Considerig Carrying Suunto or Garmin Watches - Feedback

O

OPA Extreme

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Location
Toronto
Hello,

As you know, I carry traser watches only right now and was thinking I should expand into at least one more option of watches, and these Suunto and Garmin watches seem to be pretty Cool for CGN demographics..
Looking for feedback on these being what you would wear or you're aware of it being a popular thing for CGN'rs ?
And also feedback on any experience and reviews you've come across re: their quality / features / value for the $$, as they're not cheap, that's for sure..

http://www.suunto.com/en-CA/sports-watch-collections/Suunto-Traverse-Collection/

http://www.suunto.com/en-CA/sports-watch-collections/Suunto-Traverse-Collection/#traversealpha

http://www.suunto.com/en-CA/sports-watch-collections/Suunto-Spartan-Collection/

https://buy.garmin.com/en-CA/CA/p/552982

https://buy.garmin.com/en-CA/CA/p/538374
 
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I have a Core and a Traverse Alpha, quality items and rugged too. Essential equipment when in the bush, neither have ever let me down to date. The battery life of the Traverse is excellent.

Candocad.
 
I have a core, I like the watch, I find battery life to be of serious concern though. I do is compass functions often but sometimes a battery will only last me a week, I usually carry a spare battery when I wear it.
 
I have a core (all black) I bought it when it first came out and it's been great. I had the glass on it crack and when I sent Suunto an email with a picture I got a call from the head of the warranty dept because it apparently it's never happened before. They sent me a new watch no questions asked and they saw my strap was beat up so they sent me a new strap along with an updated version along with a rebate for any other suunto product I would buy.
I wear my core everyday and it's never missed a beat however the compass needs to be "recalibrated" every now and then. Some people have issues with battery life but if you take it out of automatic mode and don't leave the compass on its fine I change mine out every year just to make sure it's all ways good.
I am considering a new watch but only because on the off chance I need to dress up for something my blacked out digital watch tends to stand out but my daily watch will all ways be the core.
 
some good info so far. thanks guys...
I have read battery life can be short, but as one said above, don't leave things on.. just like our cell phones, if leave lots of apps on, battery dies sooner..
good to know and to keep in mind.. buy extra batteries and keep /bring with on trips...
hmm. do any of them have any built in re-chargeable batteries ? that would be cool, like the rechargeable flashlights with mini usb port...
I posted early as I've only reached out to them today by email... waiting for reply hopefully by tomorrow.. some brands don't allow products to sell on only online stores... we'll see..

Looking forward to more feedback.
 
We each have an Ambit3 Peak. Very happy with them and the capabilities are awesome. Battery power has been very good. It's the only watch I can wear now that doesn't cause my skin to react to sweat, water, etc. I'd highly recommend these Finnish made watches.
 
I had a Suunto Core all black, the average battery life is 8 months if you don't over use the compass, it's a ABC watch but most features on it are not accurate, the black paint on the aluminum bezel around the glass is going off easy and a lots of people had a broken strap after 1 year of use, (not my case after 3 years). They are the best looking tactical watch on the market for now (175$ USD on ebay). Beware , once you change the battery once on a watch, you may not have the proper sealing you had before, have to be careful when changing the batteries on these babies (and you have to change it often).

I am currently running a Garmin Fenix 5 Sapphire (950$ CAD) I did a lot of research before buying it and ended up getting this one because this watch have just everything you can ever dream, bluetooth, wifi, gps, ABC, HRM, training tools etc etc.
I also bought a Casio PRW3000-1A (170$ USD) In case of Zombie Apocalyse, this watch is Solar charging and the hour is setting auto with Atomic timekeeping. It's also a ABC watch, without the hassle to change the ####ing battery, and you will also not have to worry about the sealing. (I was looking for a Rangeman but ended with a ProTrek)

EDIT : I will probably not buy Suunto watches again, the Core watch would have been better with Solar and Atomic, it's a 2010 ABC Watch, we are in 2017 would be nice to see another updated Core 2.0, but I don't think it will happen anytime soon.
 
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Biggest advantage of the Garmin is battery life. With msgs activity tracking ànd Bluetooth full time only GPS off watch can last weeks where others need charging every day or so
 
kaos013 said:
Biggest advantage of the Garmin is battery life. With msgs activity tracking ànd Bluetooth full time only GPS off watch can last weeks where others need charging every day or so
Click to expand...

Yes, this watch have the best battery life in the smar####ch universe. I'm in love with Garmin Connect activity tracking data, paired the Index scale and Fenix 5 to the Garmin Connect iPhone app, I've never enjoyed a technology that much before.
 
Traverse came out too soon had some bugs. Garmin all around is a better brand. Have had a Cpl of each and will always buy Garmin. Battery Life, design, software etc. Its not a 'don't leave things on issue' it's power use issue. With everything on and real world tests the garmin wins every single time on fit, finish and function. Will not be buying suunto again. Like poster said above Fenix 5 kills them all at the moment suunto is playing catch up. They tried to beat garmin out of gate and the traverse was released prematurely and some features were not accurate when compared to high end hand held. The garmins were almost dead on to the handheld. They will always be playing catch up with garmin in my opinion.
 
good to know.. I did look into garmin at shot show last time i was there, but didn't pursue it at the time. sounds like it's the better choice and I don't want to carry lesser desired or likely to move item...
I'll look into the garmin again and see if can be dealer for that...
 
OPA Extreme said:
good to know.. I did look into garmin at shot show last time i was there, but didn't pursue it at the time. sounds like it's the better choice and I don't want to carry lesser desired or likely to move item...
I'll look into the garmin again and see if can be dealer for that...
Click to expand...

Yeah the new fenix seems to be the hot one now so the 3s will probably down in price. There are 3 size options for the 5 and sapphire crystal. Price point is up there but the 3s are still great and their fitness models. They run a line of cams too that are trying to catch up with gopro
 
hfx123 said:
Traverse came out too soon had some bugs. Garmin all around is a better brand. Have had a Cpl of each and will always buy Garmin. Battery Life, design, software etc. Its not a 'don't leave things on issue' it's power use issue. With everything on and real world tests the garmin wins every single time on fit, finish and function. Will not be buying suunto again. Like poster said above Fenix 5 kills them all at the moment suunto is playing catch up. They tried to beat garmin out of gate and the traverse was released prematurely and some features were not accurate when compared to high end hand held. The garmins were almost dead on to the handheld. They will always be playing catch up with garmin in my opinion.
Click to expand...

+1
I paid the extra money for a Garmin Fenix 5 to get + 70% more technology compared to a Suunto Spartan at 680$. Suunto should adjust their pricetag a lot lower IMO.
I don't think any company will come close to Garmin, I would be surprised.
 
I'm looking into the Garmin's now instead of the Suunto.. Thx for feedback.. can't do both, and Garmin seems to have better reputation here for features/price
 
In talks to carry the Garmin, as they have cool watch and car models I can promote... Anyone wanting a new model, pre-order, contact me.
I'm still getting prices together, but will offer 10% - 20% off msrp, on pre-orders, depending on model.
 
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