Review – Tech4o TrailLeader Pro Watch
April 27, 2009 ·
Written by Will T ·
Filed Under Shoes & Gear
Hi, my name is Will Thomas and I am a guest blogger here on trailrunningSoul.com. I am an avid trail runner, middle of the pack endurance athlete, and overall outdoor adventure lover. I have been a fan and daily reader of trailrunningSoul.com for more than a year, ever since stumbling across one of my youtube videos on this site. TrailrunningSoul.com quickly became my #1 go-to site for all things trail running.
TrailLeader Pro. MSRP: $199.99
On behalf of trailrunningSoul.com I have been privileged to test & review a new trail running watch: the TrailLeader Pro watch made by Tech4o. I’ve spent the last 6 weeks and logged over 200 miles on the watch. First I’ll give you my thoughts on the watch along with a list of the features then if you are still interested in learning more about the watch you can view the videos [part 1] and [part 2] as I walk you through all the watch’s functions.
The Conclusion
I consider the TrailLeader Pro watch to be the Swiss army knife of running watches. It’s everything you need while out on the trail in an easy, convenient package. If you are anything like me and love to gather as much data from your run as possible, the TrailLeader Pro collects almost any data you could imagine which you then can view in real-time during your run, or in summary after your run, and it also downloads your workout data directly to your PC for you to study, track and save for later. I used this watch while trail running, adventure racing, hiking, backpacking, climbing, snow shoeing, alpine skiing, mountain biking, and while on evening strolls around the neighborhood with the wife and baby.
I’ve always had a bone to pick with watch companies. I never understood why they couldn’t put all the features that someone would need into ONE watch. I’ve always figured this was their way of making sure you buy multiple watches to use depending on the activity you are doing. I’ve seen some GPS watches that have come close, but living under the big canopy of trees here in the NorthWest where using GPS devices on the trails is about as useful as sunscreen during our rainy winters. With GPS out of the question, I often find myself out on runs with a watch strapped to each of my arms, pods strapped to my feet, cords & straps tangling all around me tripping me up; removing any sense of serenity or tranquility to my trail run which ironically was the sole reason for the run in the first place.
Tech4o as broken the mold with the release of their TrailLeader Pro watch. It comes stocked with any feature an outdoor enthusiast needs, yet with the newest, sleekest technology that lets you leave behind all the accessories the other watches need in order to function.
Features
At the core of this trail running watch is what makes Tech4o stand out among other watch companies: Their Accelerometer technology allows you to throw away that annoying foot pod that would never stay in place and chuck that inaccurate pedometer strapped to your waist. Built right into the watch itself is their “marble in a bowl” technology that when properly calibrated is more accurate then any other speed/distance watch technology I have used. This new, simple technology along with all the following features built all into this one watch is what makes the Tech4o my one and only watch I use for all things outdoors.
The watch has two easy to navigate menus: A Time Menu & a Trail Menu.
The Time Menu has the following modes:
Time, Date, Day, 2 Time Alarms, 50lap Chronograph, Timer, Dual Time Zone
The Trail Menu has the following modes:
Trail Leader Pro Speed & Distance Mode:
· Speed (mile/hr) – current, max, average
· Distance
· Pace (min/mile) – current,
· Calories
· Steps
· Exercise/moving time
· Time of day
Trail Leader Pro Heart Rate Mode:
· Heart Rate (beats/min & % of Max) – current, max, min, average
· Time within target heart rate range
· 2.4GHz Heart Rate Measurement
· Exercise time
· Calories
· Time of day
Trail Leader Pro Altimeter Mode:
· Current Altitude
· Altimeter Lock
· Reference Altitude
· Altitude Alarms
· 48hr Altitude Graph
· 24hr max + min altitude
· Altitude Difference Calculator
· Total Ascent
· Total Descent
· Current Temperature
· Time of Day
Trail Leader Pro Barometer Mode:
· Current Pressure
· Barometer Lock
· Pressure adjustment
· 48hr Pressure Graph
· Current Temperature
· 24hr max + min temperature and pressure
· Weather Forecaster
· Time of Day
Trail Leader Pro Digital Compass Mode:
· 1° increment resolution
· Adjustable declination
· Bearing Lock
· Reverse Bearing
· Distortion warning
Trail Leader User Mode:
· Let’s you select any 3 of the previously mentioned data to be viewed on the screen at all times within this mode.
Other Watch Features:
· PC Link Capability
· Fully Adjustable Personal Profile
· 10 day memory
· 1.5 in. display features large, easy-to-read digits and a backlight for use in the dark
· Rugged, stainless-steel case protects instrument and is water resistant to 10m (33 ft.)
· Vented polymer band is comfortable and durable
· Manual : http://www.tech4o.com/downloads/traileaderpro.pdf
[TRSoul]: Thanks to Will Thomas for putting together this great review and to Tech4o for providing the watch.
