Suunto 9 Peak (review and specs)

sky-runner

This isn’t a watch for me. The three main factors that make it a no-go are:

The limited battery life. I need it to last at least 35 hours, preferably 40 hours, reliably without having to use extended battery modes.
The screen size. My eyesight is declining and I have hard time seeing small text even on a larger 1.4" display. 1.2" display of S9P is just too small. By the way, has Suunto addressed the limit of having only 3 user customizable data screens? I want to have fewer data fields per screen.
Lack of customizability of the app and the watch, which I assume remain mostly unchanged. For example, I really have to have Monday as first day of training week, but I am unwilling to change my phone’s locale for a number of reasons. I also really prefer to have mixed units. These are all small things that should be trivial to make more customizable (Ambit / Movescount had that), so I really don’t understand why it is so hard to do the same in the new platform?

Brad_Olwin

@sky-runner said in Suunto 9 Peak (review and specs):

This isn’t a watch for me. The three main factors that make it a no-go are:

The limited battery life. I need it to last at least 35 hours, preferably 40 hours, reliably without having to use extended battery modes.

The screen size. My eyesight is declining and I have hard time seeing small text even on a larger 1.4" display. 1.2" display of S9P is just too small. By the way, has Suunto addressed the limit of having only 3 user customizable data screens? I want to have fewer data fields per screen.

Lack of customizability of the app and the watch, which I assume remain mostly unchanged. For example, I really have to have Monday as first day of training week, but I am unwilling to change my phone’s locale for a number of reasons. I also really prefer to have mixed units. These are all small things that should be trivial to make more customizable (Ambit / Movescount had that), so I really don’t understand why it is so hard to do the same in the new platform?

For #1, what is the issue with Endurance mode for you? I have extensively tested this and use it for my Ultras. The tracks are nearly as good as Performance, really not enough to make a difference and the other measurements are the same as Performance (HR and altitude). So what is the issue with extended battery??? I can get at least 50h estimate on the S9P and I love having the smaller watch.

I am older than you and my eyesight is not great. The screen on the S9P is higher contrast and higher resolution than the baro, dead easy for me to see the screen. I was surprised as I find following routes easier on the 9Peak than the 9baro. The ambient backlight is fantastic when it is dark, it works extremely well.
I agree with the Training issue and have raised this often, it is inconvenient and I don’t like it but not a show stopper. Navigation on the Suunto app is the best in the business. All we need is offline maps……

fazel

It looks nice. I wish the screen extended to the bezel. I don’t know that I’ll bite. My 9 Baro is rock solid and I’m not sure the additions make a big enough difference.

Rob33

@brad_olwin The announced resolution of the Peak is 240 * 240 while for the S9B it is 320 * 300. So it’s not as good, isn’t it?
That the contrast is better is another observation.
I quite agree with @sky-runner on the first 2 points and @fazel . But there is something for all tastes…

freeheeler

@sky-runner said in Suunto 9 Peak (review and specs):

This isn’t a watch for me

I would have already predicted this don’t get me wrong, but don’t you want to grant the joy of other athletes about this release? I think Suunto has done a great job
and they payed attention to some nice detailes and solved them in a smart way

Brad_Olwin

@rob33 So I am curious, why do you need 1s GPS fix for 40-50h? Why is Endurance mode not sufficient? I am not asking about tastes but for the facts, what requires you to have 1s GPS fix? I can post tracks on steep mountain trails with switchbacks comparing Endurance vs Performance, they are indeed hard to tell apart.

Brad_Olwin

@freeheeler If you remember a post about button lock where @Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos said it was a hardware issue? You will not accidentally push the buttons on the 9 Peak. I have not yet had a single accidental button push since December!

DMytro

@brad_olwin for me personally it would be more to anticipate battery deterioration in the future.

Brad_Olwin

@rob33 said in Suunto 9 Peak (review and specs):

@brad_olwin The announced resolution of the Peak is 240 * 240 while for the S9B it is 320 * 300. So it’s not as good, isn’t it?

Except the screens are different sizes so you cannot simply compare the pixels across the screens……the S9 Peak is significantly easier to read. I have many runs and SkiMo trips wearing them both. I was skeptical at first but outside, the screen is very good and brighter as well as clearer than the baro.

The announced resolution of the Peak is 240 * 240 while for the S9B it is 320 * 300. So it’s not as good, isn’t it?

Don’t forget that S9B has a much bigger screen, i.e. 1.35" (or was it 1.4"?) vs 1.2" on Peak. More pixels sure, but way more space for them to cover too. Pixel density is lower on Baro, hence lower contrast and sharpness. Throw in adaptive backlight – this thing rocks on watches they have it, like Vantage V2 – and you got a much clearer screen despite being smaller.

If anything, I think they don’t sell higher resolution and better backlight enough

freeheeler

@brad_olwin
that’s nice to know a button lock wouldn’t hurt anyway, would it?
Maybe I get the chance for hands (with gloves) on the S9P

Bulkan

@sky-runner I can’t think about a watch right for you.

Brad_Olwin

@дима-мельниченко That will happen with any device! I have a first generation baro and it seems to be doing well. I have not noticed appreciable battery degradation yet. Most of the users will not likely keep a watch for more than 3-4 years so I really don’t see this as a driving issue. I assume you want 40 to 50h of 1s GPS fix…I still don’t have an answer why this is necessary compared to Endurance mode. I use Endurance mode in races and Ultra mode in multi day events and don’t see much of a downside if at all.

lorenzo12375

Finally somebody implemented ‘snap to route’ feature. Alleluja

Dimitrios Kanellopoulos

@rob33 the screen is smaller so it depends on how you define crisp.

A3 had a worse resolution and still many including @sky-runner praise it. Actually it has if not bigger the same size.

Brad_Olwin

@freeheeler said in Suunto 9 Peak (review and specs):

@brad_olwin
that’s nice to know a button lock wouldn’t hurt anyway, would it?
Maybe I get the chance for hands (with gloves) on the S9P

Heavy gloves are an issue for me, I find it difficult to press the buttons……lighter gloves are fine. But if the watch is on the wrist, gloves or no there won’t be accidental presses. The buttons require some force to press and have an audible click.

freeheeler

@brad_olwin
sounds as if they have a nice haptic and hence pressing feedback

chrisc92

@egika just trying to understand “snap to route”, how are the route referenced by the watch ? There are no maps on the watch , I.e. no streets nor trails

chrisc92

@egika just trying to understand “snap to route”, how are the route referenced by the watch ? There are no maps on the watch , I.e. no streets nor trails

DMytro

@chrisc92 route is predefined by you in SA