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    Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Suunto Race S
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    • stromdiddilyS Offline
      stromdiddily Gold Members @Jeffrey Tillack
      last edited by

      @Jeffrey-Tillack what’s w the elevation profile? One of those is clearly not correct

      Always carry a flaggon of whiskey for snakebite; and furthermore, always carry a small snake.

      User of pretty much every watch since the Ambit 3 Peak. Now back in the family w SV :)

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • D Offline
        duffman19 @Jeffrey Tillack
        last edited by

        @Jeffrey-Tillack Are you saying that heart rate graph is from two separate, wrist-based optical heart rate sensors? If so, that is amazing. I’ve never seen two OHRs line up like that. They even both made the same error/jump at about the 3:00 mark. Are you sure they weren’t both connected to a separate HR sensor?

        My experience with Apple is that their OHR is among the best, but still faulty in certain conditions like colder weather for me. I tried the Race S for a bit and it surely was better than the older sensors on the Vertical and Race, but also the smaller size helps.

        If you haven’t already, maybe check out Quantified Self. It’s my go-to for activity comparisons. I find it much easier to use and better designed than DCR’s, although it doesn’t have quite the same number of graphing options.

        Vertical Ti

        Jeffrey TillackJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Jeffrey TillackJ Offline
          Jeffrey Tillack Bronze Member @duffman19
          last edited by

          @duffman19 yep, both oHR’s, no strap worn or connected.

          I’m connected to Quantified but need to look at it more. I tend to use Intervals and SA together for analysis. Thanks for the heads up.

          I’ve found my Ultra to be (on the whole) pretty rubbish with oHR, needing to be connected to my Verity Sense or H10 almost always. As a travelling watch though it can’t be beaten though with just so many features for everyday life.

          My Suunto stable includes my trusty Baro (just love that watch), and my Race S. However I’d love a Vertical (because, you know, it’s a beast!). Might be a New Years present to myself 🫢

          Suunto 7
          Suunto 9 Baro
          Garmin Instinct
          Garmin Forerunner 245M
          Polar M200 (retired)
          Coros Pace (retired)

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
          • Brad_OlwinB Offline
            Brad_Olwin Moderator
            last edited by Brad_Olwin

            I have done a lot of testing with the AWU2 and I help Suunto test the SportsTracker app as well with this watch. My observations from wearing the AWU2 and many Suunto watches together (one on each wrist).

            1. AWU2 OHR is far, far better than Suunto for me where Race S is the best but still not good enough even for a recovery run. AWU2 OHR fails on intervals for me including SSR, Tempo and RIs so I often wear a belt either with Suunto or AWU2.
            2. Elevation profiles with AWU2 are less affected by wind than S9baro, Race S but Vertical and Race are better than AWU2.
            3. GPS tracks from Vertical in slot canyons or narrow ski couloirs are better than AWU2. I have not tested enough other Suunto watches to have a solid opinion.

            I can show data on Quantified Self for anyone who is interested.

            Vector/T6c/Ambit 3 Peak/S5 Copper/S3/S7 Ti/S9 baro Ti/S9P Ti/S9PP Ti/Vertical Ti/Race Ti/RaceS/Ocean/Wing

            thanasisT Jeffrey TillackJ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • thanasisT Do not disturb
              thanasis Bronze Member @Brad_Olwin
              last edited by

              @Brad_Olwin said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

              I have done a lot of testing with the AWU2 and I help Suunto test the SportsTracker app as well with this watch. My observations from wearing the AWU2 and many Suunto watches together (one on each wrist).

              1. AWU2 OHR is far, far better than Suunto for me where Race S is the best but still not good enough even for a recovery run. AWU2 OHR fails on intervals for me including SSR, Tempo and RIs so I often wear a belt either with Suunto or AWU2.
              2. Elevation profiles with AWU2 are less affected by wind than S9baro, Race S but Vertical and Race are better than AWU2.
              3. GPS tracks from Vertical in slot canyons or narrow ski couloirs are better than AWU2. I have not tested enough other Suunto watches to have a solid opinion.

              I can show data on Quantified Self for anyone who is interested.

              can you show the tracks part? or did you check on overall GPS accuracy between those devices?

              • interestingly Vertical on the microfiber strap recorded HR better than my AWU! (on the ocean strap)
              Brad_OlwinB Jeffrey TillackJ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Brad_OlwinB Offline
                Brad_Olwin Moderator @thanasis
                last edited by

                @thanasis said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

                @Brad_Olwin said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

                • interestingly Vertical on the microfiber strap recorded HR better than my AWU! (on the ocean strap)

                This one first, I believe you. When testing the Suunto Ocean I had very good OHR with a Garmin Ultra Strap. I should use it on the Vertical but now with Zonesense I wear the strap for almost all running. OHR on Vertical is identical to Apple for walking and hiking and sleeping.

                Vector/T6c/Ambit 3 Peak/S5 Copper/S3/S7 Ti/S9 baro Ti/S9P Ti/S9PP Ti/Vertical Ti/Race Ti/RaceS/Ocean/Wing

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                • Jeffrey TillackJ Offline
                  Jeffrey Tillack Bronze Member @thanasis
                  last edited by

                  @thanasis the gps track was pretty identical. Both offer excellent gps tracks. Around the city I think the Ultra does some “smoothing” via Apple Maps.

                  Suunto 7
                  Suunto 9 Baro
                  Garmin Instinct
                  Garmin Forerunner 245M
                  Polar M200 (retired)
                  Coros Pace (retired)

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • Jeffrey TillackJ Offline
                    Jeffrey Tillack Bronze Member @Brad_Olwin
                    last edited by

                    @Brad_Olwin I had a lot of issues with the Race S, with oHR being as bad as my Baro. However I seem to have the placement right the last week or two and now it’s pretty good. I don’t think my bony wrists help though 🤷‍♂️ Being a former cyclist over runner I’m used to wearing a H10 or Verity Sense so oHR is not that important in my world.

