Tomtom Map Version History
Jacinda Saleeby
Next, note there are different sizes, which is just the wrist band. The pod that goes in the wrist bands are all the same. And remember, it also could be named differently too (Runner vs Spark). In any case, the box:
All versions have activity tracking, and all versions have multisport capabilities (running, cycling, pool swimming). And all versions support connecting to Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Straps and Speed/Cadence sensors. Whereas the Cardio versions also add an optical HR sensor, and the Music versions allow you to playback music stored on the watch via Bluetooth audio headphones.
I found that as long as I connected the watch to the TomTom platform, it downloaded the GPS quick-assist database, which enabled it to find GPS satellites in under 10-15 seconds virtually every time. You can validate your quick assist information is up to date by pressing down from the main screen:
My running turf for this test period included mostly open-sky running along the beach in Mexico, extensive city running in Paris, mountain/forest running in Alberta (Canada), and some trail running in Delaware (US).
Another example here, where the two units tracked near perfectly. You see the Scosche ramp up a few seconds slower this morning than the TomTom, but nothing appreciable. Towards the end you see the TomTom briefly dip for a few seconds, but again, only by a few BPM.
Finally a nice fall run in Delaware, where the temperatures dropped as sunset approached, but not overly cold. You can see it near perfectly matched the other HR sensor (and actually tracked slightly better in the first minute or so).
So ultimately, the HR sensor is pretty good for running, with some minor caveats that it seems a little more susceptible to the first few minutes getting warmed up, than some other sensors out there. Not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of.
The TomTom Spark has a basic cycling mode that enables you to support cycling sensors (the speed/cadence sensor), as well as displays your metrics in speed (MPH/KPH) rather than pace. Further, it helps to automatically identify those activities later when looking at them via the app or website (or to 3rd party sites).
Additionally, you can also use the indoor cycling mode, which disables the GPS and relies on a Bluetooth speed sensor for distance/pace. This sensor is not required however, so if you were to just join a spinning class you could still just have it categorized as indoor cycling.
(Note: All of the charts in these accuracy sections were created using the DCR Analyzer tool. It allows you to compare power meters/trainers, heart rate, cadence, speed/pace, GPS tracks and plenty more. You can use it as well, more details here.)
The TomTom Spark is one of the few GPS watches out there that has storage for music, as well as Bluetooth playback. You must have Bluetooth headphones to playback the sound, as there is no headphone port (that would impact/limit waterproofing levels).
In my case, I picked up three different headphones. I polled DCR followers on Twitter back two months ago on their favorite Bluetooth running headphones, and then picked up the two (very pricey) options. I also then picked up a much cheaper ($20) option that was highly ranked on Amazon (like 2,000+ reviews) and suggested a few times by some readers:
Obviously a big part of having a GPS watch is downloading that information for review afterwards. For that, TomTom offers two methods. First is via their desktop app that connects to your device via USB. This will then upload the data to the TomTom MySports site, as well as to third party sites like Strava and RunKeeper.
Ray, is it possible to use this TomTom spark in ultramarathons to keep it plugged it during a run or does it get disabled? Is there a way to bypass it to allow charging AND a concurrent workout like how you figured out that the vivoactive can do both? I called and technical support did not even know about that trick. ;-)
link to youtube.com
The cadence is recorded, and a summary is shown on MySports for each run e.g.: 170 strides/min, this summary is also exported to Endomondo. However if you get the app ttwatcher from link to github.com you can open the TTBIN file & export a TCX with the full cadence info!
It is very logical that optical HR (from wrist) does not work well in cool weather. In order to work, this method requires blood flowing in the peripheral venous system. The issue is that body cuts peripheral venous flow (through contracting blood vessels in this area) in cold weather in order to maintain core temperature. Cycling is worse because hands do not do any work and the air flow cools down hands even more. Running might have issues too in sub-zero degrees weather.
They still use MET tables to calculate calories for running, cycling and swimming. Freestyle and gym mode use HR based calculations. The problem is they use the same MET tables for indoor and outdoor cycling, when the have different MET values. Plus if you are using indoor cycling without a speed sensor you get no calories burned at all because it has no pace to compare to the MET table.
