[Closed] TomTom Runner 2 (Spark) Cardio + Music versus Garmin Forerunner 235

I have a Tom Tom Explorer - music function worked great with Bluetooth headphones until I lost them, never had any drop outs. Not had any problem with the watch, software updates - appears less clunky than Garmin software which I loathe due to its flakiness.

Got a spark cardio music.

As above, it's great and much prefer it to my wife's Garmin.

The interface is great, press right three times to go for a run, press left twice to stop.

No problems with music, it's great not needing phone.

TomTom app is pretty basic but works fine and syncs to Strava.

HR seems accurate, check DC rainmaker for more info, can't remember what he concluded but I'm happy. One thing to note, it (and all other optical HRMs) doesnt work on tattoos. I have to wear it on my right arm which makes me feel like a crazy person.

I'm also stuck in a mire of indecision - considering Garmin or TomTom. From what I read, a chest strap is much more accurate than the wrist based - but I don't know why.

The TomToms seem to be way better value and I'd have bought a Garmin before now, but their software (Connect) has been shite when I've used it in the past.

I’ve been using a Tom Tom Spark for nearly a year now for logging runs and biking, plus activity training.
Mineis the basic version without cardio or music but can’t really fault it for the money.
Very intuitive, synchs with strava,gives me my pace , seems accurate and looks unobtrusive when I use it as my everyday watch.

You can use external HRM strap on Tom Tom watch

Oh yes, there's usually voucher codes for the TomTom site that's makes them extra bargainous.

I use a Garmin on the bike, but went for a TomTom for running, which is right for me, though I’ll be recommending the Garmin to my wife.

Why? TomTom easier to use but I can’t tailor it to particular things as well as the Garmin. I cycle (and run a bit), she runs (and cycles a bit).

Both the phone apps are pretty good these days.

Not sure I agree with sending back second hand goods but hay.

I won’t buy Garmin. I’ve had a TomTom Runner (most basic TomTom) for 2yrs. Faultless, accurate, never messes up recordings. Fellow runners always having problems with Garmin

Wasn't there news that TomTom were abandoning the watch market?

Seems so

https://en.discussions.tomtom.com/spark-and-spark-3-runner-2-and-runner-3-473/tomtom-leaving-wearables-tomtom-really-1028359

That might me pause buying one, although can't see any more recent news than that from last July.

I read that about tomtom but bought one anyway (best running watch I've had). The app keeps getting better (and it now syncs with mfp) and the tech people are pretty enthusiastic when it comes to sorting out glitches so it doesn't feel like a product without a future.

That's good then. I had a TomTom multisport a while back and it was the best for the price.

I've a TomTom cardio runner 2 with music. It's currently due to go back to TomTom for the second time as it's simply never played music to the TomTom headphones without skipping lots or lots and lots, like every couple of seconds. Loads on the web about music skipping and having to wear the watch on the same side as the headphone controls, leaving the headphone cord loose etc, all of which I do but only have to look left to cause a skip and if I put my hands onto my knees the headphones lose pairing completely.
On the plus side the gps and HRM seem pretty good, the software on the watch is limited and the app clunky, it also doesn't synch with loads of mobiles so don't be surprised if it won't with yours.
Other than that it seems the best value product on the market. If not doing what it promises is value....

Hmm, have to say the “just selling off existing stock” and lack of ongoing support and updates may push me towards Garmin. As much as I’d like to have given TomTom a shot, I’m not sure I’d like to chance a product from a company that’s decided not to make it anymore.

You can use external HRM strap on Tom Tom watch

For the music I would be cautious about the battery life with that. I still have an ancient iPod nano for running and the gym.

I am happy with the 235. It has taken a fair amount of abuse and still going happily with just a few scratches on the screen(courtesy of climbing). Happily handles a fair amount of dunking courtesy of kayaking. Its good for all round monitoring with reasonable battery life although it is starting to slow down (I got it a couple of months after first out).

