Suunto M5 Features:

• Personal fitness test
• 3 personal targets to choose from – improving fitness, weight management or free training
• Daily exercise instructions with ideal duration and intensity
• Automatically adapting exercise program for the next 7 days
• Real-time intensity guidance during workout
• Recovery time recommendation after exercise
• Motivational feedback messages
• Suunto Dual Comfort Belt, compatible with most gym cardio equipment and Suunto Fitness Solution
• Upload exercise data to Movescount.com (with optional Suunto Movestick)
• Download any training program from Movescount.com (with optional Suunto Movestick)
• Track speed & distance (with optional Suunto Foot POD, Bike POD and GPS POD)
• Easy to use
• MSRP: $209

Suunto M5 Heart Rate Training Watch Review

“Exercise Day,” says the M5. Nearly every day, my watch reminds me that I need to get my butt out the door for some exercise. That’s just one of the great features of the new Suunto M5. Since many of us struggle to find time and sometimes energy to get out the door, that alone might just do the trick.

Once configured, the M5 can act as your personal trainer with custom workouts and schedules that adapt to your fitness goals and actual workouts — if you stick to it. As part of your personal configuration, you perform a fitness test, select your fitness level and enter your goals (fitness, weight loss or free). I’ve been testing it in fitness mode and found the workout suggestions good for improving fitness level and workout intensity. My biggest challenge is using the watch for every workout. If you are committed and wear the watch every workout, it guides your next steps and encourages you along the way.

One nice feature of the M5 is that you don’t have to wear the heart rate stap with every workout to stick with the workout plan. That’s nice because it’s not fun to have to wear that with every workout. Not that it’s uncomfortable, it’s just one more thing. With the heart rate band in place, the watch guides your workout with motivational sounds indicating you’re working too hard or not working hard enough. I found myself consistently exceeding the heart rate recommendations and the “slow down” sound became my indicator that I was topping out.

At the end of the workout (with HRM), the M5 gives you an overall summary of how successful your workout was and then shows you your performance along the way. Without the HRM band, you simply input the level of effort you expended and it keeps track of your progress.

Wearability of the M5 is great… the thing is light and comfortable. I’ve worn it extensively mountain biking, road biking, trail running and indoor training. The only negative related to its size is that it sticks out from your wrist a bit and tends to get smacked. The case shows signs of wear, but the face of the watch has only a few small scratches — very excellent, I’d say. I like the Swiss cheese band as it helps the watch breathe. I’ve pretty much worn this watch exclusively for the past 6 months and it remains very comfortable as a daily driver.

While the function of the watch is the easiest of any Suunto watch I’ve used (and I’ve used nearly every model), it has a few things that are a bit frustrating. First off, the menu structure lacks an exit selection. This initially threw me for a loop since I couldn’t figure out how to exit a path I started. Just now (literally), I realized that holding down the center button, takes you to the exit function. Now that I figured that one out, exiting out of stuff is so much easier. Don’t be dumb like me. Also, the time display can’t be changed permanently to show the date. If you click the middle button, it shows the date and seconds, but switches back to time only in a few minutes. Why can’t I keep the date displayed?

Clearly, the M5 was built with personal fitness in mind, so lets get into how that process works. As you’re getting ready to kick off your workout, you press the play button to begin, it then indicates the time and level of effort you should plan for. If you are connecting the HRM, plan for a maximum of 30 seconds (10-15 seconds was normal) to receive the signal and get rolling. It requires a minimum of 4 clicks to actually start tracking your workout. Every so often, I got to where I thought I was tracking, but I was one click away from that and had to click start after a few minutes on the trail.

I just need to be more patient, but I also think that clicks could be reduced or the workout could automatically begin if it detects your heart rate ramping up, then back-track the start time from when that ramp up began. Seems pretty easy and goof-proof if you ask me… add that one to the list of future improvements.

Good M5

• Workout guides and progress is helpful
• Stores workout summary and progress
• Locks onto the heart rate monitor very quickly
• Heart rate band is comfortable to wear
• Watch is lightweight and breathable
• Expandable with various POD’s
• Watch band adjusts to fit even the smallest wrists

Bad M5

• Gotta press a ton of buttons to initiate a workout
• Can’t keep the date and time displayed permanently
• Minimal functionality outside of training mode
• I’d love an auto-start workout function

Bottom Line: Suunto M5 Training Watch

The M5 is the easiest-to-use training watch that Suunto has ever produced. It guides your workouts and keeps you on track with your fitness goals. It still takes discipline to use it every workout and to follow its promptings, but it offers a solid training companion if you’re “all in.”

