What To Know
- It provides basic insights into your sleep cycles, but it lacks the advanced features found in the TomTom Touch.
- The TomTom Touch, on the other hand, has a significantly shorter battery life, lasting for approximately five to seven days on a single charge.
- The TomTom Touch, on the other hand, features a touchscreen display that allows you to view basic notification details, such as the sender’s name and the first few words of the message.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, with a plethora of options flooding the market. Two popular contenders vying for your wrist are the Misfit Shine 2 and the TomTom Touch. Both devices offer a compelling blend of style and functionality, but which one emerges as the victor in this fitness tracker showdown? Let’s delve into their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Aesthetics: A Matter of Personal Preference
The Misfit Shine 2 and TomTom Touch take vastly different approaches to design. The Shine 2, with its sleek, minimalist aesthetic, embodies a subtle elegance. Its circular, aluminum body, available in a range of colors, blends seamlessly with any outfit. It’s a discreet tracker that doesn’t scream “fitness fanatic,” making it suitable for both casual and formal settings.
On the other hand, the TomTom Touch embraces a more utilitarian design. Its rectangular shape, reminiscent of a smartwatch, features a vibrant color touchscreen and a slightly larger footprint. While it might not be as aesthetically pleasing as the Shine 2, it offers a more robust and functional interface.
Activity Tracking: Capturing Your Every Move
Both trackers excel in activity tracking, but they approach it with distinct methodologies. The Misfit Shine 2 relies on an accelerometer to monitor your steps, distance, and calories burned. It’s a simple yet effective method that provides accurate data for your daily activity levels. However, it lacks the advanced features found in the TomTom Touch.
The TomTom Touch boasts a more comprehensive approach to activity tracking. It utilizes a heart rate sensor, allowing it to monitor your heart rate throughout the day, even during workouts. This feature enables the tracker to provide more detailed insights into your fitness progress, including your heart rate variability and calorie expenditure.
Sleep Monitoring: Unlocking the Secrets of Your Slumber
Both trackers offer sleep monitoring capabilities, but they differ in their approach. The Misfit Shine 2 tracks your sleep duration and quality based on your movement patterns. It provides basic insights into your sleep cycles, but it lacks the advanced features found in the TomTom Touch.
The TomTom Touch takes sleep monitoring to a higher level. It utilizes its heart rate sensor to analyze your sleep stages, providing a more detailed breakdown of your sleep quality. This information can help you identify potential sleep problems and make adjustments to improve your sleep hygiene.
GPS Tracking: A Feature for the Fitness Enthusiast
The TomTom Touch stands out by offering built-in GPS tracking, a feature absent in the Misfit Shine 2. This allows you to track your outdoor workouts, including runs, walks, and bike rides, with pinpoint accuracy. You can even use the GPS feature to map your routes and track your speed and pace.
While the Misfit Shine 2 lacks GPS, it can connect to your smartphone’s GPS to track your outdoor activities. However, this functionality is not as reliable or accurate as the built-in GPS of the TomTom Touch.
Battery Life: Endurance for Your Active Lifestyle
The Misfit Shine 2 boasts an impressive battery life of up to six months on a single charge. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want a low-maintenance tracker that doesn’t require frequent charging.
The TomTom Touch, on the other hand, has a significantly shorter battery life, lasting for approximately five to seven days on a single charge. While this is still respectable, it requires more frequent charging compared to the Shine 2.
Smart Notifications: Staying Connected on the Go
Both trackers offer basic smart notifications, allowing you to receive alerts for calls, messages, and social media updates directly on your wrist. However, they lack the advanced features found in smartwatches.
The Misfit Shine 2 relies on Bluetooth connectivity to receive notifications. It vibrates to alert you about incoming notifications, but it doesn’t display any text or details. The TomTom Touch, on the other hand, features a touchscreen display that allows you to view basic notification details, such as the sender’s name and the first few words of the message.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right Tracker for You
Ultimately, the choice between the Misfit Shine 2 and the TomTom Touch boils down to your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize style, simplicity, and long battery life, the Misfit Shine 2 is an excellent choice. Its minimalist design, intuitive interface, and extended battery life make it a reliable companion for your daily activities.
However, if you seek a more feature-rich tracker with advanced activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and GPS capabilities, the TomTom Touch is the clear winner. Its comprehensive data insights, heart rate sensor, and GPS tracking make it an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts who want to take their training to the next level.
Beyond the Basics: Unveiling the Hidden Gems
While both trackers provide excellent core functionalities, they also offer hidden gems that enhance their appeal. The Misfit Shine 2, for instance, doubles as a sleep tracker and a silent alarm. Its discreet design makes it perfect for those who value privacy and want to avoid disturbing others.
The TomTom Touch, on the other hand, boasts a built-in music player that allows you to control your music directly from your wrist. This feature is particularly useful for workouts, as it eliminates the need to carry your phone.
Choosing Your Path: A Final Thought
The Misfit Shine 2 and the TomTom Touch are both capable fitness trackers that offer distinct advantages. The Shine 2 excels in its simplicity, sleek design, and long battery life, making it an ideal choice for those who want a discreet and low-maintenance tracker. The TomTom Touch, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive fitness experience with advanced activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, GPS capabilities, and a built-in music player. The ultimate decision depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q. Can I use the Misfit Shine 2 for swimming?
A. Yes, the Misfit Shine 2 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and showering.
Q. Does the TomTom Touch have a built-in altimeter?
A. No, the TomTom Touch doesn‘t have a built-in altimeter. It relies on GPS data to estimate altitude changes during outdoor activities.
Q. Can I customize the watch faces on the TomTom Touch?
A. Yes, the TomTom Touch offers a selection of customizable watch faces. You can choose from different designs and colors to personalize your tracker.
Q. Does the Misfit Shine 2 require a smartphone to function?
A. No, the Misfit Shine 2 can function independently without a smartphone. However, you’ll need to connect it to your phone to sync data and receive notifications.
Q. Can I use the TomTom Touch to track my sleep without wearing it on my wrist?
A. No, the TomTom Touch relies on its heart rate sensor to track your sleep. Therefore, you need to wear it on your wrist to utilize its sleep monitoring capabilities.