SuperWatches

Super Smartwatches and Wearables

Suunto

SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch

Sports and fitness

SUUNTO is a Finnish watchmaking company based in Vantaa. The company are specialists in watches for people who love to be outdoors and active. The brand has garnered a great reputation. Their offerings differ from mainstream smartwatches. They focus on providing features that will help you whether you are up a mountain or skiing down one.

When Was the SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch Released?

The SUUNTO Core range has been on the market for some time. It has enjoyed many version releases and a loyal fan base. The Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch is a stylish accessory with a range of useful features.

Who is the watch for?

This is the perfect watch for the adventurous man in your life! It’s a great outdoor watch that is incredibly popular with people who love to get outside, enjoy being in nature and want to track their exercise and share key information to ensure they are safe.

It is smart to look at. Yet has the sporty features that we have all come to expect from a smartwatch. One serious issue is that there is no GPS capability. Even so, this is a fantastic choice for anyone that wants to get on the slopes, trek across the forest or even hike up a mountain. In fact, when you have a timepiece like this on your wrist, we think you’d probably spend more time outside to use it to its full potential. Mind you there are other Suunto watches worth considering depending on your needs.

What is Great About the SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch?

This slightly overpriced watch packs a lot in and looks great when on the wrist. The display is good. With a compass ring around the face you will be able to find your way wherever you take it. The screen is easy to read, and the watch battery lasts for an entire year before you need to think about replacing it.

Rather than using a GPS, the watch has an altimeter that will help you traverse your location with the help of a map. The good news about this is that the altimeter can work up to an altitude of 9000m so that you can explore virtually anywhere and not get lost. The watch works wherever you are, even if you find yourself off the beaten track in a sheltered area.
One of the key selling points for this watch is the barometer. It comes as standard and can let you know when a storm is brewing so that you can take precautions before it hits. The barometer works by reading pressure and can forecast what is to come through the pressure status in your location. It’s easy to use and navigate all from the watch face.

The watch will log all your altitude gains and the losses on a graph. You can check out what you have achieved each time you go out. The great thing about this is that the graph can cover up to seven full days, so it’s a fantastic way of checking out a week in the outdoors skiing or hiking.

The watch screen is split. You can tell the time as well as access the barometer, altimeter, and alarms that you can personalise to help you navigate your adventures. You can use the alarms to let you know when you have hit certain altitudes. If you remember to set your location, then the watch will even let you know when to expect the next sunrise or sunset. So you can get to the perfect location in time to enjoy them to the fullest.

  • The watch has three alarms that you can set to track what you are up to.
  • It’s simple to use, and you can just strap it on and get outside.
  • There are both a stopwatch and timer which will help when using it to exercise.
  • A built-in thermometer makes it easy to check the temperature wherever you are.
  • The battery life is excellent at a year-long, and it is cheap to replace when it wears out.
  • It’s easy to lock with the one-touch function.
  • It’s waterproof, so you are safe to take it wherever you are going.

Positives and Negatives of the SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch

There are so many positives with owning this watch, and we’ve listed our top pros for you to consider:

  • The watch has three alarms that you can set to track what you are up to.
  • It’s simple to use, and you can just strap it on and get outside.
  • There are both a stopwatch and timer which will help when using it to exercise.
  • A built-in thermometer makes it easy to check the temperature wherever you are.
  • The battery life is excellent at a year-long, and it is cheap to replace when it wears out.
  • It’s easy to lock with the one-touch function.
  • It’s waterproof, so you are safe to take it wherever you are going.

As with all devices, there are negative aspects, but even we have to admit that they are few and far between on this SUUNTO device:

  • The screen is easy to read but is too dim and could do with brightening up.
  • There is no GPS, although this would, of course, drain the battery if there was.
  • It’s pricey for a non-GPS watch, and although it looks great, there are cheaper alternatives on the market.

Should I Buy the SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch?

When it comes down to deciding if this is the watch for you, then it is worth considering if you are happy to forego the GPS. We think the altimeter is a great way of tracking where you are going, and with the phenomenal battery life, it is well worth consideration.

It’s an attractive and comfortable watch that won’t let you down. With all the great features it makes it worth serious consideration the next time you decide to get a new watch.

