watch

[ErichFromm]

just picked up the new suunto traverse with gps from paddy pallin. previously had a casio pathfinder. Got me wondering what other people had for hikes, and if they even used the various functions like barometer , compass etc. Sounds like many people just use their phones?

[whitefang]

I have a Casio protrek prg-550. This is the watch I use all day everyday. I don't really use the abc functions too often. But they are handy when I do. My favorite feature is probably the fact that it has the solar panel to keep it charged. This was a major deciding factor over the suunto watches.

[wayno]

i have a highgear, yes i use the altimeter to gauge my progress and help with working out my location on a paper map, and i watch the barometer for the weather changes, it has alarms that an be set for regular alarms to remind you to eat drink or rest as you prefer. a mate used an altimeter in zero vis to locate a hut once, he worked his way round a mountainside at the altitude of the hut because the top of the ridge the weather was too severe to stay high on the ridge. it records my total altitude gain on trips as well as part of the stop watch function.

[MrWalker]

I recently bought a Suunto Ambit 2 from Mountain Designs, but I think it is superseded by the Ambit 3 that has extra features I really didn't need and is more expensive.

I use it mainly for tracking time and distance and sometimes altitude, with the lap function handy for checking distance along subsections of the main route. If I enter waypoints or tracks before I start then I can navigate to them and the maps it produces afterwards are great.
It lasts nearly 20 hours with 1 second GPS updates, but with less frequent GPS checks it can last a lot longer. At 92g it is a bit bulky for everyday use.

[GPSGuided]

Apple Watch convert and using a bit of MotionX-GPS' functions as well its Activity/Workout apps. Now just waiting for MotionX to update their app so that UTM can be displayed. Lat-Long is not as useful for bushwalking needs.


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[ErichFromm]

yes, the solar feature of the protrek is hard to ignore. ambit4 is due to come out next year. apparently it will look like the traverse (gps within bezel rather than that knob thing).

[beean]

I was rocking the Casio Protrek for a while, due to the solar feature and big easy to read screen and huge buttons, along with a plethora of other useful features (sunrise/sunset times especially)

I upgraded (downgraded?) to a Suunto Vector HR, because I wanted a HR monitor. Both watches are awesome.

The barometer and altimeter are pretty essential for mountaineering I reckon, it's easy to gauge progress and check your current time vs planned times at checkpoints along the route, as well as work out where you are in relation to the map. I used the compass and altimeter to navigate to a hut in a whiteout once, it's not super accurate but it points in roughly the correct direction which is fine over short distances.

[Travis22]

I was torn between the new Traverse and the Ambit3 Peak Sapphire. In the end I bought the Ambit3 last week.

The reports on the Traverse in bezel gps already has it inferior to the Ambit3 (Accuracy while running etc) (much like the troubles with Fenix watches gps accuracy), im sure in another year or two it will be sorted and inbezel gps will be the way forward but in the end the decision came down to:

Traverse - looks fantastic. Vibrate alerts.

Ambit3 Peak Sapphire. I got it locally $100 cheaper including HR unit then the Traverse + HR unit would cost. Double the battery capacity. Way more multi sport settings, can be used swimming. Sapphire lens. Way more HR / fitness training capacity.

I was originally concerned about the gps 'knob' but its so comfortable on my wrist i never notice it now. 5 mtb rides so far and im blown away by the technology today and the amount of data it collects!

I will try and put it through its paces hiking over the long weekend coming, but im not very confident in my ability to operate it properly the navigation side of things seems a bit clumsy but id say thats just my lack of experience using it atm.

Again the Traverse looks awesome and i certainly lost a fair bit of sleep trying to decide which to buy but im glade i went with the Ambit3. The lack of a Sapphire lens and the limited HR data was the deal breaker, well that and the price i got on the Sapphire.

Travis.

[ErichFromm]

hey travis. I was facing the same choice. went with Traverse as I needed something I could wear to work (corporate). all for naught as first comment from colleagues was how ugly it is

[Travis22]

Haha! Show them a pic of the Ambit3 then

I really wanted, still want the Traverse but i had to remind myself my primary focus was the fitness training (Cycling, Swimming and a little running). I pretty much found myself going straight to the 'top' to get a HR watch that i can use everywhere including swimming.

