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TomTom Runner Review

Michael Sawh By Michael Sawh
Contributor

TomTom Runner

Satnav specialists TomTom plots its own route to sports watch domination

By Michael Sawh August 1st 2013 11:08am
TomTom Runner GPS watch displaying distance and elevation data.

Sections

Verdict

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Pros

  • Impressive QuickGPSFix technology
  • Light, comfortable watch design
  • Motivational graphical virtual trainer

Cons

  • Very basic TomTom MySports web tool
  • Watch doesn't fit securely inside strap when not worn
  • Lacks built-in USB charging

Key Specifications

  • Review Price: £149.00
  • QuickGPSFix technology
  • Bluetooth Smart support
  • Waterproof design
  • Indoor tracker

What is the TomTom Runner?

The TomTom Runner is a GPS sports watch for runners who want to track their performance outdoors and on the treadmill in the gym. All the running data can be uploaded to the TomTom MySports website and a host of running websites.

TomTom previously collaborated with Nike on the Nike SportWatch. Like Asus and the Google Nexus 7, Nike got all the love despite the fact that TomTom actually made the watch. This time TomTom is going it alone.

TomTom Runner – Design

If you’ve seen the Nike SportWatch, the Runner shares many of the same design characteristics. There’s a big, visible display and the same easy to use menu system. The display has shaved off some of the screen size from the top and bottom, making it closer in size to a sports watch like the Garmin Forerunner 10.

 
The TomTom Runner is available in grey and pink, and comes in two parts. There’s the watch module, made up of a scratch resistant LCD display, and a ‘One Touch control’ that surrounds the GPS receiver. The ‘One Touch control’ is not really an accurate description. It’s actually a four-button control pad. Alongside the display you’ll find a row of three dots that when pressed activate a backlight that’s bright enough to illuminate the display for a late evening run.

The display and control pad can be taken out of the rubber watch strap to charge inside the dedicated charging dock. Yes, the built-in USB feature is gone, which is a major disappointment. There’s also a selection of different coloured watch straps available if you really feel the need to customize.

TomTom Runner GPS watch on grass displaying time and date.TomTom Runner GPS watch displaying time on grass.

The rubber, perforated watch strap is slim and extremely light. The small rows of dimples on the inside of the strap mean the TomTom Runner does not sit right against the skin, which makes it more comfortable to wear and prevents it from feeling too sticky when you take it off.

Weighing in at 50g, the Runner is lighter than the Nike Sportswatch (63g) but still heavier than the Garmin Forerunner 10 (42g). At 11.5mm thick, it’s far less clunky than most sports watches, making it ideal to wear as an everyday watch. Like the Forerunner 10, the TomTom Runner is weather- and waterproof up to 50m. We can confirm that it can survive a morning shower and a few laps in the swimming pool.

 

The watch is secure in the strap when out running, but it’s a different situation when you take it off. The watch part sits quite loose inside the strap and can easily fall out. If you plan to throw this into your bag, be prepared to have a rummage around for the watch part when it comes to your next run.

TomTom Runner – Features

The TomTom Runner has a built-in accelerometer and sensors to work both outdoors and on a treadmill offering the kind of data you’d expect to find on most sports watches. You can view distance, pace, average pace, stride length, calories burned and lap times all in real-time. Bluetooth Smart support lets you sync the TomTom Runner with additional devices, including a heart rate strap if you want to train in specific running zones.
 
There’s also regular watch features, including 24-hour format display and an alarm option if you need a nudge to get up for that early morning run. Like the Nike Sportswatch, there’s vibration alerts if you run with music to prompt you on your progress.

TomTom Runner GPS watch on grass displaying time and date.

 

The new graphical training partner is all about pushing you to work harder in your running sessions, whether it’s competing against your last run or setting a precise goal for a running session. When you race against yourself, the training partner will display the current run and previous run on the screen. If you’ve set a goal to run 10km, the Runner will display progress in a percentage.
 
One of the most important features is the QuickGPSFix technology. Many sports watches, including the Nike Sportswatch, are plagued with GPS signal issues. TomTom incorporates technology it uses for its satnavs to improve the time it takes to receive a GPS signal. The decision to separate the GPS receiver from the watch display is clearly a move to improve getting a connection.

Once you’ve been for a run, you can sync and share the data through the TomTom MySports web tool. Powered by MapMyFitness, the web tool lets you uploading data and includes support to upload data to MapMyRun and Runkeeper. You can also export data in a series of file formats including FIT if you want to keep it as part of a training plan.

 
Michael Sawh
By Michael Sawh
Contributor

Michael Sawh is a Freelance Journalist specialising in wearable and fitness tech. Previously Editor of Wareable, he’s also spent time manning the features section at Trusted Reviews and T3. His words …

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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

author icon

Editorial independence

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

author icon

Professional conduct

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.

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