Choosing Suunto?
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Hi forum
Long time Garmin user but the story of Suunto (sustainably etc) is too nice to ignore. The older I get the more I think “I” can make a difference. Maybe small, but it’s a start, anyway …
Looking for my first Suunto. Drawn towards the Vertical as it’s the flagship but is that the way it works with Suunto? I like battery life, no need for smart functions or metrics, analysis and so on. Maps are nice but my eyes start to go and I find myself just using my phone in the outdoors. Maps on a watch are becoming too small anyway.
So, I am saying it wrong that the Vertical is a better watch than a 9PP? There is quite a price difference and if that’s maps alone that’s a big difference for something I don’t use.
I focus mainly on trail/ultra running, hiking.
Thanks for insights in the brand. -
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You will need it
Welcome to Suunto community.
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@Steven-Vanlancker I came from Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar and then Coros Vertix 2 to Suunto.
Suunto is definitely less bells and whistles than those 2 brands but most here appreciate a more simple UI.
I’ve also had a 9PP and now a Vertical with lots of rides/runs/canoes/backpacking, and the 9PP is easier and more comfortable to wear as it’s a lot smaller, but for me the larger screen on the Vertical was worth the switch (I’m 57 so appreciate the bigger font) . I think the screen hardware is better too.
If you have any questions let me know!
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@mikekoski490 thanks!
The SPP9 is selling now at 349, might be the sign there is something new coming. Small wrist so the smaller could be a better fit. Do you find the screen of the 9 dull? -
@Steven-Vanlancker
if you have the chance to get your hands on both watches it would be the best option for you to decide.
even if you think you would not need maps because you might have difficulties reading them, I can say that I was hesitant with maps on a small screen, but they are very well made.
in general the Vertical has the better screen to read in my personal opinion. running in rain in the dark with a headlamp, the S9PP is readable much better than the S9B and S9P, but the Vertical’s screen is again an improvement in my case.
I have also switched from a 7 fields screen to 5 fields to increase numbers (and because I’ve learned that some data is unnecessary during the activity).the S9PP is nice and a great watch, but there are also reasons to look at the Vertical.
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@Steven-Vanlancker If possible, try on your wrist both 9pp and Vertical. When I did it, the SV felt more comfortable on my wrist despite my not so big wrists. Moreover, if you’re after a lighter weight watch, regardless of which model you choose, the titanium version could be better, though it’s more expensive. From my perspective, the SV is better just because it’s dual band and has maps. Therefore, more future proof.
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@Steven-Vanlancker
Regarding maps, the Suunto maps on the Vertical are actually very useable during an activity. It responds fast to zooming, panning and changing direction. It’s fast enough to use during activities like trail running without the need to stop. I recently tried maps on the Apex 2 Pro, and the difference is like night and day. Zooming and panning are considerably slower for me, to the point that I actually have to stop running to do anything useful with it.That does not mean it’s perfect though, I would like to zoom out a little bit more than the maximum of 500m and to be able to get an overview of the whole course during navigation. Personally, I haven’t experienced any crashes or black tiles since the last firmware update.
But I sometimes ask myself if those reviewers are actually using these watches they test, because, geez…
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@pschenn thanks for that.
About the reviewers: I stopped watching them. What can they do besides putting GPX tracks over each other and than based on that determine if a watch is ok or not, nah ….
Same for HR accuracy. Do they have medical calibrated devices to compare? Anyway …
Basically they produce “opinions” not objective reviews. Key is to find a product that is best for someone, not the best product overal, or worse, compared to others.Seems like you all steer towards the SV. I think I just try that. It’s just Courtney, if she is using the SPP, there must be something there!
LOL -
@Steven-Vanlancker
maybe she does because it’s cumulating over a distance of 160km
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@Steven-Vanlancker said in Choosing Suunto?:
Seems like you all steer towards the SV. I think I just try that. It’s just Courtney, if she is using the SPP, there must be something there!
LOLWhile she wore the 9PP at UTMB, if you scout her Instagram, you’ll see that she rotates quite a bit between the 9PP and SV, so both definietly have some value to her!
I’ve worn both, and I like the accuracy, size and styling of the SV better, but that’s not to say I had any real hangup about the 9PP. Was very happy with either of them!
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@Steven-Vanlancker said in Choosing Suunto?:
The older I get the more I think “I” can make a difference. Maybe small, but it’s a start, anyway …
Looking for my first Suunto. Drawn towards the Vertical as it’s the flagship but is that the way it works with Suunto? I like battery life, no need for smart functions or metrics, analysis and so on. Maps are nice but my eyes start to go and I find myself just using my phone in the outdoors. Maps on a watch are becoming too small anyway.
So, I am saying it wrong that the Vertical is a better watch than a 9PP? There is quite a price difference and if that’s maps alone that’s a big difference for something I don’t use.
I focus mainly on trail/ultra running, hiking.
Thanks for insights in the brand.your thoughts and doubts were also mine and that is why I chose the S9PP (the extra money in the wallet is not bad either). having said that, whatever your choice, you are lucky because it is impossible to go wrong.
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@gi0vanni Ti body? Wonder how resistance is it …
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@Steven-Vanlancker nope, steel
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@Steven-Vanlancker Agree with Freehealers points. The display on the Vertical is just that much better due to larger screen. That said, the design of the S9PP case is more unique and in my opinion the nicest looking gps watch design made by any manufacturer to date. Some users on here prefer it for its size and even though a smaller case gets AMAZING battery life too.
I don’t think Suunto is launching a new watch soon.
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@gi0vanni okay. If 200 was the difference I could jump but 799 versus 349 is a big gap …
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@mikekoski490 I see your point.
If I look at my use its pretty minimalistic. I usually have time and maybe distance on a screen and hardly look at it while running. When hiking however, that’s another thing. And if the maps are good well yeah… -
@Steven-Vanlancker Ya that’s a hard choice for the difference in $.
S9PP still has routes and breadcrumb mapping so still can be used for navigation.
In the end its really a tool. Suunto has a comparison chart on their site which is super useful, so would recommend looking to see if there is a feature missing on S9PP vs Vertical? If not and S9PP checks all the boxes you are good to go.
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@mikekoski490 Thanks! I did the comparison. Seems most is the same, maps and battery life stands out. Now see if that’s worth 450. The SPP9 is indeed a beauty
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@Steven-Vanlancker Design is an award winner, and tough as nails.
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@Steven-Vanlancker
I also mainly use my watch for trail/ultra running and mountain walking and I have a S9PP. I’ve used it for some very long ultras (up to 100hrs) and it’s been excellent for that. Navigation easily good enough to get me through 16hr winter nights without going off track. No problems with screen visibility and I always have it on the lowest brightness and no backlight. However some specific screen layouts (such as the hill rep “app”) would be better on a bigger screen.If your main needs are battery life and all of the core data, I wouldn’t discount the S9 Baro. Unless you’re doing ultras longer than 50-60hrs - roughly the longest activity you can save on the S9B - it does almost everything the S9PP does. Battery life is 32-35hrs with wrist HR off. I know it’s unlikely to get any new features but if it already does everything you need that maybe doesn’t matter. Not sure of the price in your country but £179 in the UK is very good value.
I’ve been using my S9B again - because I’m waiting for Suunto to repair/replace my broken S9PP - and I don’t miss the S9PP for general running.