Need pace clock alternative

I use my Timex Ironman and it works fine.I generally just use the stop watch function,but most of my repeats are on the min. or on the 30 sec. so there is no complicated math.

Allen, does your watch repeat 1:00 and back to zero continuously, or do you just leave the stopwatch function running? Thanks,

Many Timex Ironman watches have a timer (different from a stopwatch) that can be set to a value and it will repeat the timer cycle. These watches are probably in the $50 range (list).

I just joined a new pool that does not have any sort of pace clock. I want some advice on a small portable alternative that I could use, like a digital watch that can repeat 60 sec, or even an affordable small pace clock. I’ve done some research on watches but don’t know which ones are any good for pacing purposes. I've come across the classic runners stop watch, but find them very expensive. If anyone has had success with a timing device, please advise. I know you are working toward getting a timing tool (watch, etc), but try also looking into a heart rate monitor if you want a different look at your workouts. You can base everything on a target heart rate for the entire workout; just puts a new spin on things.

I swear by the Finis (?) Tempo Trainer. It's a tiny little beeper that you attach to your goggles. You can set it for stroke cadence, kick speed (down to 0.2 seconds) or for intervals (by 25s, 50s, whatever) from any time above 0.2 seconds up to 9.99 minutes, or something like that. It really helps the near-sighted. Plus, you don't have to rely on a clock. When it beeps you just take off and then it beeps at whatever interval you've set it on. If it beeps too early (after your turn, for example), then you know you're ahead of pace; if it beeps halfway down a 25, well, you know you need to pick it up. It makes swimming fly very fun (I set it so I pull every 1.5 secs; I know that's slow, but I'm working my way down to 1.2 secs). I ordered it online. It was $40, including shipping.

Great ideas, thanks.

It seems like any waterproof watch with a second hand would do the trick just fine. A pace clock is simply a really big clock, after all. like a digital watch that can repeat 60 sec Any watch that displays seconds does this by definition.

A low-cost solution is to buy a jumbo battery-operated wall clock with a second hand (I got one that's about 14 inches in diameter at the nearest mega-store for about $10), then stick in one of those big zip-lock bags and set it near you on a pool deck or on a nearby deck chair. I did this on vacation when swimming in a pool with no pace clock and was happy with the results. The clock turned out to be a bit small for seeing splits while I was swimming, but it worked just fine for send-offs.

A low-cost solution is to buy a jumbo battery-operated wall clock with a second hand (I got one that's about 14 inches in diameter at the nearest mega-store for about $10), then stick in one of those big zip-lock bags and set it near you on a pool deck or on a nearby deck chair. Definitely a great option! You can probably rest it against the block as well!

Allen, does your watch repeat 1:00 and back to zero continuously, or do you just leave the stopwatch function running? Thanks, After a hour it stops recording 100ths of a sec and records sec only,which is good enough for me.