ROBIC SC-848W 300 Memory Speed Stopwatch

This is my 3rd stopwatch for laptiming at HPDE track events, and I am done looking (had tried a Robic that didn't have a 300 lap memory and the Sportline with 300 lap memory which was nice, but didn't quite scratch the itch). Mine is velcroed to my dash next to my right hand when on the steering wheel, makes it easy to take a lap time. I have tried a gps timer with an iphone app (not a dedicated gps timer), and have found that setup to be unreliable and very innaccurate. Finger on the lap button of a physical stopwatch as I pass the start/finish line is far more accurate that I initially thought, comparing my laptimes in the stopwatch to the video replay, I was never more than a few hundredths off, gps was sometimes 3 seconds off (my setup at Willow Springs, probably not that bad at all tracks). This watch is great because I can go all day long and not lose any lap times (300 lap memory). It can be set to show the next lap time instead of the cumulative time, so you can look at it for reference on any lap (i.e., showing 1:03.47 on the current lap instead of 24:56.97 cumulative time). Will also calculate average lap speed, although I don't use that function much. The only drawback is that the display size is a bit small, which can make it hard to glance to see your lap time at speed. Minor gripe because it does what I need it to so well. Highly recommended.

Like most electronic devices, it's harder to operate than it needs to be. I use this for timing successive laps on a racetrack. Put in the lap distance and get your average speed per lap. My last Robic lasted 20 years until I somehow got it waterlogged. So no complaints about quality. This unit's button feel a tad cheaper but I'm sure it's fine. Just wish it was easier to use. You can't clear the entire lap memory unless you're on the last lap, which took me awhile to figure out. Read the instructions (they help a little) and keep them handy. Good luck if you start getting alarms going off -- those can be impossible to get rid of. I keep mine in the garage so it doesn't wake us up in the middle of the night. :)

I really like the functionality of this timer. It is possible to count up and down, even to count down a variety of intervals. It is more complex than a basic stopwatch so there is a learning curve, but if you need a little more it is a good watch.

The SC-848W encompasses just about everything found in most of the other Robic timers, and allows greater control over those functions and even includes dial lighting for those late afternoon training sessions that drift into the darkness of the evening. The SC-848W uses traditional timing methods that are purely intended as a means to monitor your performance as an athlete. You just need to know the distances and have knowledge about what all the recorded info means. A stopwatch uses old fashioned reliability to obtain accurate readings regarding an athlete's performance instead of some bogus fantasizing from some overrated satellite system. A short rundown on the individual processes and provisions of the SC-848W: -Normal Time - Daily calendar and current time in either 12 or 24 hour format. You can even choose to display the time of day and calendar in either US or European formats. -Alarm Time - Set a daily alarm, and includes controllable hourly beep and button beeps. -Countdown Timers - 3 types to choose from including 9 interval timers. -Chronograph - 999 Laps, 300 recorded dual laps w/ 3 selections on how to view the laps and splits, includes fastest, slowest, and average lap times, and sequencing first to last or vice versa. -Speed Timer - 999 Laps, 300 recorded laps based on MPH or KPH, includes setting basic distance, and viewing fastest, slowest, and average lap times, sequenced viewing first to last lap or vice versa. -Stroke Rate Calculator - Set from 2 to 30 strokes per minute. -Backlight -Break-away safety lanyard The SC-848W doesn't incorporate a couple of the training abilities found in the Robic SC-707W, which is a purely unique training aid for athletes, whereas the SC-848W is merely intended to reveal the level of the athlete's abilities. An athlete who aspires improvement would do well having both of these timers available during their workouts.

Very well built timer. Very tough but the software is hardly intuitive. I don't use mine and prefer to just use the free apps available for iPhones. They are wonderful. I use Lap Timer HD but there are others on the iPhone too. This Robic unit is a lot like old PC's used to be whereas they work, but you have to "know" how to feed info into them rather than just being intuitive to operate. For build quality I give it a 5 stars. For operation, I give it a 1 Star.

While operating through a speed test section with just two clicks of the black button on the top, the Speed Timer function displays the speed. Keeps your eyes out the front window instead of glancing multiple times at a time piece. My first Robic with Speed Timer lasted over 15 years until I dropped it.

I have used the timer & like it pretty well, except that it is more complex than I would like. Also the top "buttons" are pretty sensitive & the timer starts without my knowing. Also, things that I have set change easily, like the running time on the chronograph. Also the chronograph doesn't give me previous time - I have to hit the button three times to get the previous, which is pretty inconvenient. I much prefer my old time - SC 800 - but of course the SC 848 is the replacement for that one.

Excellent stopwatch. I've used Robic products since the 1990s when I was road racing formula cars. I've come to depend on them for all my timing needs and when my old ones finally wore out/broke (I use them to time my son who is a motocross and soon to be go-kart racer). The only thing that is a negative is that if you do memory recall of the lap times, it's a pain to do a reset - it's simpler if you just cycle through the modes at that point to end up in the chrono mode to do a reset. Fits the hand well, and the backlight is nice.

took me a while to figure out the functionality of this stop watch and it's hands down the best I have used.

I use this stopwatch mainly to get split-times of racers. I really appreciate the 300 times memory. Works very well. It is a little too easy to hit the top black button rather than the red one. The black one will stop the clock and the red one will record a split-time in 'chrono' mode. The instructions are very good.