Kong
[Moderator]
7855
A Fun & Bold Watch for Outdoor Adventure - Timex WS4
This is one fun piece for your Summer outdoor adventures, be it hiking, mountaineering and golfing.
Saw it a couple of months ago during our local distributor, Crystal Time introduced to the press.
Just last month, saw it being mentioned in one of my favourite magazines - WIRED.
The watch is known as TIMEX Expedition WS4 .
5 different colour combinations to choose from and 2 strap options.
The pictures in this post are with the rubber strap.
An optional expandable elastic fabric strap is available for wearing over the gear.
The prototypes available for me to take some pictures were as above, 4 out of the 6 models.
Its interesting to note the design objectives of the WS4....
Firstly it is meant to differentiate itself from the strong competitors like CASIO's Pathfinder/PROTREK and Suunto Vector
by abandoning the convention and 'think outside the Circle'.
Thus the large rectangular console unit (at 50mm X 40mm made of composite with Stainless Steel top plate
with water resistant to 50m) and named as WS4.
WS denotes 'WIDE Screen' and 4 represents the 'ABC-T',
Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Thermometer.
Indeed the inspiration of the wide screen is from rear window with the dark trimming of the
Land Rover (as shown below).
The purpose of the wide screen beside styling is also meant to be like dashboard
displaying the relevant outdoor information @ a glance.
The next design objective is to have an intuitive user interface which enable the users
to jumpstart using all the functions of the ABC-T, alarm, chronograph and timers with little effort.
The functions are easy to use but I still need to refer to the manual for calibration, setting and using the review feature.
A snapshot of the functions in one diagram ....
Understand during the prototyping stage, the WS4s were provided to several renowed climbers for real-world
torture test. It was tested by American alpinist (who is now the Timex Brand Ambassador), Conrad Anker, in
a few expeditions like Meru's Shark's fin, Garhwal Himalaya Range to a height of 6310m/20,702 feet.
According to Conrad, WS4 is useful in alerting them of sudden snow storm which could endanger the
whole team. With the pre-alert, they could anticipate and wait it out safely.
Some pictures for colour check and viewing the dashboard ....
An interesting graphical view of the past hours of barometric graph for the past hours.
The absolute reading is also indicated below the graph.
Similarly like the rest of the brands, these digital console is capable of displaying readings in metric or imperial unit
for the barometric and temperature readings.
If you look at end of the graph, it is sliding from peak continuously, indicating rain is highly probable....
thus the icon just above the temperature reading displaying 'shower'.
Like many others, to get an accurate temperature reading of the environment, the watch must not
be on the wrist, as the body temperature raises the reading by at least 5 degree Celsius.
The 'analog clock' and the temperature with weather condition (on the left of the watch when upright) are permanently on display.
The right-half is determined by the current mode.
During the time-mode, you have the option to set DATE, Altitude or Barometric reading to display at the
bottom right corner by simply toggling the 'STOP/RESET' button.
From above and below diagrams, while in 'TIME Mode', displaying the second-timezone and barometric readings
in either mb or in Hg unit. Your choice to select whichever unit prefer.
The above, 'TIME Mode' with Altitude monitoring on.
Next, several pictures of the Timex electroluminescence - INDIGLO®
for easy reading in low light conditions.
Additionally WS4 is also a data logger.
It could be enabled to record the highest/lowest altitude versus a time scale and also highest/lowest for barometric
pressure and temperature.
One useful feature for mountaineers beside the barometric sensing to forecast the weather, is the Altitude Alarm.
The target altitude could be set and when reaches, alarm will sound and on screen alert will display too.
Some pictures of the WS4 ...
User could easily replaces the battery.
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For the rest of Kong's post in HoMe forum, please CLICK HERE
