Quick fix, you mentioned that race got “lower grade” titanium. I asked them and they replied that its same grade 5 titanium, which is great. I was wondering why would they make it worse after older watches had grade 5 one. Nice review, keep up the good work! 💪
Awesome review! I have the Suunto Vertical. Love it! I just ordered the Suunto Race. The amoled screen sold me. The vertical is truly more accurate than my 965.
Interested to hear your comparison of the suunto race and 965, as they're both amoled displays with mapping. Not sure the extra price of the 965 is worth it considering the battery life is better on the suunto and I seldom use optical HRM for activities.
I’m the proud owner of a Suunto Spartan Ultra. Best fitness tracker I’ve ever owned. And I’ve owned quite a few. You have just talked me into an upgrade!
Great review Dave. That price point surprised me as well. When I first checked the price I thought I had mistakenly gone to the US site, not Canada’s. And then I also wondered, what’s the catch? Nice to see Suunto being so competitive.
Yup! It'll be interesting to see where things go over the next year or so with all of these other brands catching up in terms of features and at a compelling price point!
Excellent points all around and love how you highlighted and accentuated some of the more nuanced differences, that helps a ton. I get mine either in the next couple of hours or tomorrow, can't wait!
Thank you very much for digging a bit deeper on the fact that its NOT "Made in Finland" and does NOT have Carbon Compensation. It's sad but the watch is so good that it's very temping to buy it even though it really is a highly disappointing move by Suunto and certainly would not have changed that much to the price to have an eco-friendly version - for an outdoor sports lovers taking these simple measures should be a no brainer. As you mentioned at a later point in the video - I can confirm that the "Flashlight" and "Find my phone" functionality are already (Mid Nov' 23) also available on the Vertical. But I think the back function on the Suunto vertical is by long press center not bottom button.
I’m a Garmin user but i train with a coach and we use training peaks so I do find this intriguing that it uses TP metrics. How do you find these compare? Also since you’ve used all the brands could you possibly give us a phone app run through/comparison of the major brands? I feel like the app experience can be a big deciding factor as well
Also a Training Peaks user. Somewhat surprising how many watches designed for serious athletes integrate with TP, but do not use TP's metrics natively. That integration alone is of greater value to me than features such as music.
While this appears to be a great upgrade, the sluggish UI seems to be a deal breaker no matter all of the other great features and price of the watch. Sunto needs to fix that to stay competitive.
I agree aswell. Laggy gui and poor responsivness is the main flaw. Especially on the watches which must be fast enough responsive during any quick activity. But to be honest: for example maps are sluggish on Garmin aswell. I have sold my Tactix 6 because it was unacceptable for me to wait aeons for the moving in the maps.
@@neogeo3367 Did you updated your current Race with any new firmware? Anybody who tested it claims that it is sluggish and unresponsive with its gui. To be honest I would like to give Suunto chance and buy their watches because I love the Suunto simplistic and unique design. BUT: the hr sensor is still behind the Garmin and that mentioned gui annoys me ... when you compare it, just for an example, with Garmin Venu 3S which I bought to my sister, the Venu is far more smooth and responsive with its gui.
I would love to see a comparison to the Forerunner 265 and 965. I'm currently using a FR245M and I've been thinking about upgrading soon. Feels like this watch could be a great option.
I want to thank you for the wonderful review. I bought the watch and have been wearing for the last week. I really like the watch an thank you for your review. I have been watching you for years and enjoying everything you do for us each day
I always enjoy your content. I like your on camera personality and your B-roll ViDs. I would love to see you branch out with more content; like shoe reviews and running related items. Peace!
Thanks Dave for a great review, I really enjoy watching your content. I've been looking for new sports wearable and pretty much decided that it would be the Garmin FR965. But now Suunto came up with the Race and that kind of made start thinking again. I really like the looks of the Race but the FR965 has more detailed maps and offline music. I don't get it why Suunto didn't implement offline music. Maybe I'll wait to see what Garmin comes up with their next FR965.
The Race is a great watch in many ways (high quality build, incredibly accurate gps, fantastic amoled display, nice interface) but the 965 still the way to go at this price point. I am finding OHR to be confusing for cadence (OK on flats, but if you go uphill/downhill, this is an issue), maps are basic (but Suunto acknowledges that and are working on improvements), sleep tracking is worthless, step tracking is wonky (some days accurate, some days reads zero). Still testing ahead of my full review.
Thanks for a great video! I was wondering what the differences were between the two besides the battery, price & screen. Always like your videos, very professional and informative!!👏👍
Great video🙂👍🏾. I really like watching your videos. How can it be that Suunto is getting so good batterylife in GPS mode compared to the 965? Did you use the always on display when you tested it? I only know that they don’t have running power on the wrist and no climb pro and endurance score… Is that the reason why they get so much battery life? Do they really get 40 hrs in multiband mode with always on? Hope you can help me. Thx and greets Matthias🙂
Primarily the lag & secondly the optical HR is why I keeping my Coros Pace 3. In 2023, the lag is unacceptable when companies like Amazfit can deliver battery life and a fluid UI. Not that I consider Amazfit a solid sport watch brand, but their UI is impressive.
I've ordered a Polar V3, That's because I find the 5 button interface easier to use the garmin and Coros watches I tried, and I really like the eco system. The analysis tools I use a lot to drill into training or race details, things like hill splitter. Those and all the other health & fitness stuff are easy to find and understand. If I didn't care about so many of those things then the Suunto race would look a very good option, the robustness might well make it a winner. My old Apex had a sapphire screen and not having it on the V3 seems a bit mean. Good luck with the ankle, hopefully it'll be fine, and the wet. I'm aiming to do my first ultra next year, and I generally avoid the wet, so I'm paying attention to your advice to do some long wet runs for the experience.
@@Simba_903 battery life on the V3 is pretty poor compared to the race. mapping is pretty inferior on the polar too. I really like polar and have mostly used polar for over a decade but they're just not competitive any more. The gps accuracy on the vantage is not great either compared to the race.
Great review. As Coros made Garmin pickup their game as I feel, will this help motivate Coros improve their game, especially their cumbersome HRV and resting HR collection?