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SUUNTO Zoop Novo Scuba Diving Wrist Computer

Diver entering the water

Looking for a scuba diving computer but find yourself confused over which one to get? Our review of the Zoop Novo will help you to make an informed choice.

What’s the Fuss About the SUUNTO Zoop Novo Wrist Scuba Diving Computer?

SUUNTO are world leaders in wrist diving computers. The Finnish company has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to making equipment that will last.

The SUUNTO Zoop Novo is a budget-friendly diving computer. It is the perfect choice for novice or learner divers. There is a wealth of features that help you track everything you want and measure how deep you are. So you can be certain you are where you want to be. We like the clean design and ease of use with this computer. Furthermore, we are happy with the performance levels it offers. You may also want to view alternatives from Suunto such as the Suunto D5.

What Has SUUNTO Included in the Zoop Novo Scuba Diving Wrist Computer?

The Zoop Novo is packed with features. These will make it easy to track your dive and keep you safe when you are in the water. There is a button-operated menu that will take you through the diving modes you can choose from:

  • Air Mode – this is used when undertaking your dives on air. Select this option. You will be able to monitor your dive time, depth and no-deco time. And be able to see what the time is.
  • Nitrox Mode – choose this more if you want your computer to be set for 21 to 50% oxygen content.
  • Gauge Mode – Select this mode and your computer will work as a bottom timer. It will show you the time, depth and temp of your dive. This mode is ideal for when you plan dives via computer software or by calculating your own decompression time.
  • Free Dive Mode – this mode will help you to see your depth, dive time, max depth and the surface time of each of your free dives.
  • Off Mode – this mode is when the computer is turned off and not activated when you are in the water.

In reality, you can typically expect to use the Air and Nitrox modes the most. It is simple to let the computer calculate everything for you.

Other features include three personal adjustment abilities as well as three altitude adjustments. When you have it the way you want it all you need to do it strap it to your wrist and start your dive; it really is that simple.

What Does the SUUNTO Zoop Novo Scuba Diving Wrist Computer Look Like?

The Zoop Novo has an attractive and functional design that is similar to the original Zoop. However, there are key changes that have made it easier to read and use when you are in the water. There are three colour options and the protection glass is more raised on this model. The display is squared, and the digits are all clearly displayed for ease of use.

This is a computer that is made with ease of use in mind. You can remove the battery and replace it quickly without much fuss. This is a diving computer that is focused on offering the practical features. Rather than focusing on style over substance.

The Zoop Novo automatically starts as soon as you jump in, then starts up dive mode when you start to descend. You can turn on the backlight so that your screen is always clear to read. Whatever your depth, there is a feature that will let you log a bookmark whenever you want to measure the time, depth and temp. You can then check the analysis when you come back up.

When you start your ascent, you will be guided by bars on the display that will check you do not go over the 10m/min rate. The computer will give you a countdown before you can hit the surface in a bid to stop a nitrogen build-up.

If you are planning multiple dives over a short space of time, then the Zoop Novo will allow you to record up to 140 hours of dives ready to be uploaded to your computer via a USB when you are ready. This information can then be tracked and analysed to give you clear feedback on each dive.

What Concerns Are There With the SUUNTO Zoop Novo Scuba Diving Wrist Computer?

If you are looking for a diving computer that is the height of style over functionality, then this is not the one for you. There has been negative feedback on the basic nature of the Zoop Novo, but it is made with the novice diver in mind. Make sure that you are looking for a simple to use and basic model before spending your money as you may end up disappointed. However, if you want something that is easy to use and tracks the must-have info, then you are bound to love the Zoop Novo.

dving watch

Why Should I Buy a SUUNTO Zoop Novo Scuba Diving Wrist Computer?

If you have been considering getting a diving computer to track your dives, then the Zoop Novo is a great choice. It is a basic model that is the perfect choice for any new diver who wants to track and analyse their dives. However, this is not the model for any hardcore diver or free diver as it is not efficient enough for this type of diving.

Zoop Novo will help you to know what is going on when you are in the water. It will give you the chance to see how you are progressing over time from the downloadable data from each dive. SUUNTO has made a great diving computer with the Zoop Novo, and we are happy to highly recommend it.

