Race S vs Vertical
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@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
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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.
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@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 !
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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
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@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.
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@Egika in terms of updates they can be supposed to be similar?
I can keep only one of these two watches unfortunately… -
@Mathieu-Merlet For your case of use I would choose the SV (If you can’t keep both
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@Mathieu-Merlet IF Vertical, then I would go for the titanium version - the weight difference is significant in my opinion.
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@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.
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@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. -
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.
