Suunto Vertical
Buy Suunto Vertical at today's best price
6 minute read
Overview
The Suunto Vertical is a high-performance GPS watch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. This watch is part of the Suunto family, known for its robust design and advanced features.
Key Features:
- Offline Mapping: Offers downloadable maps via WiFi for global navigation.
- Solar Charging: Extends battery life significantly, especially in the Solar/Titanium model.
- Dual-Frequency GPS: Provides enhanced GPS accuracy with multiband connectivity.
The Suunto Vertical is an ideal choice for outdoor adventurers who prioritize navigation and battery life for extended activities. Its solar charging offers prolonged usage, making it suitable for long expeditions.
According to our analysis of reviews from experts around the world, it averages a review score of 77%. This puts it in the lowest rated 20% of comparable running watches. According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's in the most expensive 30% of running watches.
Verdict
The consensus on the Suunto Vertical
The Suunto Vertical is a solid choice for those seeking a durable and feature-rich GPS watch. Its offline mapping and solar charging capabilities stand out, providing users with reliable navigation and extended battery life. The dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate tracking, making it suitable for various outdoor activities. However, some users have noted that the interface could be more intuitive, and the mapping features, while improved, still lag behind competitors like Garmin. The watch's design is praised for its robustness and comfort, although it is slightly heavier than some alternatives. Overall, the Suunto Vertical offers excellent performance for outdoor enthusiasts, but its high price point and limited features compared to some competitors may deter some buyers. For those who value durability and battery life, the Suunto Vertical is a worthwhile investment.
Updates to Suunto Vertical
The Suunto Vertical introduces several significant updates over previous models like the Suunto 9 Peak Pro. It features offline shaded topographic maps, a larger 1.4-inch touchscreen, and increased resolution for better readability. The addition of solar charging in the Titanium model extends battery life, making it more suitable for long outdoor activities. The watch also includes dual-frequency GPS for improved accuracy and a new 24/7 heart-rate monitoring feature, enhancing its functionality for fitness enthusiasts.
Comparable Watches
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar is a strong competitor to the Suunto Vertical, offering a similar blend of features and performance. While both watches provide solar charging and robust GPS capabilities, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar includes additional smart features like contactless payments and music storage, which may appeal to users seeking a more comprehensive smartwatch experience. However, the Suunto Vertical excels in battery life and durability, making it a better choice for extended outdoor adventures.
The Coros Vertix 2 is another alternative for those considering the Suunto Vertical. Both watches offer dual-frequency GPS and are designed for outdoor activities. The Vertix 2 is known for its excellent battery life and rugged design, similar to the Suunto Vertical. However, the Suunto Vertical's solar charging and offline mapping features provide an edge for users who prioritize navigation and extended usage in remote areas.
6 Suunto Vertical Pros & Cons
3 Pros
3 Cons
In Depth
Battery life
The Suunto Vertical boasts impressive battery life, especially in GPS mode, where it can last up to 60 hours. This is further enhanced by the solar charging feature, which extends usage time significantly. The watch's battery management options allow users to choose different modes to optimize performance and longevity, making it ideal for long expeditions. With up to 720 hours in regular mode, the Suunto Vertical is a leader in battery life among GPS watches.
Screen quality and brightness
The Suunto Vertical features a high-resolution color display with 280 x 280 pixels, ensuring excellent readability even in direct sunlight. The screen's brightness and clarity are enhanced by a new MIP display and additional LED lighting, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. The display's customization options allow users to tailor the interface to their preferences, adding to the watch's usability.
Strap comfort
The Suunto Vertical comes with a 22 mm silicone strap that is both comfortable and adjustable. The strap's design ensures a secure fit, making it suitable for various wrist sizes. However, some users have noted that the pin strap keeper can be felt against the wrist during certain activities, which may affect comfort for prolonged use.
Heart-rate monitor accuracy
The Suunto Vertical's heart-rate monitor provides accurate readings, with a difference of +/- 3.70 BPM compared to chest straps. The watch offers 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, which is a significant improvement over previous models. While the wrist-based sensor is reliable, for those seeking near-perfect accuracy, pairing with a chest-worn heart-rate monitor is recommended.