Buy Now: Visit Backcountry.com

This watch is pretty cool and definitely a huge step forward in usability for Suunto. While I’m a huge Suunto fan, most of the time you need a PhD to use their watches — not so with the M5. This thing is simple: easy set-up and easy use.  Now, with Movescount de Mayo, you can win a new Suunto M5 of your own and have your watch tell you if your workout was good or not so good.

If you want to get your hands on one of these, here’s what you’ve got to do:

1. Visit Movescount.com and sign up for a new account (or login if you already have one)
2. Find the FeedTheHabit group and become a member (go to: Community > Members > Groups)
3. Post a move (kind of like bust a move, so don’t just stand there)
4. One lucky winner who has completed the above will be chosen at random as the winner on May 25

Get Started: Visit Movescount.com and sign up

Tecnica

More known for their ski boots, Tecnica is attacking the trail running market with a handful of well-constructed and designed trail running shoes. Utilizing the TRS system (Tecnica Rolling System) for improved rolling stride and with a slew of other innovations (asymmetrical overlap, performance platform, bathtub construction and more), Tecnica really means business… err, trails.

The bright orange Inferno Max ($150) is built like a capable training shoe with the ability to smoke the trails on race-day if you choose to lace ‘em up on your next race. Not ultralight, but the wide platform and rocker design is built to make you more efficient and comfortable for miles. Weight looks like 12.2 oz each on these.

With a more traditional contact patch width and a burrito wrap upper, the Inferno Sprint ($160) packs a serious punch in a low-profile race-ready shoe. A look inside yields all the goodies you’d expect with the addition of a carbon plate for lightweight protection and quickness. These will tip the scales at 10.4 oz each, so not the lightest, but still light.

Suunto

The new Suunto M-Series consists of four watches that are aimed at making workouts drop-dead simple. The three-button design features a large screen and palatable price points for what you’re getting. Once set up, these watches will provide a simple workout plan that adjusts to meet your goals as your performance improves over time. Everything can be uploaded to MovesCount.com and all Suunto watches are now compatible with the most superior computing platform on the market, Apple Macintosh (and the crowd goes wild!!!!).

Easton Mountain Products

Hot on the heels of the success of their snowshoes, Easton is hitting the lightweight tent market with a sledgehammer. Known for their innovation in both aluminum and carbon fiber, Easton is bringing some serious innovation and ultralight goodness to their forthcoming tent line. The headliner is the Kilo 2-person tent ($399) that comes in at a freakishly light 2.2 lbs!

Much of the weight reduction is achieved by using ultralight carbon fiber poles and the elimination of shock-cord to keep the poles together. In lieu of shock-cord, Easton has developed what they call AirLock, which uses a carbon insert held together by mono filament line. Because the poles are now 59% lighter than aluminum ones with standard connections and shock-cord, Easton can continue to use durable fabric weights elsewhere and still come in as one of the lightest 2-person tents on the planet.

Salomon

Based on feedback from the accomplished Salomon race team, the new XR Crossmax ($130) is built to be a crossover shoe that goes from road to trail with ease. Word is they will not sacrifice anything on the trail, but will provide an improved feel on the blacktop. The focus on the XR Crossmax is on the grip, the fit and the ride, so all-new technologies are featured throughout.

Camelbak

The re-design of the market-leading Camelbak reservoir for 2011 has resulted a domino-effect throughout the entire line of hydration packs. To take advantage of the new Antidote Reservoir, each pack is streamlined and optimized for its use. Since there’s no time to give the run-down of the entire line, a few features of the new bladder is going to have to suffice.

The screw-tight fill port opening has now been refined with ease-of-opening in mind. Instead of threading it in for several rotations, it now only requires a 1/4 turn. The opening is the widest on the market and the overall thickness and weight has been reduced. To help reduce sloshing and maintain its shape, the internal bladder features a 6-inch baffle that also reduces overall profile by 24%. Add on top of this the integrated dryer arms and the new Antidote reservoir is the new black. Look for it throughout the entire 2011 Camelbak pack line.

Cascade Designs (MSR & Platypus)

With some great new products from both the MSR and Platypus brands, Cascade Designs continues to see good momentum for their quality outdoor gear. With several new tents in the line, the one I honed in on was the 2 lb 14 oz Fast Stash. This new tent is based on the cult favorite, but long-discontinued MSR Missing Link shelter. As a tarp shelter, the Fast Stash ($299) can be pitched using trekking poles or included poles and features a roomy 2-person single-wall design with a sizeable front porch.

Another simple solution that’s cool is the new Universal Canister Stand. This little number can add extreme stability to nearly any canister stove on the market.

From Platypus, we get the new Origin 3, 5 and 9 hydration packs. Built using years of feedback, the Origin line is built light and as a hydration pack first and foremost. These new packs are built using weatherproof exteriors with welded zippers, laminated fabrics and multiple hose ports for either top or hipbelt exit.