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Suunto vs Fenix 6

Fenix 6 vs Suunto
Suunto vs Fenix 6

Suunto vs Fenix 6

It’s fair to say that the Garmin Fenix 6 is an amazing piece of kit and if you have one, then you will know that there are a massive range of features that come as standard as well as an easy to use app that makes analysing your own performance a total breeze. However, Suunto has many great watches on the market right now, and so we decided to compare what they offer to the Garmin Fenix 6. Read on to find out the results!

Does a Fenix 6 Look Better Than a Suunto Model?

When it comes to looks, Suunto make beautiful smartwatches that look amazing! The luxury, high-end look makes Suunto popular with people who want their watch to reflect their lifestyle and work. Many of the Suunto watches come with touchscreens and large displays to make them easy to use and attractive.

The Fenix 6 is not as attractive as some of the Suunto models, but it is clear to read and easy to see even when outside in low light. We really like the design of the Suunto 7 and 9 The display is informative, and you will find all the information you need at the touch of a button.

Does the Fenix 6 Have a Better Battery Life Than Suunto Models?

Suunto smartwatches come with great battery life, and you can expect to enjoy around thirty hours of GPS use before you need to plug in and charge up. The process is simple and speedy, making it an easy addition to your day.

The battery life of the Fenix 6 is similar to the top Suunto models and also offers around thirty hours of GPS usage before needing to recharge. The additional benefit of the Fenix 6 is that you can customise your battery usage by only enabling the features you need, which allows you to potentially save battery life when you need it the most.

Does Suunto Offer Better Fitness Tracking Than the Fenix 6?

Suunto watches let you plan routes and track your sports so that you know where you’ve been and how well you have performed after each workout. You are also able to track your steps and the number of calories you have burned each day.

The Fenix 6 has some pretty advanced capabilities and offers a huge range of sports for you to track so that you are always informed on your performance. The Fenix 6 also allows you to create your own sport so that if you can’t find yours in their huge collection, then you can still track your regime.

Is the Sunnto App Better Than the Garmin App?

Both brands offer an app that allows you to track your progress and offers third-party compatibility with apps like Strava so that you are able to keep up to date on how you are really doing.

The Suunto app is confusing as there are two to choose from! The older app will track and analyse your fitness, whereas the newer one does not offer the same wealth of info. Suunto apps look good, but it can be confusing to work out which one you should be using for what and when.

The Garmin app is called Connect, and it offers you the ability to analyse your data, create a workout and even challenge your friends to keep your workouts interesting.

Which Is the Comfiest Model, Suunto Watches Or the Fenix 6?

Suunto looks the part, but the Fenix 6 is comfier, and we’d put this down to the hinged strap that allows you to get your watch comfortable around your wrist, regardless of the size of it.

Suunto straps tend to be moulded, and this can then result in a poorer, more uncomfortable fit. Both the Fenix 6 and Suunto models come with the ability to swap straps if you want to, but there aren’t a huge range of straps to choose from on the Fenix 6, making this is more for necessity rather than style changes.

Are Suunto Models Easier To Use Than the Fenix 6?

When it comes to ease of use, we are certain that the Fenix 6 pips the Suunto brand to the post and this is quite simply because they offer a cleaner, more personalised interface. Suunto offers a lot in their watches, but this is not always welcomed, and the Fenix 6 has taken the less is more approach, working to produce an excellent fitness watch that will last.

The Suunto smartwatches can be clunky to use, and the touchscreen options are not always as responsive as you’d like, especially when you are out in poor weather conditions.

Can I Play Music on the Fenix 6 and Suunto Models?

The Fenix 6 standard edition does not offer music capabilities, and if you want this, you will need to upgrade to the Pro or the Sapphire editions to get this. If you do get the higher-spec models, you can then look forward to pre-downloading music ready to play when you are out and about.

In comparison, many of the Suunto watches have music streaming services as standard and the playback is great – a real asset for this brand!

The Verdict

In short, the Garmin Fenix 6 is the overall winner in the battle against Suunto purely because it offers a user-friendly service with excellent features packed in. Garmin is all about functionality, and the Fenix 6 has this in spades, making sure that serious fitness fans and outdoor adventurers have precisely what they need when they go out and about.

Suunto is a great alternative but lacks the finesse of the Fenix 6. Many of Suunto’s features try too hard and just marginally miss the mark. They look great but aren’t always comfortable to wear, and they offer the tech that we want but with the performance that fails to meet our expectations. It is for reasons like this that Fenix 6 is our overall winner.