Cant comment on the catching on shirts bit since I work from home mostly and even when in office at most formal its a polo shirt.

Thanks for your responses.
What I've found with both of these watches, based on my limited use, is:
GARMIN IS BETTER AT:
1) Garmin has the much better battery life. The Garmin lasts over a week on standby whereas the TomTom battery was drained after two days on stand-by.

2) You can change the interface to have HR, Distance, Speed, Time on the same single screen for easy viewing. On the TomTom you have to flick through screens to see all this information.

TOMTOM IS BETTER AT:
1) The TomTom has music where the Garmin doesn't. I found the TomTom bluetooth to connect well to wireless earphones.

2) The TomTom was instant on detecting when I had stopped walking and started walking again. The Garmin took about 5 seconds to detect both.

NOT SURE WHICH IS THE MOST ACCURATE HERE:
1) I found the Garmin to be on average two beats per minute more than the TomTom.
2) Where the Garmin had measured 3 miles in distance, the TomTom has only measured 2.6 miles. I wonder of the TomTom is more accurate with distance as it detected when I had stopped walking sooner.

I still not sure when is the keeper. The GPS seems better on the TomTom but the battery life only lasting two days is bad. The Garmin last much longer.

Your thoughts will be appreciated still? Thanks.

I've got a non musical TomTom and get much longer than two days on standby, over a week should be expected, are you sure the music wasn't on?

I can get about a 5-6 days of battery life from my Tom Tom - activating the HR monitor for daily gym session. Battery life with GPS and HR activated is better too - up to 12 hours. Music/ Bluetooth kills battery life though.

I've recently changed from a Garmin 610 to TomTom Spark 2 Cardio/Music.

I much prefer the TomTom. The music function works well and saves a lot of faff with ipod/phone. The HRM seems to work well also, within a few beats compared to manually taking my pulse. The 610 didn't have an optical HRM for comparison but I always found the chest strap a little uncomfortable. The TomTom syncs much better than the Garmin ever did (although different model maybe the 235 is better). The TomTom mobile app is also pretty decent. I seem to get a much quicker satellite lock with the TomTom as well. I've also have several software updates in a few months, don't think I ever had any from Garmin.

Having said all that, The Garmin interface was much more configurable with regards as to what/how much info was displayed on any screen, which was handy when doing proper training. I run for enjoyment now rather than with any goals in mind so I'm not really bothered when out for a run. The TomTom is more than good enough.

The Garmin also gave a much more accurate 'current pace' reading, the TomTom seems pretty hit and miss in that respect. Overall the distances recorded over the same run only vary very slightly between the two systems.

I bought the Tomtom mainly for the music and to wear it for recording runs. I haven't worn a watch for about 20 years but find myself wearing it all the time as it records daily steps, resting heart rates etc. I also record all bike rides, gym sessions etc on it, basically any activity.

Overall if your looking for something to record activity I would recommend the TomTom. If your looking for a more serious training aid (I'm thinking specifically running here) I would probably go for the Garmin.

Hope that helps.

I have a basic TomTom running watch. Bought directly from their webstore about a year ago and have used it as an everyday watch, plus as a live display fo speed and distance when cycling, and for pace whilst running. I have never plugged it in to download data though as I always carry and use my phone for Strava, mapping etc.
The watch has been fantastic, seems to find GPS very quickly, battery lasts a full day of exercise, or 2-3 days if not recording a ride/run.
I also like the step counter feature, thought fitbit things were a bit of a novelty before I got the watch, but it is really quite interesting/motivating to set a daily step target.
If my watch breaks then I will definitely buy the same again.

Maybe I don't have the full story, but to me it seems very bad form to return a used watch and claim that it is still new. I would be disappointed if I bought your returned watch.

I have the Runner 2 Cardio (no music).