Teva

While the Illum sandals have remained hot, Teva is going to ride the current wakeskate craze in 2011 with the Gnarkosi ($100) wakeskate shoe. While this shoe can be used in tow behind the boat, they can also be rocked around town or anytime watery adventure is on the menu. With a grippy outsole and hydrophobic materials, the Gnarkosi will find a home on the feet of shredders everywhere.

Sherpa Adventure Gear

What a great story here! I met with Tashi Sherpa (President and Founder), who gave me the rundown on Sherpa Adventure Gear. I’d seen their products before and thought they were good quality, but I hadn’t heard the entire story behind the company and the products.

The 50,000 foot level is that Sherpa Adventure Gear manufacturers 80% of their products in Nepal with a local workforce to support the local economy. They also employ actual Sherpas as brand ambassadors who use and test the products in the Himalayas. In short, the great Sherpas of Nepal are directly-benefited by the success of Sherpa AG.With a flagship store in Katmandu, Sherpa AG promotes the use of their products to all climbers and locals alike — offering jobs and opportunities for Sherpas and their families.

Knowing that great story, it will hopefully help you understand the product quality and their ability to offer similar products as some of the larger names at lower prices.

My favorite new piece from Sherpa AG is the Resham Jacket ($199) for men and women. The name Resham means “soft or silky” and the interior of this 3-layer shell feels just that. While it’s completely unlined and relatively minimalistic, the Resham Jacket feels soft, yet still offers excellent weather protection with waterproofing and breathability to hang with the best of them. It tips the scales at a respectable 12.6 oz and should be available Spring 2011. The image shown is the Women’s version.

Patagonia Footwear

Lots of great things coming out of the footwear side of the house at Patagonia. One of my perennial favorites, the Maui Moc, gets some hemp and leather options, but the shoe I want to highlight is the new Specter trail runner ($130). It comes in just a tad more supportive than the Tsali, but with the same midsole and outsole. Weight is slightly higher than the Tsali, but not by much. It features a two-layer mesh upper, exo skeleton arms from the heel to the uppermost lace loop and full-length Dynamic Lace system.

Vasque

While Vasque is headlong in a hiking boot revival mode, their trail runners continue to grow. For this year, the Mindbender has done extremely well, so we can look forward to the Mindbender GTX in stores this Fall. What’s innovative with the GTX is the unique Gore-Tex bootie that reduces weight and improves comfort compared to other liners. It also features a floating tongue that floats under the integrated scree guard, which houses the waterproof membrane.

Thule

I guess I’ve been living in a hole because I didn’t even know that Thule had recently developed a complete travel bag lineup that is absolutely insane. Apparently, it’s even popular enough that Nordstrom is carrying it and selling through it quite well. I got a good look at the wheeled luggage, packs and bags with the Crossover TCRD-2 87 liter rolling duffel ($300) being the star of the show. This bag is built with ultralight materials that offer no compromises when it comes to durability. The telescoping handle is secure with minimal racking or wiggling when pulling. It also features a crush-proof “SafeZone” for goggles, cameras and such.

Now onto the bike side, there’s a new trunk-mounted tray rack (yeah, crazy eh?). The Thule Raceway Platform ($299) provides the convenience and near-universal fit of a trunk rack with the ease-of-use of a tray rack. It features a lifetime warranty and uses rubber-covered steel braided cables instead of straps for security and stability. Bikes sit into one of two trays and then a lever arm gently squeezes the top tube for secure attachment. Locks abound to secure your ride and the rack.

Both Suunto and Polar are always neck-and-neck when it comes to heart rate monitor technology. While Polar had a head start, Suunto jumped onboard with gusto and is giving them a run for their money. Most recently, Suunto has been focusing on their training systems and the Suunto t4c is a flexible option for the avid athlete in training. Last Fall, I reviewed the Polar FT60 and really liked it, but how does the Suunto t4c stack up?

About the Suunto t4c Training Watch

A lightweight training watch, the Suunto t4c is more like a coach on your wrist. It measures your heart rate and then calculates your performance based on your fitness level with suggested workout schedules and duration. Included with the watch is the Suunto Comfort Belt heart rate strap. Other optional pods can be added to make a complete system for your specific training needs.

Select Features of the Suunto t4c:

• Suunto Coach: automatic training program to improve fitness
• Interference-free digital ANT transmission and coding
• Training Effect in real-time
• Speed, distance, cycling cadence and PC interface with optional PODs
• Training logbook on device (stores 15 logs)
• Suunto Comfort Belt heart rate strap provides: heart rate, calories burned and zone training
• Standard watch features: dual time, alarm and stopwatch with splits and laps
• MSRP: $220 (watch and heart rate strap)
• Learn more

Suunto t4c Heart Rate Watch Review

I’ve been very impressed by the latest heart rate training watches on the market.  Many of them truly aid the training process while many of the heart rate monitors of yesteryear were nothing more than a monitoring device without much detailed information.

