What makes a good stopwatch?

mrochester · 26 Apr 2012 at 11:58

Hi all

I don't know the first thine about stopwatches, and I'm looking for one to buy someone as a birthday gift. Would anyone be able to offer some advice as to what makes a "good" stopwatch, and what to buy?

Many thanks

M.

panthro · 26 Apr 2012 at 12:17

As long as its quartz powered then they'll all be pretty much the same in terms of accuracy.
Depends how many split times you require too.

postbox · 26 Apr 2012 at 12:25

a nice big easy to read display without fiddly start/stop / split time buttons would probably be my priority. Apart from that a comfy adjustable strap - I've used basic digital £10 up to £££ Garmin ones and they all do the same thing in terms of stop watch function.

fishboyuk · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:01

I would look for one with both a start and a stop button.

mrochester · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:06

fishboyuk said:
I would look for one with both a start and a stop button.

LOL!

Arnie · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:10

panthro said:
As long as its quartz powered then they'll all be pretty much the same in terms of accuracy.
Depends how many split times you require too.

Get Patek automatic stopwatch tbh.

dowie · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:12

Arnie said:
Get Patek automatic stopwatch tbh.

^^^

This. Anything less and they'll think you're a cheapskate.

bcjames · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:14

What is it to be used for and how much do you want to spend? I've got quite a few from officiating athletics and you don't need to spend loads to get a good one.

mrochester · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:15

bcjames said:
What is it to be used for and how much do you want to spend? I've got quite a few from officiating athletics and you don't need to spend loads to get a good one.

I'm looking to spend about £15-£20. And he's a fitness/sports coach (not by trade) so it'll be used for that.

bcjames · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:21

The Casio hs 30w is the go-to stopwatch our UKA time keepers use. About £25