I've had it just over a year and up until Sept last year it "just worked", however a software update has made uploading via bluetooth at the end of a run/ride a pain in the arse.
If battery is below 50% it won't try at all, if it's over 50% it's a pain to persuade it to connect.
This doesn't seem to affect everyone, but I'm far from the only person experiencing it.

That issue aside, I've been pleased with it.

PSA: TomTom are offering free spare straps to replace old ones. Mine was starting to break, but they didn't ask for any evidence. New strap arrived about 4 days later.
https://us.support.tomtom.com/app/strap_repair

[EDIT: posted that PSA as a separate thread]

I've a garmin I like it. I also have two full Japanese tattoo sleeves and I tried garmin and tomtom both worked, Apple and polar however didn't so worth trying if it affects you

Also as with all garmins don't update til it'd proven working as the latest update required me to reset and roll back to previous version

I have a TomTom and Im looknig to go back to the garmin mainly because of the GPs.

I have a standard run I do and the watch comes up with different distances each time, they are all within 100m of each other but thats not that accurate. The other problem I have is that it takes what seems like an age to find the satellites before you can start.

The other niggle I have is that when you end a run or ride you then cant get a summary of it until it has sync'd with your phone. Or I cant work out how!

On the plus side it is easy to navigate and use

The other niggle I have is that when you end a run or ride you then cant get a summary of it until it has sync'd with your phone. Or I cant work out how!

they are all within 100m of each other but thats not that accurate. The other problem I have is that it takes what seems like an age to find the satellites before you can start.

You have been updating the satellite data haven't you?

The speed of lock on and accuracy exceeds Garmins I have used by some margin.

The other problem I have is that it takes what seems like an age to find the satellites before you can start.

I've had a Tom Tom for about a year. It is excellent. I love the fact that one device covers all my requirements. The headphones that come with it are very tinny so I use a cheap set off amazon which are much better. I find the HRM reads within one bpm of my gym's equipment and the GPS starts much more quickly than my previous garmin. In regards to the battery life, are you using the latest software update? I get at least 5 days on stand-by now. Much more than I did when it was first purchased.

The battery on my TomTom is as they suggest so way better than 2 days but no idea how on god's green earth anyone gets decent bluetooth connection for music! Grrr.

Not sure where you bought the TomTom from (or if this has already been mentioned) but I bought a TomTom Spark 2 from TomTom's online outlet recently. Quite significantly discounted as an older model and still has a (albeit shorter) TomTom guarantee.

PSA: TomTom are offering free spare straps to replace old ones. Mine was starting to break, but they didn't ask for any evidence. New strap arrived about 4 days later.
https://us.support.tomtom.com/app/strap_repair

Must have missed your other PSA thread, so thanks for posting again. I was about to order a new strap from their web store as mine is starting to split.

To all, thank you very much for your input.

To those who were concerned I was returning a used item... well initially I was only putting on my wrist whilst taking a walk (nothing hardcore) and I made sure the watch, box, bits, etc.. were in pristine condition. Any way, based on the comments in this post, I decided to keep it, well actually keep both as I couldn't make my mind up without using them more and thus not being able to return them.

Having completed that long walk again, I found the Garmin to match the GPS detection of the TomTom this time (stop and start walking). I found both to be 4 beats of my actual HR when finger testing my pulse. I did find the Garmin speed to be flicking between 3.1-3.6mph when the TomTom stayed at 3.4mph - I would say the TomTom won when registering the speed.

I also found out why the battery life was draining so much on the TomTom. It was because of the light was on constantly during my long walk. However, setting the Garmin to be on just as long did show the Garmin to have a much better battery.

I do prefer the buttons on the TomTom than having to reach round for the Garmin buttons. The Garmin is a better looking watch with a more comfortable strap.

Although I said I would keep both, the TomTom is on its way back. The TomTom has frozen on me twice by simply navigating around the screen menus. Nothing too strenuous but enough to cause it to freeze for 3 hours with the HR sensor constantly flashing for that duration until the battery went dead. As its happened twice thats no good for me.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

(duplicate post)