Sports that count on timing, such as rowing, need watches. One of the leaders in making reliable and useful timing tools for rowing has been Nielsen Kellerman (NK). Their watch, the Cadence T1 Wristrate was first released in 2005 and since then it has been a steady seller for NK.

The Cadence is basically meant to do two things: allow the user to get stroke ratings, and act as a convenient timer. It also fills the role as a wrist watch. Here is a sampling of some of the features of the Cadence T1:

• takes stroke ratings on the wrist
• takes ratings when attached to an oar
• timing, with memory
• dual lap/split chronograph
• alarm
• water resistant

I’ve been testing a Cadence T1 for almost a year, as of this posting, and I wanted share my impressions of the product.

What Sets It Apart
Up until it’s release there were few options for coaches and rowers for taking stroke ratings and times. One of those options is NKs Interval 2000 Split/Rate Watch, the one frequently seen around coach’s necks at regattas. The Cadence T1 is about 1/2 the price of the Interval and as you might expect does have significantly less features.

Another option is to use a stroke counter that is in a shell, such as NK’s Cox-Box or Speed Coach. Also, more experienced coaches can often tell ratings by counting or by using a standard timing watch. I’ve found that the Cadence T1 sets itself apart from these other methods because it can:

• tell ratings without the use of wires by use of tilt-switch technology
• be easily switched between boats or positions in a boat
• be comfortably worn on the wrist, acting as a standard wrist watch
• stylish and competitively priced

The Pluses
Over the year I’ve found the Cadence to be extremely easy to wear. As a matter of fact I’ve never forgotten it. I put it on in the morning and not only do I have a stroke watch at practice, I also have one watch at staff meetings,  weddings, and picking the kids up at school. To me, this was a big plus. I found with my other watch, the Interval, I did not have it at about 1/3 of my practices because I would leave it somewhere and forget it.

The Cadence has proven itself to be tough and well made. It has survived through two kids, a full year of practices, and a summer of swimming, boating and yard work. It has large buttons that are easy for small and large hands to press, and the screen is easy to read. I found it very simple and almost intuitive to switch between settings.

One important plus for me is the customer service of NK. When I did have a problem, which I will discuss in a moment they were top notch.

The Minuses
When I bought the watch, it did not work out of the box. Either the watch or battery was defective. A quick call to NK solved the problem, and the tech folks were knowledgeable and helpful. Another problem I had showed up about 6 months after having the watch. The end of the band separated making it almost impossible to put the watch band through the slot in the watch. Again, customer service came through and a new band was quickly on its way.

A large minus I’ve found it that it is difficult to get accurate ratings by hand. This is where the Interval watch excels and the Cadence falls down. I’ve also noticed that it is often difficult to keep the watch on an oarhandle from slipping so that is is hard to read while rowing.

MaxRigging Buying Advice
If you are looking for an inexpensive and simple way to take ratings, do some timing, and have a watch that is often handy, the Cadence T1 would be a good bet. After 28 years of coaching I find it handy and it does fill many of the needs I have, and the purchase was a good way to save money when I needed, as a coach, to be frugal. When time comes to replace it, for general use, I will buy another.

However, if you want more precise measurements, where accurate ratings are crucial, then you will probably be happier with one of NK’s Interval Split/Rate Watches.

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