I couldnt believe these days you need a top of the line monitor given 15years ago my barely above entry level Polar HR watch worked underwater just fine... At least these days the chest strap battery is user replaceable so i wont have to send it back to the manufacturer to get a new battery, so i guess there have been some advances in technology

Travis.

[DarrenM]

I considered the Ambit but just needed a basic watch with the simple features such as compass and alt/bar etc. I ended up with the Suunto Core because it doesn't need regular charging and uploading.
I've worn it every day for the last 18 months or so and it gets an absolute hiding. My only complaint is that it needs a proper crystal face as it gets scratched easily and can be a bit hard to read.

I've used it for point and shoot nav while ski touring and works great. The barometer can be useful and is useable when your 4 day forecast runs out. I break stuff but so far so good!

[corvus]

I have been using a Casio Protrek PRG-50YT-1VDR for 11 years as my BW watch and cannot fault it ,if it ever fails I would replace it with another Protrek.

[Gadgetgeek]

I generally just do have a seiko 5 on my wrist as I need mostly just to keep to a schedule. When camping out, I use an old timex as an alarm clock, but I want to get one of the lighter, cheaper casios.

I've been using a fitbit charge HR for the past month or so, just to see how much activity I do at work, and monitor heart rate. Its pretty good. Sucks to have to take it off for canoeing, as its my only high cardio activity (apart from jumping out of the flying fox tree) But I think I may have managed to crack the screen cover on it, it still works okay, but doesn't bode well for long term use.

[ErichFromm]

I considered the core too. argument seemed to be "simple and reliable" vs "more functions and possible break points". not sure I went the right way....time will tell if I use a extra functions enough to justify the recharging and software glitches. would've loved sapphire face....

[-dz-]

Something from the cheap seats:

$20 Casio.

Simple, 7 year battery life. Essentially disposable.

Features:
Time
Date
Alarm
Light
Stopwatch
Water resistant
20grams

Alti and barometer would be awesome but I can't justify it. Yet.

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[stry]

I'm not a fan of all this gimcrackery BUT that Suunto Core definitely appeals.

Thanks DarrenM

[DarrenM]

I considered the core too. argument seemed to be "simple and reliable" vs "more functions and possible break points". not sure I went the right way....time will tell if I use a extra functions enough to justify the recharging and software glitches. would've loved sapphire face....

I like the look of the traverse and I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Some interesting features.

Another reason I didn't go for the full Nav models is because I already own a GPS. Its an old Etrex and rarely, if ever gets used so no point having two if they aren't needed. The one thing about Navigating with GPS is IMO they can help improve your traditional map skills by way of backing up your judgement. I love new tech and the most important thing is being happy with gear simply because it suits your own needs and not others.

[keithy]

I have had a few Suunto Cores (a Sahara Yellow model, Yellow Black model, and the All Black), but have been using a Casio Protrek PRG270 since the start of last year, and it has been great as a hiking watch. I took it overseas with me last year and it proved to be easier than the Suunto Cores to change times when crossing time zones.

I mentioned it on one of the watch forums last year with pics http://forums.watchuseek.com/f296/three ... 08290.html. There is a newer model out that has a slightly larger digit display, the PRG300, but essentially it is the same functionality as the PRG270.



The Suunto Cores do have a nicer display (I like the dot matrix display), and does have alti-lock feature, but for the reasons I mentioned in the link above, I found the Casio Protrek to be easier to use. I mainly use the barometer function rather than the altimeter as I use my Garmin GPS for elevation tracking.

All my Suunto Cores were negative display (white digits on black face), but I'd probably go with a positive display next time around.

I'd been toying with getting a Garmin Fenix 3 or Epix, but can't really see myself using it as much as a handheld GPS. The Traverse does look nice though.

Can you change the datum on the Suunto Traverse? I haven't been following the Suunto Ambit firmware updates, but a complaint of the Ambits was that it didn't allow changing datums - although Suunto had said it would be possible with future firmware update.

