Suunto 7

Fenr1r

@NickK said in Suunto 7:

Unless Suunto never intended for S7 to be Apple Watch or Garmin Fenix killer out of the gate! But is actually using the watch to test the waters and develop a sports smartwatch foundation and services.

@NickK A bit like the step change of the Spartan from the Ambit? But better developed on launch, possibly due to the immediate need to play nice with others.

@isazi I’ve been reading Ray for a long-long time. Every now and then he has some choice words for Garmin. But most of the time, his approval is a foregone conclusion. Had Suunto done solar charging, I assure you Ray would have called this a senseless gimmick. Had Suunto done RacePro plans, Ray would have pointed out all their limitations, from inability to build a loop route with multiple laps, to better handling of inclines, to inability to manually pace tight spots, to no accounting for headwind, and so on… That is: Ray is a fantastic reviewer, but he has his blind spots and considerably more doubt in brands that aren’t Garmin.

And yes, his triathlon focus means he sees far less value in features that aren’t directly tied to running or bikes.

@Fenr1r said in Suunto 7:

@NickK A bit like the step change of the Spartan from the Ambit? But better developed on launch, possibly due to the immediate need to play nice with others.

I hope not! I don’t think S5/S9 platform is going anywhere. In fact, I’d imagine over time pure sport and pure smartwatch aspects could converge. But given competition and saturation in sports segment, you need a market where significant growth is possible. Most of the world outside the US and Western Europe is Android. So, WearOS is perfect for them. Unfortunately, most of the world outside US won’t be paying $499 for a smartwatch. So, prices would have to come down.

@NickK said in Suunto 7:

And if ultra guys like @Brad_Olwin can use it for a few recovery runs during a week, that’s even better!

Only if Suunto App could seamlessly support multiple watches, which it can’t. It is in Suunto interests to enable the app to sync with multiple watches. I don’t get why they don’t put more efforts into that.

Fenr1r

@NickK I meant that the Spartan might be seen as technology demonstrator/market tester/unannounced beta program for the colour, touch-screen, etc., S-Series. So the S7 is a first foot in new WearOS waters before, as you suggest, something comes for the rest of the world.

@silentvoyager said in Suunto 7:

Only if Suunto App could seamlessly support multiple watches, which it can’t. It is in Suunto interests to enable the app to sync with multiple watches. I don’t get why they don’t put more efforts into that.

Oh, I’d love that! Have asked for that. Hopefully they get around to do it. Doesn’t strike me like a big feature.

@Fenr1r said in Suunto 7:

@NickK I meant that the Spartan might be seen as technology demonstrator

Ah! Yes, you are spot on me thinks. But that raises an interesting question of their branding strategy. Spartan was a new name. S7 kind of lands in the middle of an established line

Dimitrios Kanellopoulos

@silentvoyager I think that after the s7 publicity this is becoming #1 request

Fenr1r

@NickK Wild Guessing but Suunto may have learned from the Spartan’s problems. They may be more in “Don’t Frighten the Punters” mode. Rather than calling attention to a departure from their norm, they are leveraging their “hard-core” solidity in the stable S-series for the less ultra crowd. The Spartan was more of a get-the-sporty-folk-to-wear-a-fashionable-Suunto-everywhere. This is more get-the-fashionable-crowd-a-Suunto (but not lose the sportsters).

And the LetterDigit format has worked OK for car manufacturers. Looking at you, BMW, in particular.

@Fenr1r said in Suunto 7:

@NickK The Spartan was more of a get-the-sporty-folk-to-wear-a-fashionable-Suunto-everywhere. This is more get-the-fashionable-crowd-a-Suunto (but not lose the sportsters).

If @Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos is correct about most often requested feature now, I think Suunto is also selling S7 to every S9 owner. Not a bad strategy to seed the market.

Dimitrios Kanellopoulos

You know me. I am a Suunto guy. I was given many other smartwatches (Android wear) before I used the S7

A friend asked why S7 over other Android wear and yes the price looks high imo.

Here is what I replied

1. More battery life. Only the Suunto watch (currently uses the low sport mode processor from qualcomm)
2. Better build quality. I can drop my suunto (ask for video) from the 1st floor and will be ok 
3. Better OHR. Suunto has the leading OHR here, with even proximity sensor 
4. Suunto app integration and analysis + partners. Tell me if the Xiaomi sends data to Training peaks or relive 
5. Waterproof to 50m 
6. Swimming support as your spartan does 
7. Global company + support + service (not china and distributors) 
8. Updates that most manufactures dont bring (remember it's Google + Suunto + Qualcomm not only Suunto) 
9. Secure Gpay via proximity sensor and skin detection sensors (you dont need to unlock  use pin if you wear the watch)
10. Barometer + tons of sensors 
11. Better display 
12. Design
13. Suunto watch-faces that work all the time showing even seconds without battery drop! (also use the special processor) 
14. An ecosystem of watches, if you uprgade your watch you go to s9 etc 
15. Always on low power full color Amoled screen.

-  Maps maps map for free! And automatically downloaded!

That are my pros.

Cons: Battery life

I use personally all the time the powesaving on. This way I can get about 7 days of usage but nothing on the watch else than just the time. Literally nothing else.

And hey. I am opinionated here. Don’t trust the devil.

@Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos Looks very much like the list I create when I need to persuade myself to drop $499 on yet another watch

I think for a full blown smartwatch that does full notifications, email app integration, and all, on 1.4" high-res screen that fires up to 1000 nits I can definitely live with charge every day or two scenario. So, battery life isn’t an issue for me. I’d even cry a bit, cut my Starbucks card in half, and eat the price. But sensors… sport mode customization… running power… FirstBeat bits…

I have S9 and understand I can swap the watches, but I’d rather minimize it.

Saketo Nemo

@NickK said in Suunto 7:

Assomiglia molto all’elenco che creo quando devo convincermi a perdere $ 499 su un altro orologio

I know something !

Fenr1r

@Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos Given your list and the solidity/capability/aesthetics blend of the device, I feel that this is the sort of watch Bond might be issued to replace the Omega. The Suunto 007. Get to it, Suunto product placers.

(There are battery issues, yes, but charging comes from the same magic place as spare ammo. And music.)

freeheeler

@Fenr1r
from body heat transformed into electric power

Dimitrios Kanellopoulos

@TELE-HO there is the Matrix watch that actually does this.

Jonathan Newby

@Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos really?

freeheeler

@Jonathan-Newby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSaMcCa6bLE
Dimitrios aka Wikipedia of GPS watches

Saketo Nemo

oh god! I missed it!

Fenr1r

@TELE-HO I thought about that but you know how disappointed folk can be about hinted-at features. Especially Suunto folk.

Closer to the reality, Bond might have to call up the right sport modes (Running->Running-Shooting->Running-Shooting-Pistol->Running-Shooting-Pistol-While Strangling Attack Walrus).

Possibly too much detail. Let the filmmakers show him remotely piloting a Stealth Gyrocopter or using Spynder or something.