company.
Can't say enough about this.  I love it!

By Steffi from Lexington, KY on 2/8/2012

I have used this watch now for about a week and I love it.  It is a bit difficult to read on land and in the water.  If there was some way that the company could move the wording on the sides closer to the centre out from under the lip of the edge of the watch, this would help.  I find looking at it underwater helps to magnify the letters a bit but not much.  Hooking it up to my Mac is as easy as it can go.  The watch's  buttons are very sensitive but when I am not using the watch, I leave it lying face up and on the straps away from other items that might bump into it.  Also, when I go to use it, on the day, I put it on with my suit at home and don't take it off until I am about to load the data up on my computer.  I have not had a problem with it switching on on its own sense.  These are not necessarily flaws if your aware of what triggers these problems.  The unit is sensitive so handle with a lot of care; is my finding.  The unit has been very helpful in providing insight into my swimming habits, good and bad.  If your a person that gets a kick out of top performance with the least amount of energy, this is the watch to help you reach your goals.  It is also helpful to be able to inform your coach of your split times from the comfort of your laptop.  Gathering this data is so much easier than remember what time you took off on the pool clock and remembering, once you get the water out of your goggles to look at the clock again.  With my eyes shut I can hit the stop swim button and record a truer time.   I am a bit concerned about the watch strap.  These types of straps do not do well with constant chlorine exposure and they will in time almost melt.  It would be nice to have the watch with a band that could be replaced with another or even jury rigged if the occasion arose.  Replacing a watch to fix a watch band does not make good business sense.  If your planning on swimming for the rest of your life, get this watch.

By Chris from GA on 1/30/2012

The beta version is awesome in that you can build screens to show what data you want to show.  The watch keeps track of laps, type of stroke, distance covered per stroke and stroke counts among others.  Only issue I had is that after a short time the band started to tear.  Swim outlet sent me a new one- since that time I have not had any difficulties.

By Robert P. from Brandon, MS on 7/16/2011

I use this for triathlon practice and it works as advertised. It is really amazing how it records the different strokes on it's own. Button use during sets is a little confusing and I have swam dozens of laps thinking it was recording when in fact it was paused but that's user error.