I ordered mine on October 20th, hoping to get it within a week. I have a Suunto Spartan Sport since 2016. It's been problematic for quite a while now(short battery life, not syncing with phone). I've been obsessing over GPS watches for a couple of weeks (as many of us do before a purchase) and was probably going to get Garmin, 255 or 265. Then Suunto drops the "Race". Sold. The Suunto Race is a much better watch, for the same price as the 265. I'd prefer it was made in Finland, but I'm over it. Thanks for the review.
I was decided to replace Spartan Sport by Vertical. But now, Race is my favourite watch from functionality/price perspective. But there is still the dilemma - pay more and support Europe, or pay less and support China 😞.
Brilliant review, thank you. 👌🏻 I have one question - does the GPS have the option to show WGS 84? I do not mind the minor lag, I think it is an absolutely beautiful watch.
Great review ! do like the solar charge on vertical - possible price difference ? My sunnto 9 Baro had same problem with WHR . however swapping to other wrist which was bigger and following sunnto wearing WHR monitor sorted it . Also found that if a wore a wrist sweat band it just push the watch that little bit further up the arm for snug fit and working 100%. Lets see if Race WHR improves with updates possibly . Vertical or Racer - Vertical because of solar - always for getting to charge the watch ! 🙂
Bought FR255 one year ago, and boy has there been new models from every brand in one year! While I'm mostly pleased with the 255 datawise, I think the ecosystem is not that great. Also I don't like the look of the watch. Suunto Vertical is propably the finest looking watch to me atm., but it's still missing the hrv tracking. Garmin does have good analytics for running metrics, which is also bonus. Not that into amoled screens.
Thanks for the great intro on suunto race. I’m still using my very old garmin vivoactive and planning to replace it with a new one. Currently I mainly use my watch for daily city running(4-5kms) and occasional hiking. No requirement on music. Could you give some advice which one is better - garmin forerunner 965 and this race? The race has a good look yet the lagging looks quite severe😂😂
Yes I do need a full mapping. Thanks for the kind suggestion. I finally got this Race and it's not that lagging actually. Nice interface and precise tracking.@@stevendeckert6373
@@ChaseTheSummit Looking forward to it! I still can't decide whether to preorder because the price is a little bit higher but there is interesting deal for preorders... And your review for Suunto Race made me think if I really want it (for my preferred use).
Ηello and Happy New Year! About the new race, because I am owning an Ambit 3 and a Suunto 9Baro Titanium. I want your opinion on the following.(1) You must have done some extra tests after 2 months from the original test. So finally how many days the battery lasts with daily training is as much as the company "promises", because on my 9Baro battery have never worked properly...., (2) does the storm update work, because for my 9Baro is not....? (3) and finally the heart indication, you mentioned that it is not so accurate... does the same happen with the blood oxygen indication? Last but not least.... with my iPhone 11 never cooperates in terms of SMS info or inbound calls.... Thank you very much!
Good review and I ordered one when it first became available late Monday night. I would caution everyone that the Titanium model has not shipped yet and Suunto refuses to say why. The stainless model shipped right away. I honestly think Suunto does not have the Titanium model in stock. Can’t think of another reason for not having shipped them and those that have contacted Suunto have either received no reply or been given a curt *sorry for the delay* response. Not acceptable, imo.
Very Nice and interesting video dude. Just a question: do you have heating Maps for main activities inside the Suunto race watch ? As for Suunto 7? Thanks.
Regarding battery life - quiet good? 40h with max on. 2.5 times more than FR265 and almost 2x (40h vs24h) more than FR965 (with the same settings). For example, the FR 965 maps is not even close in response.
I actually wish the size was in between this and the 9 peak pro. And I feel like this is a lot of unnecessary waste of packaging/boxing for a company that’s touting going clean and green. But this is such a cool jump and leap for Suunto.
No HR broadcast makes it virtually useless for half its target market ... I can't believe Suunto are still doing this. On the newer hardware, this is INSANELY EASY to implement. Supposedly customer service are saying Q2 '24 for this feature. WTF?!?!!?!?
@@ChaseTheSummit thanks Dave! Very cool watch, I wish they improved the shape a bit. The flat tyre design is the only gripe I have. I think they Wil fix the pag and HR. If I was to move from Garmin it would be because the Suunto has an amazing app. I wish Garmin can update the outdated up.
Garmins still have a few advantages in terms of wellness tracking along with the mapping/navigation being much more advanced. If those things don't matter as much to you the Race is a great option!
I switched to Garmin after 10 yrs loyalty to Suunto (Peak). The Service was so poor and the Garmin optical sensor is that much better, the only remaining Suunto benefit is the saphir glass. Suunto is heavily struggling if they still ignore customer feedbacks
Totally disagree with OHR's inaccuracy. In daily runs, the optical heart rate is the same as the Polar H9 chest strap. I have been using Garmin for 7 years. Garmin has a lot of features that don't work as they should.
@@uldistucs I was talking about MY experience and not yours!!!! I have 20 yrs of experience with Polar, Suunto and others and I do have my reasons after 10-20 Marathons with Suunto and its poor service! And I did not use a Polar strap but Suunto.
Hey Dave - What app are you using to compare the HR monitoring of the various watches at 8:06? Asking bc I'm looking to replace an old Suunto t6 but I love how Suunto Training Manager for PC graphed out the EPOC, HR etc. like you do here but I cant find what current programs do it on PC. Garmin Connect? Suunto? Thanks!
Thanks for the overview. Can you tell us something about the new intervals function? Is now there a countdown before the repetions? Is possibile to set the distance of the repetions to OPEN? Thank You!
@@ChaseTheSummit ok, don't worry. I'll wait for your test. I've always been a Suunto user but now i'm thinking to switch to other brands. This intervals feature could be crucial for my decision
I recieved my Race yesterday, and the lags are annoying... makes it feel much cheaper. The Heartrate is extremly unaccurate (apple watch 6 was better, i didnt expectet this) , the display has artefacts on it.. and the menu and personal setup is noch good, need to much steps to change simple things. I like the look but thats not enough, my watch is going back
@chase the summit, in the Suunto race watch, approximately how long does it take 'Save' function to save(store) the activity ? Example, finish the activity (run, cycle, etc.), then press the save.
