The IronMan30 has a night-light system that far surpasses the Expedition, with brightly glowing number elements rather than a weakly back-lit face, a more elabore lap/split chronograph, a simpler and more accurate timer, separate day/weekend/weekday alarms, and a recessed face.

That last feature is very important: I've had to replace my Expedition every few years because the face always got scratched, soon after purchase. But the IronMan30 has a recessed face that hasn't been scratched yet!

The IronMan50, by contrast, has what the 30 has plus 20 more laps. If you have more than 30 (even more than 10?) laps to time, you should probably invest in a more expensive watch - one with a heart monitor if not also a compass and/or altimeter, depending where you're doing those laps.


Great watch, but the band is made of poo-poo   December 11, 2005
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Had the watch for 6 months. Excellent visibility, excellent user interface.
Then the band broke. Well, it didn't break, it just sort-of disintegrated.
Crumbled. It's not like I have Incredible Hulk sweat or anything; I don't usually
dissolve my clothing. But the band started to crack in six places and then
fell off. It's a very special band that does not seem to be possible to replace.

I -highly- recommend that you stay away from this watch until Timex
produces a cheap replacement band and/or begins manufacturing the
current watch with more modern materials.

It's a shame, really. Otherwise this is an excellently designed watch that,
for six months or so, was one of the best, easiest to see and use, watches
I've ever had.


Broke after one drop   November 7, 2004
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

So much for "Takes a Licking". This watch broke the first time I dropped it. I wouldn't recommend this one. Buy the classic Ironman Timex watch with two buttons. I've had the older model for years and although it is missing two buttons, I haven't had a problem. As per this one. Don't waste your money would be my recommendation.


Great and Fragile   January 3, 2005
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I got this watch to get into sprint triathlons, and it was great. Huge display, great looks, lots of useful functions, I loved it. After about three months it started breaking. First the Indiglo went (no biggie), then the rest of the buttons either stopped working or worked when you put a ton of pressure on them.
Soon after that, the band completedly fell apart. I sent the watch to Timex's service place and had a brand new one a week and a half later. Problem solved? No. This watch (same model) lasted a little longer before the buttons went crapside on me.
At first the time would change randomly as I moved my wrist, it also set its alarm to random times (321 AM for example, nice).Then the Indiglo went, followed by the rest. The only good thing now is that the buttons don't work at all, so at least the time doesn't get all screwed up every time I bend my wrist.
This watch would have been the best watch I ever owned had it lasted more than 15 minutes. I thought Timex was supposed to be rugged, especially an "Ironman" watch, it didn't turn out to be too much of an Ironman after all.


can't complain... but i'll try really hard to-   April 27, 2005
 4 out of 7 found this review helpful

nice watch. i managed to not lose it for almost 2 years now- maybe longer. it does everything i need for my training, except i haven't figured out a way to delete a split from the list before storing it but that may be asking too much.

perhaps the best part and worst part about the watch is the band. i've been searching online for the last 3 days looking to buy a replacement watchband for this watch. alas, it is NOT POSSIBLE. there's only so long i can go with a rubberband holding down the part of the strap that sticks out and a safety pin to secure the part that cracked off.

granted, it's a very cool looking band without the recent accessories. (the wacky holes aren't only hip-i've not had a sweaty wrist for ages.)

but now, i'm stuck. what to do? buy another watch? i love the watch too much to want a new one. i'm comfortable with it. it's a part of me now, you know? we've run lots of races together. i know how to push its buttons. (and doesn't that take a while to get the hang of, anyway?) so do i continue living life with office supplies hanging off my wrist?

it's a bit like hating divorce and yet finding yourself married to a man who is slowly making your life hell. whataya do? know the facts before you buy. so... buy the watch? don't buy the watch? i honestly can't suggest one over the other. this is a horrible review, i know. but maybe it'll paint the proper picture of what mess this watch will get you into. guard your heart.