S9 Watch faces

@pierre-yves-colle hey I think we do speak same language here, sometimes might be a lot difficult to understand each other by writing rather than in a personal conversation.

Honestly I have never had a Garmin watch, neither had the chance nor the interest to see its functions. As I mentioned in my first post here in 2008, if not wrong, I’ve got my first Suunto Core until four months ago when bought the S9 Baro and I felt happy with them all ever since.

Just now, after knowing that lots of cheaper watches offer multiple faces, like younger brother S7 with Wear OS (my partner prefered this one so I could see the differences by myself), came to my mind the idea of a little customization.

I sure there is and would be so much discussion on these kind of topics, on the premise that everyone has an opinion… Haha, my suggestion is or was to make these amazing watches a little more customizable.

For me, boring analog faces are useless on daily bases, remember I have never said anything regarding sport modes. When I do sport, mostly cycling and surfing and sometimes trecking and rollerblading I have little time to keep my mind and sight on the watch. It is a plus of info like HR, speed, etc. but not a mandatory need. I’m really happy with those face options.
Going back to the 95% of every watch use which is watch mode, there is when some missing things would be great to have. Some of these features disappear after few seconds shown on the screen which I’d love to keep on sight so I have not to push any button and if it happens that we users are able to add more options to our cool watch faces by preference or interest the better!

Downloadable and smartphone app customizable watch faces would be good, great or the best! If that option brings too much unpaid work or long and frustrating developing. Customization on the watch itself may be a good end. Like now choosing watch faces and color plus some kind of ON/OFF options to be shown. I guess this will make a big difference.

Mister PYC

@rhustox said in S9 Watch faces:

wing that

Hello again … ok I may have better understood.

Humm … On the downloadable watch faces I should say after havign though a lot to SUUNTO approach which is a very closed world totally under strictly their control that … I almost prefer this finally … again assuming that if we propose them better – but just better in the same spirit of what they are doing – then they considere and do it
“In fine” although it is marvelous to have tons of watch faces downloadable from the internet … you expose yoruself to the risk of someone who will do a totally messy and full of bugs one or even worth someone who will play a game to hack or on purpose damage your watch

So I prefer SUUNTO approach at the end.

After that and where I agree with you … it will have been really nice is you could more control the watch face and content from the Apps and not have in the watch was you will make no sense for you to be used …

Personnaly I’m a mountainer … up to recently and even it I was wearing my SUUNTO 9 BARO now since more than one or two year I was sill a old school guy using my old compass and altimeter that are with me since I’m 16 … so … 53-16= 37 years … whaoooo I did not realize it was so long … and even more because the altimeter is the one of my father … a wonderful object that you have pleasure to use

Where I agree with you, effectivelly some time also I was wishing that the screen I choose remains and not just a couple of seconds then back to standard watch face … this is why in some of my post I was mentionning to remain 10 seconds (today If I’m correct it is only 6)

This is also why in my proposal
https://forum.suunto.com/topic/6692/my-prefered-watch-face-if-i-could-developp-it?_=1625094058174
I was proposing a series of different watch face options working on the same principle than today … when you just touch the screen it goes from one watch face option to another and consider now it is the default one …
going that way we could have many ones … so the one which will interrest you now … and that you can turn to another one later

Personnaly as mountainer, my sport watch must have a very good GPS, altimeter, compass and barometer … all these features are important in mountain … the rest like computing performances … I do not care … my backpack is here to recall me my performances

@pierre-yves-colle
Right! Suunto must have their watch faces ready to download, I do not like the ‘play store or app store’ developers idea for high end equipment like these watches.

Understanding that at some point every ABC and now GPS watch owner has some kind of interest of enjoy/perform/enhance their sport it is viable that the brand designer and manufacturer listens to their customers so even it is difficult to get ‘all in one’, from the point that 2021 technology is above clouds I’m sure there are options and ways to help and fill nearly everyone’s need.

I do remember Ambit 3 series had an ON/OFF option of making your sport mode screens to change every… 5 secons?

As said before and knowing it brought lot of discussion, happy or not, leaving Movescount should have to bring something else better and I know some users are not very happy.

At least if Suunto is taking care of some things like:

Improve the smartphone app with new options.
New add/delete customisable watch faces.
Zoom options
More than one alarm.
Keep info on watch mode.
Basic downloadable mapping areas (that would be super!)
Suunto 7 (Battery alarm alert)

… and so on, I’m sure we all will be a bit happier!

Maybe not that easy after all, but I keep faith.

Mister PYC

@rhustox said in S9 Watch faces:

nto 7 (Battery alarm

Super interresting reply !!!

What I hope … SUUNTO DEV team appreciate that we are discussing so much on their products … at least that means we like it a lot already … and just want even more from them …

SO …

The should enjoy working not for nothing but for happy people thanks to their product.