The t4c is set up specifically for your needs based on your age, weight and fitness level. An automated coach will guide your upcoming workout plan by showing the intensity level, duration and days to rest. The easily understood graphical workout display shows how well or how poorly (in my case, recently) you are sticking to the plan.

As with many of these devices, I found the coach feature to be a helpful and good way to kick myself in the butt, but not quite as good as having a real personal trainer who forced you to get out and ride or run harder or longer.  Because I wasn’t as diligent as you may be, the benefit of the t4c to me came in the post-workout analysis, not the coaching suggestions.  Just how many calories did I burn? How many miles did I run (I used the optional GPS pod)? What was my training effect? If you save your session at the end of the workout (can save up to 15), you can review your performance by day, week or month.

With my sporadic exercise routine, I wasn’t always wearing the device, nor was I always following its suggested duration or intensity, but I always enjoyed viewing my performance–especially calories burned so I knew I’d be OK downing that occasional In-n-Out Double Double.

The Comfort Belt heart rate strap is by far the best I’ve used. It picked up my heart beat fairly quickly and was comfortable to wear.  I particularly liked the attachment clip in the front instead of fishing with a hook on the side of the strap.

I did find some of the menu navigation to be confusing and unlike other Suunto watches I’ve used. The “back” button isn’t consistent and sometimes I still find myself just pressing random buttons when I get 2-3 levels deep in hopes that it will exit the current mode. It also took awhile for me to understand that when the display reads SPD or HRM in the middle, that means that the HRM or SPD sensors aren’t working.  I’d actually prefer it to just display 0.0 mph or 00 bpm instead of saying SPD or HRM.  This was evident when I wore the GPS unit on the opposite arm as my watch. It said SPD the entire time until I moved the GPS unit to the other arm and it then showed my actual speed.  I didn’t realize it wasn’t storing my speed/distance until the switch was made.

Over time, I figured out my preferred display settings for mid-workout monitoring.  With all the data, the 3-line display gives you plenty of viewing options.  I typically settled on Heart Rate, Distance and Elapsed Time, but you can change that to your liking with the press of a button or two.

Good t4c

• Very lightweight and comfortable
• Soft rubber strap flexes with wrist movements
• GPS signal strength is solid–even in tree cover
• Heart rate belt is comfortable to wear and easy to clip on/off
• Versatile pod system (HRM, GPS, Foot Pod, PC, etc.)
• Training Effect monitor tells you how your workout performed
• Full dot-matrix screen
• Workout performance summaries

Bad t4c

• Difficult at first to get into the right display modes
• Viewing angle is limited due to convex glass
• No audible indicator when HRM or GPS loses signal
• Have to wear GPS pod on same arm as watch or it loses signal
• Menu system is confusing because back function varies per screen

The Bottom Line: Suunto t4c Training Watch

Once configured, this watch has been a reliable training partner–providing me with excellent performance summaries and mid-workout guidance. The flexibility of adding several POD’s only add to it’s out-of-the-box versatility of long-wearing comfort and accurate workout monitoring.

Buy Now: Search for Suunto t4c

My first stop was the Suunto booth where I received an update on the new styles and product enhancements for 2009. For Suunto, the majority of the releases were in the form of new colors and designs with a few internal or software-related product updates. As the most trusted name in altimeter and training watches, I was impressed with the new X10 GPS watch and the T4c training watch.

Suunto X10 GPS Watch

Six years ago, I was one of the first people to get my hands on the new X9 GPS watch. It had its kinks, but that’s to be expected for a brand new product of this complexity. Fast-forward to the present… Suunto has introduced several enhancements to the watch, completely updated the firmware, changed the name and dropped the price. Now the Suunto X10 GPS watch is one of the most robust and full-featured all-in-one GPS watches on the market.  And, it’s still a wearable watch for daily use (yeah it’s big, but you’ll get used to it). It also comes with PC-compatible software (PC only… bummer for me) to view your activity in Google Maps and manage up to 500 waypoints. MSRP is $599.

More Info: Search for the Suunto X10 GPS Watch

Suunto T4c Training Watch

I flogged the Polar FT60 last fall and loved how well it tracked my workout progress and kept me on track with my fitness goals. The direct competitor to the FT60 is the Suunto T4c with it’s equally-adept training functionality, but with Suunto’s twist. Built with a coaching program built-in that can determine your proper workout intensity and frequency to meet your fitness level and goals. Combine that with a Comfort Belt heart rate strap and a myriad of external speed pods (GPS, footpod, bike skewer sensor, etc.), the Suunto T4c aims to guide you through a quality workout every time. PC software can help you further manage your workouts, but is not Mac compatible. MSRP with the heart rate strap is $220. Read my Suunto T4c watch review…

More Info: Search for the Suunto T4c

I then stepped up to the Suunto Vector (a.k.a. the Hockey Puck). The Vector was by far the most advanced altimeter watch of the day, but it came with a price–it’s HUGE size. This thing is behemoth, but it’s still one of Suunto’s top selling watches because despite it’s size, it’s super light and comfortable to wear. And, it works great!

