[Feature Request S9] Missing features that will make the S9 THE BEST smartwatch for many years to come.

renton82

To me, it would be perfect if it will implemented drill log for pool swim activity; for now I can’t use my S9 for swim training because I do a lot of leg exercises and with S9 I will miss a consistent part of my training…

Brad_Olwin

@Marcel-Baliño
and you will find Egika and I politely disagree with you. What you are proposing is moving more toward a Garmin business model and loading watches with specialized features that only a subset of individuals will use.

The S9 is targeted to ultra runners, most of my colleagues and friends are talking about the watch…the two main features are battery life and FusedTrack.

Most of these folks including me have no need for all day HR, no need for Sleep analysis…we just want the basic functionality. IMHO there is already too much on the watch for daily use that I do not need. Adding more would just further complicate the firmware/software and likely cause more issues/problems.

I would be perfectly happy to have these on a Suunto model that is NOT targeted for ultra running/exploring, etc. The S3F is perfect for this but might be improved with a barometer.

Nuff said on this from me…

Brad_Olwin

@Vasily
I disagree, I don’t want the added complication of having to turn off a function that I do not need, there is already enough of that on the watch.

nikmb32

@Brad_Olwin If S9 for ultra runners only, why do they have Valencell? Actually there is an easy way to combine ultra runners and amateur daily users (like me) functions with only one switch in settings, that disables all “fitness” functions for “ultra” using. But as a top of Suunto’s lineup, S9 have to give user all possible functions of sport watches.

A Former User

@Brad_Olwin My turn to politely disagree.
It is way too costly to differentiate on features per watch. Having the option to use S9 both for longer races and as a daily driver is a key element of its appeal. Ultra runners are such a small subset of the user base that it is pointless to cater only to them.
Even polar with the 40hour watch has implemented many features.
May be you are very wise in figuring out everything for yourself, but IMO most people would not mind having in the watch what they could already see in MC web.

Brad_Olwin

@nikmb32
Agree with you, if the S9 did not have Valencel I would be much happier with it. If available I would have bought the version without it.

A Former User

@Yannis-Belouris said in [Feature Request S9] Missing features that will make the S9 THE BEST smartwatch for many years to come.:

@Brad_Olwin My turn to politely disagree.
…Ultra runners are such a small subset of the user base that it is pointless to cater only to them…

Curious what the real percentage of ultra runners amongst the users of the 9 is.
I can understand why everybody wants to have it’s functions reduced to the very own purpose of the watch.

Brad_Olwin

@paradize Compare the Spartan Ultra with S9. Ultra is now much less than S9 and what features does the Ultra lack? If you don’t need long battery life the oHR version has a barometer, and all that S9 has except FusedTrack and long battery life. The S9 is expensive for what it offers… why not get a Spartan oHR with a barometer if the longest distance you will do is a marathon or 50-100 mile bike ride? or a day hike?
That is where I am coming from with this…I believe Suunto will make an S6? with less battery and similar features to S9…this is one that could have oHR, training features etc.

Finally, can you give me stats on ultra/trail runners is such a small subset?

Many of you here arguing for more training functions/backlight when the watch moves/more sleep analysis etc. BUT Suunto designed the watch as is…I argue it IS tailored to ultra running/exploring and their advertisements point to that to.

I would rather have functional improvements

Waypoint names
zoom on altitude profile
GPX import into the app
Ability to load prior route and follow (either in app or watch)
get the swimming metrics fixed and working well
multiple BT pods for power/etc so with multiple bikes this is not an issue

A Former User

@Brad_Olwin
This would dissapoint me. Having a mid range watch with more features (sans battery) than S9.
IMO does not make sense, but let’s wait and see

A Former User

@Brad_Olwin Full ack!

I do mountaineering, often long multi-day routes with bivouac. I need the big battery, baro, navigation and an overall reliable watch.
Had GPS issues with the SSU - so I returned it. It is somehow a matter of trust and I hope to have a good ride with the S9.

With my A3P only best GPS was acceptable and I carried a power bank, which I gladly can get rid of now.
I also get rid of any other GPS device, which costs weight and has to be handled.
To have one device for all is so cool! And on the wrist with direct access even better!

But most of my time I simply do training sessions (running, biking, swimming). For those purposes I’d like to have these training functions.

Yannis-Belouris is right if he says that the S9 is the top of the lineup watch from Suunto. So why not giving it the appropriate credibility!?
They have most of the wanted software ready, of course it has to be ported and adapted, which takes its time.

But it also would be a great signal to the competition, not useless functions for outdoor enthusiasts as provided by Garmin but useful things that makes the watch a even more valuable package for a broader spectrum of users, this goes in the direction of Polar.

