TomTom Integration

A few weeks ago, TomTom approached us about becoming an early adopter of their new API Program. We’re happy to say that the process was pretty smooth and the integration is now live!

The original TomTom Runner and the newer TomTom Spark are rock solid GPS watches. You can pick up the original Runner for well under $100 on Amazon. It’s got remarkably good GPS and nice big numbers on the display. The new Spark is more expensive but it’s leaner with an updated interface. It also and adds options for an optical heartrate sensor unlike most, according to DC Rainmaker this one actually works. Spend a bit more and you can get built in Bluetooth music streaming. This means you can leave the iPod and chest strap at home, which is, well, just really awesome. Both the watches also have several modes for running including the ability to set target pace, target HR, or set individual run goals by time or calories instead of just distance.

Here’s how you import your runs from TomTom MySports

Note: If you’ve ever synced your TomTom runs through Nike+ or via a 3rd party app sent by Tapiriik, you should definitely set a minimum import date to avoid potential dupes.

While logged in, go to the Synced Devices page, scroll down to TomTom and click ‘Connect’. You’ll be prompted to authenticate with your TomTom MySports account. Once you’ve entered your credentials and clicked ‘Authorize’, you’ll be all set to sync!

tomtom-integration

Just two things to note:

  1. If you disconnect your TomTom account on Smashrun, the only way you can reconnect is by removing Smashrun as a 3rd party application on TomTom MySports and then you can reconnect.
  2. TomTom is currently sending your runs in GPX format. That means, if you run on a treadmill, there’s no GPS points, so we can’t calculate your splits. Instead, you’ll only be able to import the summary details. We’re following up on this to see if there are plans to fix it.

We’ve tested the TomTom integration as best we could but, like all new integrations, we need your help to make it perfect. So, if you find anything unusual, please send us an email at hi@smashrun.com so we can take a look!

PS – The excellent TTWatcher app still works, so if you’d prefer not to skip sending your runs to MySports before syncing to Smashrun you can still do that.

11 Comments

Ben

Getting an error when trying to process the sync. Just sent you an email.

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Chris

Thanks for the heads up. This should be fixed now. Need to shake the bugs out, so appreciate the quick report.

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Nadine

Thanks for this new feature. Even if the integration through Nike+ is working really fine to be able to use Tomtom directly will be easier.

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Maarten Korz

I was waiting for this! Great news! It works. Will you make the sync in the future also automatically? That would even better.

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Fletcher

It is great this feature is finally here but as i have been using Tapiriik to import runs from Strava to Smashrun i am uncertain about using this feature. The issue is that Strava better accounts for moving time whereas Mysports seems to calculate a total time regardless of stopping (e.g. for traffic lights) – this impacts average pace and SPI etc. So stay with Strava and import with Tapiriik = better average pace and SPI 🙂 and consistency over time OR use this new functionality = easier but inconsistent and lower SPI pace etc. ….. Unless of course you apply some kind of moving time calculation to the data?? …. Or have i got this wrong??

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Chris

I guess there’s two ways to think about it. When you get stopped at a traffic light you rest, your heart rate recovers, and you can start off again with renewed vigor. If you remove those stops, than maybe your average pace and SPI will be overstated? But then again, if you’re waiting for 5 minutes at a stop light your average pace will be in the toilet regardless of how great a run it was.

Either way the result is biased, but I can see how it’d be nice to have the option. Perhaps a “transform stops to pauses” option might be something we should add in the future.

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David Zaruk

Wonderful – easy to set up and I notice that today’s run also includes the weather just next to the date. I might just buy the new TomTom now! Thank you!

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Rick Schippers

Excellent! I’m syncing my tomtom spark watch through garmin connect at the moment. The new direct sync will simplify the setup!

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Vincent

Great integration, ttwatcher is nice, but this is just easier and quicker for me.

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