The race for the perfect GPS watch is heating up, and Suunto is aiming for the highest with its new Suunto Race GPS watch.
Recognized for its adventure-driven designs, the model is now making a daring push into the working world. However after years of carving out a distinct segment for path and out of doors fans, can Suunto convey one thing contemporary and thrilling to the desk for on a regular basis runners?
The Suunto Race is filled with options designed for athletes who need to dive into the main points—suppose superior metrics, restoration insights, and even race preparation instruments.
For seasoned runners who love having a wealth of information at their fingertips (and who prioritize map and navigation options), this watch could possibly be good for you.
I’ve been testing this watch on street runs, on the observe, and even on the treadmill, and I’m right here to share my takeaways. So let’s dive into what makes this watch stand out—and the place it’d fall quick for sure runners.
Who’s it good for?
- Novice Runners: This can be a LOT of a watch, each weight-wise and on the options aspect
- Present Garmin Customers: Keep on with what you understand. This watch and the Suunto app don’t supply sufficient differentiators so that you can leap ship.
- Path Runners: You will have discovered your subsequent watch! A number of GPS modes, map importing capabilities, plus altimeter and barometric capabilities.
- Each day Utilization: Has a number of strong coaching options however doesn’t function cell pay choices
- Worth for Value: The value has dropped to $399, which is aggressive for a mid-range watch.
This one could should be subsequent on our listing of finest path working watches.
Suunto Race Watch Evaluation
What first struck me when unboxing the Suunto Race was the huge show display (1.43”). It undoubtedly seems to be the closest to a wise watch than something I’ve examined. The brilliant AMOLED show and contact display performance function a terrific reminder how far working watches have come prior to now few years!
However yeesh, this watch is HEAVY, tipping the dimensions at 83g.
Comparatively, my Coros Apex 2 Professional weighs in at 66g and my older Garmin Forerunner 945 sits at 50g. Level being,it’s considerably heavier than nearly all of its rivals and also you undoubtedly really feel that distinction.
*Excellent news: there’s a Suunto Race S which goes to be the smaller model and weigh solely 60g.
The burden of the watch is additional amplified by the match of the silicone wristband. Whereas the secondary clasp does assist maintain the watch face in place, I discovered myself having to tighten the strap fairly a bit to stop any motion. Certain, I don’t need the watch bouncing round whereas working, however I additionally want the match to be snug—and sadly, it’s not.
As a brand new Suunto consumer, I discovered the watch and corresponding app a bit tough to arrange.
The menus and group of the watch’s options usually are not tremendous intuitive, so it did take me some time to really feel assured utilizing primary capabilities.
This watch brings a boatload of information to the desk and boasts complete coaching options I’ll get into shortly. However let’s take a fast take a look at a few of my takeaways from my time testing this watch.
Fast Take Professional’s and Con’s
Professionals
- Amoled Display and enormous show (1.43 in.)
- Information galore: Steps, HRV, 24/7 HR, Resting HR
- Prolonged battery life
- A number of modes of GPS
- LOVE the flashlight
- Greater than 90 totally different exercise modes
Cons
- This watch is HEAVY 83g – in comparison with my Coros Apex Professional 2 that weighs 66g
- Strap match
- App is clunky and gradual updating knowledge
- Buttons on the watch are sporadically unresponsive or lag
GPS added .02~.04 mile for every mile I ran - Configuration and menu circulation on the watch isn’t intuitive
Fast Take:
100% we’re on board with the Suunto Race S for being lighter and cheaper! That being mentioned it does drop the battery life lots, so there’s your commerce off!
Verify them each out right here >>
Sensible Watch
The watch packs in a number of helpful smartwatch options, together with name, textual content, and e-mail notifications, climate alerts, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t assist media storage, so in case you’re trying to hearken to music or podcasts throughout your runs, you’ll nonetheless must convey your telephone.
The excellent news? You possibly can management your media immediately from the watch. Equally, the watch doesn’t assist contactless funds.
For these of us who continuously misplace our telephones (responsible as charged), there’s additionally a “Discover My Cellphone” perform. And as foolish because it sounds, I’ve to confess—I like the flashlight function.
That mentioned, syncing the watch with the Suunto app isn’t all the time seamless. Throughout testing, I usually needed to open the app and maintain it near the watch, and even then, knowledge like climate updates and up to date exercises generally took some time to point out up. However this watch brings a number of knowledge to the desk, together with HRV (Coronary heart Price Variability), steps, coronary heart price, resting coronary heart price, sleep evaluation, and extra.