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Garmin Fenix 6 vs Suunto 9

What Smartwatch is Best for Outdoor Activities?

Garmin Fenix 6 vs Suunto 9

Firstly, if you are keen to get hold of a smartwatch that can go outdoors and track what you do, then you need one with features such as GPS, heart rate monitor, altitude detector and a range of data collection that can be used to improve your performance over time. Getting a watch that can do all of this, that can be comfortable to wear, and that looks the part can certainly be difficult in the saturated smartwatch market. However, we have compared the Garmin Fenix 6 with the Suunto 9 as we believe that these two watches are great choices for people who love the outdoors.

Preview
Garmin 010-02158-01 Fenix 6 Pro, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping,...
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro (Black with Black Band) Premium Gift Set Bundle | Includes Garmin...
Suunto 9, GPS Sports Watch with Long Battery Life and Wrist-Based Heart Rate,...
Suunto 9 Multisport GPS Watch with BARO and Wrist-Based Heart Rate (Black)
Title
Garmin 010-02158-01 Fenix 6 Pro, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping,...
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro (Black with Black Band) Premium Gift Set Bundle | Includes Garmin...
Suunto 9, GPS Sports Watch with Long Battery Life and Wrist-Based Heart Rate,...
Suunto 9 Multisport GPS Watch with BARO and Wrist-Based Heart Rate (Black)
Verdict
Price
$666.74
Price not available
$499.00
$498.90
Where to Buy
Buy on Amazon (support us)
Buy on Amazon (support us)
Buy on Amazon (support us)
Buy on Amazon (support us)
Preview
Garmin 010-02158-01 Fenix 6 Pro, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping,...
Title
Garmin 010-02158-01 Fenix 6 Pro, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping,...
Verdict
Price
$666.74
Where to Buy
Buy on Amazon (support us)
Preview
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro (Black with Black Band) Premium Gift Set Bundle | Includes Garmin...
Title
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro (Black with Black Band) Premium Gift Set Bundle | Includes Garmin...
Verdict
Price
Price not available
Where to Buy
Buy on Amazon (support us)
Preview
Suunto 9, GPS Sports Watch with Long Battery Life and Wrist-Based Heart Rate,...
Title
Suunto 9, GPS Sports Watch with Long Battery Life and Wrist-Based Heart Rate,...
Verdict
Price
$499.00
Where to Buy
Buy on Amazon (support us)
Preview
Suunto 9 Multisport GPS Watch with BARO and Wrist-Based Heart Rate (Black)
Title
Suunto 9 Multisport GPS Watch with BARO and Wrist-Based Heart Rate (Black)
Verdict
Price
$498.90
Where to Buy
Buy on Amazon (support us)

What Do the Fenix 6 and Suunto 9 Models Look Like?

The Suunto 9 is not only a good watch, but it has been made out of good quality materials and is easy to read with a large, clear screen. Furthermore, the buttons are simple to use and will navigate you through the watch functions with ease.

The Fenix 6 is much smaller and is certainly not the prettiest smartwatch you will ever see! The screen is easy to read with important information on view at all times. The buttons are not as easy to use as on the Suunto and can even stick when you are trying to use them.

How Comfy Are the Fenix 6 and Suunto 9 Models?

With any big watch comes the issue of comfort, and the Suunto 9 has this issue; it’s huge and is prone to get caught on things. Although, the strap is comfy, you will need to position it further up your arm than you would expect in order to use the heart rate monitor, and this means it will catch on sleeves constantly. It may look great, but it is not a comfortable wear.

The Fenix 6 is a normal size, and this certainly helps the watch to provide a great fit on your wrist. It is a snug fit that allows you to monitor your heart rate without having to move the watch and the strap is hinged so that it can fit a range of wrist sizes.

What is the Screen Like On the Fenix 6 and Suunto 9 Models?

Both watches have LCD screens that claim to be good in the outdoors. However, the screen on the Fenix 6 is far superior. It has a clear view, and this is only enhanced by the backlight function. The screen resolution is great, and you will be able to use it wherever you find yourself.

The Suunto 9 has a touch screen, but it’s not easy to use, and the slow response from the screen makes it very frustrating to use! When outside the screen is difficult to read, and if it gets wet, it is hard to use.

