Suunto Race vs Vertical display visibility in full sun & darkness

[Edoardo Coppolillo]

Hi All

I’m currently an owner of a Suunto 5 peak and previous owner of an Ambit 3 peak, and i’m considering upgrading either to a Suunto Race or a Vertical.
I use the watch mainly for running and cycling (in that case usually navigating on the maps page) all year long, i live in Denmark (that means darkness/cloudy weather for 2/3 of the year and very bright direct sunlight for the rest of the time).

Is there any of you that would be able to post here few pictures of both the Race and the Vertical display visibility in the following situations?

1. darkness
2. cloudy/overcast weather or in a forest
3. in open sun

Ps. The 5 peak has a very mild backlight for example and I would be a little bit concerned about a similar MIP display

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!

[BrunoH]

@Edoardo-Coppolillo this is Vertical in the dark. The colors are a bit more vibrant in the real life. My camera just can’t stop adjusting in the darkness.

[freeheeler]

@Edoardo-Coppolillo
I would be happy to help, but these 3 situations aren’t easy to cover in one day for me…

both watches are bright enough to see the screen. of course you need to set the brightness for the Vertical a bit higher.
in direct sunlight both watches are well readable. while Vertical gets even better readable with more light, the Race doesn’t like a specific angle between your eyes, screen and sun. but chances are minimal to get that angle

maybe my direct comparison of the watch face with and without flash (to simulate reflecting lights) give you an impression about the screen.
summary: if you want a sharper screen with vivid colours, go for Race. if you can live with pale-isher colors, go for Vertical

[nseslija]

I don’t know if this photos can help… Vertical…

[pilleus]

Map view on Suunto Vertical, style outdoor, zoom 200 m, backlight low, in standby and on rising the wrist the same brightness. Photo taken without flash light outside in the darkness. In reality complete sharp and little bit more contrast.

[freeheeler]

@Edoardo-Coppolillo
what you might want to consider is how you would prefer to operate zooming the map, since map is very important to you.
the Race offers an easier and faster zoom with the digital crown, while the Vertical requires a short vs a long upper button press to zoom in and out

[Edoardo Coppolillo]

@freeheeler thanks a lot for the great feedbacks!

One last question: has the navigation/zooming in and out of the maps changed since the new firmware update, or the button shortcuts for zoom and switching back the the other screens are still the same?

Thanks!

[freeheeler]

@Edoardo-Coppolillo
you’re welcome
it’s still the same (Vertical).
the zoom level is bigger now.

[Ivan De Rasis]

Col nuovo aggiornamento riesco a vedere sulla mappa tutti i PDI e WAYPOINT

[Edoardo Coppolillo]

@Ivan-De-Rasis @freeheeler and everyone else that posted here, thanks a lot for your help:)

I just settled for the Vertical and placed the order now

[Ivan De Rasis]

@Edoardo-Coppolillo Non avresti potuto scegliere di meglio…

[freeheeler]

@Edoardo-Coppolillo
great decision

[pilleus]

@Edoardo-Coppolillo said in Suunto Race vs Vertical display visibility in full sun & darkness:

I just settled for the Vertical and placed the order now

The MIP display of the Vertical is also my choice for maps on a sports watch.

You can find some reviews with the map view of the Suunto Race mounted on a handle bar of a bike. Without full brightness of the AMOLED display it is nearly impossible to see the map and route. It is completely different with the AMOLED on your wrist, because with the movement of the arm the brightness will come up according to the light in the environment and you can hold the display at the best angle for reading the map. That’s not possible for biking, kayaking or other outdoor sports where the watch is not on the wrist but on the training device.

[freeheeler]

@pilleus
but with the display facing upwards, the display is always bright and doesn’t need to go from low energy to full on first

[pilleus]

@freeheeler

In two videos there was a low lighted display and the rider had to press a button to get full brightness. May be the users did something wrong.

Thanks for the correction!

[freeheeler]

@pilleus
I did some rides with the Race on the handlebar and didn’t notice the screen to reduce brightness. I’m pretty busy this weekend and next week, but I hope to get the chance to test in real life, soon.