Since the Vector, I’ve thoroughly tested and owned several of the latest altimeter watches from Polar, Timex, Origo, HighGear and Suunto. They all work essentially the same way; translating barometric pressure changes into altitude changes. Yes, an inexact science, but it’s the best there is (aside from cumbersome GPS watch technology, but we won’t go there). Lets dig into the technology behind altimeter watches and why you would want one in the backcountry.

I caught up with Ryan Hamsho, International Sales Manager for HighGear to get some specific information on how altimeters work and why you should have one. I’ve include some of his thoughts below.

How Altimeter Watches Work

Lets first get into how altimeter watches work. The simple explanation is that the higher you go, the less atmosphere is above you, the lower the air pressure is, so the higher the altitude. Altimeter watches use the atmospheric pressure as the method to modify the altitude up or down. Most current altimeter watch models track altitude changes in 3 ft. (1 meter) increments.

Because altimeter watches rely on the actual pressure reading for altitude measurement, most altimeter watches display both the adjusted-for-sea-level pressure reading and absolute air pressure–so as not to confuse you too much when you compare readings to what you see on TV or in the paper, which is adjusted for sea level.

Ryan Hamsho of HighGear, shared the following on how altimeter watches work:

An altimeter does not actually measure altitude directly, but rather just atmospheric pressure. So an altimeter is actually a barometer created for a specific purpose. The altimeter uses the changes in atmospheric pressure to determine the changes in altitude. Why does pressure change with altitude? Simply put, the pressure at any given point in the atmosphere around the earth is a result of the weight of the atmosphere above it (pulled down by gravity). For this reason, the higher in the atmosphere you are, the less atmosphere you have above, and the less pressure exerted on you.

He went on to say that the best way to calibrate an altimeter watch is to adjust your reference altitude on a regular basis–daily if you want it as accurate as possible. The best way to know your exact altitude anywhere in the world is by using Google Earth. Google Earth provides the most accurate altitude readings by searching and clicking in your exact location. See below for the exact altitude of the base of Main St. in Park City, UT (7040 ft.).

Keep in mind that altimeter watches are not scientific instruments. They are merely gauges to give you the best estimate on the current altitude. If kept properly calibrated during a day that has fairly stable weather, they should prove to be very accurate overall. In varying weather conditions, you will see some variation. Again, it’s essential to know the reference altitude to get back on track.

As a side note, I once had a customer purchase a Timex altimeter watch from the now defunct FeedTheHabit.com Online Store. He was a real estate agent from Florida and he wanted to measure exact variances in altitude to know which properties were more desirable. Remember… he was in Florida where every foot counts. I wish I would have known that before he made the purchase. Needless to say, he returned the watch because it wasn’t consistently accurate without daily user calibration. And, that’s not the intended purpose of an altimeter watch.

Why Should You Have an Altimeter Watch?

Today’s outdoor enthusiast wants to know all the details of their adventures. Handheld GPS units and altimeter watches are now commonplace in the backcountry and with good reason. They can be helpful tools when navigating mountain peaks or cross-country travel because most of them also feature a digital compass and thermometer–all handy features to help you analyze your surroundings and keep track of where you are as well as the current and upcoming weather.

Lets go back to Ryan from HighGear to answer this question from his perspective:

We are an information and curiosity-driven society. Therefore, there are several reasons one might want a wrist or hand-held altimeter (besides the obvious: that they need a time piece) and each reason is based upon a specific application (such as Hiking, Climbing, Mountain Biking and Skiing). Examples of these applications can have varying levels of seriousness. For the hiker, it may be for reasons such as monitoring the altitude for curiosity sake to carefully monitoring the barometric pressure for reasons that may be tied to seeking shelter before the next front begins to move in. In this case, the altimeter could be used as a weather station in addition to its many other functions (time, alarm, chronograph etc.).

For the climber, the altitude is relevant to determine the amount of vertical ascent or descent surmounted in minutes and hours leading to the determination of whether or not they will make an ascent/descent before the sun goes down. Further to that, there is the ability to track total ascent/descent in a 24 hour period of time.

The applications are similar for the skier and mountain biker, but the numbers accumulate in a much quicker fashion. It may be as well that a skier or biker is interested in their vertical speed. The altimeter in cooperation with the chronograph will provide this feedback. All feedback can then be logged and reviewed for future reference.

