Tech review: TomTom Touch

TomTom Touch is an ambitious fitness band that boasts of features like body fat monitor and heart rate monitor, but does it get the basics right?

TomTom Touch packs in a lot of features. But does it get the basics right?

When TomTom entered the fitness category in 2013, it started with a solid line of fitness watches: Spark Cardio + Music series. Though on the steeper side, these watches seemed like value-for-money for serious athletes.

Then it decided to compete with Fitbit, and recently launched the TomTom Touch, a fitness band that comes with round-the-clock activity tracking, heart rate monitor and body fat monitor. While it is still on the steeper side, it fails to get the basics right.

What's good: Among other fitness bands, such as Fitbit, Mi Band, Misfit and Moov, TomTom Touch has the biggest advantage in its body fat monitor. Once connected to the app, it can tell you the composition of body fat versus muscle mass, which is considered the real test of fitness. So, if you are looking to lose weight, this one's for you. Just place your finger on the sensor (looks a tad too big on the device) and within seconds, it reads your body composition.

What's not: Now moving on from the wow-inducing factor, a fitness band should achieve the following: sleek and durable design (so it doesn't fall off during activities) and track activities accurately, even something as basic as walking. We used the tracker for two weeks (24x7) and found it miscalculating steps on many occasions. The tracker was adding steps even when we were stationary.

Though the band looks smart, it has basic design flaws that are difficult to ignore, especially if you're going to wear it all the time. The clasp comes undone during rigorous activities such as running. Even removing and putting back the tracking module after charging is extremely tedious. Even the Mi Band (a much cheaper device) has a more user-friendly design on it.

Since the band is working all the time, the battery runs out pretty soon and requires to be charged once every two days, contrary to its claim of seven days.

Verdict: For the price, the device still has a long way to go and needs to work on its design flaws and accurate tracking.

At a glance:

What: TomTom Touch fitness band
Quick specs: 24/7 activity tracking, built-in heart rate monitor, body fat composition monitor
Best buy: ₹3,999 (official price)
USP: Multi-sports mode for outdoor and indoor activities, touchscreen display, sweat and rain proof
Rating: 2

- Meenakshi Iyer