Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?
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I’ve had this thought in my head for years, and now seems like the perfect time to mention it: more than just MIP, is there any conceivable way there could be a monochrome LCD screen—not black and white MIP, actual LCD, like the ambit, core, traverse, etc?
I have spent many hours looking for a device that has just a handful of simple features: a basic LCD panel, modern dual-band GNSS support, and the ability to use it completely independent of a phone (ie input coordinates and navigate on device, read out full summary data from activities, etc). Oh, and not bloated “smartwatch” features (ie payments, apps etc—more features=more cost, and more bugs). In other words, literally a Traverse “Bravo” if you will, with modern GNSS support, upgraded battery, and the maturity of a very stable backend that had everything from very good timezone support to on-device sunrise/sunset calculations, with no internet connection required outside of viewing tracks and sending routes to it. Just needed the ability to manually start an activity, not auto-start on GNSS signal lock!
I realize I probably sound old and senile in saying it, but ask any runner, and the data they actually want on their wrist is SIMPLE, sunlight readable, and not prone to crashing (again, more complex features increases this risk). Ask any military guy, any hunter, any fisherman, you’ll get the same answer most likely.
The existence of the Core still on the market after (!) almost 20 years of continuous production simply emphasizes, there is clearly a market for simpler-is-better. Suunto literally has the lowest-priced dual-band GNSS chipsets in a “sports watch” (an appreciated distinction in marketing terms from their competitors). Perhaps the day has come for a combining that with well-established roots. Just some thoughts from a Suunto and sports watch lover that has seen the value in simpler things, and less phone dependence…
PS the original feature that got me a Core given as a gift years ago was the barometer—a tool I use as a forecaster CONSTANTLY, and a tool that is actually enhanced by a lower-resolution screen: one can count in the time domain AND pressure domain of the graph, and get exact hPa values from anywhere in the memory. The Core is literally the only device left on the market like that…just another example where simpler has MASSIVE perks for some not-so-edge applications!
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@JebClydeNC very well said!
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I love my Vertical 1. I don’t know if I’ll go for the Vertical 2 AMOLED. Maybe if the V1 loses software support, I’ll have no choice, or I’ll switch to the successor to the Coros Vertix 2—maybe it’ll be the Vertix 3 or Vertix 4. In any case, the Vertix 2 has hardware that’s already too old for 2026. Apparently, the successor to the Vertix 2 will still have a MIP screen this year.
I tested the Coros Apex 4 for two weeks, but it feels too toy-like compared to the Vertical 1.
I liked certain things about the Coros, such as quickly switching to the map and returning to the same watch face.
Suunto has a great design and feels more premium. Coros also has some cool data for runners…
We will see.
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I voted for AMOLED; I understand the arguments for MIP—my wife wears an Enduro 3. For me, AMOLED is always easier to see, and Suunto doesn’t suffer as much from higher battery consumption with the map screen as Garmin does; I don’t need more than 24 hours of battery life. I like how Suunto handles the power-saving screen—it still shows the map, so I don’t always have to wake the watch to full display.
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I would like a watch with a solar charging panel. Whether it’s MIP, AMOLED, green phosphor, doesn’t matter much. But for me, an outdoor endurance watch must have a solar panel
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@UjcoCZ said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
I like how Suunto handles the power-saving screen—it still shows the map, so I don’t always have to wake the watch to full display.
Can I get more explanation on this? haven’t seen such magic before.
Suunto Race 2 (Titanium Trail)
Suunto Vertical (Titanium Solar Forest) -
@safari said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
I was leaning towards MIP because of my approach to positioning the watch (otherwise I would have gone and bought an Apple watch
). I use it as an off-road computer. But MIP watches have different versions. The MIP screen technology in watches after the Fenix 6X has been significantly improved. On the other hand, I also had the chance to observe the Vertical 2. The screen clarity and map readability are better. My prejudice has been somewhat broken.The V1 has the best MIP screen made. When we were testing V2 we asked and were told MIP screen tech has not changed. So the only advances would be new HR and faster chip. I would argue the V1 is “modern”.
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@Brad_Olwin Interesting. Coros improved their MIP screen between Apex 2 pro and Apex 4, one can clearly see it and at least for my eyes it looks better/brighter than Vertical 1 also. But not an expert, so might be just confirmation bias or smth.
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@aiv4r backlighting could be different but I doubt the screen tech is improved. We were also told MIP is more expensive now and very few suppliers.
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@Brad_Olwin I heard that too at the time, a colleague have an Apex 4 and the MIP is really, really good, compared to my 9PP it really looks great, I unfortunatly don’t have a Vertical to compare, but honestly i don’t see why we would need better than that
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I am MIP all the way, but, realistically, I’m quite certain Suunto is done with them. They’ve all but said so. I think it’s pure economics at this point.
@aiv4r How are you finding the Apex 4? Is it really more comfortable than the Vertical? You mentioned it’s less chunky, but does it wear better on the wrist? The dimensions are pretty similar.
And what about the Coros ecosystem? I had a Pace 2 years ago and just couldn’t get over the immature visuals and UI/UX. Has it improved? Are there any actual good watch faces these days?
@brad_olwin I think you are correct that MIP tech hasn’t necessarily improved since the SV1. I believe the difference more has to do with the distance from the screen to the glass. The solar panel on the SV1 recesses the screen a bit, decreasing clarity at off angles. The Apex 4 obviously doesn’t have this.
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@duffman19 It is quite nice and comfortable to wear, but I never got used to wearing Vertical 24/7, so for me it is way better, but that is very subjective. It also feels a bit like a toy watch, but also feels lighter for the same reason.
Design-wise it is a disaster still, graphics are bad and boring, watch faces are terrible, they have a lot of them, but I barely can find one I like.
The app itself has its own pros and cons, I like that “effort pace” for example feels a bit more integrated than NGP in Suunto (I can easily see Effort Pace graph throughout the run, while I cannot find a way to do that with NGP in Suunto app). -
@aiv4r NGP and AvgNGP can be added as a data field in custom sport modes. I use these, easy to see during the entire run.
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@Brad_Olwin yes I am aware and I started to use it also, but I ment in the app after the run is uploaded.
Suunto Race 2 (Titanium Trail)
Suunto Vertical (Titanium Solar Forest) -
@aiv4r said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
@UjcoCZ said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
I like how Suunto handles the power-saving screen—it still shows the map, so I don’t always have to wake the watch to full display.
Can I get more explanation on this? haven’t seen
On the Garmin, if the display is in dim mode while navigating, I can’t see anything and have to turn my wrist; on the Suunto, the basic map is still clearly visible in dim mode, so I don’t always have to turn my wrist for a quick check of the route. On the Garmin, this is further complicated by a very poor light sensor. such magic before. AMOLED both.
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@aiv4r said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
@Brad_Olwin yes I am aware and I started to use it also, but I ment in the app after the run is uploaded.
Agreed, for me I use S+ TrainingPeaks Run and you will have NGP in the app after the run, this will allow NGP to show in the lap table.
