Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR
Buy Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR at today's best price
7 minute read
Overview
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is a multisport watch designed to provide comprehensive tracking for various athletic activities. This watch is known for its integration of an optical heart rate sensor, allowing users to monitor their heart rate directly from the wrist without the need for a chest strap.
Key Features:
- Optical Heart Rate Sensor: Utilizes Valencell's technology for accurate wrist-based heart rate monitoring.
- Advanced GPS/GLONASS: Provides precise tracking of physical activities across different environments.
- Touchscreen Interface: Offers a high-resolution display for easy navigation and data viewing.
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is an ideal choice for athletes who prioritize heart rate monitoring for efficient training. Its advanced GPS capabilities offer reliable tracking, making it suitable for multisport enthusiasts.
According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's just below the median price of running watches.
Verdict
The consensus on the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is a solid choice for multisport athletes, offering a range of features that cater to various activities. The integration of the Valencell optical heart rate sensor is a significant advantage, providing accurate heart rate data directly from the wrist. This feature eliminates the need for a chest strap, making it more convenient for users. The watch's GPS accuracy is commendable, performing well in diverse environments, from cityscapes to open trails. However, the user interface can feel sluggish at times, particularly when navigating through settings. Battery life is decent, but continuous heart rate monitoring can drain it faster than expected. The lack of sleep tracking and limited customization options for data fields may be drawbacks for some users. Overall, the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR offers good value for its price, especially for those who prioritize heart rate monitoring and GPS accuracy. It stands as a reliable option for multisport athletes seeking a comprehensive tracking device.
Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR: Base model
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is a special version of the Suunto Spartan Sport. The primary difference is the inclusion of an optical heart rate sensor, allowing for wrist-based heart rate monitoring without a chest strap. This version also features a slightly thicker body and a black bezel, distinguishing it from the original Spartan Sport. While both models share similar functionalities, the Wrist HR offers the added convenience of heart rate tracking directly from the wrist.
Comparable Watches
The Garmin Fenix 5 is a popular alternative to the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR, offering a wide range of features and robust performance. While both watches provide accurate GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring, the Fenix 5 includes additional functionalities such as advanced sleep tracking and a more extensive app ecosystem. However, the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is often more competitively priced, making it a viable option for those seeking similar capabilities at a lower cost.
The Garmin Forerunner 935 is another competitor in the multisport watch market, known for its lightweight design and comprehensive tracking features. It offers similar heart rate monitoring and GPS accuracy as the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR but includes additional metrics for advanced training analysis. The Forerunner 935's longer battery life and customizable data fields may appeal to users who require more flexibility in their training devices.
Special versions of Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro is a variant of the Spartan Sport Wrist HR, featuring a barometric altimeter for more accurate elevation tracking. This addition makes it particularly appealing for athletes who engage in activities involving significant altitude changes, such as hiking or trail running. While it retains the optical heart rate sensor and other core features of the Wrist HR, the Baro version offers enhanced capabilities for those who require precise altitude data. Its design and functionality cater to users seeking a more comprehensive multisport watch.
6 Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Pros & Cons
3 Pros
3 Cons
In Depth
Battery life
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR offers a battery life of up to 40 hours in GPS mode, which is suitable for long training sessions or events. However, enabling continuous heart rate monitoring can significantly reduce this duration. The watch's rechargeable battery is a convenient feature, allowing users to easily power up the device when needed. For those who engage in extended activities, the battery life may require careful management to ensure it lasts throughout the session.
Screen quality and brightness
The watch features a high-resolution touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 300 pixels, providing clear and detailed visuals. While the screen is generally bright, some users may find it appears dark in certain lighting conditions, particularly in photos. The touchscreen interface allows for easy navigation through menus, although it can be less responsive in wet conditions. Overall, the screen quality is adequate for most users, offering a good balance between clarity and functionality.
Strap comfort
The strap of the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is designed for comfort during extended wear. It is adjustable, allowing users to find the right fit for their wrist size. The material is soft and flexible, which may contribute to improved heart rate sensor accuracy over time. However, some users may find the strap slightly bulky, especially if they prefer a more streamlined design. Overall, the strap provides a comfortable fit for most users, making it suitable for long training sessions.
Heart-rate monitor accuracy
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR features a Valencell optical heart rate sensor, known for its accuracy in measuring heart rate directly from the wrist. This sensor uses a combination of green and yellow LED lights to capture data across a range of skin tones. While the heart rate monitor generally provides accurate readings, some users may experience variability during high-intensity activities or in cold conditions. Proper strap fit is crucial for optimal performance, ensuring the sensor maintains contact with the skin.
GPS accuracy
The GPS accuracy of the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is generally reliable, performing well in various environments, including urban areas and open trails. The watch uses both GPS and GLONASS systems to enhance tracking precision. While occasional discrepancies may occur, such as slight offsets in dense urban settings, the overall performance is comparable to other high-end GPS watches. This makes it a suitable choice for athletes who require accurate distance and pace measurement during their activities.
Who should buy the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR?
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is well-suited for multisport athletes who value accurate heart rate monitoring and reliable GPS tracking. Runners, cyclists, and triathletes will appreciate its ability to track various activities without the need for a chest strap. The watch's advanced features, such as the optical heart rate sensor and GPS/GLONASS system, make it a great choice for those who engage in diverse training environments. Its comfortable strap and touchscreen interface add to its appeal for athletes seeking a comprehensive tracking device.
Who should not buy the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR?
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR may not be the best choice for users who prioritize sleep tracking or require extensive customization options for data fields. Those who prefer a more streamlined design might find the watch's bulkier build less appealing. Additionally, individuals who need a watch with a longer battery life for continuous heart rate monitoring might want to consider other options. If these features are important, potential buyers might explore alternatives that offer more tailored solutions for their specific needs.
Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR: What's it good for?
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is ideal for multisport activities, including running, cycling, and swimming. Its heart rate monitor provides accurate data for efficient training, while the GPS ensures precise tracking. The watch is also suitable for multi-sport mode enthusiasts who switch between different activities. Its robust design and advanced features make it a reliable companion for athletes seeking comprehensive performance insights.
5 Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR FAQs
How accurate is the heart rate monitor on the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR?
The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR uses a Valencell optical heart rate sensor, known for its accuracy in measuring heart rate directly from the wrist. While generally reliable, accuracy can vary based on factors like strap fit and activity intensity.
Does the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR track sleep?
Currently, the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR does not offer sleep tracking capabilities. Users looking for sleep monitoring features may need to consider other models or brands.
What is the battery life of the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR?
The watch offers up to 40 hours of battery life in GPS mode, but continuous heart rate monitoring can reduce this duration. It's important to manage battery usage for extended activities.
Can I customize the data fields on the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR?
Data field customization is limited on the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR. Users must create new sport modes to adjust data fields, which can be inconvenient for those seeking extensive customization.
Is the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR waterproof?
Yes, the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is waterproof up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
