Best_Stopwatch_For_Swim_Coaches

Every swimming coach knows the value of a good stopwatch. No matter if your athletes are practicing or competing, tracking time gives you an insight into their performance and progress. Stopwatches are one of the easiest ways of tracking the swim workout, so you get a clearer picture of where and how to improve.

Since accuracy and reliability are very important in this sport, getting the best coach stopwatch can make a big difference. In this article, we’ll take a look at the highest-rated models when it comes to performance, so you can take your practice sessions to a higher level.

1

OUR TOP PICK

ACCUSPLIT Pro Survivor A601X Swimming Stopwatch

ACCUSPLIT Pro Survivor A601X Swimming Stopwatch


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Summary

Designed for true professionals, the Accusplit Pro Survivor stopwatch offers a large number of options for tracking time. In addition to this, its Magnum XL display with extra-large digits is very easy to see at a glance. Like all high-quality models, it uses a 1/100th second timing interval. Due to all of this, it’s one of the best swimming stopwatches to get.

Thanks to its unique “X” case, Pro Survivor A601X is one of the most comfortable stopwatches to hold. It has three top-mounted buttons that are very easy to press when changing modes. The unit is designed for measuring cumulative splits, and it does the job with impressive accuracy – 0.04s margin of error in 12 months.

Compared to most other models,  Accusplit Pro Survivor has an incredibly long battery life. It’s pre-equipped with a high-quality lithium battery that can last for 5 years without replacing. Last but not least, this model is shock-resistant and safe to submerge up to 100 feet.

  • What Makes This Stopwatch For Swim Coach Stand Out
  • Ergonomic “X” case fits perfectly in the hand
  • Built-in lithium battery with a 5-year lifespan
  • Magnum XL display for easily reading numbers
  • Durable buttons can be pressed a million times
  • Available in 10 solid and translucent colors
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Professional Swimmers
Dimensions: 3 x 2.5 inches
Timing Interval: 1/100 seconds to 40 minutes
Calendar: Yes
Waterproof: Yes, up to 100 feet
Battery: Lithium CR2032 (Included)

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2

EDITORS CHOICE

MARATHON Adanac 3000 Digital Swimming Stopwatch

MARATHON Adanac 3000 Digital Swimming Stopwatch


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Summary

Compact, rugged, and extremely accurate, the Marathon Adanac 3000 stopwatch is an excellent choice for any athlete. It’s laser tuned, meaning that the time is as precise as possible. When measuring, this top rated coach stopwatch shows minutes, seconds, as well as 1/100th of a second, and you can split time too.

The display is large and easily visible, so you won’t have trouble reading it even in lower-light conditions. Besides tracking the time of your athletes, Marathon Adanac 3000 offers several other features – timekeeping, calendar, and even an alarm. The buttons on top are conveniently-placed so you can easily switch between the modes.

For improved durability, the casing is made of hard plastic that resists shocks. However, to ensure that you don’t drop it in the first place, the Adanac 3000 stopwatch has knubs on the side as well a 46-inch lanyard attached to it.

  • What Makes This Stopwatch For Swim Coach Stand Out
  • Convenient button placement makes operation easier
  • Features calendar functions (month, day, and date)
  • 46-inch lanyard for safer use around the water
  • Laser tuned system for top-notch accuracy
  • Able to freeze split time while running the main timer
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Tracking Split Times
Dimensions: 3 x 3 inches
Timing Interval: 1/100 seconds
Calendar: Yes
Waterproof: No, Water-Resistant 
Battery: LR44 (Included)

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3

BEST VALUE

Travelwey Digital Clear Display Swimming Stopwatch

Travelwey Digital Clear Display Swimming Stopwatch


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Summary

For those of you who want a simple and straightforward coaches stopwatch with no complicated features, the Travelwey Digital is the one to choose. Its three buttons have only the basic operation (start/stop, lap/reset, and on/off), so you won’t get lost in the options trying to figure out how to do something.

While the unit is slightly bigger than the others we’ve reviewed, the side grooves make it very comfortable in the hand. As a bonus, it comes with a lanyard so you can also put it around your neck. The casing is made of strong plastic for durability, but it isn’t heavy or uncomfortable to carry.

A detail we particularly like about this model is that it uses standard AA batteries. When they run out, replacing them is much easier compared to any other model. On top of everything we’ve mentioned so far, the Travelwey Digital is the most affordable stopwatch in our reviews, giving you excellent value for your money.

  • What Makes This Stopwatch For Swim Coach Stand Out
  • Simple functionality with no additional features
  • Hard plastic casing resists hits and drops
  • Uses only 2 AAA batteries that are easy to replace
  • Covered by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
  • Comes with a lanyard for wearing around the neck
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Simple and Straightforward Use
Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.9 inches
Timing Interval: 1/100 seconds
Calendar: No
Waterproof: No, Water-Resistant 
Battery: 2 x AAA (Included)

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4

Learning Resources Simple Swimming Stopwatch

Learning Resources Simple Swimming Stopwatch


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Summary

If you want to introduce some fun into your daily routine, check out the Learning Resources swimming stopwatch. Due to its colorful design, it’s equally popular among both coaches and kids. Because of this, it’s one of the best coach stopwatches for practicing with the little ones.

The design is very simple and has only three buttons – go (green), stop (red), and clear (yellow). The casing measures 3 inches in diameter so it’s comfortable for holding in the hand. While it doesn’t come with a lanyard, it has raised knubs on the sides that prevent it from slipping out of your hand.

