Smart watch SUUNTO 9 Baro - advantages and disadvantages

In Finland, in the city of Vantaa, in 2018, a presentation of SUUNTO 9 Baro watches with high performance took place. Popular models of SUUNTO watches for climbers, racers, triathletes, as well as travelers and just amateurs are presented.

What the watch can and cannot do

Main technical characteristics

The watch weighs 2.86 ounces, which is 81 grams. Clock screen Ø 50 mm, resolution 320 X 300 pl, color. Has LED lighting. Applied sapphire crystal, touch screen. There is a touch screen lock during workouts. The 16.8 mm thick case is made of glass-fibre reinforced polyamide and is available in 2 colors: white and black. Grade 5 titanium buttons and bezel frame.The 24mm wide strap is made of good quality silicone, with a grip width of 130-230mm. Water resistant up to 100 meters depth. Operating temperature range from -20⁰ to +60⁰ С.

Digital compass with 1⁰ resolution and 5⁰ accuracy. Barometric altimeter with a resolution of 1 meter and a registration interval of 1 second, consistent with GPS altitude data. It has a measurement range of -500 to 9999 meters above sea level. The internal thermometer has a range from -20⁰ to +60⁰ С and a resolution of 1⁰ С. A barometer with a resolution of 1 hPa.

There is a step counter, it is also possible to track and calculate how many calories burned. Sleep and wake time tracking. Availability of magazines describing the Move and details of the stages of training. There is also a training log with tables and graphs of training stages. Distances and durations are analyzed at various stages depending on the sport. Possibility of publication in social networks with tracking of rating and comments. View activity feed. There are 17 languages, of which there is Russian. There is no option to edit messages, but it can be done from a smartphone.

There are 80 training modes. Ability to support Bluetooth Smart, GPS, compatible with Android and iPhone smartphones. There is support for programs with sports online communities. There is also automatic zooming in GPS navigation depending on the route. Automatic building of a reverse route with an altitude profile and in real time. There are topographic and satellite maps of the area. Building physical maps and matching with heat maps and maps from online libraries.

After a workout, the watch itself can take an interest in sensations, there is such a function that monitors well-being. Tracks data changes and real-time performance. Weather conditions, data on atmospheric pressure, position of the sun, phases of the moon are taken into account. You can set up notifications from your smartphone and receive messages about weather forecasts, storm warnings, weather news.

Watch Reminders

• Alarm clock with 1st signal setting;
• Pre-training reminder, when the system calculates possible workouts so as not to forget to recharge the device;
• 10% low battery reminder and switch to economy mode. It can also be during training;
• When the battery is even more discharged, a reminder to switch to Chrono mode with all functions turned off except for the time count.

The Do Not Disturb mode disables sound and vibration.

Speaking about the capabilities of this watch brand, it should be noted that they even measure the pulse, although this mode is the most uneconomical and it is better to turn it off forever. And if necessary, use a special chest sensor. The watch will then use this sensor by default, if present and enabled.

All about battery

The watch is equipped with a lithium-ion battery. The technical characteristics of which top the rating of high-quality batteries of this type.

How has the savings in consumption improved in the new version?

More detailed study of modes with the ability to save battery power. For long workouts or travel when there is no way to recharge the battery. When the discharge is more than 10%, the watch itself goes into power saving mode.

There are 3 fixed modes and one customizable mode:

You can select the desired mode by the upper right button of the clock. Or, on the touch screen, go down to the “Workout Settings” mode. You can make settings in manual mode. In addition to training modes, there are even more economical modes without recharging:

• with notifications via Android and 24/7 tracking - 7 days;
• in normal time mode - 14 days.

Of course, during training, you can change the mode. Switch to "battery mode" by pressing the right button. Here you can go from performance to endurance mode without stopping in training.

Disadvantages regarding battery consumption

Valencell optical sensors have a high consumption, and the error in measuring the pulse on the wrist is about 5%. With such an error, the meaning of the measurement is lost. In the Endurance and Performance modes, the sensor operation is enabled by default. But you can turn it off before starting a workout. Included with the watch is a chest sensor, which consumes less. And when you turn it on, the watch automatically takes measurements from it.

Optimization GPS—moblowing

SUUNTO 9 Baro has achieved battery saving thanks to a special algorithm of the GPS module. The FusedTrack™ algorithm is based on the work of not only a GPS transmitter that updates its readings every 1, 2 hours, but also motion sensors. Information about the route is supplemented by a gyroscope, compass and accelerometer. Route accuracy with this mode of operation is greater than even with more frequent GPS updates. But the economy is greatly improved.