I like the band and overall design of the watch. The black border inside the bezel looks to be even larger than most recent Garmins, which are already too wide IMO. That lag is also pretty noticeable.
The Bezel isn't too bad since the metal part is so thin while on the Garmin theres a chunky metal part that gives the illusion of overall smaller bezels.
@@ChaseTheSummit Yeah, the outer metal bezel is even better than say on the Tactix. I updated my comment to highlight the inner black ring, the area that sits between the bezel and the actual screen. Manufacturers have to find a way to shrink that piece down.
Nice looking watch and it has a great price. However, I can see that digital crown wearing out with all the use that it will get from scrolling all the time. Not impressed with the HR sensor either. The Polar Vantage V3 looks like a better investment.
It’s not as bad as you might think. Sure it’s not as crisp as other, but as far as overall use, it doesn’t prevent it from being a very impressive device for that price. $600 here in Canada.
My thoughts exactly lol. Like I said, it's not TERRIBLE but it does feel a little weird if you come from another watch like an Apple Watch and... It's 2023!
@@ChaseTheSummitit is driving me nuts and I use a coros XD. BTW, grade 5 titanium is the most widely used grade and it is likely the same one used in the Race. Manufacturers using the grade in their marketing material is generally just that: marketing.
Looks lik Suunto is back in the game! How is the altitude measurement because that was a weak spot for the brand in the past? Don't see anything on that in any of the reviews I have seen.
Amazing stuff but I'll stick with my Titanium 9 Baro untill they fix everything. Need to improve HR sensor, screen lag, these are major components of a sports watch and, well, disapointing for a watch that price. I use a chest belt tomget accurate HR and it is.
Gee, a watch that has a fabulous build quality (compared to my Garmins that keep falling apart) actual metal instead of plastic, maps (free), don't have to buy apps (AWU) to make it actually useful (AWU) and it's a HUGE amount cheaper than equivalent Garmin. And having to wait for 1/1000th of a sec is an issue? Pretty tough comments Dave. Maybe I should buy a Coros (had one -it was rubbish).
I was considering getting one to try it because I like the hardware (I have a Garmin Enduro 2), but I will miss the ability to pay with the watch, the flashlight and the music features.
The Race does have a flashlight feature and it is SUPER bright. I use it all the time in daily life. It can control music that is on your phone via on-watch media controls, but it cannot store the music locally on the watch. For me, the amazing GPS accuracy, battery life, and mega bright & colorful display are more than enough to put the Suunto Race over the top.
Yes that's true but I do not run with the phone unless I am not running trails. However I do agree with you about the price point that it is difficult to impossible to beat.
The maps on the Garmin’s still have an advantage because they are fully routeable and feature data like trail labels, and POI for summits, bodies of water, camp areas and more. The maps on the Suunto watches are basic base maps without much context. That said, the act of designing a course is excellent in the Suunto app.
Sadly I returned my watch. It was clearly a returned product and I have given up trying to discuss the matter with customer services as they have not responded to my emails or online chat option! Shame really, never mind I will return to Garmin👍
Suunto offers the vertical refurbished for $500. If you had to choose between the race and the refurbished vertical, which do you think is the better choice?
They can but I suspect like most other watches it's not advised to press them when you're at depths below 3 meters. This is typically in the fine print within user manuals oddly and rarely talked about!
one question please is the delay due to its processor either the screen is to blame this you finally fix and some upgrade or is it purely a matter of the processor
Yep! Though I’d still say the Suunto Race is a step above. The Apex 2 Pro has a lower water resistance rating, smaller display, MIP Display, and way less battery life in GPS mode (26h vs 40h in dual frequency). Then there’s standby battery life where they are similar but the Suunto samples heart rate every 1 second while the COROS samples every 10 minutes to maximize battery life. The Suunto also has a few more useful wellness tools like automatic HRV tracking during sleep, HRV baseline monitoring, and Body Resources. The Apex 2 series are great watches though!
@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks for the review and the detailed answer. The one thing I did not expect to find is less battery life on the Apex 2 Pro compared to the Suunto Race. I bet this hold true as long as the Suunto screen is off most of the time.
What are the main problems we can get by an inaccurate HR? Is it incompatible with a 100k race or trainning? I'm asking because i'm not a expert on the matter.
You could easily run a 100k with it, and yes you can build training plans within the Suunto App. When used with a third party external HR sensor the internal optical sensor is not an issue.
Thanks for the review! I need a good training companion for callisthenics, weight training, kettlebell training and hiking. Which one is the best Suunto Race, Garmin Venu 3s or 265s?
Please HELP!! Well, I finally wanna invest in a running watch after years of running just with my iphone and the Runkeeper app, but oh gosh it’s all so overwhelming for a total non-tech head like me!! My jam is heading off on long running adventures, 3-5hours, so I really need good maps and to be able to pre-plot routes to follow, and I wanna be able to listen to music and/or audiobooks, podcasts would be awesome too. But money is so tight these days since Covid, so I would like to pick up an older model second-hand!! Any recommendations and advice would be GREATLY appreciated 🙏🏻💪🏻🏃🏻♀️💪🏻🙏🏻
Can't say anything has been "fixed" but step count seems OK on my watch. That said, I haven't done a scientific study to see how accurate it is simply because I don't think it matters much as long as it's consistent from day to day to give you an idea on how active you were.
I’m looking at either getting the Garmin fenix 6 pro or the forerunner 955. I want something that will be good for occasional backpacking with no service with a good battery life, but is also great for everyday wear and running with great navigation. Is the 955 good for all of these things or should I go with the fenix 6 pro?
It’s heavier with the Race coming in at 69g for the lighter titanium version and the Vantage V3 weighing 57 grams. Not a huge difference and the larger Race probably feels a little lighter due to its wider footprint. On the wrist the Race will feel a little bulkier though.
i bought one on the day of the release. due to the unprecedented sales suunto customer care have told me there will be 1-4 week delay on shipping. my sales receipt still says shipped in one day. not good i had to shase them for an answer. but looking forward to getting my hands on one. Had an suunto S9 then a Fenix 6 now going back to Suuunto as the mapping on the Garmin app is just rubbish.
