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Race S vs Vertical

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Suunto Race S
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  • T Offline
    Tieutieu Platinum Member
    last edited by Tieutieu 26 Jul 2024, 21:54

    I just received my vertical from support (repair was very fast - send Monday, repaired Thursday, send back Friday ! ). Now I’ll have to deal between SRs and my vertical. I’ll probably use the race S most of the time for sleep tracking (I love the sleep phases tracking and its small size), and for small races or training when I don’t want to use hr belt…but the Vertical remains my dream watch. It’s just awesomely good looking and with so huge battery life ! But SRs really rocks ! If next top of the line gen of watch brings amoled screen with vertical battery life, it will be mine for sure !

    Suunto’s devices at home :
    Vertical titanium solar
    Suunto Race S
    S9pp titanium sand
    Suunto Wing
    S9B titanium Ambassador edition, A3P, X6

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
    • L Offline
      Luis Andés Olmedo Bronze Member @Luis Andés Olmedo
      last edited by 27 Jul 2024, 09:54

      @Luis-Andés-Olmedo said in Race S vs Vertical:

      Some feedback regarding the SRs that my wife is testing since one week ago to check if it would be a good replacement for her Fenix 6s pro:

      • AOD: Off

      • Sleep track: Off (she does not care about that metric)

      • 24/7 HR: Off (she does not care about that metric)

      • Mobile notifications: Off (she does not care about that info)

      • Average battery consumption per hour of GPS: 3%-4% (The Fenix 6s pro consumes 10% per hour)

      • Battery consumption in 7 days (4h running with GPS + 1h strength workout no GPS) : 50%

      Obviously she decided to sell the Fenix 6s Pro and keep the Suunto.

      I quote myself to mention that my wife charged the Race S yesterday with 23% (today she had to do her long run of the week) after 10 days… very very good.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • T Offline
        Tieutieu Platinum Member
        last edited by 27 Jul 2024, 10:08

        By the way : is there a chance that sleep phases and nap finally arrive on SV ?

        Suunto’s devices at home :
        Vertical titanium solar
        Suunto Race S
        S9pp titanium sand
        Suunto Wing
        S9B titanium Ambassador edition, A3P, X6

        ? 1 Reply Last reply 10 Aug 2024, 18:00 Reply Quote 0
        • ? Offline
          A Former User @Tieutieu
          last edited by 10 Aug 2024, 18:00

          @Tieutieu https://forum.suunto.com/post/131343

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • J Offline
            jakubedzior
            last edited by 5 Sept 2024, 06:29

            Hi, I’ve read this post and it seems that everyone is talking mostly about hardware. I’m trying to decide between the 2 watches but have a few software-ish wondering-ments, perhaps someone would know? The most important one is:

            Does the Race S have light/dark maps like the Race some time ago, or outdoor/high contrast/dark like the Vertical? I really like the outdoor and high contrast ones on vertical and would be disappointed if they aren’t available on the Race S.

            Are the any other important software differences between the two? I only know for a fact that Race S does not have an option to set a custom battery mode, like the Vertical, but maybe there are more?

            Btw, based on your, Race S users, experience, do you think the Race S’s battery would last enough for 15h training with best accuracy with navigation the whole time, notifications (and connection to the phone, if possible) turned off, AOD on, heart rate on?

            I 1 Reply Last reply 5 Sept 2024, 07:36 Reply Quote 0
            • I Offline
              isazi Moderator @jakubedzior
              last edited by 5 Sept 2024, 07:36

              @Jakub-Kędzior said in Race S vs Vertical:

              Does the Race S have light/dark maps like the Race some time ago, or outdoor/high contrast/dark like the Vertical? I really like the outdoor and high contrast ones on vertical and would be disappointed if they aren’t available on the Race S.

              Race S: light - dark - high contrast

              Light is basically outdoor, but looks better on AMOLED, and dark is more battery friendly.

              Watch: Suunto Vertical Ti

              Blog: isazi's home

              J 1 Reply Last reply 22 Nov 2024, 07:24 Reply Quote 1
              • J Offline
                Jan Van de Velde Bronze Member @isazi
                last edited by 22 Nov 2024, 07:24

                I just found this thread and would like to add my take on it. I owned a Vertical (Stainless Steel Non Solar) from almost the first day it was released. Throughout the first year and through several software updates, I saw it evolve from a good watch to an almost perfect watch. Then I lost it in the hustle of the mass start of triathlon… (don’t ask). Due to budgetary constraints I had to “settle” for the Race S (Stainless Steel).