Thanks for the review. If I were looking at the watch only (no music, no HRM), would you give it or the Polar M400 the edge? Just looking at it for running/walking the dog and as an activity monitor, and I also want to be able to get the data (as easily as possible) to Map My Run and RunKeeper.
So true, one of these new features I heard about was the multisport option for the previous multisport watch. To be fair, I never read anything where TomTom said that it was a future enhancement, just something they were looking at as an option. I still like my watch, just hope that someday they will add a true multisport option to be more competitive with the likes of Garmin and Polar.
Cover the screen with your palm for a second or two to activate the backlight. Or turn on the night mode which leaves it on all the time, but as noted above it burns the battery. I wish there was a setting that triggers the backlight on button presses, like Garmin.
Hi JR, the manual lap function on the Spark should be less sensitive to rain drops than its predecessor since we now have two sensors to trigger laps and back light, on opposite sides of the screen, instead of only one. This means rain drops would need to hit both points at the same time, which is less likely than when there was only one sensor. Hope this helps clarify your question!
Ray, I am interested in knowing if Tom Tom has any plans to support the Stryd running power meter? I would consider it if they would provide Stryd support in run mode. I would very very likely purchase if they provided power zone alerts via bluetooth. Cheers.
Have you had any problems with dropouts? I had a pair of Jlab Epic BT headphones that I returned because of constant dropouts. It seemed to be related to my Polar M400 also being paired to my iPhone 5.
It did occasionally drop out, but that was mostly due to sweat ingress. I did notice the occasional dropout for like a second here or there if passing certain areas where there were lots of strong wireless signals going by in a similar broadcasting frequency. Otherwise, audio delivery was quite solid. It had a really long range too; At least 15 metres from the broadcasting device.
Gym mode is a bit hit or miss honestly, but I think that may be more of a function of the technology than the watch itself (although it may be how they have implemented). On activities that requires a lot of forearm tension and flexion it seems to struggle as those movements contract the blood vessels in the forearm so it reads it as a reduced HR at times. Is it a material difference? Probably not. I have worn multiple HR straps during weight training workouts and even though there is some variation within the activities, they generally hit about the same overall average. I might not have even noticed the difference if I was not wearing two different HR monitors for comparative purposes.
It also has known issues with certain headphones depending on which arm the watch is worn on, which feels pretty rubbish really, my own (admittedly very cheap headphones) would not work on left aarm, but would on right
The cycling part of this review has spiked my interest. I already have a Garmin Edge 520, and was looking at purchasing a Forerunner 235 for running, which I was also going to use as my HR monitor in broadcast mode whilst cycling.
Not to mention you can get it at a discount far easier than a Garmin product. Ended up getting 20% off from backcountry.com bringing my total to $199 for the everything watch. That is $130 less then I can get the Garmin 235 right now which is a significant difference. ALthough I think I would like some of the features on the Garmin. Being a $130 cheaper at this point and having music this is a great buy specially for a first time GPS watch owner like myself.
I am also deciding between the Garmin 620 and the Tom Tom Runner 2 Cardio. The Garmin 620 is an old model but seems to have more features than the Tom Tom Runner 2 Cardio. However Ray indicated that the Tom Tom Runner might have firmware updates that will then offer more running dynamics data. In light it this, is it wise to buy the Garmin 620. Note the Garmin 620 is discounted by around 40% and is now sold for 33% more than the Tom Tom Runner 2 Cardio. I am in South Africa
Hi Martin, similar story to me, I am sending my Runner 2 back and about to replace with a FR235. Not sure if you also experienced this but I found the average pace / current pace to be incredibly inaccurate when using the runner 2 on running mode.
This is what is holding me back, thanks for writing this. The app right now sucks, I want to see it update before I commit to the Tom Tom spark cardio +. I too am looking at the Garmin forerunner F235 however the music capabilities of the spark is a big draw for me.
Hi Jeff, to add to what Ray and Diana mentioned, the Spark starts with its basic version, which includes GPS, 24/7 activity tracking and multi-sport modes. The next step is adding either music or cardio (line-up may depend on country) and the high end model has both music and cardio. Hope this clarifies your question. The bottom line is that if you are looking for the optical heart rate sensor, this will be mentioned in the watch name (e.g. TomTom Spark Cardio + Music) and on the box.
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