How Long Does the Battery Last on the Fenix 6 and Suunto 9 Models?

The battery on the Suunto is great with around a 30-hour max when using all the features it offers. Suunto claims that there is up to 120 hours of use, but this is without the GPS feature turned on. The Fenix 6 battery also offers around 30 hours of battery life with GPS on.

This means that you can look forward to a weekend trip to the outdoors without worrying about charging as long as you remember to switch the GPS off when you don’t need it!

How Good Is the User Interface On the Fenix 6 and Suunto 9 Models?

The Suunto 9 doesn’t offer much when it comes to the interface of their watch. You have very limited selections when it comes to personalising the watch face and menu. The menu itself lacks intuition and can be very clunky to use, and this is then compounded by the slow touch screen.

The Fenix 6 is fully customisable with many watch faces to choose from, and it allows you to choose the widgets that are best suited to the way you want to use the watch. The menu is easy to access, and because it is button led, it is better than the Suunto 9’s slow touch screen.

How Easy Is It to Connect the Fenix 6 and Suunto 9 Models To Phones and Computers?

Interestingly, Suunto has two different phone apps, but it is advised that you use the new Suunto app over the older Movescount app. The Suunto app looks good but doesn’t offer the data you’d want to access; for example, the watch will tell you much more about your sleep habits than the app can. It is also difficult to connect the watch to the phone and can take a lot of fiddling around to get it connected when you want to use it.

The Garmin app makes up for in information for what it lacks in design. It is not pretty like the Suunto app, but you can access a wide range of data directly from your phone whenever you want to. The watch and phone are easily connected, and it syncs without any hassle at all so that you can see your progress in real-time. You can even link the app to other third-party apps, making it easier to share your data in one go.

The Verdict

It’s clear that the Fenix 6 is the winner by a large distance! It is clear and easy to use, has many useful functions and is comfy on your wrist. It may not look as good as the Suunto 9, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with substance.

The Suunto 9 is a good looking watch with lots of promise, but the low-grade touchscreen and poor software mean that it will not track what you need when you need it. However, with a few small tweaks, this could be a smartwatch that rivals the competition.

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Suunto vs Fitbit

Fitbit Watch

Suunto vs Fitbit – No matter what type of sports watch or fitness tracker you are looking for there are so many different ones available in the market that trying to find the one that is most suited to your requirements can be more than a little daunting. If you already have a wearable and are looking for a replacement, then you will at least know which features you like, which you don’t and maybe any that you would like in a new purchase. However, if you are looking to purchase your first wearable, then you will probably want to do some research to ensure that you purchase something that will give you all of the functions that you need.

When it comes to wearables, there are plenty of names that you will probably be familiar with and maybe some that are less familiar, but that produce equally fantastic sports watches and trackers. Two such brands are Suunto and Fitbit. They both make great fitness watches and trackers, so let’s take a look at how some of their models stack up against each other.

Who are Suunto and Fitbit

Finish company Suunto has been around since its humble beginnings in 1936 when the brand began life as a company manufacturing compasses. While they still manufacture a range of compasses, they have also added a range of lifestyle and sports watches to their name and are very well thought of in the field.

Fitbit is an American giant in the field of fitness trackers. The company was purchased by Google in 2019 and looks set for even bigger things in the future. As a company, Fitbit has won numerous awards within the fitness industry and offer a wide selection of wearable to customers ranging from the more basic tracker to more sophisticated fitness watches.

How do you choose the right wearable?  

When it comes to choosing the right wearable for your needs, don’t panic. There are plenty of fantastic models available on the market from both Suunto and Fitbit. Ultimately, whichever brand you do decide to go with you will be purchasing a really good fitness watch. There is a range of features available with both brands. What you should decide is exactly what it is you want to be able to achieve with your fitness watch. Some of the things that you might want to look at when you compare the two brands are the display, how it tracks activities, and what different modes it has. Something that is becoming increasingly more important for many people when choosing a fitness watch is the app that runs alongside it. As we become increasingly reliant on technology to give us all of the data we are looking for, we want something that does it all but is still user-friendly. You might want to look at how it syncs any data from your watch and how it records it and displays it for you. One thing that you will find is that both brands will offer a wide range of fitness watches that not only suit a range of requirements but are also available in different prices brackets; so there really is something to suit every pocket.

