The Swimovate Poolmate 2 is the latest version of the original Swimovate Poolmate which was, in itself, a popular swim watch thanks to its excellent features. However, the Poolmate 2 takes the features of the original model to a whole new level, including open water functionality. So, what can you expect from the latest model? And is it worth upgrading from the original? Here, we take a closer look at this second incarnation from the Swimovate brand and evaluate whether it’s worth the investment.
How Do The Swimovate Poolmate 2’s Pool Functions Hold Up?
The original Swimovate Poolmate had a very short battery life. This was a problem lamented by its buyers, however, the lifespan has been greatly improved in the new version. All the original functions remain with the extra addition of a brand new speed function for even better tracking capability.
When compared with version 1, the LCD display is slightly bigger and features a central enlarged lap number instead of a smaller one at the top of the LCD. This is much easier to read when in and out of the water.
This watch will track your rest time, lengths and distance together with individual sets. You can also track efficiency and stroke for even more useful data that you can use to inform your next workout.
The Poolmate 2 is capable of storing up to fifty swim sessions, keeping track of your average stroke per pool length. You can customize this figure down to 18m. You can also customize your body weight to allow for a more accurate estimation of the number of calories burned.
There is also an efficiency function. This is a product of stroke count, distance and time which essentially replicates the popular swimming technique game of Swimming Golf in which swimmers need to find their optimal balance between speed and stroke turnover. Conveniently, Swimovate includes an efficiency readings scale in their manual so you can see at a glance whether you need improvement.
How Well Do The Open Water Swimming Functions Work?
Apparently, swimmers repeatedly requested that Swimovate included open water swim functions into their Poolmate version 1, so it’s not surprising that this functionality has now appeared in version 2. The accelerometer is used together with a personal calibration swim in order to determine the distance that you’ve covered. This may sound simple but it can actually be a downside since it’s relatively difficult to find a fixed open water distance which is larger than 50m that you can swim straight through.
Since there is no integrated GPS, the open water functionality isn’t really suitable for anyone above an intermediate-level swimmer. However, for anyone who would just like a little extra functionality from their swim watch, the Poolmate 2 won’t disappoint.
What Is The Design Of The Poolmate 2 Like?
The Swimovate Poolmate 2 comes in a choice of four colours, so there’s sure to be one that suits your preference. If you’re a fan of chunky watches, you’ll like the Poolmate 2. It has a rugged appearance and if you have slimmer wrists you might find it a little too bulky to be comfortable or aesthetically appealing. On the upside, though, it’s quite lightweight to wear. Unfortunately, the face is plastic (as was the earlier version’s) and that means that it’s prone to scratching. Another design flaw of the Poolmate 2 is its lack of integrated light. Since this watch is designed for use in open water as well as regular swimming pools, this is a clear flaw that should have been addressed. Apparently, the lack of an integrated light is due to the fact that Swimovate wished to lengthen the watch’s battery life. It’s quite annoying to have to struggle to see the display when swimming in murky water.
What Are The Pros Of The Poolmate 2?
· A choice of colours
· Lightweight design
· Suitable for use in open water
· Well-designed watch face
· Included efficiency reading scale
· Longer battery life
· New speed function for better tracking
What Are The Negatives Of The Swimovate Poolmate 2?
· No integrated light
· Chunky and bulky design
Should I Buy The Swimovate Poolmate 2?
If you’re a keen amateur swimmer at an intermediate level or below, you’ll find a lot to like about the Swimovate Poolmate 2. Since this watch is suitable for use in both swimming pools and open water, it’s a good choice for anyone who wants the freedom to swim anywhere they want without having to worry about how they’re going to track their distance or speed. If you’re a more advanced swimmer who requires greater accuracy, you should look for a swim watch that has integrated GPS as this will allow for much more precise metrics.
While the Poolmate 2 isn’t perfect, it’s a good first swim watch for anyone who wants a lightweight, well-designed device to wear all the time. If you have slim or small wrists, though, you may want to look elsewhere. The chunky and bulky design may be quite uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, despite its lightweight construction.
In terms of swim tracking functionality, the Poolmate 2 may not be the best, but it’s far from being the worst. It will allow you to keep a close eye on all of the most important data including calories burned, distance covered, speed, lengths and total time including rest time. It doesn’t sync with an app so it isn’t as easy to track your ongoing progress over time, even though the watch is capable of holding up to 50 swims in its memory.
Overall, the Swimovate Poolmate 2 is certainly a better and more up-to-date version of the original, but if you’re looking for a state of the art swim watch, this isn’t the one.
Last Updated on January 24, 2020
Jacquelyn Ellis has written content, managed our social media, and edited our blog. Apart from that, she was our bookkeeper and management accountant for many years.