At first, the three-button format may really feel a bit tough, however when you get the dangle of it, customizing your watch and arranging your favourite widgets is a breeze. The crown scroll button enables you to simply navigate by options, or you should use the touchscreen, relying on desire.
Whereas the Suunto Race gives extra smartwatch capabilities than some other working watch I’ve examined, it does miss a couple of key options that many runners worth, like contactless funds, multi-bluetooth pairing, and media storage—which you’ll usually discover on competing fashions.
Battery Life
- As much as 16 days in smartwatch mode
- 40 hours in all programs coaching mode (a number of GPS frequencies)
- 65 hours in all programs coaching mode (single GPS frequency)
- AMOLED shows often drain battery fairly shortly, however the Suunto Race has sufficient energy to remain dependable as a day by day wearable, which is a big plus! The watch takes between 1-2 hours to cost utterly and begins notifying you of low energy as soon as the battery degree reaches roughly 30%.
GPS and Navigation
Navigation is the place the watch actually shines. You possibly can add maps and race routes, and select between a number of totally different modes of navigation.
- Route Navigation (Breadcrumb Trails): Comply with a preloaded route with a easy path show.
- Again to Begin: Navigate again to your start line with a reverse breadcrumb path.
- Compass: Know which route you’re going through to keep up a way of orientation.
- Waypoint Navigation: Navigate towards particular factors of curiosity you’ve set as waypoints.
- Maps: Use detailed maps for navigating extra advanced or distant routes.
It’s necessary to name out that multi-band GPS mode, route navigation, and mapping options will drain the battery extra shortly than commonplace working options. I didn’t have the prospect to check the watch on the paths however the suggestions I’ve learn highlights the navigation as this watch’s finest function!
In relation to the GPS perform, I used to be stunned to search out the Suunto Race measured my run distance as about 0.02 to 0.03 miles longer per mile in comparison with the Coros Apex Professional 2, which I wore alongside it. I additionally swapped out the Coros for my Garmin Forerunner 945 and bought just about the identical consequence.
After digging into it, I discovered that different runners on the market seen the identical discrepancy. A bit ironic that the navigation is spot-on however the GPS isn’t fairly as correct.
Coronary heart Price Monitoring
Wrist-based coronary heart price displays usually get a foul rap for accuracy. The center price knowledge from this watch was persistently on par with the Coros I used for comparability throughout testing. If you happen to’re severe about dialing in your coronary heart price knowledge, Suunto additionally gives a coronary heart price belt for extra exact readings.
Personally, I’m nonetheless getting the dangle of low coronary heart price coaching, however Coach Amanda swears by utilizing an correct coronary heart price monitor as a key coaching element.
For some tips about methods to get extra correct coronary heart price readings and take advantage of your GPS watch, make sure you try her GPS watch suggestions!
Exercises
We’ve already coated how a lot this watch can do, however I need to spotlight three options which might be particularly nice for runners.
First up is Suunto’s FusedSpeed know-how.
This distinctive function combines GPS knowledge with an accelerometer (which tracks your motion) to present you extra correct readings of issues like tempo and distance. It’s particularly useful in areas the place GPS alone can wrestle, like in cities with tall buildings or dense, wooded trails. Runners love their knowledge, however let’s be actual—it solely issues if it’s correct, proper?
The second standout function is the Ghost Runner mode.
You set a distance and time purpose in your exercise, and when you begin, the watch updates you in actual time on whether or not you’re forward, behind, or proper on tempo together with your “ghost runner.” It’s a enjoyable, contemporary take that may assist lighten the temper throughout harder coaching periods.
This watch has a TON of superior coaching knowledge for us to nerd out on, factoring in your quick and long-term coaching masses, restoration, and the depth of your exercises. If you happen to’re a fan of deep-diving in knowledge, the Suunto Race is a superb possibility for you!
Remaining Ideas
If you happen to’re after a watch that permits you to geek out on knowledge and gives a couple of strong smartwatch options, the Suunto Race is a superb decide. However in case you’re actually explicit about match and GPS accuracy, this may not be the one for you.
You may take into account the Garmin Forerunner 965 or Coros Apex 2 Professional.
Effectively there you’ve got it! I hope this evaluation helps you discover your subsequent working watch!
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