Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?
-
I’ve compared the MIPs of the Suunto V1, Coros Apex 4, and Garmin Fenix 7.
I used the Fenix for several years.
I switched to Suunto V1 and have been using it for over a year now.
I tested the Coros Apex 4 for one week.
In my opinion, the Coros has the worst MIP out of the three: it’s the least visible indoors. It’s no better in sunlight when compared to the Garmin, let alone the V1—it’s simply too dark among the three. That’s why it has a white face enabled by default, so it’s more visible during the day and in marketing photos.
Apparently, Suunto uses an LED under the screen in the V1 to illuminate and brighten the display. Someone needs to confirm this, but I read it somewhere—I think on Reddit.
I think the V1 has the best MIP display, whether with white or black faces/fonts. It’s clear in all conditions and has 3 brightness levels. Garmin does too. Strangely, Coros Apex 4 doesn’t have brightness adjustment at all.
Edit:
For every watch I’ve used, I’ve gone with the version that has sapphire glass, which supposedly makes the display harder to read but improves durability. Apparently, that’s why the Coros Apex 4 is such a piece of crap. Suunto managed to pull it off—apparently because of the LED under the screen.
-
I agree with @maszop but not with a MIP screen because I agree 100% with @sky-runner . What I would love and probably a very small group of people. Make a Suunto Vertical Pro with an AMOLED screen and no OHR. I don’t want OHR and don’t need it. Make the watch a bit smaller (only height so 12mm or so) keep the battery size of the Vertical 2 or bigger. Without the OHR module and the battery drain from the OHR I imagine a watch that is not as bulky but that matches the Vertical 1 Solar for battery life. Make the VP watch as light as possible and we have a true outdoor/mountain expedition/ultrarunners watch. I asked for this awhile ago and I think the cost would far outstrip the user base.
Vector/T6c/Vertical 2 Ti
-
@Adrian.S interesting wouldn’t tell that Apex 4 screen is worse, for my eyes it is even better than V1.
Both with backlight off. Seems quitr similar in the picture. I guess it depends
I guess in my case the reflections are stronger on V1 screen than on Apex4 therefor it feels worse.Suunto Race 2 (Titanium Trail)
Suunto Vertical (Titanium Solar Forest) -
@Brad_Olwin As is turns out, I prefer AMOLED too, but I was writing about a watch that is uncompromising and somewhat niche. MIP – maybe even with Solar – still offers the longest battery life and is perfectly adequate technology. That would be exactly the kind of standout model for special use cases. And despite being niche, there’s actually a large group of people who miss MIP. But for me, the Vertical 2 is the better option.
-
I compared them during my runs trail and in mountain, not in photos taken with phone.
Also, from what I can see, it looks like your backlight is turned off when you take a photo.
Also, from what I can see, it looks like your backlight is turned off when you take a photo.
I also don’t know what brightness setting was used when the photo was taken. I’m guessing it was set to low—switch it to medium or high—and the readability of your Suunto MIP will definitely improve, not only outdoors but especially indoors.
-
I’d argue that if you’re just using the watch during activities, then either display is fine. The latest AMOLED watch I tried was the AWU2 and it was plenty bright to see in all conditions. And, yeah, maybe it was even a little better in dappled forest light.
The problem for me, though, is that 95% of the time I’m not recording an activity and I want my watch to look and function like a watch. AMOLED needs to emit light to be seen. And it’s a harsh, direct light at that. MIPs rely on reflected light, exactly like a regular watch (and every other thing in life that’s not a screen or lightbulb). I very much prefer this over a large, black circle on my wrist.
I also just don’t like to flick my wrist to get info. Most of the time I glance at the watch at off angles. Can’t do this easily with AMOLED (yeah, I know, AOD). This is also a problem when mounting the watch on bike handlebars.
@brad_olwin I’m with you. I’d love to see a slim-downed Vertical Pro without OHR. Just make it MIP.
-
@Adrian.S sure, photo was just an example, I compared them in runs also, my reflections are from runs. Backlight does not change anything midle of the day, I keep backlight off on Apex4 throughout the day. Still I think reflections are worse on my V1. Again I have Apex4 just for week or two and most of my runs were in bright daylight, might be that in other conditions it sucks. But again might be too small of a difference to notice, I just did not agree that Apex4 is crap when it is almost the same, peace. I love my V1 regardless
-
After few months with Race 2 and previouse owning of Suunto 5 and Ambit 2 here is my opinion.
Amoled has great colors and great refresh rate. But thats it.
Benefits of MIP for me:
It always show time, no need for specific rise to wake move. Even slight move of hand wakes watch and i can see full watchface. This was great in day to day use when working etc.
In night with low backlight is not so agresive agains eyes compared to bright amoled even on low brightnes.
In sport modes always visible even on bike handle no fallback to limited AOD.
In daylight great visibility without higher consumption of battery as MIP doesn’t need any backlight during daytime.I buy watch once in a while so since i bought Race 2 lately. I am not interested in any new model MIP or Amoled in next 5 years. But than if available i would prefer MIP version over Amoled but only if all other spec of MIP watch was same.
