Suunto Vertical 2 Review: A Return to Great Heights

Introduction to the Suunto Vertical 2

TAYLOR: Speak about making a 180-degree flip and placing the pedal to the steel! That’s what Suunto did with its newest try and re-establish itself as a top-tier efficiency watch model. I had a sense it was onto one thing larger and brighter when reviewing the Suunto Race 2, and now I wish to see if it may well solidify that sentiment. In that case, Suunto has gone from largely discredited in my thoughts to 100% viable.

I can’t assist however reiterate the story of how badly I wished a Suunto watch again within the day. It was considered as THE path working watch firm, however that shortly waned as a consequence of different gamers available in the market merely outperforming the unique mountain-centric GPS watches. In current historical past, evaluating knowledge between manufacturers reveals nearly at all times obtrusive discrepancies between Suunto and different main manufacturers.

Not anymore, although. As I discussed, the Suunto Race 2 modified my notion, whereas the Vertical 2 reaffirmed my findings.

The Suunto Vertical 2 is the model’s all-mountain ultra-ready watch. Whereas it does have some adventure-specific parts, it shares many similarities with the beforehand reviewed Race 2, which successfully means it is a strong watch already.

I acquired the stainless-steel model ($599) with the pine inexperienced silicone band for assessment.

GPS Accuracy

TAYLOR: As talked about within the Race 2 assessment, the validity of Suunto’s GPS and built-in algorithms was essentially the most vital cause why many athletes both jumped ship or ignored Suunto watches beforehand.

That’s not an excuse. The Suunto Vertical 2 makes use of the 5 main satellite tv for pc techniques, that are the identical techniques utilized by each main participant within the GPS watch business. Because of this at any time, Vertical 2 can make the most of essentially the most accessible and correct GPS accessible.

What units the Vertical 2 aside from the Race 2 is its multi-band/twin frequency functionality, that means it may well draw from a number of satellite tv for pc techniques concurrently. The advantage of that is mainly pinpoint accuracy and extra constant knowledge. This was particularly helpful for steep terrain, inclement situations, and actions equivalent to climbing, mountaineering, snowboarding, and steep path working.

I in contrast my Suunto Vertical 2 with a number of different GPS units, and it was at all times very shut, if not spot on, comparatively, and that was principally within the single-band high-accuracy mode.

I’ve zero considerations with the accuracy of the Suunto Vertical 2. Actually, it’s the alternative. I really feel very assured within the GPS monitoring and knowledge it collected, regardless of the terrain I used to be on or the exercise I used to be doing.

Battery Life

TAYLOR: Right here’s a wild one. Suunto boasts a best-in-class battery life for a multi-band/twin frequency watch. They declare as much as 55 hours of use on this highest accuracy setting! One more reason that is bonkers is due to the big AMOLED display that eats up battery greater than the MIP display discovered on watches just like the Coros Vertix 2s.

Within the extra normal GPS setting (all-systems single-band), will probably be in a position to go practically 65 hours. The battery, primarily based on my every day use and actions, appeared to reside as much as this declare. Comparatively, on this specific setting, this falls in the course of the battery life spectrum. The Coros Vertix 2 boasts 140 hours, whereas the Garmin Fenix 8 will get wherever between 30 and 48 hours (relying on the scale).

Swap it into the low-frequency mode, and you’ll stand up to 250 hours of GPS use. Regardless that that is the least correct setting, it may well get you pretty shut knowledge monitoring for every week and a half on finish. In case you’re embarking on an journey like that, effectively, good luck!

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Construct High quality

TAYLOR: I ain’t gonna lie… it is a hefty watch. In case you’re not used to a heavier piece of substances, it is likely to be a shock, however I acquired used to the three.07oz (87g) watch. That could possibly be as a result of I usually put on the Coros Vertix 2s, which could be very a lot in the identical class, simply not fairly as heavy. Know that off the bat.

On the identical time, it wore actually dang effectively for the load. Suunto up to date the Vertical 2’s bottom to lie higher on the wrist. The purpose was two-fold: 1) consolation and a pair of) to get a greater coronary heart price studying. Each have been achieved. Regardless that it’s nearly the identical radius because the Race 2, it one way or the other suits extra securely on my wrist

Whereas I personally desire a nylon band with velcro, Suunto’s normal silicone band was undoubtedly snug. The a number of holes alongside the band allowed for incremental changes (the principle cause I desire the velcro strap).

As anticipated, the big stainless-steel bezel and sapphire glass (the second hardest glass recognized to man) have been extraordinarily protecting. These parts are among the many major causes I usually desire an “journey” grade watch. It’s such a stout construct. There’s actually no cause to fret about bumps, drops, or scratches. The one indicators of wear and tear have been slight scratches on the bezel’s paint.

The titanium model boasts a barely lighter and extra sturdy construct.

Whereas the Suunto Vertical 2 is supposed for these searching for elevation, it may well additionally deal with dives all the way down to 100 meters.

