Suunto and Garmin are options to give a versatile sports experience. This article provides an in-depth review of both brands to help find local creativity and exclusive fitness capabilities for you.
Several major competitors already exist in the smartwatch industry. Among the available sports watch, Suunto and Garmin are exclusive options delivering a versatile experience in outdoor adventures. This post will focus on both brands' similarities and differences to help make an informed purchase decision.
Both Suunto and Garmin are famous manufacturers for their quality build and esteem in producing top-performing sports watch. But which one is right for you? Let’s have a look at both.
Suunto Sport Watch
For a while now, Suunto has been delivering everything outdoor adventurers needed to conquer new territories, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains. Suunto developed a couple of sports watch with versatile designs to help you stay active and reach your fitness goals.
Even the cheapest options deliver new performance levels regarding navigation capabilities, heart rate monitoring, and sleep analysis. These features are all geared towards providing necessary insights into various outdoor fitness activities and improving the quality of life.
The Best Suunto Models
Suunto watches come in vast brand options to meet various consumers at their point of need. Have a look at the available brands, as highlighted in the table below.
- Suunto 9 – Amazing battery life
- Suunto 7 – Offers offline maps
- Suunto 5 – Touchscreen display
- Suunto Traverse Alpha – Built in altimeter
- Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR – Large display
Suunto Sport Watches Key Features and Specifications
Suunto watches come with a vast number of sporty tools to help adventurers into the wild. Here are the major features and specifications of these sports watches.
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Altimeter
These tools help skiers, wilderness travelers, and mountain climbers to determine their current elevation. It can also track the ascent and descent while gauging the overall progress while doing various activities.
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Barometer
This is a useful tool for keeping an eye on any sudden alterations of weather. The watch uses the air pressure to forecast any changes to take the necessary precautions during their journey in the wilderness.
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Heart rate monitor
The tools work hand in hand with the altimeter to determine how the heart reacts in specific altitudes. With this significant function, it becomes easy to decide on the ideal hiking pace.
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3D Compass
The watch comes with a conventional electronic compass that can provide accurate reading regardless of how you tilt your wrist.
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Integrated GPS
The GPS integrated into the Suunto sports watch, especially in the Suunto Ambit brand, is based on the SiRFstarIV technology. This means the level of sensitivity high and provides steady readings.
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Biking Power
Watches such as Suunto Ambit 2 and Ambit 2 S come with the biking power tool to measure the biker's output. The feature is excellent for determining or estimating efficiency while biking. Also, you can know when to save energy for long distances.
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Support swimming
Suunto Ambit and Suunto Ambit 2 are specific brands that can provide swimming data such as pace, distance, rate, efficiency, and distance. The watches can analyze your swimming styles and could recognize when you change your styles.
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Computer connectivity
While you are on your outdoor adventures, you can connect your watch with an online community such as Movescount.com. You can share your outdoor experience. The Suunto Ambit sports watch allows you to upload your moves directly to other devices using a cable or do it manually.
Other specifications include:
- Storm alarm
- Recovery time
- Sleep recovery test
- Peak training effect
- Running performance level
- Multisport
- Automatic altimeter/barometer switch
From the features and specifications above, Suunto makes excellent improvements to what is expected in a smartwatch.
The Best Garmin Sports Watch
Garmin is a famous smartwatch company that offers excellent wearable for both smartwatch enthusiasts and fitness fans. The Garmin watches come in multiple variants to cater to all sorts of activities ranging from running to hiking. Most of the devices are sport-oriented hence delivering accuracy, durability, and precision. If you are looking for the best Garmin option, we will provide a list of top watches in the section below.
Garmin watches various specifications depending on the brand. Whether you are a professional or beginner in the fitness industry, you will definitely find the right watch for you. Take a look at these top choices.
- Garmin Vivoactive 4 – The best overall
- Garmin Forerunner 945 – The best option for runners
- Garmin Vivoactive 3 – Offers the best value
- Garmin Fenix 6 pro – Offers the best tools for adventurers
- Garmin Vivomore – Absolutely the best hybrid watch
- Garmin forerunner 45 – Excellent choice for beginners
Suunto vs. Garmin: Tracking and Display
Both Suunto and Garmin watches always deliver real-time data. The information includes heart rate, distance time, and pace, and you will get a summary of these activity data by touching a button. GPS tracking is appealing on both sides.
On the other hand, Garmin’s Fenix 5X tends to offer digital customization. Users can easily make changes to the data screen. Suunto watches require users to create custom changes through the Movecount app.
Winner: Garmin
Suunto vs. Garmin: Mapping and Navigation
Both brands come with superb navigation capabilities. While Garmin’s Fenix series offer color maps, the screen size is relatively small. Suunto watches are known for the barometer and altimeter tools, which work extensively on off-trail running. Suunto watches also allow GPS downloads.
Winner: Suunto
Suunto vs. Garmin: Heart Rate Monitoring
Both Suunto and Garmin have high-end brands that offer excellent heart rate monitoring capabilities. For instance, the Suunto’s Ambit 3 peak allows users to customize the heart rate belt to their personal choice. On the other hand, the Garmin Fenix 5 tracks overall wellness alongside heart rate monitoring, a feature that users might find useful.
Winner: Garmin
Suunto vs. Garmin: Apps and Data Management
You will likely notice the difference in apps and data management if you change brands. Both Suunto and Garmin watches can analyze and synchronize data, upload photos, describe various workouts, and allow notifications when connected to smartphones.
Previously, Suunto used Movecount to share data, but it moved to the Suunto app, including new ways of dealing with data. Garmin, on the other hand, uses Connect to create workouts, build various courses, and participate in challenges and competitions with peers.
Winner: Draw
Conclusion
While Suunto and Garmin offer high-end features to particular users, only a few models tend to provide limited functions. Nevertheless, your choice of sports watch comes down to your preferred features. Also, you should consider watches that match the kind of workout or outdoor activities you participate in.
The information shared above will help a fitness enthusiast to make an informed decision if you are confused by the endless list of sports watches in the market.