So, depending upon the type of outdoor activity, the usefulness of the altimeter watch can vary from simple curiosity during an afternoon hike, to a matter of life and death for an alpinist trying to summit a high-altitude peak within a certain time window.

Why I Use an Altimeter Watch

I like using my altimeter watch to track my backcountry skiing and mountain biking travels. It’s interesting to track your vertical ascent/descent on a mountain bike ride, or your overall vertical ascent/descent during a 3-hour backcountry ski trip. And, most models allow you to track your total ascent/descent over a period of time–say, the ski season. A few years back, during the FeedTheHabit.com Dueling Vert Contest our own Kendall Card skied 40,000 vertical feet in a single day. All tracked with his handy-dandy Suunto altimeter watch.

For me, it’s more about knowing how fast and how much–not so much a matter of life and death.

What to Look For in an Altimeter Watch

I’ve used many altimeter watches in my day and have found Suunto watches to be the best in the business as far as durability, functionality and looks. HighGear is a relative newcomer to the industry (started in 1999) and has made huge inroads in the altimeter watch market with plenty to offer at great pricepoints. All HighGear models all feature a Swiss pressure sensor to ensure the most accurate barometric pressure calibration.

If you’re in the market for a new altimeter watch, there are many models to choose from. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before buying one.

My Altimeter Watch Tips:

• Head to your local REI to try them on–they are typically much larger than you think (this goes for women especially).
• Even though some may seem quite large, they all wear pretty well (e.g. you won’t notice their size so much over time).
• Get one with a mineral glass face to avoid scratching.
• I prefer those with rubber straps for use in all outdoor activities. I like to run, bike, hike and ski with my altimeter watch, so I don’t need a bulky metal band to get in my way.
• Unless you are really into analysis, don’t spend extra money on one that allows you to download data to your computer. None of them work on a Mac (my biggest gripe) and you likely won’t use it as much as you think.
• Suunto and HighGear are the market-leaders and are the safest bets as far as quality, durability and functionality. The Suunto Core and HighGear Altis Ti are the latest models.
• If you’re looking for one that also features heart rate functionality, the Polar AXN is a great option.

The latest models from Suunto and HighGear are pictured above. The Suunto Core ($249 – $599) and the HighGear Altis TI ($300) are great options for anyone looking for a nice looking, everyday watch that is also a highly-functional wrist-top computer/altimeter.

BUY NOW: Find the Latest Suunto and HighGear Altimeter Watches at Backcountry.com

To be honest, we discontinued selling Timex Bodylink GPS watches because their craftsmanship and reliability was suspect. We had too many people complain about GPS problems and broken watches. Plus, with the Timex Bodylink, you have to wear 4 devices! It’s just not what people are interested in doing. So, may I suggest the following alternative GPS watches?

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch

Garmin is the market-leader in GPS technology and their Forerunner GPS watch line is awesome. Plus, you don’t have to wear 4 units like you do with the Timex Bodylink system. Just the watch and the heart rate strap (if desired). The top-of-the-line Garmin Forerunner 305 is my bet for the best option in a GPS training watch.

BUY NOW: Buy the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch

Suunto X9i Adventure GPS Watch

Suunto is also a great option when it comes to reliable and functional GPS watches. Their products are absolutely bombproof and I’m a firm believer in their watch technology. In fact, I’m wearing one right now. The Suunto X9i is an awesome option if you’ve got the coin to manage the pricetag. But, nowhere else will you get all the features of the X9i in one package.

BUY NOW: Buy the Suunto X9i GPS Watch

Suunto X3hr Details

The new Suunto X3hr watch offers an entry-level outdoor training watch for those interested in tracking their heart rate and altitude as it relates to training. This new watch is small and lightweight compared to many other watches in this category. Built as a training watch for endurance sports such as hiking, mountain biking and running, the X3hr is also great for backcountry skiing.

With the ability to store up to 10 workout sessions, the X3hr gives you an overview of each workout with duration, laps, heart rate (max, min and average), total ascent/descent and max/min altitude.

The X3 was built for light weight and wearability. The watch band is built with thin, comfortable rubber and the watch itself is lightweight, yet durable. As one of the only Suunto models to be built outside of Finland, the X3hr offers a lot of features for a small price.

Suunto X3hr Performance

Being very familiar with all things Suunto, the X3hr is built with ease of use in mind. The large buttons are easy to push with or without gloves and the menus are straightforward. If you are familiar with recent Suunto models like the t6 or X6, the menu system on the X3hr isn’t too much different. The major difference is that there are only four buttons instead of five–it’s missing the execute button and instead uses short and long presses of the “set” button to execute options.

