Race 2 accuracy
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@shamilt1 IMO The Race 2 is shy a few meters than other devices yes, but I think the other devices are more ‘generous’. What I found is that the Race 2 is very much like AWU2/3 when it comes to distance and represents the real distance. I might get the Vertical 2 now that the Vertical Week is upon us and will be able to compare them side by side.
The weirdest thing I experienced on my Race 2 is that when you are navigating a route or snap to route the distance is literally the same as the AWU3, when having it on free (breadcrumbs) it is shy few tens of meters. Nevertheless the GPS track is great and smooth and its one of the most beautiful/light watches I own (the Ocean is still the best looking
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Thanks for your replies guys- I think I’ll go ahead and get the watch.
I like it’s looks, seems like the hrm has improved over the first edition and I just like the way things seem to be clearly set out on the watch. I don’t think the slightly shorter distance measuring will be much of an issue and if it is slightly inaccurate, it could possibly be fixed going forward in an update.I did get a Huawei GT6 Pro to replace my Garmin at Christmas- the watch is a stunner and it initially seemed good…but unfortunately it seems allergic to trees and the gps tracks are shocking under a bit of tree cover making it unusable for running!
Edit….I posted this 24 hours ago…does it normally take a full day to get approved for a new user or did I slip through the net?
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@Brad_Olwin I compared the Race 2 against the Vertical 1 Race S for several weeks and opened a dedicated thread to discuss the topic.
As a summary: in all my activities and tests Vertical and Race S recorded practically same tracks (recorded GPS points), distances and paces, and, the most important, showed distance (in the watch ) was very close to the recorded distance when measuring the GPS recorded track.
In Race 2 the behavior is different: Race 2 records practically same tracks (recorded GPS points) but showed distance is shorted (or filtered) and differs from the distance when measuring the GPS recorded track, and this GPS measured distance is similar to the distance measured with both Vertical and Race S, so ir seems that all watches record/save similar GPS info/points but processing algorithm is different. This behavior happens in running and bike activities.
Which watch is more accurate? I really don’t know but for me it’s clear that altough they estimate same track (raw GPS points) they estimate different distances and paces so one must be more accurate than the other. Maybe V1 was measuring excesive distance, maybe Race 2 is measuring less distance. Maybe “perfection” is in the middle, who knows?
The behavior can also be observed in activities of runners using Suunto, so it appears to be “normal” operation of the Race 2. That’s the reason I opened the dedicated thread.
That said, I’m using the Race 2 as my 24/7 watch and the Vertical is in the drawer for “special” days or going out on the bike.
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@Brad_Olwin The comparisons I’ve seen on here are usually against the Vertical 1 (which seems to report accurate distances). I’m wondering if you’re not seeing much difference because you’re comparing with the Vertical 2- perhaps this watch uses the same algorithm as the Race 2?
I don’t mind if the distances are a little bit off as nothing is going to be perfect, but if I have my forerunner 265 on one wrist that says 12k and it’s still 11.8k or less on the Suunto, then that will bug me! -
@shamilt1 chiming in with my experience. I’ve written this in another thread but I’ve compared the Race 2 to Garmin 970, Fenix 8, COROS Pace Pro, Pace 4, Apex 4, Suunto Race and Race S, AND a measuring wheel. Many many data points. I also recently picked up the Suunto Vertical 2. All devices including the measuring wheel compare favourably, EXCEPT the Race 2, which measures short by 0.5 to 1.5 % every single time. Given all of these devices have been compared against a measuring wheel, I would say the Race 2 does indeed show shorter distance at the end of runs, with the other devices all being quite true to real distances.
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@Finnjf That sounds pretty conclusive…and it’s interesting that you have had the Vertical 2. Can you confirm the distances recorded on the Vertical 2 showed no shortening of distance and performed as well as your other devices and measuring wheel in this regard?
I have a Race 2 being delivered tomorrow and I’m going to run a 12k at the weekend and wear my Forerunner 265 at the same time for comparison- I’ll post my findings on here afterwards. If after a few runs it is always short, I may return it and get the Vertical 2 instead. -
@shamilt1 correct, the Vertical 2 shows no sign of shortening the distances. It’s just the Race 2. I had some chatter with Suunto help, and it seems they are aware of the issue with the Race 2 (but who knows if or when an update will make any changes to the algorithm).
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@Finnjf After 2 runs with the Vertical 2 I can confirm that while the difference is not that prominant it still is a bit more close to what I’ve known with other watches. And the GPS track looks so freaking good - aligned with where I ran almost in centimeters. This is of course with the weather being sunny these past 2 days. I’ll run tomorrow again with the Race 2 on a nice weather and compare.
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@EzioAuditore said in Race 2 accuracy:
@Finnjf After 2 runs with the Vertical 2 I can confirm that while the difference is not that prominant it still is a bit more close to what I’ve known with other watches. And the GPS track looks so freaking good - aligned with where I ran almost in centimeters. This is of course with the weather being sunny these past 2 days. I’ll run tomorrow again with the Race 2 on a nice weather and compare.
That perfectly matches the behavior I observed with the Race 2 in my tests. For me, the tracks from the Vertical 1 are also cleaner.
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So I got my watch this week, it’s my first Suunto and I have to say I’m impressed with how it looks and performs…but it did slightly under report on distance compared to my Garmin Forerunner 265.
Garmin was 12.07km, Race 2 12.01km, so about .5% less- I noticed it was a bit behind the Garmin when alerting me at each 1km. Strangely at 5km they were about the same, but then by the end there was about 60 meters difference.A few of my first impressions compared to my Garmin.
The Suunto is so easy to use! I can’t make out tiny letters or stats when running so everything is big, bold and colourful- wonderful!
Instant pace seems to be a little quicker updating on the Suunto.
Maps are brilliant, clear and responsive.
Optical heart rate was perfect…the chart after the run was like a mirror image of the Garmin one.
Looking at the GPS tracks post run, they were similar but I’d say on this first run that the Garmin maybe edged it. It’s a tricky route for GPS, canal towpaths and single track roads under tree canopies. The Suunto looked to be a bit more meandering and not quite as reactive on sharp turns…but it was negligible really- both units had me in the canal at some point!
Then obviously there is the small discrepancy with distance.With the distances I run being 15k and under, if it stays around .5% then it’s negligible enough for me to live with it- there’s always the chance it could be improved upon in updates anyway. I’ll have to do another run not following a route to see if it makes any difference for me.
Finally, if I needed any more persuading to get on board with Suunto, the fitness age in the app has me at 34- I’m 56. Flattery will get you everywhere so I’m definitely keeping the Race 2!
