A New GPS Watch on the Market

The GPS watch has become an almost essential part of any runner’s equipment. From fitness enthusiasts to competitive runners, accurate tracking of their runs is a near necessity. There are several brands of GPS watches that have been available for some time, but a new company has recently entered this competitive market.

Why a GPS Watch?

Some ultra-pure athletes advocate running “unplugged” – without tracking or listening devices. For many runners, however, knowing the statistics of their run is both satisfying and motivating. Keeping track of how far they ran and at what pace enables them to see their progress and set goals for the future.  For those running an unfamiliar route, distance features help them know when to turn around. Athletes who tend to run too fast or too slow appreciate the accuracy of the pace statistics that help them find the right speed. Although many smartphones have running applications that can supply some of these statistics, most runners prefer GPS watches because of their higher accuracy.

The TomTom Runner

TomTom is a relatively late entrant to the GPS watch market and thus will have an uphill battle to make its device stand out against its long-standing competitors. It does have a number of nice features, however, and boasts a simple to use interface. Like most GPS watches, the TomTom will keep track of the runner’s route, calories, time, and pace. It also has the ability to compare present and previous runs as well as providing audible alerts to mark the pursuit of specific goals. The watch has an easy-to-use 4-way button that makes adjustments simple, even when in motion. The device even claims to keep track of distance when running on an indoor treadmill by keeping track of the number and rate of arm swings. Of course, this feature would not be as accurate as actual GPS tracking.  In order to keep a permanent record of run statistics, the watch must be connected to a TomTom USB cradle and connected to a computer for download. A chest strap for heart rate monitoring is also available for purchase, or the user can opt for the more expensive TomTom Runner GPS HRM watch that includes a wireless heart rate monitor.

Although there are a number of similar devices on the market, it seems that the TomTom GPS watch is comparable to its competition. Time will tell if the company will become a major part of this important market or if its late entry will keep its status to a footnote.

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A New GPS Watch on the Market