Wearability of the watch is great. The rubber strap is thin and lightweight–a welcomed feature in the world of overbuilt, rugged outdoor watches. As with all Suunto watches, the battery is easily replaced by the user in both the watch and heart rate belt. This is a great feature as many heart rate belts don’t allow you to change the battery.

The three line display of the Suunto X3hr allows you to view just the right data during each of the three modes: time, training and memory. Time mode shows the time and date, then you can select whether or not you want to display the day of week, heart rate or temperature and barometric pressure. Training mode shows the heart rate in the middle and the elapsed time on top. From there, you can view the current lap (up to 10), altitude and heart rate min/max (in numbers or on a scale). And, in the memory mode, you can view the data on the last 10 workouts or laps. This data includes min/max heart rate, average heart rate, duration, altitude ascent/descent and min/max altitude.

As far as measurements go, the X3hr provides a great set of measurement tools to analyze your outdoor workouts. With or without the heart rate strap, the watch still provides great workout or trip data on duration and altitude. For the money, the X3hr does offer a lot of features, but not everything about the X3hr is rosy–there are some issues I’ve noticed with the watch. Every complaint I have with the X3hr has to do with the heart rate monitor’s reception. The only time I could get a consistent reading is if I was running outdoors and nobody else had a heart rate monitor. When my wife and I went out for a run, she had the Suunto and I was wearing a Polar AXN300. We had to stay well apart, otherwise she would always pick up the signal from the Polar unit I was wearing.

I also had some trouble keeping the heart rate connected while working out at the gym. Apparently, the watch’s receiver has trouble around electronics because I had to hold the watch just right on the stationary bike, or else it dropped the signal. Another weird issue is that on occasion, the watch will think it’s receiving a heart rate signal while I’m driving my car. I guess my car is trying to send the watch its current heart rate or something. Hmmm… maybe my car is trying to tell me something?

Random heart rate monitoring issues aside, the X3hr does offer a lot of great features at a very low price point. I particularly liked the overall wearability of the watch and don’t even notice it’s on my wrist. Try that with most altimeter watches these days.

The Bottom Line on the Suunto X3hr Watch

This budget-minded outdoor watch from Suunto has a great feature-set for the price. I was impressed with the wearability of the watch and many of the features. The automatic 10 session/lap memory is very useful for later analysis. I did have some reception issues with the heart rate sensor, but I think I’ve got them figured out. I’d recommend this watch to anyone looking for a great entry-level altimeter watch with heart rate monitor.

BUY NOW: Search for Suunto Watches on GEAR.com

Enter the new Suunto X6HR wristop computer. This watch has more features than any other sports watch ever conceived. With all the standard features found on all Suunto watches like altimeter, barometer and thermometer, this watch adds so much more. The best part about the watch is that it’s much more compact than the Vector and its siblings and the face is mineral glass to protect it from scratches.

An entirely new interface was conceived to allow X6HR users the ability to scroll through and use functions with the ease of a typical cell phone. All the menus are mapped and show you exactly where you are within each sub-menu. It’s obvious that there’s some serious technology packed into this thing.

With the X6HR, you get all the typical logbook functionality found on other Suuntos (but more feature-packed), combined with a heart rate monitor newly developed by Suunto.

Suunto X6HR Review

The X6HR is noticeably less bulky than the Vector, but I quickly realized that the rubber strap would take some time getting used to. I had the Velcro strap on my Vector, which I much prefer to rubber watch bands. That’s a personal preference and has nothing to do with the performance of the watch.

At first, deciphering the layout and functions is daunting (typical of Suunto wristop computers), but much less difficult to understand than the Vector ever was. Scrolling through functions, saving settings and starting/ending logbooks is an absolute breeze. And with the ability to scroll through the data on the watch and on your PC with included software, you’ll know the in’s and out’s of how your workout went.

The heart rate monitor works great — even without conductive slime. I just wet the strap and place on my chest… boom… it starts working perfectly. Setting your heart rate limits and monitoring your heart rate during a workout is an absolute breeze. I even noticed that my monitoring band was compatible with Polar-equipped machines at the gym, though the watch couldn’t accurately track my heart rate on the treadmill.

The new logbook features are substantially more involved than before, yet much easier to use. There are basically four different ways to maintain a log: HR/Altitude Chronograph, Altitude Chronograph, HR/Hiking Log and Hiking Log. Depending on the type of activity, duration and whether you want to track your heart rate or not, you can choose to start a simple chronograph or use the hiking log feature — each one stores different information.

The HR Chronograph Log feature is great for sessions shorter than a day. To begin a session, simply start the chronograph and everything is then recorded in 2, 10 or 60 second increments. Your altitude, rate of ascent/descent, total ascent/descent and heart rate are all stored for future use on the watch or can be downloaded to your PC. If you do not want to use the heart rate monitor, simply start the chronograph and all information will be stored without the heart rate.