                My thoughts on the topics raised here:
                • AMOLED vs MIP: the display of the Race S is very very beautiful and vibrant, perfectly readable in all conditions, but I do miss the genuine always-on-display of the Vertical. The always-on version of the AMOLED is just not the same…
                • Battery life: the vertical (even the non-solar) was great obviously, but the Race S is certainly sufficient for most purposes. For me it lasts about 4 days with all bells and whistles on (24h HR, sleep tracking, notification, AOD, etc.) with roughly 6 hours of GPS sports tracking during those days.
                • Optical HR sensor: I don’t notice a big difference. For everyday life the Vertical was good enough and for most sports I use an chest strap anyway (except for swimming, but there every watch I tested sucks).
                • Form factor: this is where the Race S excels for me. The smaller size, not only diameter and weight, but also specifically thickness, make it much more comfortable, especially during sleeping. As many here, I am hoping for a Vertical S, but probably this will not come.
                • Build quality: the Race S is very good, but I preferred the Vertical. Specifically the feedback from the buttons seemed better. I’m also not a fan of the crown wheel, although it does the trick… I am afraid of the Gorilla Glass. I managed to scratch all my gorilla glass watches up to now, I’m already mentally preparing for the first scratch on my Race S. The glass of the Vertical on the contrary was spotless until the last second. A small advantage of the Race S is that the slanted bezel seems more scratch resistant then the notched bezel of the Vertical, where sometimes the stainless steel started appearing in my case.
                • Software: I love the advanced sleep tracking and even though there is absolutely no scientific basis I study the result almost every morning. 🙂 I don’t like the absence of custom battery modes in the sport profiles. I would like to able to combine always-on-display with bad (or less good) GPS accuracy. I also would like the Race S to remember the last chosen battery mode for a given sport profile. A general annoyance for both watches was the inability to create a custom triathlon sport mode and the absence of other multisport modes like Ultrarunning or Swimrunning.

                So while I miss my Vertical, the Race S is a very decent replacement! If/when a vertical 2 comes out, I’m not sure what I would do.

                T 1 Reply Last reply 22 Nov 2024, 07:56 Reply Quote 6
                • T Offline
                  Tieutieu Platinum Member @Jan Van de Velde
                  last edited by Tieutieu 5 Dec 2025, 11:00 22 Nov 2024, 07:56

                  @Jan-Van-de-Velde I own both (my SV was send to repair this summer and I couldn’t train without watch, so I bought the SRs).
                  I share all your thoughts.
                  If my SV had advanced sleep tracking (sleep phases), I would probalbly use it every day and night like before…
                  But I now wear my SRs at night to have have sleep phases (and also because it’s lighter and smaller).
                  Screen of the SRs is awesome, but I much prefer the touchscreen navigation between screens of my SV. Build quality is great on both even if SV is nicer to me (plus sapphire and Ti)

                  Let’s see what Suunto will bring us in the future, but no need to be a genius : next generations of watches will improve amoled watches battery life, and we’ll see OHR and other mesurements tracking improvements.

                  For now, SV + SRs is a “luxury” but lovely combination !

                  Suunto’s devices at home :
                  Vertical titanium solar
                  Suunto Race S
                  S9pp titanium sand
                  Suunto Wing
                  S9B titanium Ambassador edition, A3P, X6

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                  • M Offline
                    Mathieu Merlet
                    last edited by 24 days ago

                    After different years using Garmin devices I have tried Suunto and I prefer. But know I am not able to make a decision between Race S titanium and Vertical not solar (same price). I have both in this moment and I found the MIP and dimension display of the Vertical very good and useful during outdoor activities, while the amoled screen is very beautiful but I am not convinced that will be good under the sun on a bike handlebar (I can’t test due to meteo). Also, battery life is important and Vertical win! But the tiny dimension of Race s is awesome at work.