                    The smaller size of the Race S helps in my case, although I do like a big watch when I’m hiking in the mountains. For me, the Ultra needs to be cinched down tight to get good readings as the square shape moves around on my wrist/arm.

                    Battery life has been great on the S though. My Ultra is 1 year old and is already down to 96% battery capacity which is pretty poor considering the cost. Looking back, I could have purchased a Vertical and the Race S for pretty the same money as the Ultra (still suffering buyers remorse even now). So Suunto have nailed their pricing strategy.

                    Suunto 7
                    Suunto 9 Baro
                    Garmin Instinct
                    Garmin Forerunner 245M
                    Polar M200 (retired)
                    Coros Pace (retired)

                    Brad_OlwinB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Brad_OlwinB Offline
                      Brad_Olwin Moderator @Jeffrey Tillack
                      last edited by

                      @Jeffrey-Tillack IMHO the Vertical is the best out there bar none! I agree with you the Race S/Vertical Combo is the best. Vertical is not the best to sleep with for me. I am not a tall person and wrists are not large.

                      Vector/T6c/Ambit 3 Peak/S5 Copper/S3/S7 Ti/S9 baro Ti/S9P Ti/S9PP Ti/Vertical Ti/Race Ti/RaceS/Ocean/Wing

                      VoiGASV Jeffrey TillackJ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 3
                      • VoiGASV Offline
                        VoiGAS Silver Members @Brad_Olwin
                        last edited by VoiGAS

                        @Brad_Olwin How about the weight? I always had an eye on the Vertical and now the Ocean - but the weight scares me.
                        As I have experience with the Ambit3 Vertical I draw the line at 75g weight for running - its acceptable, but 9P and RaceS are much better on the wrist.
                        But I am not sure if the weight is the only parameter or if size an strap can make the difference

                        Edit: AWU sounds good with 61g


                        Race S
                        Ambit3 Vertical

                        ? 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • ? Offline
                          A Former User @VoiGAS
                          last edited by A Former User

                          @VoiGAS Vertical Titanium Solar with nylon strap: 61 grams

                          cd260169-c2be-4c21-a1b7-f8658c33bb30-image.jpeg

                          VoiGASV 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                          • VoiGASV Offline
                            VoiGAS Silver Members @Guest
                            last edited by VoiGAS

                            @iterumtenta Nice! How does it feel on the wrist? Head-heavy or balanced? Because it was more the bouncing of the watch than the overall weight that bothered me


                            Race S
                            Ambit3 Vertical

                            ? HighlandsH Brad_OlwinB 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • ? Offline
                              A Former User @VoiGAS
                              last edited by

                              @VoiGAS Coming from a Garmin Enduro 2, I might not be entirely objective, as the Vertical is smaller, very well-balanced, and lightweight. Personally, I love it. I’ve also used an Apple Watch Ultra 2, and I’d say the feel is quite similar.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                              • HighlandsH Offline
                                Highlands @VoiGAS
                                last edited by

                                @VoiGAS I have a stainless steel Race and I use it with the nylon strap of Coros Pace 3. It feels very good and it’s so light. Next strap I’ll buy for my Race is the nylon Garmin strap. A have one for my F7XSS and it’s very light and comfortable as well.
                                I wish Suunto had some nylon straps too.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                • Brad_OlwinB Offline
                                  Brad_Olwin Moderator @VoiGAS
                                  last edited by

                                  @VoiGAS On my scale AWU2 is 61.4g and Vertical Solar Ti 56g. The Vertical sits higher on the wrist so is a bit more bulky. With the band that @iterumtenta has (same for me) the watch can be adjusted precisely and I feel is not noticable.

                                  Vector/T6c/Ambit 3 Peak/S5 Copper/S3/S7 Ti/S9 baro Ti/S9P Ti/S9PP Ti/Vertical Ti/Race Ti/RaceS/Ocean/Wing

                                  thanasisT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                  • thanasisT Do not disturb
                                    thanasis Bronze Member @Brad_Olwin
                                    last edited by

                                    @Brad_Olwin said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

                                    @VoiGAS On my scale AWU2 is 61.4g and Vertical Solar Ti 56g. The Vertical sits higher on the wrist so is a bit more bulky. With the band that @iterumtenta has (same for me) the watch can be adjusted precisely and I feel is not noticable.

                                    The Suunto microfiber strap is really amazing (and very stylish as well !!) i even wear it on formal occasions and is also very comfortable .

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • Jeffrey TillackJ Offline
                                      Jeffrey Tillack Bronze Member @Brad_Olwin
                                      last edited by

                                      @Brad_Olwin actually saw my first Vertical on an airline passenger today. With the dark(ish) green strap. Fabulous looking watch. Maybe Suunto could think about sponsoring X-Alps again with the Vertical., or maybe an ambassador special (like the Baro).

                                      Suunto 7
                                      Suunto 9 Baro
                                      Garmin Instinct
                                      Garmin Forerunner 245M
                                      Polar M200 (retired)
                                      Coros Pace (retired)

                                      Brad_OlwinB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Brad_OlwinB Offline
                                        Brad_Olwin Moderator @Jeffrey Tillack
                                        last edited by Brad_Olwin

                                        @Jeffrey-Tillack Suunto has a wonderful Courtney Dawaulter edition of the Race S!

                                        Vector/T6c/Ambit 3 Peak/S5 Copper/S3/S7 Ti/S9 baro Ti/S9P Ti/S9PP Ti/Vertical Ti/Race Ti/RaceS/Ocean/Wing

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