Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?
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Yes AMOLED looks great indoors but for long outdoor use I still think MIP has a place. On watches like the Suunto 9 Peak Pro or older endurance models, the always-on readability and battery behaviour just feel more natural for hiking, ultra runs, biking, etc. You glance at it and the information is simply there without the “wake up” feeling AMOLED often has. I d definitely be interested if Suunto released a modern MIP endurance watch again, especially if it kept the cleaner/tool-watch style instead of chasing smartwatch aesthetics. For me the biggest points would be battery life, sunlight readability and lower distraction in daily use. Weight matters too, but I’d still take slightly heavier hardware over another bright AMOLED panel I need to baby during long trips.
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Went from Race S to Apex 2 Pro because of MIP…
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@suuntastic infused to have a forerunner 55 which is low end in the end. But what puzzles me for even the high end watches have low resolution and small screens.
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@brechtvb said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
But what puzzles me for even the high end watches have low resolution and small screens.
Because there are simply no MIP displays available that are high resolution or larger than 1.4". Furthermore, even if someone tried to produce a high resolution MIP display it would have a low contrast and look awful. This is a physical limitation of the technology. There has to be a tiny lens and color filter in front of every pixel, and that is difficult to scale to a higher resolution.
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@sky-runner
I think the resolution is fine as it is with V1.
only because there are higher resolutions on the market doesn’t mean we must implement them in watches.
I find even the map very good to read with its topographic details -
It is difficult to say exactly, but the main problem with MIP or AMOLED visibility in fill sun is probably not the technology, but maybe the sapphire vs traditional glass?
I dont know…
Today I compared Coros Nomad MIP/glass vs Vertical 1 MIP/shappire in the forest and I think Nomad has better experiences of visibility because of to much sun reflects on V1 with shappire:
my original post:
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Never had a problem to read any MIP, but could not stand the distraction and „noise“ of the Amoled Display. I prefer a not phony watch outdoor much more and also in the office…
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@suuntastic
totally agree with your comment about the phony watch. -
Just had a four hour hike yesterday with the V1 Solar on a sunny day. I had the map on all the time because it was unknown territory. Ths works absolutely perfect on MIP (V1) and not really on AMOLED (Race S).
On the Race S it switches to a reduced AOD mode and is not as readable in the Sun. Also Battery lifetime shrinks a lot. So for Hiking MIP has big advantages -
@VoiGAS Do you have na experience with AMOLED on the sun and sunglasses? Probably the AMOLED is less visible…
Suunto Vertical + Polar H10
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@Adrian.S I have a V2, came from V1, I find the Amoled screen on the V2 easy to read in bright sunlight and dark glasses. I have the display always on.
It was my main concern buying the V2 that I would find conditions when I couldn’t read it but so far I haven’t encountered any.
Only caveat is if the V2 is on a bike handlebars. It isn’t as easy to follow at the V1. I use a Wahoo bike computer so no big deal for me but I’d use the V1 as my only navigation aid. I’d struggle to do this with the V2. But on the wrist the screen lights up immediately and is very easy to read in bright sunlight and dark glasses.
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@Adrian.S Yes, but also had problems with the MIP. But it depends on the sunglasses
