Comparison Guide
Vimo Swim vs FINIS Tempo Trainer
Looking for a swim tempo trainer with vibration feedback? Compare the classic FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro with the next-gen programmable Vimo Swim.
Common old-school tempo trainer problems
Audio-only, no vibration feedback
Traditional tempo trainers only beep. In noisy pools or during intense sets, you can miss the cue. Vimo Swim adds vibration feedback you can feel even when you can't hear.
Clip falls off during flip turns
The goggle clip design often comes loose during push-offs and flip turns. Vimo Swim fits securely under your swim cap: no clips, no distractions.
Hard to hear in loud pools
The standard beeper volume isn't loud enough for busy pool environments. Vimo Swim combines a louder piezo buzzer with vibration and LED for multi-sensory feedback.
No programmability
With basic beepers, you manually adjust tempo before each set. Vimo Swim lets you program entire workouts with varying intervals. Set it once, swim the whole session.
Water leakage issues
Users report water getting inside the device over time, causing malfunction. Vimo Swim is designed with full waterproof sealing for extended water exposure.
Buttons become unresponsive
After months of pool use, buttons can stop working reliably. Vimo Swim uses durable, waterproof buttons tested for thousands of presses.
Settings lost on battery change
When you replace the CR2032 battery, all your tempo settings reset. Vimo Swim remembers your preferences with persistent memory.
No upgrade path
Buy an old-school trainer today, and in 2 years it still does exactly what it did on day one. Vimo Swim gets new features via Bluetooth firmware updates.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Display
- Old-school tempo trainer
- LCD
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- OLED screen (readable underwater)
Audio feedback volume
- Old-school tempo trainer
- Standard beeper
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Louder piezo buzzer (audible in noisy pools)
Customizable tones
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No (single tone)
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - multiple tone options
Build custom programs
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - via the Vimo Connect app
Save programs
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - via the Vimo Connect app
Preset training modes
- Old-school tempo trainer
- Three preset modes
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes + unlimited custom programs
Haptic (vibration) feedback
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes (haptic motor)
Tactile metronome for deaf/HoH
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - vibration-only mode for deaf and hard-of-hearing swimmers
Visual feedback (LED)
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes (one bright LED)
Mobile app
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - Vimo Connect (iOS & Android)
Bluetooth connectivity
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - Bluetooth LE
Firmware updates
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - via Bluetooth
Rechargeable battery
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No (CR2032 replaceable)
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - Li-Pol 120mAh, wireless charging
Charging time
- Old-school tempo trainer
- N/A (battery replacement)
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- 30 min to 50%, ~1.5 h to 100%
Unsinkable / floats
- Old-school tempo trainer
- Yes
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes
Size
- Old-school tempo trainer
- Small clip-on
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Compact: 46 x 12.5 x 32 mm
Mounting options
- Old-school tempo trainer
- Clip-on only
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- In development
Find my device
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- In development
Free companion apps
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - Vimo Connect, more on the way
Garmin integration
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- In development
Third-party system integration
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- In development
Lap counting
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- In development
Speed/pace tracking
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- In development
Stopwatch
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - built-in stopwatch
Timer / Countdown
- Old-school tempo trainer
- Basic
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes, with custom tones
Settings memory
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No (resets on battery change)
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Yes - remembers all your preferences
Total Immersion exercises & materials
- Old-school tempo trainer
- No
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Coming soon - TI drills and training programs
Market availability
- Old-school tempo trainer
- Available now
- Vimo Swim 2.0
- Beta program open
Which one is right for you?
Choose an old-school tempo trainer if...
- Swimmers who only need basic stroke rate pacing
- Those who prefer proven, established products
- Swimmers who don't want to use a mobile app
Choose Vimo Swim if...
- Total Immersion swimmers focused on technique and efficiency
- Coaches managing multiple athletes with different programs
- Swimmers who want complex interval training (e.g. descending sets)
- Tech-forward athletes who value upgradability
- Anyone frustrated with the limitations of basic beepers
Frequently asked questions
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Learn from our stories
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