Even though the Learning Resources stopwatch is simple, it’s very enjoyable to use. The display is nice and wide for easy reading, and shows minutes, seconds, and 1/100th parts of a second. Finally, the unit works with a single 1.5V button cell that comes included in the package.

  • What Makes This Stopwatch For Swim Coach Stand Out
  • Three colored buttons for easy operation
  • Colorful design gives a more interesting look
  • Small knubs on the side for improving the grip
  • 3-inch case diameter sits perfectly in the hand
  • So simple to use that even kids will love it
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Training with Kids
Dimensions: 3 inches (diameter)
Timing Interval: 1/100 seconds
Calendar: No
Waterproof: No, Water-Resistant
Battery: 1 x 1.5V Button Cell (Included)

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5

SportCount LapCounter and Timer Swimming Stopwatch

SportCount LapCounter and Timer Swimming Stopwatch


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Summary

The SportCount swim stopwatch features one of the most unique and functional designs that you’ll come across. Instead of holding it in your hand, this small stopwatch goes around your index finger and has an adjustable band for tightening. This makes it much easier to use and allows the swimmers to have it on while in the water.

Owing to the exceptional water-resistance, the SportCount swim stopwatch is safe for being underwater the entire practice. Operation is very simple – it has a single button for starting and stopping. Despite this, it can show you a lot of useful information – cumulative time, split time, and lap count.

One more benefit of getting the SportCount stopwatch for swimming is its ability to keep statistics. It can remember up to 999 lap times and compare the current one with the fastest and the average lap. It’s a really well-made unit and comes with a 1-year warranty as proof of quality.

  • What Makes This Stopwatch For Swim Coach Stand Out
  • Small and convenient design (fits on your finger)
  • Waterproof casing is safe to swim with
  • Lists fastest, slowest, and average lap times
  • Large display for easy reading even underwater
  • Single-button design for simple one-handed operation
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Counting Laps and Average Times
Dimensions: 6.69 x 3.94 inches
Timing Interval: 1/100 seconds
Calendar: No
Waterproof: Yes, up to 165 feet
Battery: Lithium (Included)

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How To Choose A Stopwatch For Swim Coach – Buying Guide

How_To_Choose_Stopwatch_For_Swim_Coaches

Reliability and Accuracy

Being able to count on your stopwatch for swimming to show accurate times is very important. In practical terms, this means proper calibration and precision that goes up to 1/100th part of a second.

All of the products we’ve featured in our swimming stopwatch reviews will do this as well as record split times, while other more sophisticated models can also time laps and memorize the data. While on the topic of reliability, it’s a big plus if the stopwatch is shock-resistant and keeps working normally even after you’ve dropped it (which is bound to happen).

Waterproof Construction

Since you’ll be using it around the pool, your new stopwatch should handle the water well. Not all stopwatches can do this, so pay attention when buying.

Also, keep in mind that there are certain differences between water-resistant and waterproof products. Water-resistant stopwatches can be only splashed with water, while waterproof models can be safely submerged into the pool.

Related Review: Waterproof Watches

Color Options

While this has nothing to do with functionality, it can make things more fun. Several products we’ve featured offer a wide array of color choices, so your stopwatch isn’t black and boring. Some even have a multiple-color design which, in combination with simple operation, makes them great for children too.

Display

The display is perhaps the essential part of your swimming timer clock. You should make sure that it’s large enough and that the digits are easy to read. This way, you can simply glance at the stopwatch instead of trying to decipher what it says.

To make tracking several parameters easy, some displays show different information simultaneously (without changing modes), which can be a big plus. Finally, some stopwatches have a backlight, making the display more visible in low-light conditions.

Buttons

Most stopwatches out there have three buttons, but there are exceptions. The number of buttons is not that important, as long as they are functional.

Usually, stopwatches will come with start/stop, mode, and reset buttons. They need to be easy to press, accessible when using the stopwatch with one hand, and they should not jam after continuous use.

Durability

When used around the pool, the stopwatch is going to be exposed to water and maybe even a drop or two. For this reason, always look for a product that has a tough casing (usually hard plastic) and preferably some rubber protection too. This type of reinforcement ensures shock protection so your stopwatch will keep working even if it hits the ground.

Related Reviews: Dive Watches Under $1000 & Dive Watches Under $500

Ease Of Use

No matter which swim timer you get, a user manual will come in the package. However, some products are more user-friendly than others. Take your time and choose a stopwatch that gives you easy access to all the functions without getting on your nerves.

FAQs

What_Are_The_Benefits_Of_Using_A_Stopwatch

Q: What Are The Benefits Of Using A Stopwatch?

A: 

Stopwatches give you precise information about the performance of your athletes. With it, you can motivate them and give them hints on how to swim faster. In addition, stopwatches are more straightforward and easy to use compared to watches.

Q: Are All Stopwatches Waterproof?

A: 

No, not all of them are. This depends on the way they were constructed. If you plan to submerge it into the pool, make sure you buy one of the waterproof stopwatches. Otherwise, a water-resistant stopwatch will also do the trick.

Q: How To Care For My Stopwatch So It Lasts Longer?

A: 

For starters, get a product that is made from tough materials that are resistant to shock and water. For added security, many products come with various clips and lanyards for securing them. Nobody drops their stopwatch on purpose, but putting it around your neck or wrist greatly reduces the chance of it falling and breaking.

Globo Surf Overview

Tracking time is very important for competitive swimmers, so both athletes and coaches rely on stopwatches to track the progress and find ways to improve performance. As we’ve discussed, finding the best swimming stopwatch depends on what you need – a basic product or one that can track lap times and stroke rate. We don’t have any doubt you’ll find the right one to make your training sessions better and more effective.

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