Which color did you buy? That’s odd. I bought the Titanium model 2 days after it was released, in fact, it was sold out and came back in stock when I jumped on the purchase and I’m expected to receive it this Tuesday via DHL.
I think a lot of folks opted for the Titanium model which may have lead to it selling out quickly. I’d say be patient and it will come back in stock soon.
I have FR255, thinking about Fenix6, but when this watches was released! Now thinking about Suunto Race. I Totally agree with Garmin's backto2008 Apps interface. It's awful. Only one question: what about Climb feature in Suunto Race? Compare with Garmin's ClimbPro? Is the functionality comparable?
So, the catch is very clear: the watch is made in China, not in Finland, which explains the price differences among potentially explaining other issues, Suunto is trying to hide it. The only place it states is in the box in very small letters.
I wouldn't say they're trying to hide it but of course they don't advertise it. It's very clearly stated on their website and the box. That said, basically of their competition are making their devices overseas as well and have higher price points to boot.
Looks really good but I need at least offline music and some paying method. I am not even asking to have phone calls but these days smartphones are bricks I don't want to carry with me all the time. I need some basic smartphone features to enjoy my run and I will go with the Apple Watch Ultra first generation which is now way cheaper after the release of Gen 2 which is basically the same.
Offline music would be nice. Especially considering they already have 32gb of storage on board for maps. It's strange they didn't add at least basic MP3 support like COROS.
@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks! Too bad. You won't believe how many Garmin HR covers I ruined with sunblock. They always develop cracks quickly after coming into touch with most sunblocks I use, particularly the more water-resistant ones, and the Garmin service in Singapore isn't great. It's not an isolated issue and I guess that's why they finally switched to glass. I never had an issue with Apple's glass lenses over their HR sensors. Suunto seems to have a similar issue with models like the Vertical, their covers don't crack but develop bubbles.
I think the difference between the stainless steel and the titanium model is also in the memory space... The titanium one has 32 GB and the stainless steel 16. Is this right?
Something is just beautiful about the race. The look is better to me than anything on the market, and that’s including Garmin and Apple.
It's a really nice looking watch. I've enjoyed having it on my wrist!
Yeah it looks great. I don't care much about the lags because I only track my workouts with it and look at the stats on my phone
A hear a lot of people complaining the watch lugs dig into their wrists. Its unfortunate the HR sensor isn’t as accurate as it could be
Garmin watches are quite ugly imho
Quick fix, you mentioned that race got “lower grade” titanium. I asked them and they replied that its same grade 5 titanium, which is great. I was wondering why would they make it worse after older watches had grade 5 one. Nice review, keep up the good work! 💪
Awesome review! I have the Suunto Vertical. Love it! I just ordered the Suunto Race. The amoled screen sold me. The vertical is truly more accurate than my 965.
Interested to hear your comparison of the suunto race and 965, as they're both amoled displays with mapping. Not sure the extra price of the 965 is worth it considering the battery life is better on the suunto and I seldom use optical HRM for activities.
Hello. I have a question. Does the suunto race measure distance and count steps without selecting any sport mode?
@@adriyant6564 it does measure step count.
I’m the proud owner of a Suunto Spartan Ultra. Best fitness tracker I’ve ever owned. And I’ve owned quite a few. You have just talked me into an upgrade!
Great review Dave. That price point surprised me as well. When I first checked the price I thought I had mistakenly gone to the US site, not Canada’s. And then I also wondered, what’s the catch? Nice to see Suunto being so competitive.
I have sold my Epix gen to and pre-orded Suunto Race. Nice to see them catching up and i wanna support them.
are you happy with it?
Sold epix and switch to this? Wow
Nice video. Good to see Polar, Suunto and Coros providing some competition.
Yup! It'll be interesting to see where things go over the next year or so with all of these other brands catching up in terms of features and at a compelling price point!
Yes, and Huawei 4 or GT4. Why not? Let these old farts move their asses faster. Because they seem to rely only on previous merits and marketing.
Excellent points all around and love how you highlighted and accentuated some of the more nuanced differences, that helps a ton. I get mine either in the next couple of hours or tomorrow, can't wait!
Thank you very much for digging a bit deeper on the fact that its NOT "Made in Finland" and does NOT have Carbon Compensation. It's sad but the watch is so good that it's very temping to buy it even though it really is a highly disappointing move by Suunto and certainly would not have changed that much to the price to have an eco-friendly version - for an outdoor sports lovers taking these simple measures should be a no brainer.
As you mentioned at a later point in the video - I can confirm that the "Flashlight" and "Find my phone" functionality are already (Mid Nov' 23) also available on the Vertical. But I think the back function on the Suunto vertical is by long press center not bottom button.
I’m a Garmin user but i train with a coach and we use training peaks so I do find this intriguing that it uses TP metrics. How do you find these compare? Also since you’ve used all the brands could you possibly give us a phone app run through/comparison of the major brands? I feel like the app experience can be a big deciding factor as well
Also a Training Peaks user. Somewhat surprising how many watches designed for serious athletes integrate with TP, but do not use TP's metrics natively. That integration alone is of greater value to me than features such as music.
I got mine about 6 weeks ago. It's an amazing tool. It's exactly what I need. I've charged it 3 times.
While this appears to be a great upgrade, the sluggish UI seems to be a deal breaker no matter all of the other great features and price of the watch. Sunto needs to fix that to stay competitive.
Totally agree, currect cpus should have enough power for smooth scrolling through menu, I gues it is software debugging issue.
I agree aswell. Laggy gui and poor responsivness is the main flaw. Especially on the watches which must be fast enough responsive during any quick activity. But to be honest: for example maps are sluggish on Garmin aswell. I have sold my Tactix 6 because it was unacceptable for me to wait aeons for the moving in the maps.
Yeah, I feel like sacrificing and bit of battery life and maybe price point for better chips and no ui/ux lag would benefit it a lot.
I've bought one and it's faster than my fenix 6 pro.
@@neogeo3367 Did you updated your current Race with any new firmware? Anybody who tested it claims that it is sluggish and unresponsive with its gui. To be honest I would like to give Suunto chance and buy their watches because I love the Suunto simplistic and unique design. BUT: the hr sensor is still behind the Garmin and that mentioned gui annoys me ... when you compare it, just for an example, with Garmin Venu 3S which I bought to my sister, the Venu is far more smooth and responsive with its gui.