                    I think both watches are excellent, but in terms of updates and durability what do you think?
                    I am not a professional athlete, I do trail run/bike/run/hike, more or less one activity per day (1 hour) and in the weekend longer activities.
                    What are your advices?

                    Sorry for my English

                    E C T A T 5 Replies Last reply 21 days ago Reply Quote 0
                    • E Offline
                      Egika Platinum Member @Mathieu Merlet
                      last edited by 21 days ago

                      @Mathieu-Merlet good points!
                      These are exactly the reason why I have both watches.
                      Vertical is with me on longer or multi-day activities, while I a wearing Race S during the days with less activities or in the office.

                      If bike handlebar is a regular use case for you, I’d say that this leads to Vertical for you, as the always-on display of Race S in map view is limited.

                      t6, S6, Elementum Terra, Ambit 3 Sapphire, Spartan Ultra Copper, Traverse Alpha, S7 Graphite LE, S9B Ambassador, S9P Granite Blue Titanium, S9PP Titanium Sand, Vertical All Black, Race Titanium Charcoal,
                      Race S All Black - TI Canary - Titanium Courtney

                      M 1 Reply Last reply 21 days ago Reply Quote 2
                      • M Offline
                        Mathieu Merlet @Egika
                        last edited by 21 days ago

                        @Egika in terms of updates they can be supposed to be similar?
                        I can keep only one of these two watches unfortunately…

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • C Offline
                          cosme.costa @Mathieu Merlet
                          last edited by 21 days ago

                          @Mathieu-Merlet For your case of use I would choose the SV (If you can’t keep both 😁 )

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • T Offline
                            timecode @Mathieu Merlet
                            last edited by 21 days ago

                            @Mathieu-Merlet IF Vertical, then I would go for the titanium version - the weight difference is significant in my opinion.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • A Offline
                              Adrian.S @Mathieu Merlet
                              last edited by 21 days ago

                              @Mathieu-Merlet Once you get used to AMOLED and your eyes adjust to the colors and beautiful display, you’ll appreciate the longer battery life and sometimes better readability in full sunlight in summer 🙂 So both have pros and cons 🙂 I am semi-pro trial runner, and I choose Vertical Titanium Solar because of battery life.

                              Visibility in all weather conditions while running, when you are not standing still and do not have time to look at the display from every angle, just a quick glance at the data and you’re good to go 🙂

                              Besides, the MIPS display in Suunto is the same or slightly better than in Fenix 7, which I also have.

                              Suunto Vertical, Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, Garmin Edge 840, Polar H10

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                              • T Offline
                                Tieutieu Platinum Member @Mathieu Merlet
                                last edited by 21 days ago

                                @Mathieu-Merlet as mentionned above, I’m in the same situation than you.
                                I’ve decided to keep both watches.
                                But if I had to make a choice I’d keep my SV.

                                Suunto’s devices at home :
                                Vertical titanium solar
                                Suunto Race S
                                S9pp titanium sand
                                Suunto Wing
                                S9B titanium Ambassador edition, A3P, X6

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                • Tami999T Offline
                                  Tami999 Silver Members
                                  last edited by 21 days ago

                                  As a tech-Guy a bit, that loves new technology etc. Own my Vertical 2 years. I had one day Race S, and had tested 5 days in home Race (titanium normal one, not ,S") 1 month ago . I cant get used to have amoled on hand. While training AMOLED wins easily. You running or something, screen goes bright and You can see all the things, distance, time etc. in just one sec its great! In Vertical its a bit darker sometimes when You moving, i needed to stop and check or just take watch close to my eyes. In every-day use when You want to check watchface, MIP wins, You see all the info. In AMOLED You see only time OR You unlock watch and see watchface but its so bright. Sometimes You just move hand up/down and screen becomes flashlight. Damn… for me perfect combination would be MIP screen that turn into AMOLED when browsing menu/training etc.

                                  I think I’ll keep Vertical until Vertical v2 or Race v2. I also love Vertical design more than elegant Race/Race S (Ocean seems great too!!!). There are some improvements over Vertical.
                                  Battery is insane in Vertical, same as how durable is. 0 scratches on Sapphire screen, and just some few scratches on titanium seen in good angle with light. Iam so happy how strong this watch is compared to how many times i hit it in metal parts, door frame, etc. I really hit this watch so many times.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
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