Titan traveller vs. Garmin Forerunner

During the run up to the Bangalore Midnight marathon (see my report here), I got my hands on the new Titan Traveller (TT). This is Titan's third attempt at a Sports Smartwatch. I have been devout of Garmin for the last 15 years. Did the TT manage to swing my loyalty? Find out below:

GPS

There are umpteen jokes written about the time the Garmin takes to get to "GPS On", which is essentially the time the watch takes to connect to the satellites to be able to track distances. Over the years, Garmin has improved on this ability by having 3 modes for GPS connections (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo).

The Titan Traveller (TT) has a similar GPS lock mode, when it is not in the lock mode, the watch gives long text on how the accuracy can be improved upon GPS lock, but only measures the time of the activity (such as running or outdoor bike). In a Garmin, however, you do get the distances in the GPS off mode, but somewhat inaccurate (maybe an estimate).

 The TT seems to take forever, to get to GPS lock mode (enough time for one to abandon the fitness plan altogether). I have tried patiently a few times, then had to get back home, use the app on the phone to finally get to GPS Lock mode! Titan takes forever to lock GPS (about 10mins) vs. Garmin (about 2mins). This is a crucial sore point.

Titan seemed to be about 2% overstating the distance (and therefore pace) in GPS lock mode, and about 10% understating in the GPS unlock mode.

Heart Rate

The resting heart rate was comparable in both watches. Heart rate during an easy run was accurate (I guess) on Garmin 945 and way over for Titan Traveller. While I was closer to 145 bpm as per Garmin, the TT was showing 170+ and was constantly reminding me to slow down. I am sure the "slow down" notification can be turned off (I only managed to reduce volume), but that is the last thing a runner wants to hear - Slow Down. Most of us runners tend to think we always need to go faster than we are - easy runs or otherwise.

Outdoor Bike Ride

Again, this needs the GPS Lock mode. During my trial, I got the Titan to sync on the third attempt. Given that each attempt is about 5mins and the successful attempt needed the phone app to be on - not ideal. Once synced, the GPS was quite accurate (I am not super worried about the accuracy of my commute bike rides).

I do like the option to be able to receive calls during my commute rides, since the phone is in the bag! On the same note, I have not explored the Music option either during my runs (or biking - not recommended).

All this said, Garmin Connect App is way better for specific sports than the Titan app. The dashboards, charts, stats, maps in Garmin Connect leave nothing more to ask for. Combine this with the Pod which goes into the waist, the amount of data on vertical oscillation, ground contact times, balance, etc. is mind boggling. 

Plenty of ground to cover for Titan on this aspect.

I am yet to explore the ability to upload courses, download GPS, etc. in the Titan app. On the Garmin forerunner, this is a great feature esp. when you visit a new place / country. Check out the heat map of what I managed to do, by downloading the Madrid marathon course GPS file from Strava, upload it on to my Garmin forerunner and run the city in this report here.

Aesthetics

The Titan Traveller with it's square dial looks neat, is non bulky. I also like the option of a synthetic strap which can be easily ported to a leather one. Garmin forerunner is still on the bulkier side. The charging ports, charging time, etc. is also more advanced in the Titan.

Last word

Titan traveller is a good all round watch, lifestyle smartwatch - much better than any of the earlier ones from Titan. It is a great lifestyle smartwatch and can be used to track day long activity.

If it comes to a specialist - either running or biking, I would still reach out to Garmin.

Madrid - running the course

 

Day 1:

Landed at Madrid at 2PM, was in my running shoes and singlet! by 5pm to run down to Plaza de Castilla to pick up ID tag and then to a Carrefour to pick up dinner, 10km - more like a tapas (appetizer in Spanish cuisine) for the upcoming runs!!

Cold, Clean and Concrete

Day 2: Head North

By the next day, I figured that I was staying close to the Zurich Rock n Roll Madrid marathon start line. I made good use of the noon start to Camp Kickoff (Camp kickoff CKO is the work reason I was in Madrid, 1 week, all employees under one roof!) revelries to run the half marathon course. I started this run in low single digit temps, wearing a long sleeve tee only. It was tough the first few kms, dark and cold. The half marathon course weaved through many landmarks in the districts of Chamartin and Tetuan, Plaza de Castellana, the Cuatro Torres (business park), - the highlight being the Plaza Mayor. I finished the course by 9:45, made my way to the hotel to make best use of the breakfast spread.

Day 3:

The bug had bit, CKO started early at 9, my run had to start earlier, 6am, 4C. This time, I ran part of the RnR 10k route. I chanced upon and made a surprise entry into Park Santander, which has a walking path lined with a synthetic track for track workouts!! Today, the skull cap and gloves were out for braving the cold with me.

Day 4: Head West

was about exploring West, towards Casa de Campo, which is a huge forested area not too far from the city center. The highlight was Plaza de Esplana (Spain Square), nested between skyscrapers and inhabited at this unearthly hour by only a handful of sweepers!

The Puerta de San Vicente is the monumental gate located where the 'original door' to Madrid lay. It has 3 arches and when I reached there it seemed to have 2 moons! I got someone to take this 'pic of the trip' for me.

I headed back to my only breakfast a day OBAD schedule - cereal, scrambled eggs, omlette, sauteyed vegetables and fruit.

Day 5: Head South

The penultimate day, I decided to go south towards El Retiro Park - Parque de El Retiro. Just running down the central boulevard of the La Castellana (which is one of the key roads running South to North of Madrid) was amazing. Beautiful sights of the Puerta de Alcala (the massive gate by the park), Estanque Grande de El Retiro (the Great Pond) were the wow factor for the day. At midnight I got to experience some tapas snacks, the sound and lights of Bavarian DJ Loisash Marcithe with his epic alpine techno and alphorn at the Barcelo Theatre dancefloor.

Day Last:

It *had* to end in the Madrid Marathon FM course. I made good use of the early finish to CKO and was in my running gear at 3PM in daylight and warmer conditions. Despite having done parts of the course in the previous runs, there was so much more that this run offered. Being a Friday evening, the tourist spots were filled with people replete with their Iberian fervour. At Plaza Mayor, I exclaimed (to myself), "I have never seen so many foreigners in one place in my life"!!

The route caressed many city landmarks - Nuevos Ministerios (the govt complex - also my metro station), Plaza de Castilla, Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Cuatro Torres (the business area), Plaza Mayor (town square, phew!), the Royal Palace (complete with its parks and pebble roads), Casa de Campo and the Buen Retiro Park. The Casa de Campo is located just west of the Royal Palace and was once the hunting estate. It is now a beautiful park with traffic free roads, trails, lake. I even spotted (and got on camera!) a rabbit scurrying in the fallen foliage.

I had to take a couple of baño (toilet) stops - one in a café where I used the google translator to find my way through and another at the entrance to the Metro station, one McFit Gym (Gyms at Metro station is a novelty to me).

But apart from that, I ran the distance in 5hours, with no food or water (except a public faucet in Casa de Campo).

I got tons of pics, lots of good memories, over 108km of running in 6days in Madrid. Adiós amigo, hasta la vista