Show and Utilization

TAYLOR: The obvious distinction with the Suunto Vertical 2 is the daring and delightful 1.5-inch AMOLED display. Truthfully, I by no means knew I wished it till I had it. It’s the cleanest show (together with the Race 2) that I’ve skilled on a watch. There’s nice colour distinction, extra tidbits of data, and animations that merely are usually not doable with the extra conventional MIPS show.

My major difficulty with the AMOLED show is that it turned off shortly, and there was a noticeable lag earlier than the display lit up once I lifted my wrist. It’s a straightforward factor to alter by turning on the “At all times on show” choice. The draw back to that could be a shorter battery life. Which, for those who’re not going for days on finish, might be okay.

A modern and easy design enabled simple navigation between screens. It’s a contact display that may also be toggled through a sequence of three buttons on the aspect. I’ve develop into accustomed to the dial on the Coros sequence of watches and the Suunto Race 2, however I managed to outlive with out it. Truthfully, the buttons have been marginally simpler to press when carrying gloves. Due to this fact, there’s a useful profit to this design.

Suunto has extra modes of motion on its watches than every other model. There are greater than 115 actions to select from, which is borderline absurd. So, there’s possible a mode for something you get your self into.

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Maps, Music, and Extra

TAYLOR: In case you’re into maps, the Suunto Vertical 2 will greater than moist your whistle. Because of the brand new processor, consideration to element in mapping, and AMOLED display, the maps are usually not solely helpful but in addition downright lovely.

It’s price noting how a lot element will be packed onto a 1.5-inch display because of the AMOLED expertise. It’s an enhancement that, as soon as skilled, could trigger you to by no means return to a different sort of display. There’s true depth and colour to the visuals.

Every area requires a map obtain from the Suunto app. There are numerous map layers (gentle, darkish, excessive distinction, and winter) in addition to other ways to work together with them throughout your exercise. I appreciated the customization primarily based on what sort of exercise I used to be doing. You’ll be able to select map layers, zoom, orientation, and so forth, to higher discover your environment. The one factor that I feel it lacked was the power to see road names, path names, and so forth.

After all, there’s a capability to create routes on the Suunto app and ship them to your look ahead to detailed steerage. That is particularly nice in new areas or races that require a selected path to observe. The reliable GPS monitoring additionally made it simpler to belief the instructions I used to be being given.

So far as music goes, there’s a capability to regulate music on a secondary machine, however not retailer music or use an app on the watch itself. In case you are inclined to convey your telephone or different Bluetooth machine with music, it may be managed by your Vertical 2.

The identical goes for funds and telephone calls. There’s no capacity to do both of these straight from the watch itself; nevertheless, you’ll be able to reply or decline a telephone name in your watch and use your telephone to finish the remaining.

One function that’s particularly useful in a pinch is an built-in LED flashlight. No, it’s not simply brightening the display. The watch really contains a built-in flashlight. It’s vibrant, however solely emits just a few lumens of sunshine. Once more, this gained’t be an alternative choice to exterior lighting, however it may be useful if you drop one thing beneath your automobile seat or by chance spend a bit an excessive amount of time on the path and want some help getting again to the automobile.

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Coaching Knowledge

TAYLOR: Suunto captures a lot of the “typical” coaching knowledge people are searching for in a wrist companion. The up to date coronary heart price monitor and GPS monitoring drastically enhance the reliability of the info recorded.

Metrics like coronary heart price, HRV, sleep monitoring, steps, and weekly/month-to-month knowledge are all neatly displayed on the dashboard. They synthesize this info into numerous classes, incorporating coaching suggestions from the Suunto Coach. Whereas this knowledge is seen as “typical,” Suunto’s app does an important job at making it digestible and clear for viewing. And let me inform ya, knowledge isn’t helpful until you have a look at it.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE Suunto Vertical 2

TAYLOR: The one cause I’m not blown off my rocker by the Suunto Vertical 2 is that I knew what to anticipate from the updates made on their Race 2. In comparison with previous fashions, they’ve utterly revitalized their model legitimacy with great-performing watches, a stellar app, and a clear design.

The Suunto Vertical 2 ought to actually be in your radar for those who’re searching for a watch that boasts a phenomenal display, a sturdy construct, excessive ranges of GPS/coronary heart price knowledge, and an extended battery life in addition. There might be some who need the premium extras, equivalent to a music app or tap-to-pay choices, however this watch is designed for the mountains, not city environments.

In case you don’t completely want 65-plus hours of battery life, dual-frequency accuracy, and an built-in LED flashlight, chances are you’ll wish to take into account the Suunto Race 2, which gives very comparable efficiency and options. Nevertheless, if all that sounds peachy, I don’t assume you’ll be dissatisfied along with your selection within the Suunto Vertical 2.

You’ll be able to choose up the Suunto Vertical 2 in 4 totally different colours (stainless-steel trim, $599) and two totally different colours (titanium trim, $699) through the use of the store hyperlink under.

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