I will put few proposal of improvement on the Apps part …

For exemple : one idea on which I’m interrested to get feedback (of course it concerns more the people who take advantage of the GPS and navigation)

On the POIs and COURSEs … for me a big missing is the capacity to regroup them into some sort of libraries that you can build by yourself

For example : all the POIs and COURSE related to a specific mountain I would like to have this mountain as the first criteria (so the library)
for example : nearby Annecy, haute-savoie where I leave => a super wonderful mountain is “LA TOURNETTE”… and inside this library I will find

the summer course which is generally done on the side which see the lake
the winter ski course which is in fact on the opposite side because the other ones is nto so good for skiing (too many rocks, not a north face)
multiple interresting POIs, of course the summit but also some intermediates points which brings some interrest

Another example : when you do a race of 5 days, if you were having a library for that race … for example "LA HAUTE ROUTE between Chamonix and Zermatt, then inside this library you could have created 5 courses one per days and also some crucial POIs …
I did it in 2013 and the 2 days we were obliged to ski down a glacier in totally foggy situation, I can promise you that the guides were using theyr own GPS intensively … because in such conditions you can pass nearby the refuge by just a dozen of meter and in fact you miss it

@pierre-yves-colle said in S9 Watch faces:

@rhustox said in S9 Watch faces:

nto 7 (Battery alarm

Super interresting reply !!!

What I hope … SUUNTO DEV team appreciate that we are discussing so much on their products … at least that means we like it a lot already … and just want even more from them …

SO …

The should enjoy working not for nothing but for happy people thanks to their product.

I will put few proposal of improvement on the Apps part …

For exemple : one idea on which I’m interrested to get feedback (of course it concerns more the people who take advantage of the GPS and navigation)

On the POIs and COURSEs … for me a big missing is the capacity to regroup them into some sort of libraries that you can build by yourself

For example : all the POIs and COURSE related to a specific mountain I would like to have this mountain as the first criteria (so the library)
for example : nearby Annecy, haute-savoie where I leave => a super wonderful mountain is “LA TOURNETTE”… and inside this library I will find

the summer course which is generally done on the side which see the lake

the winter ski course which is in fact on the opposite side because the other ones is nto so good for skiing (too many rocks, not a north face)

multiple interresting POIs, of course the summit but also some intermediates points which brings some interrest

Another example : when you do a race of 5 days, if you were having a library for that race … for example "LA HAUTE ROUTE between Chamonix and Zermatt, then inside this library you could have created 5 courses one per days and also some crucial POIs …
I did it in 2013 and the 2 days we were obliged to ski down a glacier in totally foggy situation, I can promise you that the guides were using theyr own GPS intensively … because in such conditions you can pass nearby the refuge by just a dozen of meter and in fact you miss it

That is such a great point on the wish list that will help improve everyone’s experience with the help of our Suuntos!

Imagine all these great ideas can be taken really serious by Suunto development team along with department managers and they decide to get those improvements in next coming updates.
First, we will be happy to have them on our wrist when needed.
Second, every idea that becomes real and to be used is the answer to the users that have been asking for improvements, so kind of the end product is in part thanks to many people who’s needs are to improve their experience and at the end of the day Suunto’s improvements will bring better and better as brand and product making.

Sounds good, right?

Mister PYC

@rhustox

Hello, this is exactly why I’m posting suggestion for improvments.

First of all, very sefl ecntric and egoistinc … if the SUUNTO DEV team was materializing my proposal then I will be hyper happy because it means I will have my dreamed features on an already super beautiful watch

Secondly, it is always rewarding to know that some other people might enjoyed your ideas and are also happy

Third … and no gentle … your watch is a little bit like your football team … you want it to be the champion one … better than the other

Last but now least … and naively hoping … if your ideas are retained and bring your trademark better … may be you could be rewarded … for example … one day your trademark tell you that you become part of their few users testing team and you get their last product to test … with at the end … to keep it for free
… <= a little joking / serious wish to SUUNTO

Dimitrios Kanellopoulos

@pierre-yves-colle the dev team is not the one deciding or designing

Aleksander H

@dimitrios-kanellopoulos said in S9 Watch faces:

@pierre-yves-colle the dev team is not the one deciding or designing

Outrageous! Although, if the design skills of my dev team are anything to go by, that might actually be a good thing . Let’s just say it sometimes looks like we’re trying to bring Windows 95 back into fashion.

Łukasz Szmigiel · S9PP 2.37.48

@aleksander-h you can’t be a master in everything and it seems that design and development are two totally different realms, apparently. Trying to explain certain technology limitations to a designer or particular design decisions to a developer… Been there, done that. Not the best activities to participate in during a day

Mister PYC

@dimitrios-kanellopoulos

I know I know … I’m an IT leader … It’s like when you play this super old DONKEY KONG game … we need to reach the BOSS

TheGuyFromTheSummit

@pierre-yves-colle
I was referring to the Suunto version of this watchface and the problems I am having with.
Your approach is awesome!

Good and healthy frist thing to know for everyone is if Development, Design and Direction Suunto teams are happy with these proposals, new ideas and user improvement needs.

If so, see how they can make it to get the best from us as users and because of that see if those ‘requirements’ are taken seriously, on hold, are viable right now and/or on coming updates or perhaps never…

As @Pierre-yves-Colle mentioned, all ideas that one brings for good and with real interest and hard work to make these products better may well be taken from Suunto like the brand little developer/embassor/whatever you want to call it name, in order to put in that improvement ‘thanks to…’ as part of users needs and demands. And having little benefits would be a great deal, like new products, models, etc. This is something I’m sure Suunto will count on as we all know in the Internet era with powerful social media we see lots of embassors and we all know this is good for every brand.

