Theoretically, the TomTom’s strap with its dual fixed pin design should be even simpler, perhaps even totally foolproof, but in practice, I struggled to get it on. It’s also set up just like a normal watchstrap, which keeps things simple. This is because the Fitbit’s strap is slightly wider, which translates into a softer feel on the wrist. The Fitbit nudges out the TomTom just a smidgen in terms of general comfort and the sheer ease of putting it on. Another cool feature is the way the Fitbit can be set to remind the user to get off their butt and get in a few extra steps to reach an hourly or daily goal. It’s a neat little feature that I enjoyed having on tap, but it’s not a game-changer. The Fitbit has a “Relax” mode, that’s designed to get the user to practice mindfulness and just chill for two or five minutes. But don’t for a second imagine that you’re getting a full-blown smartwatch replacement here.īoth units allow the user to track a range of activities including running, treadmill running, walking, bike, elliptical trainer and interval workouts, along with weight training sessions. They both track activity levels, sleep, heart rate (with no chest strap needed – they use optical sensors) and they both offer limited smartwatch functionality, letting users know when they’ve received a text message. Setup procedures were relatively uncomplicated for both devices – just follow the supplied instructions and you’ll be up and running in not a lot of time.įrom a features perspective, they tick most of the same boxes but they’re very different devices. Both units are water-resistant, so they’ll be okay in the rain or in the shower, but they’re not rated for swimming or prolonged exposure, so forget about tracking any pool workouts with them, or hitting the spa after a workout. The TomTom needed a top up more frequently, usually every second or third day. Then again, this shouldn’t be much of an issue because the Charge 2 has a remarkably good battery life, and even wearing it 24/7, it only needed some juice every three or four days. However, leave the cradle at home and you’ll be stuck if you need a charge at work. The only way to charge it is with its dedicated charging cradle, which is small enough to be easily portable. The Charge 2 is much more like a traditional watch in the way it’s designed, which means it’s a fraction bigger and bulkier but not enough to be an issue. The Fitbit Charge 2 looks much like a normal watch. When you need to charge it, you just pop the capsule out and plug it into a standard micro-USB cable, which is really convenient if you need to charge it at work or at a friend’s house. TomTom’s Touch is a slender and stylish little unit that seems to be modeled after the original Fitbit Flex in the way it’s a tiny detachable capsule in a band. But then again, at well under $300, this kind of dedicated device is still very much an option for many consumers. A couple of years later, the entire category has moved on, particularly with gadgets like the Apple Watch being able to fit into the fitness tracker area quite nicely. I reviewed this type of device back in 2013, when I looked at the Fitbit Flex and again in 2014, when TomTom’s GPS Fitness Watch was on my radar. They’re not meant to be high-end performance trackers for professional athletes but along with their smartphone apps, they’re intended to give their wearers an objective insight into the state of their health and fitness.Īnd that’s something they both do pretty well – although one does it better than the other. (I looked silly wearing both of them simultaneously, but such is the reviewer’s lot).īoth of these units do more or less the same thing. This sounded like something right up my street, so I reached out and in short order, I had a Fitbit Charge 2 and a TomTom Touch sitting on my wrists. When I arrived back in New Zealand in September, I noticed that I had press releases for two fitness trackers in my inbox. Or at least one that doesn’t involve a walking frame or crutches. So the year has been more or less dedicated to rehabilitation, and thanks to the amazing work of a gentleman named Naudi Aquilar at Functional Patterns in Seattle, I’m on my feet and getting back into a much more active lifestyle. I’ve always been an active, fitness-focused guy but late last year, my old back problem became a new and interesting back problem that literally left me unable to walk. Fitbit Charge 2 5 Stars $270 TomTom Touch 3 Stars $249 Ash Kramer takes a look at two similarly priced and specified fitness trackers that turn out to be vastly different devices.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |