Amazon.com Review

The Suunto X9 packs a stunning array of features into a single, wrist-mounted device. With GPS navigation, altimeter, temperature, compass and chronograph capabilities, this watch redefines the active sports watch category. Amazon testers put the watch through its paces on two winter backcountry ski tours. On the whole, testers came away impressed with the unit's performance, considering it a reliable companion in the backcountry.

The X9's many advanced features are easily accessible through its intuitive interface

The Convenience of Convergence
Instead of having to cart around a GPS unit, a timepiece, an altimeter, a thermometer and a compass, the X9 combines them all. So often, devices that attempt to cram many functions into a single unit end up sacrificing ease of use and performance. Not so with the X9. Fortunately, Suunto has taken queues from another Finnish producer of quality convergence devices, Nokia, and has successfully integrated a powerful set of features that minimizes user confusion. In the field, we found ourselves switching between altimeter, GPS, compass and time (yes, the X9 even tells time!) modes with a user-friendly interface that made it easy to get quick, accurate data.

Admittedly, the X9 is a challenge to operate right out of the box, so don't expect to take it out in the field successfully without reading the manual. One minor quibble here: While a printed quick start guide and reference card are provided, it would be great if the full manual was available in a printed format, too. A tool like this takes some time to master, but once we got our minds around the way the X9 works, it felt intuitive and easy. The up and down buttons switch between modes while a single "enter" button takes you deeper into a given mode's functionality.

All About the Modes
Many of the X9's five modes-- time, altimeter/barometer, compass, navigation and activity-- are well integrated with ample screen space for multiple data items. For instance, it is possible to view the current time while you're in any mode. Likewise, the altimeter/barometer mode allows you to view current rate of ascent, altitude, and current temperature at once. Settings for each mode are fairly easy to make, however, we weren't completely sure why map datums and coordinate positioning settings are included in the time mode settings screens; these might be better placed in the compass or GPS modes.

With support for two simultaneous time displays, jet-setting adventurers can use the X9 to keep track of the time back home, as well on the approach to Mont Blanc. The X9 can synchronize time with GPS satellites, making it highly accurate wherever you roam. On a comparatively "low tech" note, testers liked the X9's stopwatch; it's refreshingly easy to start, stop and reset.

Suunto has integrated all the powerful technology from their popular line of altimeter watches into the X9, and the watch really excels in altimeter/barometer mode. Initial settings were easy to make and when testers checked altimeter readings with known elevations on a topo map, watch readings were accurate. Keep in mind, though, that the X9's altimeter is essentially a barometer that measures altitude based on the atmospheric pressure changes that accompany elevation gain or loss. This can be affected by weather changes, and Suunto recommends recalibrating the altimeter to match known elevations, or to a GPS fix on current altitude, when possible. When switched from altimeter to barometer mode, the X9 serves as a wrist-mounted weather station that can alert you to dramatic shifts in atmospheric pressure that portend changing weather. The watch can graph barometric and temperature data from throughout the day, or even over the course of a week. Rate of ascent and total vertical data are provided as well-- great for climbers and skiers who want to keep track of progress. Finally, alti/baro mode includes a sunrise and sunset calculation for the current day-- yet another curious choice of locations, as we thought this might be better placed in the time mode.

Compass mode is also highly useful and accurate, and because the compass has a 3-axis sensor, the watch can be tilted up to 30 degrees and still report an accurate reading. The compass operates just like a traditional handheld "analog" compass with a rotating circle that indicates direction. Cardinal directions and headings are displayed, too. A bearing lock function helps you navigate a certain bearing by displaying the amount of deviation, in degrees, from your target bearing. Calibration of the compass is straightforward, and we found that if we went through the simple calibration process before each trip the unit remained accurate.

Delivering real-time coordinate positioning, speed, altitude, and distance measurement is a tall order and in many ways, the X9's GPS capability successfully delivers all of them. Just like larger handheld GPS units, the X9 features 12-channel GPS reception-- amazing when you consider the X9's GPS antenna is crammed into such a small form factor. All this miniaturization does come at a small price, however, as the watch took a few minutes longer to lock onto the satellites when we first started our adventures. After about five minutes of waiting, though, the GPS sprang to life, offering highly accurate data. Testers had used Suunto altimeter watches before, but the X9's GPS-based position, speed and altitude information is a jaw-dropping addition that makes the X9 worth the price of admission. The only caveat is that the device must have a clear view of the sky when GPS functions are used.

To recharge the watch, simply place it on the docking station

The X9's first GPS mode, Activity, is essentially a real-time GPS data display with speed, distance, altitude, and position data. In open areas, we were able to maintain a fairly strong GPS fix. Some drop-offs in signal occurred in trees and gullies. Fortunately, the X9 lets you to set the interval with which the GPS receiver tries to attain a signal, making it easier to get satellite data just when you need it or when the terrain permits it. Longer data intervals save precious battery life, too.

Curiously, altimeter data in the main Activity display is barometric, not GPS-based, and we had to go to a separate Position display to get GPS-based altimeter data. Confusing? We thought so, too. In fact, the only major improvement testers said the X9 needed was better delineation between non-GPS and GPS-derived data throughout the watch's functions. Perhaps a simple overview of this in the manual would solve the problem.

Battery Life
The Achilles heel of powerful portable devices is their thirst for juice. While the X9 isn't really an exception, it does have features that make it possible for users to intelligently manage power consumption. Selectable GPS fix modes are the big battery saver. For instance, in one-second GPS fix mode (meaning the GPS receiver looks for a signal from the satellites once every second) the battery lasts about 4 hours. Change the rate to one minute and you've got 10 to 12 hours of battery life. Turning on the GPS fix only when you need it for position and altitude data bumps you up to a whopping two weeks of available power. In a nod to the needs of adventurers who may be away from power for days, the X9's wall charger has space for a 9-volt battery, allowing you to charge the watch even without AC power. --Joshua Gunn

Pros

• Excellent time, altimeter/barometer and compass modes
• Good device controls and menus
• Good GPS performance, given the unit's size and power constraints

• Manual should be offered in printed format
• Needs clearer delineation between GPS and non-GPS data modes
• Some functions could be more intuitively placed in the device's menus

Features

• Shows elevation up to 29,500 feet plus vertical speed; 6-hour barometric trend graph to help forcast weather changes
• Synchronize with your PC via the serial interface to analyze performance and route planning
• Wrist-top computer/timepiece with GPS functionality, altimeter, barometer, and digital compass
• GPS provides distance, direction and time to next waypoint and ETA; Track Back feature takes you back home wherever you are
• Displays speed, distance and time from start

Reviews (2)

Good Watch, Fun to use
I have been using my Suunto X9 for about 6 months now and I love it!It's a lot of fun to use.You must keep in mind that this is a watch first, and a GPS receiver second.Here are pro's and con's that I've encountered:
Pro's
- the watch has a loop antenna, allowing it to remain synchronized in any position.So, it will work on your arm as you are running, skiing, backpacking, etc.Other GPS receivers have to be kept level.
- any map in .jpg, .bmp, or similar digital image file may be calibrated and used.I use www.terraserver-usa.com to capture and calibrate aerial photographs.They are on the dot accurate.You can even scan and use your own maps.Other GPS receivers require you to buy and use their own maps.
- easy to use.It really is, once you learn how to use it.

Con's
- it takes a long time to figure out how to use it.I think it took me even longer because I have never used a GPS receiver before.
- it cannot download your position and track it on a map in real time while you're connected to your computer.
- it's a little big and the buttons are somewhat hard to push.It does look like a nice sports watch, however.
- the software has a few bugs and some restrictions - none of which are serious and can't be worked around.

Some other things to keep in mind are:Because of the loop antenna, it takes longer to synchronize (up to 10 minutes if you haven't synchronized within a week) and won't work inside a building.It does work great inside my car, however.The alarm points feature is great.I program school crossings in and on my way to work it reminds me to slow down.I've been able to synchronize while on a commercial airline flight, too, but you have to hold it against the window.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this watch.It's really cool.

Watch full of Bugs & Does not always work
I purchased this watch for navigational purposes. It is full of bugs and does not always function correctly. It is a waste of money! The watch is capable of getting a GPS LAT/LONG coordinate, but the issues arise when you try to load in routes into the watch. At times it will work and others it will hang up and stay stuck on " Loading Wplist" screen. This is really frustrating because the watch is frozen, and the only thing you can do is wait for the battery to die, before you can use it again. This normally takes around 24-36 hours. Which is really frustrating specially if you are out in the middle of no where trying to use it to navigate. The watch is also unable to connect to the PC Via there PC Interface software. I tried to connect the watch to 3 different PCs with no luck. Then I even went a step further and thought maybe it was just a defective watch so I returned it, for an exchange of another. The exchange had the same problem. It is very disappointing as these are very noticeable issues with the watch, you would think for a $700.00 watch that it would be bug free from the manufacture. And tech support, don't bother... Stay away from this you will be disappointed, and lost out in the woods, when the screen freezes up stuck on " Loading Wplist" ... Read more

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Works Great !
I needed a PDA to keep up with appointments and store my contact list, but didn't want to pay alot for it. This watch, for less than $60, reminds me of my appointments and stores all my contacts.What a Bargain!And to top it all off I don't have another box dangling from my belt.Thanks Timex.My only complaint is the cheap velcro wrist band that comes standard.Otherwise, this watch get 5 stars. ... Read more

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Very good...except when replacing armband.
Well, i'm not gonna waste a lot of words.The watch itself is great.The numbers are large and the menus are easy to use.


However, the biggest complaint is replacing the stupid armband.Mine got broken so I went to WalMart and got a replacement.I got home and tried to put it on.Spend 2 hours.Didn't get it on.SO i take it back to WalMart and have them put it on.It turns out that the stupid engineers didn't design the little groove niche right where you insert the two little metal rods to attach it to the watch.The watch's groove is bent in a curvy shape, however, the rods are straight.It took the WalMart guy quite a while to put it on and he had to use a bunch of special tools.


If it weren't for that, I would give it 5 stars. ... Read more

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