How is the 9PP positioned with the new arrival of the RaceS?
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I think Suunto do still need a product in their range that’s around the €240 - €275 price. Whether the 9PP can be sold at this price is questionable but regardless of whether it’s the 9PP or another new model I think it’s important for Suunto for 2 related reasons.
I’m specifically thinking of the entry level runner and the new-to-suunto mid-level runner.
While Suunto isn’t going to be competitive on features against Garmin your entry level runner - park run enthusiast, local running club newbie etc. - doesn’t want all the features, might be intimidated by it all and just wants a watch they feel is approachable. Suunto is perfectly placed here.
The new-to-suunto runner is more likely to know a bit about the features they want but looks at garmin’s prices and needs a sit down due to shock. Garmin has attempted to mitigate this with the Forerunner 165 but there are basic features lacking and the step up in price to the 265 or even the 255 is eye-watering.
Both these types of runner are likely to look at Coros, Amazfit etc. for around the €220 mark and then realise that the Apple Watch SE is only a little more - but then the battery life isn’t great. But there’s a mental barrier for many people stepping up into the €300+ price range. So I think the ~€260 price point is a space Suunto should try and occupy to encourage new users to the Suunto community. This is where the 5P used to sit.
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@far-blue I agree. I thought a full plastic version of the Race S to fight against the pace3 should fit this entry level need. But to fight against smart watches and Garmin sport watches in this price point, the need for music and contactless payment and more health oriented data is increasingly more important and it’s not easy for Suunto.
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I’ve had my S9PP for 1.5yrs now and it’s been brilliant for what I mainly do - running and long ultramarathon races.
If the Vertical had been available at the time I would have bought one instead, but only because I compete in 100hr+ races - a niche within a niche - at which point the activity memory in the S9PP becomes limiting. But as a watch for running 100-200 mile races it is very good - battery life approaching 50hrs with HR off, regardless of using navigation on/off or sunlight conditions, very light and comfortable to wear, accurate and reliable.
But it doesn’t surprise me that it appears Suunto are planning to discontinue it after running down stock (their UK webshop has only had two of the original variants for some time now). I can’t see it competing in a marketplace where watches are seen as outdated and inferior if they don’t have the latest “essential” feature (e.g. multi-band), unless reduced to an uneconomic price point.
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@raceaddict I’m not so sure about music and contactless. I would suggest most sports watch users do still carry their phone with them, they just have it in a pocket so it’s accessible for contactless and controllable via the watch for music controls. Certainly in the market space I discussed above. Honestly, if you want contactless without a phone, just carry your bank card with you - they are hardly bulky! Maybe, one day, when all the actual activity-related features have been delivered
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@TrailEyes Thanks for that insight.
Personally, the S9PP is still the best watch for me out of their current line up. The size and material quality allow me to wear it everywhere, and I prefer the MIPS screen. Although maps would be nice, they are not mandatory for me.
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@Greennorth same, the size and the screen are awesome. I just wish the extra straps weren’t that expensive. But that applies for the straps in general, not related to 9PP.
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Debating if i should take new s9pp titanium for 270€. Never tried maps so not sure if i need them or not. Probably would use suunto app still due to easier zooming and viewing bigger map on iphone. Or maybe just go after vertial solar and forget about this old model. I love smaller size factor, all metal build.
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@krakra Where is a new S9PP Titanium available for 270€? Even for a S9PP Steel this would be a great price…
I think about replacing my S9P with a S9PP because of the newer software. But the quality issue with the HR sensor (bubbles) doesn’t sound tempting
So maybe it will be a Race S. More features and no known quality problems (so far) -
@VoiGAS said in How is the 9PP positioned with the new arrival of the RaceS?:
But the quality issue with the HR sensor (bubbles) doesn’t sound tempting
This isn’t the norm
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@Łukasz-Szmigiel If this issue is corrected for newer watches and the price will go down to about 250€ like expected it would be a good argument for the S9PP over the Race S. Together with the build quality and smaller size.
About the battery life: Is the Race S better than S9PP after the last update? Before it was a draw on Single Channel exercise, but now the Race S got a little extra battery lifetime -
@VoiGAS it really depends on what you need. AMOLED or MIP. Maps are a must or not. Newer hardware or don’t care.
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@VoiGAS well, one thing to keep in mind is the actual always-on-screen on the 9PP. Relevant for stuff like biking, where the watch is on your handle bars. If the Race S used a similar display setting, it surely wouldn’t be a draw anymore due to the powerhungry AMOLED screen
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@VoiGAS said in How is the 9PP positioned with the new arrival of the RaceS?:
new S9PP Titanium available for 270€?
A new S9PP Titanium available for 270€? I want it
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With the aggressive pricing strategy that Suunto opted for with the latest models, I think that S9PP is pretty much dead. Race S is cheap and offers maps, has good OHR, at almost the same form factor. Some may prefer MIP screen, but Suunto probably have some numbers from surveys on this. If it’s substantial, they could make MIP version of Race S. But it’s likely a dead end…
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@Prenj let’s see.
I know many that prefer the always on MIP display for the outdoors.
Plus the S9PP has the Sapphire screen which adds to robustness.
With a little price reduction it will have its fans, I think. -
@enriqueescoms debating the same. The only thing i am not sure how much longer it will be supported
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@krakra The 9PP is built on the same platform as the Vertical and Race and shares a codebase so at a guess it should be supported basically as long as the Vertical
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I think the S9PP hardware (memory) is not the same due to a limitation of SuuntoPlus app. 15 to 100 for Vertical, Race. Waiting the Race S to confirm also that.
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@wurzlsepp I agree. I am satisfied of my S9PP and I really love the MIP screen as it is always clear during outdoor daily activities. Battery life is a very important value for me and the MIP technology replies to my needs.
I bought the S9PP for its design also. I am not a big fan of sporty design watches and it matches minimal lines with rugged features on my smal wrist. There are not so many alternatives with the same features on market currently… -
@Mi_chael correct. Memory is the main difference, as Vertical and Race have the eMMC for map storage. This is also used for other data, like training logs.