Now the watch with the included GPS-module can work up to 120 hours.But if necessary, for example, during races on a car or motorcycle, you can turn on the GPS detection every second, the “Best” accuracy mode. Then the battery will last for 25 hours in this mode. This is important when traveling by transport, cycling, or in the mountains with frequent halts, ascents and descents. FusedTrack™ GPS economic modes are almost unparalleled and are extremely convenient for hunters, sailors, hikers, climbers and travelers.

SUUNTO App

This application is designed to diversify the training process and keeps a log of classes. Here, data on the pulse, loads, routes are recorded, there are training schedules. With it, it is easy to plan tasks using various online applications with consultation and communication with other athletes or coaches.

There are regular updates of the application, taking into account the wishes of users. The latest features and application capabilities are being developed. Errors are corrected, recommendations are taken into account.

The downside of the new app of the same name is that it doesn't bring workouts to Strava. This forces some users to use the old Movescount software. It is hoped that this shortcoming will soon be corrected by some extension or update.

For more personalization, you can add the app to your Suunto Traverse Alpha. To see the apps you already have, go to Plan & Build in Movescount and select APP ZONE. You can find the right pre-built Suunto app there. And in order to create an application, you need to go to the "Planning and creation" section and select APP DESIGNER.You can schedule tasks there. To do this, you need to add the app to sport mode and connect your Movescount account to Suunto Traverse Alpha in order to sync Suunto app with your device.

Testing SUUNTO 9 Baro

When creating the new version of SUUNTO 9 Baro, the emphasis was not only on creating more economical and convenient battery modes, but also on the requests and recommendations of professional athletes. The designers tried to take into account and correct all the shortcomings and shortcomings. Taking into account their recommendations, testing was carried out around the world. The SUUNTO 9 Baro watch brand has successfully passed the tests carried out in the most severe weather conditions in a long period of time. The emphasis during development was also placed on accuracy, which professional athletes love. The innovative performance of the FusedTrack™ GPS module during testing made even skeptics trust.

First, SUUNTO 9 Baro was tested in testing laboratories. They were thrown from a height, subjected to blows, shaking. They lowered to the depth, checked the readings of the height sensor at depth. They also made a deep freeze, and then defrosted and checked the operating modes and the operation of the sensors. Conducted natural tests by natural elements. The gadget passed the tests, having received positive results.

After approval by the laboratory specialists, the watches were submitted for testing by experienced athletes and experts. Testers and athletes have been testing and using the gadget for several months. Tested for comfort and reliability under normal conditions and during demanding training. The world champions who participated in the testing of the device, declared the reliability of the device.They noted the importance of the fact that SUUNTO 9 Baro is not distracting during training, but is a convenient assistant with many necessary functions.

The disadvantage is that in the mode of every second GPS alert, the battery power is not enough for a full run or route. GPS with the FusedTrack™ algorithm comes to the rescue, using data from other sensors.

The problem of low brightness of the display screen was also stated. The text from the screen is hard to read, especially in bright sunlight, the titles are hard to see. This problem is partially offset by the presence of LED backlighting.

The presence of only 3 buttons and only on one, the right side, protects as much as possible from accidental pressing. A well-thought-out switching algorithm makes it easy to return to the desired mode. The intelligent software itself controls the operation of the main modes.

For novice gadget users, the watch seems too big and heavy. The bulk of them is the battery. But when you consider that they can replace a much-needed smartphone, which can easily be damaged during intense training and competition, then it justifies. It is also easy to smear the sensor with grease during cooking or eating, as well as when repairing equipment with lubricants. But the high chemical resistance of the apparatus leaves it intact. And high moisture protection will allow you to simply wash them with shampoo or soap.

• A large number of complex and necessary functions;
• Improved control of three buttons on one side;
• Economical battery modes;
• Economical operation of the GPS module with the FusedTrack™ algorithm;
• Ability to connect with online communities;
• High water resistance;
• High quality material.

• Large consumption of the Valencell sensor;
• Weak display brightness.

Trademark Warranty Options:

• the possibility of exchanging watches in case of preservation of the presentation and the presence of the integrity of the factory packaging;
• international warranty with the possibility of free repair and product exchange;
• professional advice, the opportunity to choose and familiarize yourself with the goods are provided;
• there is a quality certificate.

In order to avoid buying a fake product, it is necessary to check the availability of a certificate and an official guarantee.