Just got mine yesterday. Very impressive for the price. Looking forward to testing.
I would love to see a comparison to the Forerunner 265 and 965. I'm currently using a FR245M and I've been thinking about upgrading soon. Feels like this watch could be a great option.
I want to thank you for the wonderful review. I bought the watch and have been wearing for the last week. I really like the watch an thank you for your review. I have been watching you for years and enjoying everything you do for us each day
I always enjoy your content. I like your on camera personality and your B-roll ViDs. I would love to see you branch out with more content; like shoe reviews and running related items. Peace!
Thanks! Stay tuned!
Thanks Dave for a great review, I really enjoy watching your content.
I've been looking for new sports wearable and pretty much decided that it would be the Garmin FR965. But now Suunto came up with the Race and that kind of made start thinking again.
I really like the looks of the Race but the FR965 has more detailed maps and offline music. I don't get it why Suunto didn't implement offline music.
Maybe I'll wait to see what Garmin comes up with their next FR965.
The Race is a great watch in many ways (high quality build, incredibly accurate gps, fantastic amoled display, nice interface) but the 965 still the way to go at this price point. I am finding OHR to be confusing for cadence (OK on flats, but if you go uphill/downhill, this is an issue), maps are basic (but Suunto acknowledges that and are working on improvements), sleep tracking is worthless, step tracking is wonky (some days accurate, some days reads zero). Still testing ahead of my full review.
I just got the Race Sunnto a beautiful looking watch I'm going to test it for a while to see if I'll keep it. Thanks for review
The Race is a great watch! Enjoy!
Thanks for a great video! I was wondering what the differences were between the two besides the battery, price & screen. Always like your videos, very professional and informative!!👏👍
Great video🙂👍🏾.
I really like watching your videos.
How can it be that Suunto is getting so good batterylife in GPS mode compared to the 965?
Did you use the always on display when you tested it?
I only know that they don’t have running power on the wrist and no climb pro and endurance score…
Is that the reason why they get so much battery life?
Do they really get 40 hrs in multiband mode with always on?
Hope you can help me. Thx and greets Matthias🙂
Primarily the lag & secondly the optical HR is why I keeping my Coros Pace 3. In 2023, the lag is unacceptable when companies like Amazfit can deliver battery life and a fluid UI. Not that I consider Amazfit a solid sport watch brand, but their UI is impressive.
I've ordered a Polar V3, That's because I find the 5 button interface easier to use the garmin and Coros watches I tried, and I really like the eco system. The analysis tools I use a lot to drill into training or race details, things like hill splitter. Those and all the other health & fitness stuff are easy to find and understand. If I didn't care about so many of those things then the Suunto race would look a very good option, the robustness might well make it a winner. My old Apex had a sapphire screen and not having it on the V3 seems a bit mean.
Good luck with the ankle, hopefully it'll be fine, and the wet. I'm aiming to do my first ultra next year, and I generally avoid the wet, so I'm paying attention to your advice to do some long wet runs for the experience.
Would you mind sharing your experience with the v3 so far ? I am between the V3 ,the vertical , or the race !
@@Simba_903 battery life on the V3 is pretty poor compared to the race. mapping is pretty inferior on the polar too. I really like polar and have mostly used polar for over a decade but they're just not competitive any more. The gps accuracy on the vantage is not great either compared to the race.
Thank you for awesome video. Now im sure I'll be getting Suunto Race when I replace my old Suunto 9.
Great review. As Coros made Garmin pickup their game as I feel, will this help motivate Coros improve their game, especially their cumbersome HRV and resting HR collection?
I ordered mine on October 20th, hoping to get it within a week. I have a Suunto Spartan Sport since 2016. It's been problematic for quite a while now(short battery life, not syncing with phone). I've been obsessing over GPS watches for a couple of weeks (as many of us do before a purchase) and was probably going to get Garmin, 255 or 265. Then Suunto drops the "Race". Sold. The Suunto Race is a much better watch, for the same price as the 265. I'd prefer it was made in Finland, but I'm over it. Thanks for the review.
mind that in your personal case, keeping same ecosystem can have significant deciding factor
Thank you for all your effort,
can you please inform me if there is an option to calibrate my stride length for treadmill running?
Best regards
I was decided to replace Spartan Sport by Vertical. But now, Race is my favourite watch from functionality/price perspective. But there is still the dilemma - pay more and support Europe, or pay less and support China 😞.
Brilliant review, thank you. 👌🏻
I have one question - does the GPS have the option to show WGS 84?
I do not mind the minor lag, I think it is an absolutely beautiful watch.
Yep it supports multiple position formats including wgs 84
Great review ! do like the solar charge on vertical - possible price difference ? My sunnto 9 Baro had same problem with WHR . however swapping to other wrist which was bigger and following sunnto wearing WHR monitor sorted it . Also found that if a wore a wrist sweat band it just push the watch that little bit further up the arm for snug fit and working 100%. Lets see if Race WHR improves with updates possibly . Vertical or Racer - Vertical because of solar - always for getting to charge the watch ! 🙂
Bought FR255 one year ago, and boy has there been new models from every brand in one year! While I'm mostly pleased with the 255 datawise, I think the ecosystem is not that great. Also I don't like the look of the watch. Suunto Vertical is propably the finest looking watch to me atm., but it's still missing the hrv tracking. Garmin does have good analytics for running metrics, which is also bonus. Not that into amoled screens.
I am hopeful with this Watch the old Suunto Mojo has returned. Great review.
Should i buy the Suunto Race or Sunnyo vertical? I typically do 5h of hos tracking + strength training
Great review
The question I have is if I’m upgrading from Vantage v2 should I get Suunto race or get vantage v3
Vantage V3 review is coming next. Stay tuned!
waiting a lot on it. The two watch I'm considering@@ChaseTheSummit
get your hands on the Suunto Ocean and compare it to Garmin mk2, Fenix 7, Vertical and Race. Ocean is what i've been waiting for !!!!
For me its between Srace and Polar V3. I have Polar grit x right now. But I like that Suunto race have fuel reminder. Thx for the vid!
