Test: TomTom Adventurer: smart, universal GPS watch for speed, distance, heart rate and more.

The TomTom Adventurer The design between the more delicate smartwatches and the bulky sports watches was very appealing. In this case, the bright orange strap can be detached from the watch case using a clever click mechanism and swapped for different coloured straps. The watch is charged via a separate USB charging cable and, if necessary, connected to the computer. This worked well on Mac OS.

First and foremostthe watch through the minimised menu, which you can navigate intuitively using the 4-way rocker. Once you have placed your thumb on it, you can find your way in all directions immediately and don't have to search for small buttons, even for action sports such as windsurfing. Training sessions can be started and stopped just as easily and quickly. A few sports are preset in the menu. We used "Freestyle" for SUP.

The watch does not have a "Smart" functionIt does not connect to the mobile phone as an extended display. This may well be desirable, as it means you are spared emails, text messages, WhatsApp and calls for at least an hour while paddling. Daily steps, activity times, calories and sleep can be called up, however, just like on the popular fitness wristbands.

In practical use the watch quickly receives GPS signals and records speeds and distances very realistically (in comparison with tried and tested systems). The recordings can be zoomed into in detail on the computer (registration and account on the TomTom website required). The only thing we missed on the watch in the short summary was the maximum speed of a training session. The watch also connects to the mobile phone app for viewing data in the same way as on a computer. We found the battery life to be absolutely sufficient; without GPS training sessions, the watch runs for what feels like weeks. With GPS, a USB charging stop is required after two medium workouts.

The heart rate measurement works directly with the watch on the wrist using a light-emitting diode that illuminates the skin. This is super practical, without a chest strap, which always runs out of battery when in doubt. However, the measurements are not as plausible as the speed and distance values. Wrist measurements are generally considered to be significantly less accurate than measurements using a chest strap.

For normal fitness training the result is still a good indication and on average the values are correct at the end of the day. However, if you want to know your exact HR at all times, you will have to reckon with values that are more difficult to explain, sometimes with a deviation of +/- 10 beats/minute. For performance-orientated training control, however, the watch can be upgraded with an external chest strap (wireless transmission) for very precise measurement of the electrical impulses directly at the heart.

Also wirelessthe watch transmits music (3 GB memory) to suitable Bluetooth earphones. This makes the mobile phone superfluous as a training and touring distraction - for all those who don't want to do without messages and calls on the water, but not without music. We were unable to test this function due to a lack of suitable headphones. However, it worked well in the previous model, albeit not with the same options as in a mobile phone app.

As an additional benefit the watch can also be used as a sat nav for hikes. For those interested, gpx files can be loaded and shown graphically on the display and "hiked".

Conclusion:A watch that offers practical benefits for anyone who doesn't want to use a mobile phone app. It allows you to quickly check your speedometer even while paddling. There is also wireless music transmission and a design that - available in different colours - is also very wearable for paddle-free everyday life.

Price:299 Euro

Weight: 55 grammes