You may already have a watch you are looking to replace. Whether you want an upgrade or merely a new watch that offers you more features then you may already have a make in mind that you are happy with, it will at least give you a starting point. It is, of course, you don’t like the brand that you already have then it might be time to consider a change.

Apps

Suunto 3

If you love the tech behind your gadgets, then apps will probably play a huge role in your choice of wearable. Let’s start by saying that both companies have great apps working behind their wearables, with certainly enough tracking and statistics to satisfy anyone interested in seeing everything in figures.

The Fitbit app offers the option to track distance, calories burnt, steps taken and provides users with great activity reports. It can be used in conjunction with an external heart rate monitor in order to give accurate heart data. There is access included to an online portal, and it also has music playback which can be very popular for the lone exerciser. If you want extra motivation, it can also provide you with achievements so you can push yourself to do more.

The Suunto app does none of the standard tracking you would expect, steps, distance etc. but it does have a route tracker, geotagging and supports a variety of routes. It can be used to track sleep as well, which can be very handy if you want to see how effectively you are sleeping. It appeals to a wider audience as it supports over 10 different languages, and it also has a higher rating on Google Play than the Fitbit for music.

Both brands offer an app that is free for users, has no Ads and is compatible with Android.

  • If you are looking for a tracker that offer you all the basics, then the Fitbit Versa 2 has everything that you could need. If, however, you are looking for something that can also track your route then the Suunto Ambit 3 Run is probably more what you are looking for.

Battery life

When it comes to wearables, battery life can vary dramatically from one brand to another and even from one model to another within the same brand. While charging your battery may not be a huge issue, it can represent something of an inconvenience if it happens when you want to go out.

Both the Fitbit Versa and the Ionic only have a 4-day battery life which means if you are going away, you will almost certainly have to take your charger with you. The Fitbit Charge 3 offers a slightly better battery life at up to 7 days. By comparison, the Suunto range offers a little longer when it comes to battery life with an average of 10 days from both the Garmin vivoactive 3 and the Suunto Spartan Sport. If you are looking for something a little more from your battery life, then the Suunto 9 has a feature which allows you to change to a different mode when battery life is running out.

  • Any of the Suunto range offers a better battery life, but for innovation, it has to be the Suunto 9.

Display

A clear display is a must when it comes to a fitness wearable. You want something that you can take a quick glance at while continuing with your exercise. At first glance, there is one big difference between the two brands. Fitbit models have a more rectangular face with easy to read digital display. The 1.4-inch screen of the Ionic offers a very clear, at a glance, view of your data. It also provides a really good screen resolution. The Fitbit Blaze has an even bigger screen at 1.6 inches, but it loses something in the resolution.

Suunto wearables, on the other hand, have a round face, and while this does give them a more “sports watch” look, it also means that the screen size appears smaller which can make it a little harder to read while on the move. There is no denying however that models like the Suunto Ambit3 Peak, while possibly having a smaller display certainly makes up for it in looks.

  • The Fitbit models offer a simple, elegant style to their display that makes data very easy to read. The Versa has a solid display that is imposing. However, if you are looking for something a little more slimline, then the Charge 3 offers the same clarity but with a narrower band and display.

Conclusion

Again, your final choice when selecting a wearable really will come down to exactly what you are looking to get from it. For the more serious exercise fanatic, Suunto offers a wider range with more useful features that can help you train better. From the Suunto Traverse Alpha with its complete outdoor capability to the Suunto 7 with its sports and lifestyle solutions.

If, however, you are looking for something to track your steps and help with lifestyle improvements, then you really cannot go wrong with a Fitbit. They offer all of the tracking features that you might want on a daily basis that can help you to up your exercise, watch what you eat or just see how active you actually are. The Inspire is a great choice of fitness tracker. However, if you are looking for something with more features, the Versa 2 could be the best choice.

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The Suunto Spartan Review

robust running watch

Are you looking for a robust running watch that’s a high-quality exercise tracker and an impressive smartwatch? The Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR could be the one for you. Featuring smart notifications, long battery life, and a wrist-based heart rate monitor. This sleek and highly functional device is a good choice for serious sports enthusiasts.

What’s The Suunto Spartan Design Like?

