Ultrak Soccer and Referee's Watch

Have been using these for several years as a soccer referee. Countdown plus separate display of count-up in same viewing mode is a great feature to deal with added time. You keep the countdown timer running and start and stop the count-up timer as needed during the match. When countdown reaches zero, it starts to count up. Keep the match going until the countdown timer displays the exact same time as the count-up. Super easy and useful!!!As an aside, latest watch purchased failed during the warranty period. Returned to CEI per instructions on the packaging and received a replacement in very rapid fashion. Extremely satisfied with CEI customer service.

When my daughter and I started refereeing soccer games, we ordered this watch. It has not disappointed. It is easy to program and use. The countdown timer with the connected overage timer is fantastic. We haven't had any issues with accidental activations, and the audio cues have been very easy to understand and hear in a rec soccer environment.The only complaint I would have is that if you're using at a regular watch, the home screen is a little busy with three different displays, including the alarm time, but since I only ever wear it for soccer games, that doesn't really matter.

For the price, this is a great referee's watch. *** TWO & 1/2 YEAR UPDATE AT BOTTOMPros:The stoppage time clock is nice!1) Start the secondary timer (which counts up) to start tracking stoppage time, and stop it when play resumes; wash, rinse, and repeat for further stoppages.2) When the game clock hits the end of the period, the watch will automatically count UP.3) The watch will sound an alarm (much like the alarm on any digital watch) at 30 seconds before Full Time + Stoppage Time; it will sound again when you reach Full Time + Stoppage Time.So, if you have 90 seconds on the stoppage clock in a 45 minute period, the game clock will count DOWN to 45, and then start counting UP after Full Time, with a warning beep at 46:00 and another beep to indicate the end of stoppage time at 46:30.Cons:1) The game clock counts down rather than up, which is contrary to how soccer chronology works. Yes, it's easier to tell players how much time is left, because you don't have to do math. But it's harder to keep a game log for the records, because incidents are normally recorded based on which minute they occurred, not how many minutes remain.2) The light on my watch went out fairly early on, but since that has never mattered in a game situation, it's just an inconvenience after you leave the pitch.3) Adjusting the duration of the game for the game clock is done a minute at a time, and you have to count up through 99 to get back to 0; so if you ref games with different durations, be sure to reset the game time before you step on the pitch, as it will take a minute or so to reset from 45 to 35 minutes, for instance.4) The alarm at FT-30 beeps until you push a button. Players around you on the pitch will hear it and may think that it signals the end of the match. You have to stop it quickly to avoid this reaction. Also, you have to be careful not to push a button twice or you may disrupt the timer(s).The complaints are really small and not very significant. I definitely would replace this watch with the exact same model, were this one to ever break or die. This is a great product for a really fair price.EDIT - I just looked at some other reviews, and I am shocked. It seems I did not get a lemon as others have described. Specifically:1) My watch has been running great to this day, I bought it just under 2 years ago, or three soccer seasons; still has the original battery.2) The alarm is not SUPER loud, and not too soft - just right, about like I would expect out of a digital wrist watch.3) The buttons are not hard to push; yes, you must hold them down to reset the timer, but that's better than resetting it by accident?*** TWO & 1/2 YEAR UPDATEWell, this watch finally kicked the bucket. I was getting ready for a match and suddenly the watch started to beep like the alarm was going off. Tried to shut it off, but had no luck - none of the buttons were responding. Took it home, took it apart, replaced the battery, put it back together again - still unresponsive, also the display never came back.I got two good years out of it, and having had it, I would definitely buy again - simply the best (inexpensive) referee watch out there. The ones on OSI website are, in my opinion, not deserving of higher price tags. But I am a cheap b@stard and not known for buying name brand, luxury goods.Out of everything, I think the most important feature for a referee is a watch that counts down for regular game time (despite the extra math you have to do as a result) and has a separate, incrementing counter for stoppage time. This watch has it.

Here's what you get when you buy a watch designed by guys who never actually refereed. This thing is somewhere between awkward and stupid in it's design. It counts down ONLY, not up. Kind of counterintuitive to the game of soccer. It has a LOUD alarm that goes off for the final 15 seconds of any period you're timing. Plenty of time for every player on the field to hear it and turn to you and yell "end the game already!" So much for adding extra time. Oh but then a second timer goes off and counts UP - for extra time only.It is not easy to program. Took me weeks of carrying the instructions around in my bag. Never did figure out how to make the backlight go on, which was more than a small problem reffing at night. And, minor but SO annoying, for some reason the start button is NOT in the upper right. It's in the upper left, unlike any other stopwatch I've ever used, which means you have to reach your hand over the face of the watch to stop and start it, blocking your view.But best of all - I purchased this watch in April of 2013. Return warrantee ended May of 2013. It is now December 2013 and the watch is DEAD. Took it to a watch shop to replace the battery, and they informed me that it was not the battery; the watch is defective. Well it is now a defective piece of junk cluttering up the bottom of my referee bag. I'll wear it as my backup watch this weekend hoping that none notices one of my watches doesn't work, and I'll rely, as usual, on the trusty Timex on my other wrist to do a proper job of keeping time until I have time to replace this waste of money.

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