The Chronograph Log feature stores detailed altitude information to view your altitude profile on your PC, but the Hiking log feature (intended for multi-day logs) does not store a detailed altitude profile for later retrieval.

The Hiking Log feature is meant for long excursions and tracking your heart rate over a long period of time. Only total ascent and descent is stored along with all the other heart rate and time data. During a Hiking log, you can set up to 10 “waypoints” to get a rough profile of your altitude. If you were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from White Pass to Mt. Adams, you might choose specific “waypoints” where you might want to mark a high or low point along the way.

Basically, the Chronograph Log feature is perfect for most day-to-day activities including trail running, skiing, day hikes and mountain biking. If you’re on a multi-day adventure or a mountaineering trip, the Hiking Log is the ticket.

The included Suunto Activity Manager software is a great way to track your individual workout progress and activity. It hooks up to a serial port (no USB cable) and downloads the data to your computer quickly and easily. It’s pretty sweet keeping track of different types of workouts and comparing each day’s performance.

The Bottom Line on the Suunto X6HR

Man, oh man… this watch sure has a lot of features — some of which I haven’t used just yet. I didn’t even mention the inclinometer, improved digital compass with self-calibration, barometer, thermometer, dual time and more. Yeesh… this watch is packed with super-cool features for the tech geek in all of us.

Overall, the user interface is much improved over previous Suunto watches. The design is more compact and functional than ever before. I absolutely love having one watch that can do everything from tracking my heart rate to telling me the current temperature. As a pure tech geek, this watch leaves nothing wanting.

Granted the price is a bit steep (retail is $449, but can be found for $399 below), but you’re getting a quality timepiece that will be the best workout tracking companion you’ll ever own. The Suunto X6HR is a definite improvement on previous models and has every imaginable feature any cross sports athlete could ever want.

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SUUNTO Wristtop Computers

Suunto continues to be the premier brand when it comes to technically-advanced watches. We’ve used the Vector, Advizor, X6hr and the S6 over the years–each one has been stellar. Now, Suunto is really pushing the limits with their new integrated GPS units and training systems. Now with many sport-specific watches, er… um… wristop comptuers (as Suunto calls them), Suunto is guaranteed to have the perfect watch for your sports interests.

Suunto X9 GPS
This watch features an integrated GPS unit–all contained in a relatively small package. Granted, this is no smallfry in the watch size category, but considering what this thing does, it’s very small! The GPS unit is accurate within 3 ft. and offers a 12 channel receiver. The X9 also includes standard Suunto features such as altimeter, barometer, thermometer, log books, digital 3D compass (Suunto’s most accurate to date), calendar and more. Because the X9 is so power-intensive, it comes with a Li-ion rechargable battery and docking station so you can make sure it’s powered up.

New with the X9 is the Suunto Trek Manager software to give you a deeper understanding of where you’ve been and where you’d like to go. Overlay your routes on maps or look at training profiles–it’s all possible with the Trek Manager software. MSRP is $799.

Links: Buy Suunto Watch

Suunto t6 Performance Monitor
Take the guts of the awesome Suunto X6HR, add in more training features and advanced analysis systems to make your head spin–all in the same, small X6-sized package and you’ve got the all-new Suunto t6 Performance Monitor. This watch just may prove to be the mother of all cross sports watches.

With many watches out there that can measure and analyze performance using an EKG accurate heart rate monitor, the t6 takes that one step further by introducing new technology to measure your fitness level. The t6 measures the time between your heartbeats, then, through an amazing amount of calculations, gives you the skinny on your fitness level. This watch will be truly revolutionary and give you more insight into your current health level than previously possible.

Of course the Suunto t6 is packed with industry-leading features like an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, digital compass and heart rate features too. MSRP is $499.

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ENDLESS PURSUIT

Introduced in the Fall of 2003, the Endless Pursuit GPS analysis and training software system was heralded at Interbike 2003 by VeloNews as “Best of Show.” This analysis technology allows you to use any PC-enabled Garmin or Magellan GPS unit to upload and analyze your workouts. Combine that with the data you get from your PC-enabled Polar or Timex heart rate monitor watch and you have the ultimate training tool.

If you don’t have a GPS unit, Endless Pursuit sells a complete “Personal Performance Package” with everything you need to get started. This package includes a Garmin Geko 201 GPS unit, lifetime access to Endless Pursuit (150 trek storage), GPS bike mount and armband–all for $299. Or, if you’ve already got a Garmin or Magellan GPS unit with PC interface, simply purchase a Performance Pass for $149–giving you lifetime access to Endless Pursuit analysis tools.

Check out the full details on all the metrics and charts available with Endless Pursuit.

More Info: EndlessPursuit.com