Samen here. Have the grit x but doubt to buy the srace.
Thanks for the great intro on suunto race. I’m still using my very old garmin vivoactive and planning to replace it with a new one.
Currently I mainly use my watch for daily city running(4-5kms) and occasional hiking. No requirement on music. Could you give some advice which one is better - garmin forerunner 965 and this race?
The race has a good look yet the lagging looks quite severe😂😂
Do you need full mapping? If not I'd personally use a smaller, lighter device like the vivoactive 5 or FR 165. Or even polar pacer.
Yes I do need a full mapping. Thanks for the kind suggestion. I finally got this Race and it's not that lagging actually. Nice interface and precise tracking.@@stevendeckert6373
Coming from Suunto, that price is a shock! I'm liking this watch a lot, however, I've made up my mind on the V3 😅
V3 is great as well. Stay tuned for a review on that as well!
@@ChaseTheSummit Looking forward to it! I still can't decide whether to preorder because the price is a little bit higher but there is interesting deal for preorders... And your review for Suunto Race made me think if I really want it (for my preferred use).
Suunto should really do something about the lags, maybe faster processor like the brand new Polar Vantage 3.
Yeah that sluggish UI was painful to watch.
@@rgmALC 🤣🤣👍👍
Agree!
Apple watch never lag.
@erwin734 yes but horrible battery and very average analytics vs Garmin, Polar, Suunto, Coros.
Ηello and Happy New Year! About the new race, because I am owning an Ambit 3 and a Suunto 9Baro Titanium. I want your opinion on the following.(1) You must have done some extra tests after 2 months from the original test. So finally how many days the battery lasts with daily training is as much as the company "promises", because on my 9Baro battery have never worked properly...., (2) does the storm update work, because for my 9Baro is not....? (3) and finally the heart indication, you mentioned that it is not so accurate... does the same happen with the blood oxygen indication? Last but not least.... with my iPhone 11 never cooperates in terms of SMS info or inbound calls.... Thank you very much!
Good review and I ordered one when it first became available late Monday night.
I would caution everyone that the Titanium model has not shipped yet and Suunto refuses to say why. The stainless model shipped right away. I honestly think Suunto does not have the Titanium model in stock. Can’t think of another reason for not having shipped them and those that have contacted Suunto have either received no reply or been given a curt *sorry for the delay* response. Not acceptable, imo.
Very Nice and interesting video dude.
Just a question: do you have heating Maps for main activities inside the Suunto race watch ? As for Suunto 7?
Thanks.
Unfortunately no. I did love that feature and the watch face on the Suunto 7!
Looks like a nice watch. Aside from the display and the maps, is it worth the extra money over the 9 peak since you can get it for $290?
Regarding battery life - quiet good? 40h with max on. 2.5 times more than FR265 and almost 2x (40h vs24h) more than FR965 (with the same settings). For example, the FR 965 maps is not even close in response.
I actually wish the size was in between this and the 9 peak pro. And I feel like this is a lot of unnecessary waste of packaging/boxing for a company that’s touting going clean and green. But this is such a cool jump and leap for Suunto.
You are good guy! Thank you for great work you do for us!
Can make comparison between Suunto Race and Garmin forerunner 965
No HR broadcast makes it virtually useless for half its target market ... I can't believe Suunto are still doing this. On the newer hardware, this is INSANELY EASY to implement. Supposedly customer service are saying Q2 '24 for this feature. WTF?!?!!?!?
Cool review and super detailed! Does it have a Baro/Altitude sensor that can track and log air pressure changes? Also, is there a Storm Alarm? Thanks
Thanks! Yes it does... Just like the Vertical!
@@ChaseTheSummit thanks Dave! Very cool watch, I wish they improved the shape a bit. The flat tyre design is the only gripe I have. I think they Wil fix the pag and HR. If I was to move from Garmin it would be because the Suunto has an amazing app. I wish Garmin can update the outdated up.
Great first review, Thanks Dave.
Anyone using a Garmin at this point must be sponsored. The build quality of the Suunto is unmatched. The lag is not going to hurt your little workout.
Garmins still have a few advantages in terms of wellness tracking along with the mapping/navigation being much more advanced. If those things don't matter as much to you the Race is a great option!
super review. Watch looks cool, price is okay, interface looks fine, a bit slow but that's fine.
I switched to Garmin after 10 yrs loyalty to Suunto (Peak). The Service was so poor and the Garmin optical sensor is that much better, the only remaining Suunto benefit is the saphir glass. Suunto is heavily struggling if they still ignore customer feedbacks
Totally disagree with OHR's inaccuracy. In daily runs, the optical heart rate is the same as the Polar H9 chest strap. I have been using Garmin for 7 years. Garmin has a lot of features that don't work as they should.
@@uldistucs I was talking about MY experience and not yours!!!! I have 20 yrs of experience with Polar, Suunto and others and I do have my reasons after 10-20 Marathons with Suunto and its poor service! And I did not use a Polar strap but Suunto.
Hey Dave - What app are you using to compare the HR monitoring of the various watches at 8:06? Asking bc I'm looking to replace an old Suunto t6 but I love how Suunto Training Manager for PC graphed out the EPOC, HR etc. like you do here but I cant find what current programs do it on PC. Garmin Connect? Suunto? Thanks!
Thanks for the overview. Can you tell us something about the new intervals function? Is now there a countdown before the repetions? Is possibile to set the distance of the repetions to OPEN? Thank You!
I'll have to dive deeper on this as I didnt test the interval feature before this video.
@@ChaseTheSummit ok, don't worry. I'll wait for your test. I've always been a Suunto user but now i'm thinking to switch to other brands. This intervals feature could be crucial for my decision
...and, of course, i cheched online for a PDF user guide and i didn't find anything
I recieved my Race yesterday, and the lags are annoying... makes it feel much cheaper. The Heartrate is extremly unaccurate (apple watch 6 was better, i didnt expectet this) , the display has artefacts on it.. and the menu and personal setup is noch good, need to much steps to change simple things. I like the look but thats not enough, my watch is going back
@chase the summit, in the Suunto race watch, approximately how long does it take 'Save' function to save(store) the activity ? Example, finish the activity (run, cycle, etc.), then press the save.
