That’s perfectly satisfactory if we’re talking about real-time data, but the fact you can’t look back at old data is disappointing. When it does work, you can simply select playlists from within the settings menu on the watch, but you still can't select individual tracks. Say what you will about wrist-worn heart rate accuracy, but I found this to be one of the better examples. While TomTom's own app has been vastly improved, you can export activity data to a host of third party apps including Nike+, Runkeeper and Strava.

TomTom Spark 3 Multi Sport GPS Fitness Watch with Heart Rate

It looks at some of the more esoteric issues with non-TomTom/bluetooth sensors and also looks a bit at the complete TomTom environment. We wish the display was a bit brighter and that there were customisation options for the watch faces.There are seven sports modes on the Spark: running and cycling (with indoor and out modes for both), swimming, gym and freestyle.

TomTom Spark 3 Review | Trusted Reviews

The basic speed/cadence/GPS functionality that is provided is fine for the purpose for which it is intended. For this review we mixed trail and road runs, a cycle and a couple of long hill walks, which TomTom classifies as ‘Freestyle. And although I came at the Spark 3 from a runner’s perspective, it also has plenty to offer treadmill warriors, cyclists and swimmers – in the case of the latter, it’ll measure strokes, lengths and speeds, with waterproofing to 40 metres. If that battery is not at full capacity, all three in use will quickly sap the battery life, as I found on a few ocassions.TomTom introduced the light-based monitoring technology to the range last year and it works in a similar fashion.

TomTom Spark Review | Trusted Reviews TomTom Spark Review | Trusted Reviews

To get it set up, jump into run tracking mode and then head into the Settings then Training and select intervals. Only an app-based solution would offer the navigational abilities (and more) that the TomTom offers. There’s the USB charging cradle and standard USB cable to charge the headphones as well as spare ear bud covers. The ability to stream music from your watch without your phone continues to be a feature that gets overlooked by the likes of Garmin and Polar (although that has been remedied with the new Polar M600 Android Wear running watch).

It’s really simple to get out and do whatever routine you like, without needing extra equipment like music players or heart-rate tracking chest straps.