GPS accuracy
Equipped with dual-frequency GPS, the Suunto Vertical offers high accuracy in tracking, comparable to leading competitors. The watch supports multiple satellite systems, ensuring reliable signal reception even in challenging environments. This makes it a dependable choice for outdoor activities where precise location tracking is crucial.
Sleep tracking
The Suunto Vertical includes sleep tracking features that provide insights into sleep duration and quality. The data is accessible through the watch's widgets and the Suunto app, allowing users to monitor their sleep patterns over time. While the sleep tracking is generally accurate, some users may find the interface less intuitive compared to other devices.
Virtual coach and recovery
The Suunto Vertical offers virtual coaching features, including adaptive training guidance and recovery time estimation. These tools help users optimize their training by providing personalized feedback and recommendations. The watch's recovery metrics are particularly useful for athletes looking to balance training intensity with adequate rest.
Who should buy the Suunto Vertical?
The Suunto Vertical is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who value durability and extended battery life. It's ideal for those who engage in activities like hiking, trail running, and mountaineering, where reliable navigation and long-lasting power are crucial. The watch's solar charging and offline mapping make it a great choice for adventurers who spend extended periods in remote areas. Its robust design and advanced features cater to those who prioritize functionality over a plethora of extra features.
Who should not buy the Suunto Vertical?
Runners who prefer a watch with a wide range of smart features, such as contactless payments or music storage, might find the Suunto Vertical lacking. Those who prioritize a highly intuitive interface and seamless integration with third-party apps may also want to consider other options. If budget is a concern, the Suunto Vertical's higher price point might not justify its features for some users. Alternatives like the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar or the Suunto Race could be more suitable for those seeking a balance of features and cost.
Suunto Vertical: What's it good for?
The Suunto Vertical is well-suited for outdoor activities such as hiking, trail running, and mountaineering. Its running features, including dual-frequency GPS and offline mapping, make it a reliable choice for adventurous runners who explore new trails. The watch's long battery life and solar charging are ideal for multi-day expeditions, ensuring users can track their activities without frequent recharging. Its robust design and water resistance make it suitable for varied weather conditions and environments.
4 Suunto Vertical FAQs
How does the Suunto Vertical's battery life compare to other GPS watches?
The Suunto Vertical offers industry-leading battery life, with up to 60 hours in GPS mode and 720 hours in regular mode. Its solar charging feature further extends usage time, making it ideal for long expeditions.
Is the Suunto Vertical suitable for everyday running?
Yes, the Suunto Vertical is suitable for everyday running, offering features like dual-frequency GPS and heart-rate monitoring. Its robust design and long battery life make it a reliable choice for regular training sessions.
What are the main differences between the Suunto Vertical and the Suunto 9 Peak Pro?
The Suunto Vertical features a larger touchscreen, offline mapping, and solar charging, which are not available in the Suunto 9 Peak Pro. It also offers improved GPS accuracy with dual-frequency support.
Can the Suunto Vertical be used for swimming?
Yes, the Suunto Vertical is water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities. It also offers heart-rate monitoring while swimming.
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|---|---|---|---|
| bestDeal | Show prices | ||
| priceBand | Price band | ||
| released | ReleasedMay 2023 | Oct 2023 | Jun 2024 |
| expertReviewScore | Expert Review Score | ||
| Battery life | Battery life720 hours | 624 hours | 216 hours |
| Battery life – GPS mode | Battery life – GPS mode60 hours | 40 hours | 30 hours |
| Screen size | Screen size36 mm | 36 mm | 34 mm |
| Weight | Weight86 g | 83 g | |
| Height | Height49 mm | 49 mm | 45 mm |
| Resolution | Resolution280 x 280 px | 466 x 466 px | 466 x 466 px |
| Waterproof depth | Waterproof depth100 m | 100 m | 50 m |
| Pixel density | Pixel density282 ppi | 460 ppi | 499 ppi |
| Internal storage | Internal storage | 32 GB |
