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Gear Report Suunto Vertical
The new GPS watch from Suunto is designed for adventurers, trail runners and mountaineers. In short: athletes who enjoy activities in the alpine landscape. It promises the "best battery life and accuracy on the market". As an outdoor enthusiast, I could hardly wait to test the watch during various activities.
Test scenarios
I am an avid cyclist and have used the watch for both road and mountain biking. The Suunto Vertical also accompanied me on hikes in the local mountains around Garmisch-Partenkirchen and when playing golf.
First impressions
The size of the watch compared to its predecessors is immediately noticeable upon unpacking. With a display of 1.4 inches (3.56 cm), it is considerably larger than its predecessors. It has a diameter of 49 mm and a silicon strap. It fits comfortably on the wrist and does not interfere with active movements. The three buttons for controlling the watch have an optimal pressure point, so there is no need to put on and take off gloves to operate the watch.
GPS function
First I had to download the app on my smartphone. One of the watch's biggest innovations is the ability to navigate with offline maps. This means that the maps are downloaded via Wi-Fi in advance. The advantage: You can rely on the navigation when you're out and about, even if you don't have your smartphone with you.
Suunto's library contains a wide range of world maps in three different qualities. Once the right map is downloaded, it can be easily navigated using the watch's touch screen. Thanks to the dual-band GNSS system, the watch navigates to significantly more satellites and is therefore even more accurate. There are virtually no limits to navigation, whether you are following contour lines, bodies of water or other important landmarks. With the help of the smartphone app, I found it easy to plan the routes, analyse the training and check the maps in detail.
From altitude to heart rate
An absolute must for me: the integrated altimeter and barometer. It allows you to call up information on your current location and to check weather trends.
As I am very precise in my training, I use the Smart Heart Rate Belt to measure my heart rate.
The watch also tracks daily activities such as steps, calories and sleep patterns. Based on training and recovery activities, I get feedback on my performance (VO2max) and recovery. The longer I use the watch, the more detailed and accurate the reports become.
Battery performance
The Suunto Vertical claims a battery life of up to 60 days in daily mode, and the solar panel should increase this by +30%. The impressive battery life convinced me in the test. Despite regular training, even over longer periods, I didn't need to recharge the watch after two weeks. This makes it a great choice for multi-day trips away from the grid.
Conclusion:
In short, after my test period, I was reluctant to give the watch back*. Its simple Scandinavian design made it a daily companion for me, which was possible 24 hours a day thanks to the incredible battery life. I found it very intuitive to use: I was able to navigate and analyse my training well, both on the watch and on the app on my smartphone. I really enjoyed planning my activities. I missed small lifestyle features like listening to music. But from a sporting point of view, this is a minor issue. The Suunto Vertical is a faithful companion with useful features for outdoor athletes who like to optimise themselves.
Author: Julia Rossmeissl, Sport Conrad Marketing
*Disclosure: We receive test products exclusively on loan from the manufacturers and return them after testing.