Did the HR monitor ever get figured out? My Suunto 9 is dying and the race is a super tempting option
Check out the new Race S. It’s slightly smaller and has a new heart rate sensor. It’s also cheaper. Review coming soon!
I like the band and overall design of the watch. The black border inside the bezel looks to be even larger than most recent Garmins, which are already too wide IMO. That lag is also pretty noticeable.
The Bezel isn't too bad since the metal part is so thin while on the Garmin theres a chunky metal part that gives the illusion of overall smaller bezels.
@@ChaseTheSummit Yeah, the outer metal bezel is even better than say on the Tactix. I updated my comment to highlight the inner black ring, the area that sits between the bezel and the actual screen. Manufacturers have to find a way to shrink that piece down.
Nice looking watch and it has a great price. However, I can see that digital crown wearing out with all the use that it will get from scrolling all the time. Not impressed with the HR sensor either. The Polar Vantage V3 looks like a better investment.
Hi Dave! Are you planning a comparison between the Race and the Garmin 965 anytime soon?
Eventually!
@ChaseTheSummit Could you tell a bit more on how the watch feels during running? Is it heavy to wear?
It's on the heavier side but it's not terrible. It doesn't feel like it's bouncing around or anything crazy.
The watch body is stunning, specially for the price... but what's with the lag?
It’s not as bad as you might think. Sure it’s not as crisp as other, but as far as overall use, it doesn’t prevent it from being a very impressive device for that price. $600 here in Canada.
My thoughts exactly lol. Like I said, it's not TERRIBLE but it does feel a little weird if you come from another watch like an Apple Watch and... It's 2023!
@@ChaseTheSummitit is driving me nuts and I use a coros XD. BTW, grade 5 titanium is the most widely used grade and it is likely the same one used in the Race. Manufacturers using the grade in their marketing material is generally just that: marketing.
@@ChaseTheSummit agree with you. But overall it’s an extremely nice device. Great work as always Dave. Cheers.
When will you review a Huawei smartwatch 🤔I would love to see your input especially for the Ultimate 😎
I can’t decide what color should I buy. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
It really comes down to which material you want. Steel or Titanium? titanium is a bit lighter but $100 more.
@@ChaseTheSummit oh thank, yes actually I love titanium but also I’m black lover, that why I can’t decide 😄
Nice video. I got 955 solar recently
Sometimes i wish to have four Arms, One for my Garmin Epix, one for the Suunto Race, one for my Coros and one for my Polar. That was my Dream.
Ankles?
Looks lik Suunto is back in the game! How is the altitude measurement because that was a weak spot for the brand in the past? Don't see anything on that in any of the reviews I have seen.
Seems to be in line with my other test devices. The vertical also was decent in that department.
Im a garmin guy but this is a really nice looking watch.
Amazing stuff but I'll stick with my Titanium 9 Baro untill they fix everything. Need to improve HR sensor, screen lag, these are major components of a sports watch and, well, disapointing for a watch that price. I use a chest belt tomget accurate HR and it is.
Gee, a watch that has a fabulous build quality (compared to my Garmins that keep falling apart) actual metal instead of plastic, maps (free), don't have to buy apps (AWU) to make it actually useful (AWU) and it's a HUGE amount cheaper than equivalent Garmin. And having to wait for 1/1000th of a sec is an issue? Pretty tough comments Dave. Maybe I should buy a Coros (had one -it was rubbish).
I was considering getting one to try it because I like the hardware (I have a Garmin Enduro 2), but I will miss the ability to pay with the watch, the flashlight and the music features.
The Race does have a flashlight feature and it is SUPER bright. I use it all the time in daily life. It can control music that is on your phone via on-watch media controls, but it cannot store the music locally on the watch. For me, the amazing GPS accuracy, battery life, and mega bright & colorful display are more than enough to put the Suunto Race over the top.
Yes that's true but I do not run with the phone unless I am not running trails. However I do agree with you about the price point that it is difficult to impossible to beat.
Would you say this an overall decent experience for hikers wanting to load trails, maps and navigation? How does it compare to Garmin?
The maps on the Garmin’s still have an advantage because they are fully routeable and feature data like trail labels, and POI for summits, bodies of water, camp areas and more. The maps on the Suunto watches are basic base maps without much context. That said, the act of designing a course is excellent in the Suunto app.
I have Forerunner 965 for some months already. Is Polar Vantage V3 or Suunto Race better?
Omg they lag like...Jesus that's sad. Really liked those
Do you think the heart rate sensor is a hardware or software issue? Like could it be the all new in house algorithms Suunto is using now?
Not entirely sure. My theory is that the watch is a little too big for my wrist so there's movement/light leaks around the sensor.
Sadly I returned my watch. It was clearly a returned product and I have given up trying to discuss the matter with customer services as they have not responded to my emails or online chat option! Shame really, never mind I will return to Garmin👍
The Suunto race is grade 5 Titanium. It's on the website.
Must have been added as it wasn’t clear when I filmed this
Suunto offers the vertical refurbished for $500. If you had to choose between the race and the refurbished vertical, which do you think is the better choice?
I personally like the AMOLED screen so I'd probably go Suunto Race but that's just my opinion.
@@ChaseTheSummit thanks, I appreciate the advice.
Can you please inform us if the buttons could be pressed under the water?
Best regards
They can but I suspect like most other watches it's not advised to press them when you're at depths below 3 meters. This is typically in the fine print within user manuals oddly and rarely talked about!
one question please is the delay due to its processor either the screen is to blame this you finally fix and some upgrade or is it purely a matter of the processor
Suunto recently released a firmware update that reduced the lag significantly so it's much better... Still there but much better.
I hope the screen isn't the same with suunto 7... That's why I'll buy it after one year. I took my lesson 😊
What was wrong with the 7’s screen?
@@ChaseTheSummit one month after the warranty ends it appears the "burn in" effect. I know a lot of people with the same problem.
Coros Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro also have a sapphire glass and a very good build, at the same price (Apex 2 Pro) or even less (Apex 2).