The Suunto Spartan comes in a choice white, gold, black or blue colours. Its slim shape fits closely to your wrist with a comfortable strap that’s easy to fasten. While this isn’t the heaviest smartwatch on the market at the moment, you’ll definitely know you’re wearing it. Nevertheless, it can be worn every day as long as you don’t mind a little extra weight.

The 218 x 218 resolution display may be on the small side, but it’s still perfectly legible. There’s no way to customise the screen from the watch, although it can be done via the app. There are three buttons to the right of the watch for navigating the interface with a start/stop key to the top and the bottom button to trigger a lap. The central button cycles through your workout stats and, while it’s all fully functional, it isn’t very intuitive.

Does The Suunto Spartan Have Plenty Of Features?

The Suunto Spartan is a powerful sports tracking watch that comes with a host of features, despite its low price tag. It has an integrated heart rate monitor which boasts high accuracy even without a chest strap. It also features integral GPS for extra convenience when you’re out on the trail. This, too, is pretty accurate and boasts haptic feedback whenever a lap is triggered.

The app syncs with the brand’s Movescount app which is better than nothing, but isn’t as effective as the more popular Strava app. Updating the device is also quite clunky since it can only be done by connecting the device to your computer.

One excellent feature, however, is the heat map which shows popular local workout routes. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to work out while travelling or staying with friends, and it’s simple to create your route.

Although there’s an integrated sleep tracker, it isn’t the best. It sometimes gives incorrect information and the app doesn’t include your sleep patterns.

What Are The Suunto Spartan’s Fitness Tracking Functions?

The Suunto Spartan is designed to cope with multiple sports, so it’s a breeze to switch instantly between disciplines. There’s even a triathlon section which records transition times with just a single long press. Easy to use on the move and very reactive, this device is capable of logging activities very well. It can display post-run three-dimensional maps that show you the details of your run including where you went, when your heart rate was at its peak, and your fastest times. This device can also be used for tracking swimming although the metrics are quite limited – it can’t determine the number of lengths completed, for example.

Triathlon Athlete

What Are The Main Advantages of The Suunto Spartan?

  • Accurate integral heart rate monitor
  • Heatmap of local popular running routes
  • Waterproof for use while swimming
  • Tracks a wide range of sporting activities
  • Dedicated triathlon section
  • Sleek, easy to wear design

What Are The Main Disadvantages Of The Suunto Spartan?

  • Poor quality sleep tracking
  • Unintuitive buttons for control

Which Are The Main Rivals To The Suunto Spartan?

One of the top contenders has to be the Garmin Forerunner 235. It costs about the same but offers more functionality, especially for runners. If you’re more of a runner than a multisport enthusiast, the Forerunner could be the right choice thanks to its sleek design and powerful platform. For more choice read guide for Garmin v.s. Suunto.

If you need a cheaper fitness tracker combined with a running watch, the TomTom Spark 3 could be ideal. With its low price tag and its ability to play music, it could be just what you need. Alternatively, the Polar M430 fuses function with fitness tracking beautifully. If good looks aren’t important to you, this rugged contender could be a much better choice if sleep tracking and a low price are your top priorities.

Is The Suunto Spartan Right For Me?

If you’re looking for a smartwatch and fitness tracker with a slim design, an accurate heart rate monitor and strong functionality, the Suunto Spartan will tick all your boxes. Its accurate GPS is ideal for logging all kinds of workouts and its range of colors means that there’s sure to be one that suits your preferences. If you’re a multisport enthusiast, you’re also going to be delighted by the speed with which you can effortlessly switch between activities while you’re on the go. For alternatives, you may consider the Suunto 7 and Suunto 9 which have both an appealing look and a wealth of features.

But if an attractive and highly intuitive interface is most important – along with speedy and powerful processing – the Spartan will probably leave you frustrated. Having to connect your device to a computer in order to update software is a little old-fashioned these days, and the awkward button controls make this a less than an appealing option.

If you’re a serious fitness enthusiast who needs a very powerful watch to track your latest ultra marathon, there are better options for you than the Suunto Spartan. On the other hand, if your top priority is to choose an effective running watch that will fit easily into your budget and which will help you stay on top of your fitness data, the Spartan will fit the bill perfectly. It may not be the sleekest design and it may not offer as much functionality as some of its rivals, but it’s a solid contender for anyone who is looking for a lower-cost option.

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