Suunto should know best what type of customer acquires the S9 and how to deal with it.

sartoric

@Brad_Olwin
For everyone happiness, Suunto could add all the most useless widgets AND user profiles (like battery ones) … and you should choose “I’m an UltraTaliban, hide all the mumbo-jumbo stuff to me”

A Former User

I strongly believe that is in the best interests for Suunto to improve the FW to attract more users.

More users = More market share = More marketing = More revenue = More profit = Happy Shareholders = More Market Value

It is a win win situation for everyone

Tim4c

Sleep analysis
I don’t care about because i’m able to know if i sleep well or not
Automatic Turn-on backlight
@Brad_Olwin said “Sorry but I fail to see the need for this, the standby uses very little battery and works great. I would not want this as it would simply drain the battery. I would especially not want this for training.”
Totally agree! I don’t want it at all…
MyFitnessPal integration
No opinion if it stays optional, i don’t use it
Sync all the data:
I expect a solution, full website or app by devices (desktop, tablet, smartphone) maybe an adaptation of SA with Electron or whatever…
An offline solution would be welcome too.
Sync with GoogleFit:
No opinion if it stays optional, i don’t use it
Watchface customization
I just would like to be able to choose the default values to display.
The outdoor watchface has all the info i need.
Stress analysis
Why not, but i’m pretty sure i won’t use it like for sleep analsys.

@++

oeagleo

@Brad_Olwin said in [Feature Request S9] Missing features that will make the S9 THE BEST smartwatch for many years to come.:

@Marcel-Baliño
and you will find Egika and I politely disagree with you. What you are proposing is moving more toward a Garmin business model and loading watches with specialized features that only a subset of individuals will use.

The S9 is targeted to ultra runners, most of my colleagues and friends are talking about the watch…the two main features are battery life and FusedTrack.

Most of these folks including me have no need for all day HR, no need for Sleep analysis…we just want the basic functionality. IMHO there is already too much on the watch for daily use that I do not need. Adding more would just further complicate the firmware/software and likely cause more issues/problems.

I would be perfectly happy to have these on a Suunto model that is NOT targeted for ultra running/exploring, etc. The S3F is perfect for this but might be improved with a barometer.

Nuff said on this from me…

If I remember my math correctly, many subsets equal a whole. In other words, I currently own a Garmin 5+, and while I don’t use ALL of the features it’s capable of, I do use several. Sort of like a Chinese menu, one from column A, etc. Granted the S9 is directed toward a specific small segment audience, and that’s okay, but wouldn’t it also be wise to not forget the Spartan line, and develop a few of these features that people are wanting in a more diverse, broader audience reaching device? Works for Garmin, Apple, Polar, etc, why not Suunto? (I have owned several Suunto devices, and generally have found them to be pretty accurate, and reliable, while lacking in features. Personally, I find it annoying to have to change my watch if I want to go to the gym, or a long run, or this activity, or that; I prefer one watch to do most everything. Just my 2c worth, your mileage may vary.

A Former User

Sleep analysis
I don’t need it. Had that in my Fenix 5x and never used it.

Automatic Turn-on backlight
No automatic but sunset/sunrise based activation of the backlight. Don’t need backlight during the day but in the morning/evening.

MyFitnessPal integration
I don’t need it. Tested MyFItnessPal once and I am too lazy to enter kcal for each meal

Sync all the data:
Suunto App with the functionality of movescount, or in my case TrainingPeaks would be fine.

Sync with GoogleFit:
iOS User

Watchface customization
I don’t need it.

Stress analysis
I don’t need it. Had that in my Fenix 5x and never used it.

A Former User

@moe67er said in [Feature Request S9] Missing features that will make the S9 THE BEST smartwatch for many years to come.:

Automatic Turn-on backlight
No automatic but sunset/sunrise based activation of the backlight. Don’t need backlight during the day but in the morning/evening.

…how should that work?

A Former User

@paradize ask Garmin, they got it in their Fenix series. But Suunto also has alarms for sunrise/sunset. So they know the times. Backlight can only be activated between these times when pushing a button or raising the arm (gyroscope activated)

A Former User

I created a poll to see how important these features are

Sure that many ultrarunners dont want them because they have multiples watch but I dont and I want to have watch that can give me all the data that it is capable of.

I am not an ultrarunner and I dont need the watch to be able to stand 120h or GPS or even 40 hours

I do want the extra features because I can track my health and lifestyle

Thanks

A Former User

https://forum.suunto.com/topic/1339/features-for-suunto-s9-choose-top-3

It looks like many many users want these features in Suunto S9 …

Suunto must pay attention to the user request …

A Former User

@moe67er said in [Feature Request S9] Missing features that will make the S9 THE BEST smartwatch for many years to come.:

@paradize ask Garmin, they got it in their Fenix series. But Suunto also has alarms for sunrise/sunset. So they know the times. Backlight can only be activated between these times when pushing a button or raising the arm (gyroscope activated)

Ok, this is reasonable - I am quite sure that this can be achieved. Maybe it has to be configurable I options for those who do not want this at all.