Trying to Stay on Track

TomTom

I do like running.  For me it is the one thing that keeps me going, but I also know I want to run further.  I want to know how well I am doing and now I have this beautiful gagdet – the TomTom Spark Cardio + Music watch with GPS and heart rate monitor.

First things first it looks the part. A bit larger than a FitBit band but I really like the screen and overall appearance. The one I have is the standard black but there are a few different colours to chose from.

Taking the “just take it out the box and have a go” technique as employed by my husband every time he buys a new gadget I took it out of the box and had a go.

After setting the date, time and weight all very easily with the direction button the watch screen tells you to connect it to a computer and go to www.tomtom.com/123 where you download the TOMTOM MySPorts Connect. After a quick rummage through the box to find the right cable I plugged it in then hit the download button then followed the steps on the screen. I created a MySports Account in about 30 seconds and everything connected up remarkably easily.

Tom Tom

It’s at this point I usually get the “Update to the latest version” or “Can not detect device” nightmare and the thing gets put in a draw for the rest of its short life. Not this time. It all went without a hitch. Five minutes after plugging it in all was set.

The watch I have has the ability to store music with 3GB of storage. On the MyConnect app on the laptop there is a simple “click this to search all the usual places for playlists” and off it goes. Within a minute all my iTunes playlists are on screen and I just dragged them over from the list to the watch storage box. I have to say very easy and very intuitive. Not a “downloaded the latest version and reboot” in sight.

The watch monitors my activity as I am walking about as matter of course and all this activity syncs with the MySorts account when its connected to the lap top through the USB or even easier when its paired to the free smartphone App.   I have to say I had to resort to the instructions for the first time for this bit but again only took a minute or two.

There is a set of Bluetooth headphones in the box so that you can run without them being plugged in to your wrist! The watch records activity for swimming as well as running and cycling both on the road and in the gym with the only limitation being you cant listen to music in the pool!!

It could not be easier. I know my way round my iPhone but I am no expert so the set up was extremely simple.   Now it’s ‘just time to go for a run.

Go outside…. Click right…..Select Right…. Wait for the GPS to connect and off you go.

Running

NB: I was sent the TomTom for the purpose of this review but all views are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Comments

  1. Barjerow
    June 7, 2016 / 7:23 am

    Sounds a great. I’ve been thinking of getting one of these types of gadgets (not for running of course) but for general fitness. Will have to look into it.

  2. June 10, 2016 / 1:34 pm

    This sounds much better than a fit bit, love that you can put your music on it and Bluetooth speakers…amazing! I’m not sure it would make me want to run though 😉