Yep! Though I’d still say the Suunto Race is a step above. The Apex 2 Pro has a lower water resistance rating, smaller display, MIP Display, and way less battery life in GPS mode (26h vs 40h in dual frequency). Then there’s standby battery life where they are similar but the Suunto samples heart rate every 1 second while the COROS samples every 10 minutes to maximize battery life. The Suunto also has a few more useful wellness tools like automatic HRV tracking during sleep, HRV baseline monitoring, and Body Resources.
The Apex 2 series are great watches though!
@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks for the review and the detailed answer. The one thing I did not expect to find is less battery life on the Apex 2 Pro compared to the Suunto Race. I bet this hold true as long as the Suunto screen is off most of the time.
What are the main problems we can get by an inaccurate HR? Is it incompatible with a 100k race or trainning? I'm asking because i'm not a expert on the matter.
You could easily run a 100k with it, and yes you can build training plans within the Suunto App. When used with a third party external HR sensor the internal optical sensor is not an issue.
I hope for a Suunto Racer vs Garmin 965 ?
Thanks for the review!
I need a good training companion for callisthenics, weight training, kettlebell training and hiking.
Which one is the best Suunto Race, Garmin Venu 3s or 265s?
Please HELP!! Well, I finally wanna invest in a running watch after years of running just with my iphone and the Runkeeper app, but oh gosh it’s all so overwhelming for a total non-tech head like me!! My jam is heading off on long running adventures, 3-5hours, so I really need good maps and to be able to pre-plot routes to follow, and I wanna be able to listen to music and/or audiobooks, podcasts would be awesome too. But money is so tight these days since Covid, so I would like to pick up an older model second-hand!! Any recommendations and advice would be GREATLY appreciated 🙏🏻💪🏻🏃🏻♀️💪🏻🙏🏻
Does the new suunto race detect arm swing for steps? All Suunto watches add 3000+ steps a day for arm swings. Did they fix it in the race ??
Can't say anything has been "fixed" but step count seems OK on my watch. That said, I haven't done a scientific study to see how accurate it is simply because I don't think it matters much as long as it's consistent from day to day to give you an idea on how active you were.
I’m looking at either getting the Garmin fenix 6 pro or the forerunner 955. I want something that will be good for occasional backpacking with no service with a good battery life, but is also great for everyday wear and running with great navigation. Is the 955 good for all of these things or should I go with the fenix 6 pro?
Is the watch heavy? in comparison with Polar Vantage
It’s heavier with the Race coming in at 69g for the lighter titanium version and the Vantage V3 weighing 57 grams. Not a huge difference and the larger Race probably feels a little lighter due to its wider footprint. On the wrist the Race will feel a little bulkier though.
I really love the watch? But is the lag that bad in the real world? Or are you just a bit quick for the watch? Because that looks pretty bad.
It's something you get used to but if you're coming from something like an Apple Watch it will be VERY noticeable and possibly unbearable lol.
@@ChaseTheSummit I've got a instinct solar now. But as low tech as this screen is there is no lag.
i bought one on the day of the release. due to the unprecedented sales suunto customer care have told me there will be 1-4 week delay on shipping. my sales receipt still says shipped in one day. not good i had to shase them for an answer. but looking forward to getting my hands on one. Had an suunto S9 then a Fenix 6 now going back to Suuunto as the mapping on the Garmin app is just rubbish.
Which color did you buy? That’s odd. I bought the Titanium model 2 days after it was released, in fact, it was sold out and came back in stock when I jumped on the purchase and I’m expected to receive it this Tuesday via DHL.
I think a lot of folks opted for the Titanium model which may have lead to it selling out quickly. I’d say be patient and it will come back in stock soon.
I have FR255, thinking about Fenix6, but when this watches was released! Now thinking about Suunto Race. I Totally agree with Garmin's backto2008 Apps interface. It's awful. Only one question: what about Climb feature in Suunto Race? Compare with Garmin's ClimbPro? Is the functionality comparable?
i bought the steel one. Looked at the price. In the Uk the titanium one is still not availible on suunto website
Is there turn by turn nav?
Nope
@@ChaseTheSummit in the real world, running to an unfamiliar course: which experience is better, garmin or coros?
So, the catch is very clear: the watch is made in China, not in Finland, which explains the price differences among potentially explaining other issues, Suunto is trying to hide it. The only place it states is in the box in very small letters.
I wouldn't say they're trying to hide it but of course they don't advertise it. It's very clearly stated on their website and the box. That said, basically of their competition are making their devices overseas as well and have higher price points to boot.
I have always wore my watches on my right wrist. Can you turn the display upside down?
Yes
@@ChaseTheSummit thank you very very much for the reply. Much appreciated! 🙌🏻 FYI already liked and subscribed.
Looks really good but I need at least offline music and some paying method. I am not even asking to have phone calls but these days smartphones are bricks I don't want to carry with me all the time. I need some basic smartphone features to enjoy my run and I will go with the Apple Watch Ultra first generation which is now way cheaper after the release of Gen 2 which is basically the same.
Offline music would be nice. Especially considering they already have 32gb of storage on board for maps. It's strange they didn't add at least basic MP3 support like COROS.
The touch screen makes it a no-go for me. I also don't like always on displays.
You don’t need to use the touch screen thanks to the buttons and always on display is optional. By default it turns off to preserve battery.
Is the HR sensor covered by a plastic or a glass lens?
It's some sort of epoxy/resin material similar to what Garmin used on their Gen 4 heart rate sensor.
@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks! Too bad. You won't believe how many Garmin HR covers I ruined with sunblock. They always develop cracks quickly after coming into touch with most sunblocks I use, particularly the more water-resistant ones, and the Garmin service in Singapore isn't great. It's not an isolated issue and I guess that's why they finally switched to glass. I never had an issue with Apple's glass lenses over their HR sensors. Suunto seems to have a similar issue with models like the Vertical, their covers don't crack but develop bubbles.
How do you not have tattoo at 0:55 and have one at 1:00?
😂 it’s there. Just on the inside of my forearm!
I think the difference between the stainless steel and the titanium model is also in the memory space... The titanium one has 32 GB and the stainless steel 16. Is this right?
@@ChaseTheSummitThe stainless steel version only has 16gb of storage. However, that is plenty for my map usage.
Pretty disappointed it’s not made with renewable energy. This is a huge issue for me