Out of the contract thing, may be something one can take as a part time hobbie putting that beta firmware and or even upcoming hardware as well to the toughest conditions to make the new improvements and products come to life. So would be great, wouldn’t it?

Then if so could come to life, of course I would love to take part of, but I got to confess first of all is having Suunto’s response to the first and second paragraphs here, otherwise we may be losing our time bringing ideas, having long conversations to end up on nothing. Sincerely it is the way I see it.

Suunto brand, fingers crossed this works for you!

edwinhenaoz

@pierre-yves-colle I love this idea!!! tks

Egika

@rhustox While of course not speaking for Suunto, I can tell you that this forum has been founded exactly to do, what you are commenting on: To gather user’s ideas and opinions.
In the beginning it was all about the new Suunto App and Dimi has spent days to gather the contributions, evaluate them and report them back to Suunto product management.
The voting function has been the tool to “like and support” an idea.
I am very sure that priorization of the development of app features has been largely influenced by these reports based on user input from this forum.

Now recently the forum has been opened to watch discussion (it obviously proved almost impossible to limit the discussion to the app, while the more important product are watches). So I guess, that watch feature suggestions are welcome and can be voted for as well and will find their way to the responsible product manager eventually.
Their task is it to get the big picture. Not listen to individuals that shout loudest.
Keep on producing and discussing your ideas. They will be heard for sure.

@egika said in S9 Watch faces:

@rhustox While of course not speaking for Suunto, I can tell you that this forum has been founded exactly to do, what you are commenting on: To gather user’s ideas and opinions.
In the beginning it was all about the new Suunto App and Dimi has spent days to gather the contributions, evaluate them and report them back to Suunto product management.
The voting function has been the tool to “like and support” an idea.
I am very sure that priorization of the development of app features has been largely influenced by these reports based on user input from this forum.

Now recently the forum has been opened to watch discussion (it obviously proved almost impossible to limit the discussion to the app, while the more important product are watches). So I guess, that watch feature suggestions are welcome and can be voted for as well and will find their way to the responsible product manager eventually.
Their task is it to get the big picture. Not listen to individuals that shout loudest.
Keep on producing and discussing your ideas. They will be heard for sure.

Oh, thanks for the info!
I did not know this and really sounds interesting!
Will take some time on new watch face ideas and see if a merge of different proposals can end up with new and powerful results!

isazi

@rhustox just remember that the forum is only one of the channels Suunto have to collect feedback and ideas. And it’s probably not the largest, as you may imagine there are more people with Suunto watches than users in this forum. Also the forum is English only, and this already exclude part of the population. You may get surveys on the Suunto app, they are very important for Suunto to collect feedback.

Mister PYC

@egika
I like your answer on the big picture and to not listen to individuals that are the loudest.
This is exactly the spirit a such place could bring.
We should put our ideas on the table, also explain and justify why so that people can catch their reason and criticize them
After it is SUUNTO to consider what they think is strategic and bring the biggest benefits to teh largest possible with the less effort … not so easy.
Also as said by @Rhustox all this make sens if we are not speaking just in the wind but there is someone on the other side of the line who will see all our points as an advantage to make even better.
As also he said … Suunto brand, fingers crossed this works for you!

Mister PYC

@isazi
Hello Isazi
I tried in the past through multiple angles … trying also to post my ideas on some facebook pages or sending them directly to Suunto support … but I was facing to be not heard …
here … it is a SUUNTO.COM page, so I guess that there are some people of SUUNTO Dev team who just observe and accumulate ideas
After …
for sure in IT all is possible but it is a matter of time / money / effort / priority / choice …
beign now a little nit old I’m still a kid with this watch so I continue to dream to Santa SUUNTO Klaus

Let’s just bring ideas and reason why, then there are I’m sure super expert at SUUNTO side to take these ideas and to do even better.

I work exactly this way at my side with my own IT team. … and guess what … I’m very often astonished to see that when I put an idea on the table which kept much simplier even if I was thinking more ambitious … it is the people of the team who counter propose something much better …

So what I put on the table, I’m sure SUUNTO team will do even better

Browsing a little I took few minutes reading a review on Suunto-Garmin comparison from 2018.

The post is quite interesting and for the matter I’m concerned of which is as this post name says, the watch faces designs on both brands difere as much as we can imagine. While Suunto is focusing on minimalist and fine designs, Garmin is doing quite de opposite making the most of its space kind of Casio’s classic style, I mean too much stuff in there.

Honestly, I think that a lot could be done regarding more useful info as proposed and knowing that between little and much is the good measure I’m sure there is a lot to gain, for both parts, people like me who are interested in having more at one sight and for visualy impaired as well.

Here is the image I take as an example of how good ideas could come to a good port.

freeheeler

@rhustox
the watch faces both go in line with the general design philosophy of the companies. Suunto is nordic nice and simple with few beautiful details and Garmin is completely overloaded somewhat military style