Up for review today is the Suunto X10m, an improved version of the X9i I reviewed in 2007. It’s a GPS watch with a long list of features that belie its understated appearance:
- GPS: Routes, waypoints, tracks, speed distance, 1 meter (3ft) resolution.
- Plan and visualize tracks on a PC ahead of time, then download to the watch.
- Google Earth compatible (screenshots and more below).
- Altimeter: Altitude, vertical speed, alarms for set altitudes and rates. Temperature compensated.
- Barometer: Absolute pressure, sea level pressure, trend graph, weather alarm.
- Integrated temperature sensor (which isn’t accurate unless the watch is worn outside your sleeve).
- Watch: 3 alarms, time optionally set via GPS, dual timezone support with 30-minute offsets supported.
- 100m (330ft) water resistant as long as you don’t press the buttons.
- Integrated lithium rechargeable battery, specced for 500 charge cycles, recharged via the included USB cable.
- Available in different colors as well as the supplied military version (all black, reverse LCD, red backlight, with support for the military grid coordinate system and ‘mils’ compass readings).
Full review continues below.
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Suunto has just announced the release of a new hardcore dive computer, the HelO2. Designed for very serious divers indeed, this computer-interfaced wrist computer has the following features:
- Full mixed-gas capability. Up to eight gases as primary or secondaries.
- Incorporates the new 'Suunto RGBM' decompression algorithm.
- Oxygen contents from 8-100%, helium from 0-92%.
- Of course, it's waterproof to 120m (390ft).
- It's paired with graphical Windows-based diver planner software that allows a complete dive profile to be pre-programmed, or to plan based on data from previous dives.
- From the software, you can export mix data to give to the air vendor.
This goes way beyond nitrox or trimix, and is probably the instrument of choice for commercial divers and mixed-gas divers. I can see it being nice to have for recreation divers who want better planned or longer dives, and also those who use trimix for the additional safety margin that it provides.
Price is not yet available.
By Paul Hubbard
At WatchReport, we're big fans of outdoor watches. We've reviewed several Casio Pathfinders, and today we have the Suunto Core Light Green. There are eight Core models, differing in case design and coloration. I chose the Light Green for both functional and aesthetic reasons – it's the lightest of the bunch, with aluminum bezel and vented rubber strap, and I prefer normal black-on-white LCDs to the negative variant.
The Core is an altimeter/barometer/compass watch, much like the Pathfinders, but with a completely different design aesthetic. Before we start comparing, here's a list of the features onboard:
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Suunto recently introduced an entry level dive computer that they're calling the D4. It's not as complex as either the D9 or the Vyper we covered previously; rather, Suunto describes it as "the introductory model in the Suunto diving line". When you're talking about Suunto, however, even "introductory" means an astounding number of features for both SCUBA divers, and free divers:
- Standard digital watch features like 12/24 hour display, dual time, date, daily alarm, and stopwatch with split time.
- Four modes: time (for when you're not diving), free dive (for diving without a tank), air (for diving with standard air), and nitrox (for diving with different gas mixtures).
- Dive planning and analysis functions. The "no-stop-time planner" can help you plan a dive that requires no decompression stops.
- Sophisticated free dive data measurement including depth sampled at three times per second, maximum depth, surface time, deepest dive of the day, longest dive of the day, and more.
- Data transfer function which allows you to download data from the watch to the Suunto Dive Manager PC desktop software.
- Audible and visual alarms for dive time and depth.
- In dive mode, current depth, maximum depth, current time, dive time, decompression time, and temperature.
- Suunto's "Deep Stop RGBM" algorithm (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model).
- Adjustable for altitude and personal settings.
- Multi-step ascent rate indicator.
- Battery power monitor and warning function so you don't find yourself diving with a dead battery.
- Glass face, metal/composite housing.
- Metric or imperial units for display.
- Bitmapped display capable of showing graphs as well as numbers and text.
- Up to 240-hour profile and logbook memory.
Unlike a lot of dive computers, the D4 looks more like a general outdoors/fitness watch, and would even be very reasonable as a daily wearer. I really like Suunto's use of bitmapped displays; as with the X9i and Lumi, they let you convey a lot of information very clearly, as well as graphs, big numbers, and so forth.
Street price for the Suunto D4 is around $500 USD, and should be available any day now ("early 2008"). You won't find the D4 or other Suunto dive computers in mall watch stores, however. Suunto considers these watches sophisticated dive computers, and only sells them through dive shops and related retail outlets.
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There aren't a lot of women's outdoor watches on the market. Geeky multifunction tools like the Casio Pathfinder and the Suunto X9i are large even for men, and tend to be functionally styled. The size of the watch case required to accommodate the type of technology found in modern hiking watches, combined with the fact that marketing departments tend to link technology more with men, have kept these types of adventure watches off the wrists of women.
The problem is that plenty of women are obviously into hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, skiing, etc. and have just as much of a need for helpful instruments as men.The answer, therefore, is not to ignore women, but to design something both functional and feminine. The answer is something like the new Suunto Lumi.
The Suunto Lumi is the only ladies' ABC (Altimeter/Barometer/Compass) watch that we're aware of. While not as small and dainty as a formal ladies' watch, it still manages to look stylish while packing in a very impressive set of features:
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View the Suunto X9i Photo Gallery
If you like your watches with long feature lists, have we got a watch for you! The Suunto X9i is a wrist-top computer, adding GPS to the usual laundry list of modern digital watch features. There's no question that the Suunto X9i is designed for the great outdoors.
