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TIMEX(R) IRONMAN(R) ONE GPS+ PRODUCT IMAGE (Graphic: Business Wire)

TomTom Runner Cardio (Graphic: Business Wire)

I’ve been eyeing the TomTom Runner Cardio for a few months. It has a built-in heart monitor. I know my skin, which is constantly scratched by my heart monitor would appreciate the upgrade. 

I was set to buy it this year and then the Timex Ironman One GPS+ showed up on my radar. It’d let me go running without a phone and still reach my family if needed. It includes free live tracking and a built-in MP3 player. 

So there is my dilemma. The Timex costs at least $100 more than the Cardio. 

I’m leaning toward the Timex, but I was so looking forward to giving my skin a break, so it could recover from the heart-monitor cuts. Plus, I’ve grown accustomed to the TomTom interface.

I guess I’ll end up creating a pros and cons list for them. I know I’d really like to just go out for a run without have to find something to carry my phone. But those are usually quick runs, and I don’t know if the convenience is worth paying more than $300 for the Timex. (My hydration belt has extra pockets during long runs, so the phone’s not a big inconvenience.)

With my phone, my family can already track me with Find My Friends. They never us that and end up texting or calling me, so I don’t know the likelihood of them contacting me through the Timex app. 

Plus, I can’t play Run Zombies! on the Timex. 

I may scratch both of them from my list and invest in some new Bluetooth headphones. When I splashed water on my head during a run, the water got into the headphones. I can’t understand what anyone's saying when they call, and they can’t understand me.