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TOMTOM Runner 3 is a sportwatch, subcategory of smartwatches, with a very particular soul: a sober shape and particularly designed for the sportsman, is combined with a series of features very advanced and multifaceted, able to make the device completely independent from the smartphone, without giving up the softer functions, such as music.
The versatility of the TOMTOM brand now does not surprise that much , because for some years now products have been active that go well beyond the most famous satellite navigators for cars: we ourselves have talked about the latest navigators for scooters, TOMTOM Vio (which we have reviewed here), but in the brand's catalog they also feature Golf accessories, Action Cams and more.
This is to say that if you think that TOMTOM Runner 3 is a secondary product because it does not come from a brand specialized in sports, you are wrong: certainly it is not an agonist sportwatch co, but it does its duty in an excellent way, satisfying the average user far beyond the needs, with some more ambitions and original solutions for those who love to be independent.
The soul of the runner
Out of the box TOMTOM Runner 3 offers the smartwatch plus a charging cable with dedicated connector on the smartwatch side and USB- A on the other. Charging the watch needs some attention, the plastic latch is not bomb-proof and you have to make sure it is actually latched, but at the same time once it is finished charging, a precise movement is required to detach it.
Fortunately, the battery charge lasts a long time: from one to two weeks in our tests, with activation of activities (and consequent use of the GPS chip) in an irregular way.
The appearance is, as seen in the photos, decidedly sporty: the soft curves and the rubber surface are comfortable to use all day, but it is certainly not a smartwatch to take to the nightclub in the evening.
This, specific to four buttons at the top, allows you to navigate through the menus of the the watch and to activate or deactivate all the functions and details of the phone, even if a lot (but not all) is done from the smartphone app.
The configuration phase is quite simple, we we started from the Mac App, to then arrive at the iPhone one (but it is not mandatory) and basically just follow the instructions on the screen, even if we would have liked a more “streamlined” configuration.
TOMTOM Runner 3, all in one
Inside the TOMTOM Runner 3 there are various sports activities: before each session it is necessary to specify the activity and wait a few seconds (sometimes a few more) for the smartwatch to find the GPS signal, then you are ready to go.
The display shows all data clearly even during the activity, although the type of display can also be customized directly from the smartwatch during the session.
The use of GPS allows you to record the status of the activity and to view, at the end of the race, the whole track and the partial and total times.
The interesting part of this model, compared to many competitors, is that inside the device there is a small memory card, which can accommodate some songs in MP3 format (about 500 officially, a little less in our tests): thanks to Bluetooth integrated, it is possible to pair with some models of wireless headphones (we have used it with these, here in the new colors, but some models of TOMTOM are also available) and listen to music while running (or other activity) without for this requires a smartphone.
In reality, this set of features (GPS, Bluetooth and multimedia playback) involves some compromise and here and there the audio skips, but it is nothing like that irreparable.
On the other hand, the fact that the headphones are not recognized is rather annoying and before any activity it is necessary to make the pairing.
Multipurpose
Other interesting feature of the TOMTOM Runner 3 is the fact that all the statistics are available both through the App (with which the watch synchronizes itself from time to time) and from Mac or PC (thanks to the USB connection during charging).
The consultation can take place via the App or via the web, in a very simple way, so much so that you can easily jump from one side to the other. Both the App and the web pages are done well and the consultation is clear and linear even if you are fasting on sports statistics, with also some interesting animations that make you relive the session on the map.
Extremism is missing, that is: the data displayed is suitable for consumer use or something more, but if you are preparing for a race you probably need a more vertical product.
On the other hand, the measurement is precise: we tested the watch over the course of a day with a FitBit Charge 2 displaying a practically zero data gap, so much so that upon reaching of the 10,000 daily steps the two devices played almost together.
Conclusion
TOMTOM Runner 3 is a very good model if sport is part of your life but not your life: it can be carried in a very comfortable way throughout the day, detecting every data of your activity, inside and outside the sessions sports (however, there is no particular attention to sleep).
The use of the App is intuitive and complete, and with it also the web part: maybe you will opt for an analog model in the evening at the disco, but otherwise Runner 3 is ideal both in the office and in the gym or on the street (or in the pool, since it is waterproof).
The price of 249.00 Euro for the TOMTOM model RUNNER 3 Cardio + Music (with heartbeat detection and memory for music, on offer on Amazon.it) is not even that important considering the models on the market (and the integrated functions) but if you do not have the ambitions of the heartbeat or of the music space you can opt for one of the lower models, which start at 129 Euros (on offer on Am azon.it): here is the complete list of the series with all the features and official prices.
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