Let's get right down to features. The X9i packs in:
- GPS navigation with a 12-channel receiver.
- USB data and power interface, with PC software and a free interface to Google Earth.
- Altimeter.
- Barometer.
- Thermometer.
- Compass.
- Three alarms.
- Stopwatch.
- Dual time (with good multi-time zone support).
- Rechargeable Li-Ion battery, good for about 500 charge cycles.
- Bitmapped high-res display with electroluminescent backlight.
- Waterproof to 100m or about 330 feet (but see below for more on this).
- Tough resin/plastic case with scratch-resistant mineral crystal.
- Integrated plastic strap with metal teeth, vented for warmer climates.
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Suunto, a long-time maker of sophisticated sports watches, also has a line of very nice dive computers for both recreational and professional use. In addition to standard timing features, Suunto dive watches will monitor your air pressure, measure depth and water temperature, and compute things like remaining dive time and decompression stops. These watches are not toys — they are tools to keep divers alive, and hence are priced accordingly.
Suunto has just announced updates to the D9 which is now available with either a rubber strap or a titanium bracelet. Features of the Suunto D9 include:
- Air, nitrox, and gauge modes. Air mode is for diving with standard air, nitrox allows you to use up to three different gas mixtures, and gauge mode is for free-diving (diving without any tank at all).
- Integrated digital compass.
- Altitude adjustment in case your dive doesn't start from sea level (as may be the case with lakes).
- Optional wireless transmitter which attaches to the high-pressure port on your tank and sends pressure data to the D9.
- Low battery warning — essential for preventing a diver from finding a dead computer mid-dive.
- Temperature measurement.
- Multiple decompression modes.
- All the expected digital watch functions (12/24h modes, multiple alarms, dual time zones, stopwatch, clock, calendar).
- USB interface with PC software for downloading dive logs.
- Graphical interface for depth and dive time.
- Maximum depth reading of 200 meters, or 660 feet.
The Vyper2,
a slightly less fancy computer that can also be worn as a gauge, lacks the graphical abilities of the D9 and the pressure transmitter, but it does have all of the dive computer and logging features. It also has larger buttons than the D9 which are probably easier to operate with gloves on.
The Vyper2 will be available "early 2007" as will the titanium version of the D9. The D9 is available in rubber now with a street price of approximately $970 to $1,800, depending on the retailer.
By Paul Hubbard
While I'm on the topic of GPS watches (I wrote about the new Casio GPR-100 GPS watch last week), Suunto just released software that allows you to plot your hikes on Google Earth. From what I can tell, it looks pretty straightforward to use.
The Suunto X9i has an "activity mode" which records data to what it calls a log file (aka, the watch's memory). The frequency with which it records location information is configurable, and, more than anything else, determines battery life (4-5 hours with a 10 second track log interval, and 12 hours with a 1 minute track log interval). You can then transfer your track log to your PC using a USB cable and an application called the Suunto Trek Manager (PC only, naturally). And now, using a new application called the Suunto Track Exporter, you can export data from your watch directly into Google Earth, which allows you to visualize your route with actual satellite imagery. Very cool.
You can find out more information on Suunto X9i and Google Earth integration, as well as download the free Suunto Track Exporter software, on Suunto's new Google Earth page.
I have a brand new Suunto X9i sitting on my desk right now waiting to be reviewed. I think this announcement just bumped it up in priority. As part of my review, I'll do some trekking through the wilderness of San Francisco and let you know how it all works.
Related Articles:
View the Suunto n6HR photo gallery.
If you’re interested in this watch, I can make the decision really easy for you. As always, I’ll go into all kinds of detail below, but for the majority of you, this first paragraph will be all you need. Here it goes: If you’re an athlete who wants to optimize his or her workouts by monitoring your heart rate, and you’re a geek who wants to be constantly connected via MSN Direct, then buy this watch. Don’t hesitate. There are no other watches out there with this combination of functionality, so don’t even bother looking. However if this does not describe you, then don’t buy this watch. If you’re an athlete without the geek part, check out the Suunto t6 or the Nike Triax. If you’re a geek without the athlete part, then check out the Suunto n3i, Swatch Paparazzi, or the Tissot High-T. That’s really all you need know. But if you came here determined to find more information on the Suunto n6HR, then read on.
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Update (1/30/2005): Wrist Watch Review just posted a good review of the n6HR.
Suunto
Watches (the website, not the
actual manufacturer of Suunto watches) has started taking pre-orders for the long-awaited
$399.99 Suunto n6-HR Microsoft SPOT watch which is supposed to ship January 6, 2005.
It looks like the Suunto n6-HR, if it indeed materializes, will be the first MSN Direct SPOT watch to combine a heart rate
monitor with the MSN Direct service which offers wireless connectivity through
FM radio waves to deliver things like news, weather, stocks, movie times, instant
messages and more, directly to your watch.
The Suunto n6-HR looks very much like the Suunto
n3i, though with a redesigned
band, and a heart rate monitor. Features will (allegedly) include:
- MSN Direct compatible.
- Heart Rate Monitor (with two customizable limits & three training zones).
- Stopwatch with multiple lap and split times.
- Training Logbook with 20 logs.
- Chrono with three training timers.
- Interval timer.
- 3 programmable daily alarms.
- Dual time (shows the time in multiple time zones, and updates automatically
as you move from one time zone to another).
- Water resistant to 100 meters (10 BAR, 10 ATM, or 330 feet).
- Plastic case with a scratch-resistant mineral crystal.
- Suunto n6-HR Training Manager PC Software included.
- USB recharger included.
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