TomTom Cardio / GPS watches

[mark66]

Hi,

Does anyone have one of these or any views on them? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tomtom-multi-sport-cardio-gps-watch/

The honest reason I have started looking at these is I can't think of anything to ask for for Christmas!

I go to the gym a lot and do lots of cardio based classes, plus swimming and also a bit of running that I hope to get more into. A guy in my spin class has one, really likes it and the fact that it can measure ones heart rate without the need for a chest strap is a bonus.

However I am not sure if I will really benefit from it?? I see lots of people wearing heart rate monitors, so at the end of a class they can be happy in the knowledge that they apparently burnt 600 calories and peaked at 180bpm. But is there any more to it than that?

However I do like the idea of the GPS functionality for running and perhaps starting to use sites like Strava and also that it can work in the pool counting lengths etc.

So ultimately my thinking is that a present that will aid my fitness is a good thing, but will I really benefit from using one or am I better off spending someone else's Christmas money on something different?!

Thoughts appreciated!

 

[GSVBagpuss]

Why is it a bonus to measure HR without a strap? I've only ever heard these watches are less reliable /accurate. HR monitoring is v useful for training - which is it not quite the same as spinning. You use them to perceive / control effort levels (not go into "the red") but I assume spinning is trying to smash yourself for 45 minutes.

I completely support how useful they can be although more so for outdoor running / cycling. I owned a forerunner 310 for this purpose and it worked very well.

 

[hellarda]

I have heard that the optical HR monitors are much more unreliable and inaccurate (the one on my G watch R is crap). HR is very useful for training as Bagpuss says.

I row for my uni and all our training revolves around different heart rate zones. (We actually do a lot of our training at a relatively low heart rate, 150-160bpm, which builds endurance). Its also great if you want to know how many calories you've burnt as you say. Its also useful for breaking down what training zones you have been in and for how long in your workout.

I have just bought a Polar M400 (which arrives tomorrow) as I wanted a way to track outings without having to risk dropping my phone in the river. But I will also be using it to track indoor workouts on the erg(rowing machine)/spin bike (the new ergs can actually connect to the watch via Bluetooth smart)

So it depends really if its worth it for you. If you are interested in HR then definitely go for one with a chest strap rather than an optical sensor if you want reliable readings.

 

[#Chri5#]

DCRainmaker covers accuracy of optical vs strap HRMs in some of his reviews:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/04/tomtom-cardio.html#optical-heart-rate-sensor-accuracy

Overall though, looking at all the optical heart rate stats from all the above rides/runs, I don’t think anyone could realistically say that the optical HR measurement didn’t perform better than the HR strap. It seemed to in almost every case, both for myself and The Girl.

In this review he tests four HRMs at once - the boy is very thorough!

OP - grab a brew and have a good read of DCRs review - that should help you decide what the unit can do for you.

 

[The Darkness]

I'm a runner/cyclist and I've trained with a garmin + HR strap for a couple of years, and have owned the cardio multisport since May this year.

I had to send my first cardio back as it constantly dropped the HR signal. Apparantly a known issue with some early units.

The second one I was sent has been almost perfect from a HR monitoring perspective. I say almost as there are odd occasions when out running that it will read too high. I would estimate this happens one in every 5 runs, and for a few seconds only. Not a problem but its not absolutely perfect (neither are straps; they will often read low if not wetted properly).

Having trained with both I see no need to go back to a strap. My data backs up the dc rainmaker review - no difference in accuracy and a lot more comfortable.

Two things to be aware of with this watch. The tom tom website is very basic however you can set it up to automatically export the data to the site of your choice. Second, the phone pairing is flaky with my Z3. I often need to re-pair the watch in order to upload my data. A bit of a pain.

If you have any specific questions let me know

Cheers