As a runners all of you probably know that on some stage of running, jogging you will need a GPS watch to be able log all details about your runs…
I know that most of runners prefer Garmins but I decided to give TomTom a chance. I’m their fun when it comes to car GPS so for me that was natural choice. I know that first TomTom Nike watch was terrible but… didn’t want to say no straight away. After reading review of DC Rainmaker (best guy regards running / triathlon gadgets) I decided to try – http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/07/tomtom-runner-multisport.html. Another thing was the price. TomTom costs about 2/3 of Garmin watch (similar specs). Still I have use eBay to buy it. Just after couple of runs I knew that it was on of the best buys I ever made. Next on the list was heart rate monitor (as well on the first picture). TomTom is working on the Bluetooth not ANT sensor which makes finding additional accessories a little bit harder. But have found Polar chest strap Bluetooth HRM (recommended on TomTom website) and haven’t looked back since then. Together watch and HRM working like a charm… So much information you can get. For me there is one drawback with that watch was battery life. According to specs battery should last about 4 hours on GPS without HRM, which means that when you are little bit slow runner (for example marathon in over 4 hours) it won’t last (even without HRM not connected).
So was thinking that I should try something different before my first marathon run in Cork. Again didn’t want to buy watch with same specs with just maybe better battery life and then have seen DC Rainmaker review about another TomTom watch – http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/04/tomtom-cardio.html. This time, not only battery is better but also it has HRM build in. And that is great news, no more straps on the chest. Cause watch is using exactly same system it was really easy to know your way around. Haven’t run with it yet, so will write little bit more later. For now I know that wrist belt is little bit nicer and cause of that watch is sitting on your wrist better.
More to follow…
And small update.
Over one hour run work HRM on and non of the battery bars gone. Seems that it will be good enough for my slow pace marathon 😉