to solar or not to solar?

ElectronBadger

Hi,
I’m going to get myself Vertical (currently on Coros Pace 2 - need more battery life and larger screen). I feel not entirely convinced that I should get the solar version - does it really increase the battery life that much in normal conditions? I estimate that no more than half of my trekking/running/cycling adventures are in sunny conditions (and even these are mostly under the weak North-European sun), with the rest in either cloudy weather or in forest areas.
So the question remains - to solar or not to solar?
ATB,
EB

runomatic

I didn’t recognize much increase. But to be honest, the titanium case is the bigger benefit for me.

cosme.costa

@ElectronBadger said in to solar or not to solar?:

Hi,
I’m going to get myself Vertical (currently on Coros Pace 2 - need more battery life and larger screen). I feel not entirely convinced that I should get the solar version - does it really increase the battery life that much in normal conditions? I estimate that no more than half of my trekking/running/cycling adventures are in sunny conditions (and even these are mostly under the weak North-European sun), with the rest in either cloudy weather or in forest areas.
So the question remains - to solar or not to solar?
ATB,
EB

I have the titanium solar version (apart from the solar panel is lighter), in my opinion you can get the non solar and with the saved money you can buy some nice straps. I live in a very sunny area but I run mostly in the morning using headlamp and during the sun hours I’m in the office or in summer is too hot to go for a run. I’m getting around 4 weeks of battery with 5/6 GPS hours per week (no HR, no notifications, no sleep), with nearly no sun. In holidays during long hikes in the mountains is when i notice the most of the solar panel.

It would be nice if Suunto would record the sun charge to get more realistic info, as other brands do.

A Former User

@ElectronBadger I live in a very sunny area, and I can definitely notice the benefit of the solar model. It’s hard to quantify, but the watch drains much more slowly under optimal sunlight conditions. Of course, this will vary depending on where you live.

larrybbaker

I have the solar version - I can’t say I see an “increase” in battery charge but I can see on a sunny day when I am outside a lot I can end up with a zero loss for the day - even with an activity.

Brad_Olwin

@ElectronBadger I live in Colorado with abundant sunshine. A recent 45 min run had 0% battery usage!

Tieutieu

When I choose my SV I took the solar version. When sunny conditions for sure it saves batterie. Not a game changer for me, but I also much prefer the solar titanium look than non solar.

runomatic

@Brad_Olwin said in to solar or not to solar?:

@ElectronBadger I live in Colorado with abundant sunshine. A recent 45 min run had 0% battery usage!

I’m actually quite envious. Say hello to Courtney if you see her on the trails.

gerasimos

Here in Greece most sunny days and i notice solar its something like big “resistance” to battery draining…not charge.
Also the anthracite colour of titanium it’s way better (for my taste)

Audaxjoe

I have the non solar and love the watch. The battery just isn’t an issue. I get about two weeks between charging with 15 or so hours GPS. (No HR or sleep tracking but notification on)

But must admit I like the look of the Titanium!

I find GPS battery usage at best quality is around 2% an hour. I guess living in the UK there wouldn’t be much solar charging going on anyway‍️

Pays your money and takes your choice, I think you’d be happy with what ever version you choose. Personally I couldn’t justify the price difference.

ElectronBadger

Thank you all, black steel SV solar is on the way

VoiGAS

Anyone here using the Vertical Solar just for sports? In this case it could rest nearly the whole day at the window and maybe the battery would last forever then?
This would be my usecase as I love to wear mechanical watches

wakarimasen

@VoiGAS said in to solar or not to solar?:

In this case it could rest nearly the whole day at the window and maybe the battery would last forever then?
This would be my usecase as I love to wear mechanical watches

Same here!

Jer075

@ElectronBadger you made a good choice. It s a little more expenssive to have the solar panel but when you will be on holidays or directly exposed to the sun, you will save a little bit battery life. It s funny to see your battery increased with a free energy.
For 45min exposed in direct sunlight your battery will increase of 1%. I am in France and I see that this morning. Everything actived on smartwatch mode (not in a sport mode) and not disturb mode activated (no vibration activated).

thanasis

@Jer075 for me the solar is the main reason to buy the vertical .

Maryn

Solar because Vertical Ti Solar is currently the best looking Suunto watch

Mouse Cruiser

@ElectronBadger For me non-solar is optimal choice. But I wonder how healthy it is to have the watch in direct sunlight all day, just to extend the autonomy time for max a day (23 instead of 22 days). Users will tell in a year or two

Stavrogin

@ElectronBadger I have the solar and I agree with most. You probably do not need it, but if you really want titanium then…

The only thing I could see it being super useful for is when I do several day (I mean like 7+ days) of backpacking. The solar would potentially take a bit of edge off of the loss of battery due to GPS usage, but having said that most of my trekking is done at least half the time under tree cover so that will make it mute.

The one thing I do not like about the solar is the greenish tint that it gives the outside of the screen. Black would be much cleaner looking in my opinion.

An example for me would be last year then I did the Colorado Trail from Silverton to Durango. Didn’t really see a lot of help from the solar. The only time I would get a good solar bump was going over passes.

If you are a road cyclist and plan on strapping your watch to the handle bars you might see some solar usage out of that. Plus with the MIP it would not need to turn on the light every time you flicked your wrist to see where you were or how you were doing.

If I were to disappear into the bush for a month, maybe.