[DarrenM]

All my Suunto Cores were negative display (white digits on black face), but I'd probably go with a positive display next time around.

Yep, can be a bit hard to read sometimes. You can adjust the contrast but I couldn't get it much better than default.

[Tyreless]

Can you change the datum on the Suunto Traverse? I haven't been following the Suunto Ambit firmware updates, but a complaint of the Ambits was that it didn't allow changing datums - although Suunto had said it would be possible with future firmware update.

You can choose WGS84, UTM, MGRS (which is the same as the grid reference on topo maps) and a number of overseas local grids including NZTM2000.

I have a Suunto Ambit3 Sport and am extremely happy with it. I use it to track my walks, to check grid references, and to see how much further I have to go on those long climbs in the blue mountains. The battery easily lasts a full day of tracking.

[Johnnie Walker]

Anyone using a Garmin Fenix 3 or Epix? They are quite expensive but are they worth it?
I don't have a watch or a GPS hence I consider them.
And, do overseas (northern hemisphere) Suunto and Garmin watches work (GPS) in Australia?

[oyster_07]

Anyone using a Garmin Fenix 3 or Epix? They are quite expensive but are they worth it?

I use a Fenix 3 and it is fantastic. Advanced yet simple and easy to use.

[n5750547]

Anyone using a Garmin Fenix 3 or Epix? They are quite expensive but are they worth it?
I don't have a watch or a GPS hence I consider them.
And, do overseas (northern hemisphere) Suunto and Garmin watches work (GPS) in Australia?

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/ast ... AlLY8P8HAQ

I have been tossing up between the Traverse/Ambit3 and the Fenix3 and was leaning toward the Traverse mainly because if price. The above link has made me reconsider however and I might have to give the Fenix a go?

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[keithy]

I have been tossing up between the Traverse/Ambit3 and the Fenix3 and was leaning toward the Traverse mainly because if price. The above link has made me reconsider however and I might have to give the Fenix a go?

That is a nice price, but remember, DWI while reputable, are a grey importer. I think almost all their stock comes from Hong Kong. You'd have to check the implications of local Garmin warranty issues.

The Traverse is a nice watch, but for me the colour display of the Fenix 3 and the customisable display would probably take the cake. I mean, look here to see what you can do: https://apps.garmin.com/en-AU/devices/f ... ps?start=0

Ryda has the Fenix 3 for about $70 more http://www.ryda.com.au/garmin-fenix3-gp ... port-watch, which will have the Australian Garmin warranty.

But, if you get the Traverse, Suunto currently are running a cashback promo from 1 November to 31 December 2015. I think with the Traverse, you get a cash back of $40 if you lodge the receipt with Amersports.

[n5750547]

Thanks for the heads up. Will definately have to suss out the warranty situation but I would probably just pay the extra $70 for peace of mind.

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[keithy]

Thanks for the heads up. Will definately have to suss out the warranty situation but I would probably just pay the extra $70 for peace of mind.

Another tip, if you can wait, and don't mind the gray version, NoFrillsGPS has it http://www.nofrillsgps.com.au/garmin-fe ... watch-gray

They are the same company as Ryda, but offer free shipping if it is out of stock. The gray one is currently out of stock, so if you order it, you save the $10.

I've bought from NoFrillsGPS and Ryda before, with no problems. My Suunto Core was from Ryda and I had to take it for a warranty issue, and Ryda were good, but it was easier for me to go through the distributor AmerSports in Melbourne than to send it back to Ryda.

[madmacca]

I really wanted, still want the Traverse but i had to remind myself my primary focus was the fitness training (Cycling, Swimming and a little running). I pretty much found myself going straight to the 'top' to get a HR watch that i can use everywhere including swimming.

Yeah, like you, I got the Ambit3, as I wanted something that was going to track ALL my exercise. I didn't want (and couldn't afford) a Garmin for my bike, an e-trex for bushwalking, etc. One watch to rule them all.

I would have liked the Ambit3 Peak, but the Sport version was on special, and that was within budget. It does lack the barometer - I have to make do with GPS altitude.