TONYKART125

How many of you have experience with these?

I am looking for a HR monitor and this seems to be a good option.

It's nice because it can double as an everyday watch as well.

Suggestions for other kinds also welcome!

rollin

I have 3 Suuntos for diving, one for trekking. Nothing with HR.

They are bullet proof and accurate.

redtires

Sunnto just had a very positive review in Cycle Sport or ProBike...one of those two, can't remember which one though. They look like a very well built and aesthetically pleasing HRM.

jmt1

I just got a T3...works great as a HR, gives "training effect"...zones either predetermined, or set by the user. They have a road bike pod which gives speed/mileage, but no cadence. You can also get a GPS pod, but in a running review, was not as accurate as the foot pod or bike pod.

I do use it on a daily basis as well, but I have the black faced T3 which is hard to read with polarized sun glasses.

Good luck on your decision, I don't have much time on it yet, about a month, and haven't used all functions yet.

late

Don't get the T4.. I have one, and they crippled it to keep the top of the line desirable.

laifer_69

Hello,

The significant-other (bless her heart) bought me a suunto T4 in October 2007. She also got the foot pod and bike pod. Both work really well but the HR transmitter broke where the rubber strap clasps onto it. I did a search online and found some people who had experienced similar situations.

I had to send the transmitter back to Suunto in Finland as they don't have a service centre here in Malaysia. I've still not received anything from them so this matter, to me at least, is still pending.

In the meantime i'm back to my trusty Polar 720. No foot pod with it though. Now thinking about getting a Forerunner instead.

Until I get a replacement from Suunto I must rate their product an 'avoid'.


Laifer

markhr

t6 with HRM, foot pod, gps pod (speed, distance and not route, unfortunately) and bike pod - accurate (HRM bit is supplied by Polar isn't it?), reliable and I can change the batteries myself (unlike polar)

https://www.suunto.com/suunto/Worlds/...=1203148880116

M4guru

I try to avoid Suunto products if possible. Great features, poor durability. I have access to free Suuntos at work, and have been through 5 Vectors (they are the worst), 1 X-Lander (a metal-cased Vector), and 1 X9 (GPS). They all failed due to the fact that they let moisture in. I don't dive with them, but if I can't wear a watch surfing or in the shower it's not durable enough to warrant the price.

markhr

no problems with mine - have you thought of using silicone grease/petroleum jelly on the battery port o-rings, making doubly sure the o-0rings are in good condition and the port is fully closed?

M4guru

Yes, I have tried to seal them up on the battery cover as well as fill the holes where it is screwed together with silicone. It never helps, they always manage to get moisture on the inside. I just swap them out for a new one when it happens, but I would not spend my own money on one. Most of my co-workers have had the same issue at some point.

I wear either a Tag, Oris, or Marathon dive watch now and found that I really don't miss the Suuntos anyway.

markhr

fair enough -thanks for the answer

M4guru

In the interest of full disclosure I subject my watches to an abnormal amount of abuse due to my daily activities. More casual use would probably let them live quite a bit longer. The issue with my X9 may have been due to the fact that it was an early prototype before it's public release, and the 6 others were the same type (Vector variant of some sort) so that may be a flaw only in that one model.

At the same time, I feel a $300 to $600 Suunto should handle abuse at least as well as a $20 Timex Ironman.

waterrockets 

Yeah, now you're edging in on used PowerTap SL pricing...

markhr

Not even close - I believe I paid GBP250 for the watch+hrm and GBP50 for the other bits over a year ago. From a quick gooogle search the powertap is listed at GBP600 for the most basic set.

TONYKART125

What do you guys think about this? https://www.timex.com:80/gp/product/B...imexBrand=core

waterrockets 

GBP300 ~ $600USD. I bought my used PowerTap for $680 shipped in November. That's the wheel, two harnesses, HR strap, head unit, and the USB cradle. I could ebay the 2nd harness for $40 pretty easily, but I like being able to easily loan it out to friends.

NYJayhawk

I had an Avocet ski watch with an altimiter that worked great for 15 years. Last week, however, I stepped on it with my ski boots on...suprisingly it didn't survive.

Now I've got the Sunto Vector ($159 at Campmor) as a replacement. Kinda worried now that I've read M4guru's reviews. Still, tested it today in the car over my normal route (can't wait for winter to end) and it tracked the altitude changes accurately.

markhr

well done on the powertap

If you check the interweb I think you'll find that Suunto T6 is ~250 and powertap is ~600 in either GBP or USD.

Patriot

I want the Observer Titanium.

It's not for cycling though. It's just a really cool watch.

EivlEvo

Had an S6... loved it. Now have a T6. Love it. 100% no complaints.

Also... for what its worth. Im a pilot and the altimeter is very accurate.

The PC features are nice if you learn to use them properly. Plus... you get some bling factor for being able to hook ur watch to ur computer.

I used it to analyze the altitude changes vs. heart rate on one of my acro flights. NEAT. O.

Ramjm_2000

I have a Metron and an Xlander. When I decided I wanted one w/HR, I purposely went looking for a NOS Metron vs. the current HR watch. I like the Polar compatibility vs. the propriety system they switched to. I've had both over 3 years, zero problems.

mrbubbles

The Observer is a great watch, I sold mine because I never wear it (I don't use wear anything on my wrist ever).