Suunto Ambit 2 > Suunto 5 > Suunto Race 2
-
@Brad_Olwin The early fenix models had the options to be sold with or without HRM, but indeed, i don’t think there is a market anymore for sport smartwatch without HRM, the convenience factor is just too good
-
@Brad_Olwin
I totally agree! MIPS are perfectly readable under bright sunlight but in shady areas or cloudy/dusky conditions, they are sometimes really hard to read especially if you are trailrunning or racing flat and you’re wrist is moving a lot. If MIPS need backlight to be readable then you end up with the same delay for activation as with AMOLED.
OHR is also way to error prone and if one would remove the OHR module, one would save a lot of battery while at the same time the battery capacity can be enlarged for the same watch size.
This would probably increase run time a lot and it could be a great sports watch in my eyes -
I don’t think we have a battery problem. I agree that smaller size and less weight would be beneficial though!
t6, S6, Elementum Terra, Ambit 3 Sapphire, Spartan Ultra Copper, Traverse Alpha, S7 Graphite LE, S9B Ambassador, S9P Titanium, S9PP Titanium, Vertical All Black, Race Titanium Charcoal, Race S Titanium Courtney, Run Lime, Race 2, Vertical 2 Titanium
-
@Tomas5 said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
It always show time, no need for specific rise to wake move.
In sport modes always visible even on bike handle no fallback to limited AOD.These are the two main things why I miss the MIP display. But that is it. Whenever I switch to a MIP display I have the urge to go back to AMOLED due to the vibrant colors and contrast - AMOLED is much better for my poor eyesight. The only issue is that I don’t like 99,999% of watchfaces in time only mode.
-
@Egika I’m more than happy with the battery life on both my Verticals - 65 h in dual band. Also, I hardly feel the V2 Ti with a nylon strap on my wrist. It’s less than 60 g, so I’m very pleased.
That being said, if Suunto came up with a second gen of 9PP, I’ll totally buy it.
I’ll always have a soft spot for the iconic design of this watch. Absolutely love it. -
@Ecki-D. I like both MiP and amoled. If Coros can make the Apex 4 with MiP in two sizes, why Suunto wouldn’t be able to do same and make MiP V2 in two sizes as well? I’d buy both sizes.
-
@outdoorman i don’t have problem reading MIP yet. I prefer vibrant colors on devices where purpose is watching movies or editing photos. But for watch there is more important for me that screen is always showing time. I don’t like a lot that at office or at home on sofa when i want to check time i must do raise to wake movement every time. Even when I am already in position to see screen but since it is just black. Thats big problem for me but maybe i get used to it. I would prefer if each model was amoled and MIP and users could choose. I will buy next watch in far future. Maybe than will amoled be mature enough to be always on with full watchface without compromises.
-
I really enjoy MIP for how low key it is. It doesn’t blast light like AMOLED. Since I wear my watch 24/7, I like it when it’s low key.
I’m also afraid about longevity it AMOLED. MIP is essentially forever.
S9PP 2.50.28
-
As of yesterday, I’ve switched to Vertical 2.
My initial impressions have shattered my preconceptions.
My tests are ongoing. I haven’t sold Vertical 1 yet. It will be good for my comparative tests. -
I was really against AMOLED, and a big fan of the MIPs display on the 9B and V1 and didn’t think I’d switch to AMOLED.
However I purchased the V2 soon after launch and was really impressed, it is for me with older eyes so much easier to read, the clarity is amazing. I soon sold the V1 realising I really wouldn’t use it again.
The only thing I don’t like on the V2 is the map screen dulling when cycling. If they could resolve this - by having the option of keeping the backlight on the map screen when the watch is on the handlebars - even if it halfs the battery life - would be preferable for me.
I run the watch with AOD and to touch the keys to make the screen active and find the battery comparable to the V1 - it might last a day or two less but it charges quickly and Suunto have finally made a good charger so charging isn’t a chore anymore!
So for me, no I don’t think I’d purchase MIPs again. And the main reason is clarity when used as a watch. The screen is just so much clearer for me to read. Maybe young people wouldn’t notice this so much…
-
@Łukasz-Szmigiel said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
I’m also afraid about longevity it AMOLED. MIP is essentially forever.
This exactly! Suunto 7 amoled was notorious for the burned screen. Has there been any technological development or is it still just about trying to switch the pixels often enough on and off?
-
@Brad_Olwin said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
I agree with @maszop but not with a MIP screen because I agree 100% with @sky-runner . What I would love and probably a very small group of people. Make a Suunto Vertical Pro with an AMOLED screen and no OHR. I don’t want OHR and don’t need it. Make the watch a bit smaller (only height so 12mm or so) keep the battery size of the Vertical 2 or bigger. Without the OHR module and the battery drain from the OHR I imagine a watch that is not as bulky but that matches the Vertical 1 Solar for battery life. Make the VP watch as light as possible and we have a true outdoor/mountain expedition/ultrarunners watch. I asked for this awhile ago and I think the cost would far outstrip the user base.
I have basically done this with my V2. Turned off OHR and the thing lasts FOREVER. I charged last week some time, have three hours of training and downloaded the new map for my state off charger and am still at 85%.
