Suunto Observer TT Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (Titanium)

by Suunto

Product Features

• Altimeter, barometer, and electronic compass in one
• One-third smaller than earlier Suunto models
• Premium titanium housing with a titanium wristband
• Altimeter with improved logbook displays and records simultaneously; 3 alarms, stopwatch, and countdown timer
• Shock resistant, waterproof; Electroluminescent backlight

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Bring together style and functionality with the Suunto Observer wrist-top computer, an altimeter, barometer, and compass in one. This premium Observer model comes in a titanium housing with a titanium band and is one-third smaller than earlier Suunto wrist-top computers, ideal for those wanting a more compact instrument. Waterproof to 100 feet, the Observer is designed for outdoor use with a rugged, shock-resistant body and backlit dial.

Suunto has improved its altimeter to allow the Observer's logbook to display and record at the same time. The altimeter allows you to view the current altitude with a range up to 29,500 feet and a resolution of 10 feet. The Observer features 24 hours of logbook memory, and the improved logbook stores up to 40,000 feet of data. With the push of a button, you can measure ascent and descent rates between stages with altitude simultaneously. The barometer allows you to measure the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, measure absolute pressure, and follow changes in barometric pressure and temperature.

The Observer's compass shows directional bearing in degrees and cardinal or half-cardinal point. There is a north-south arrow, and a bearing tracking function displays locked bearing, actual bearing, and the difference between these declination adjustments. The compass's bubble level ensures a reading accuracy to within 2 to 3 degrees.

Watch functions include displays for day, time, and date with three programmable alarms plus a stopwatch and countdown timer. The Observer comes with a replaceable battery, which lasts up to 18 months, and a one-year warranty.

Product Description

Suunto Observer measures your vertical ascents and descents, as well as the total number of runs skied and shows all that easily with one press of a button. Its timeless design makes it wearable in any casual situation, and because of its moderate size and stylish design it is perfectly suitable for both men, as well as women.

Product Details

Product Manual [1.72mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005OBOY
• Item model number: Suunto Observer TT
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant, compact, accurate, and useful, December 15, 2002

By 

Frank Paris (Beaverton, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Suunto Observer TT Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (Titanium) (Apparel)

I fell in love with this watch when I tried on the stainless steel version in a local retailer. The only problem I had with it is that it just seemed too heavy on my arm. Then I discovered the titanium version that is much lighter than the stainless steel version, but sticker shock initially put me off. However, this watch is so handsome and useful to me that I finally broke down and ordered the pricey titanium version, and I confess that I could not be more pleased with it. Some may find the gleam of the stainless steel version initially more attractive, but the subdued titanium finish has an understated elegance to it that will have longer staying power than the flash of the stainless steel model, and the ounce difference in weight for me makes the difference between a burden on my arm and something I hardly even notice.

From the reviews, it appears that many users are confused by the clasp, claiming it doesn't allow enough clearance to get the watch on and off. This confused me also, and Suunto should come out with a new edition of the instruction manual that makes it clearer that the band has two clasps and when both of them are open, there is plenty of clearance getting the watch on and off.

Don't believe any reviewer that says the altimeter in this watch isn't accurate. If it isn't accurate, return it, because it means the watch is defective. A working Observer will be as accurate as the most expensive Thommen precision analog altimeter. I know, because I've owned the same, reliable Thommen (showing 20-foot intervals) for 29 years and have A-B'd the Observer with my Thommen on several hikes and have obtained as similar results as can be expected, given the intrinsic nature of altimeters based on the measurement of air pressure.

Although the manual can be criticized for its organization and sketchy documentation of its sometimes bewildering variety of features, it does give a fairly clear explanation of why altimeters in general can be as much as several hundred feet off over an elevation gain of several thousand feet, in spite of the fact that the sea level barometric pressure remains constant. Section 3.6 of the manual explains the effect of air temperature on altitude measurement. As the temperature rises, the air gets lighter, i.e. the barometric pressure falls. This is an intrinsic problem associated with any altimeter that works off of barometric pressure, including the world-renowned Thommen altimeters. Thus every altimeter must be calibrated to a set of certain "standard" temperatures. As long as the outside temperature tracks this standard and the sea level barometric pressure doesn't change, the altimeter will give an accurate reading. But the reading could be hundreds of feet off after a long hike in extreme temperatures.

The Observer instruction manual presents a table defining Suunto's standard. You can use this table to calculate the actual altitude, given the starting altitude, starting temperature, temperature at the destination, and the watch's altimeter reading. At first I found the calculation hard to understand, and Suunto's table presents lower and lower resolution as you increase in altitude, ostensibly (but not really) making the table less and less useful as the altitude increases. Eventually however, I "cracked the code" and wrote a program for the PC that calculates the correct offsets and even creates tables for all the variables. If interested, contact me via email for a free copy of the program.

Here are some examples. If you climb in temperatures that are much hotter than the temperature compensation standard built into the Observer, you will find that the readings from the watch will be several hundred feet lower than your actual altitude. For example, if the starting elevation is 100 feet and the starting temperature is 90 degrees F. and you climb until the Observer altitude reading is 4,000 feet and the temperature is still 90 degrees, your actual altitude will be 4,329 feet. On the other hand, if you climb in temperatures that are much colder than the temperature compensation standard built into the Observer, you will find that the readings from the watch will be several hundred feet higher than your actual altitude. For example, if the starting elevation is 100 feet and the starting temperature is 0 degrees F. and you climb until the Observer altitude reading is 4,000 feet and the temperature is still 0 degrees, your actual altitude will only be 3,685 feet. Finally, if you climb in temperatures close to the compensation standard built into the Observer, you will find that the watch display will be very close to the actual altitude. For example, if the starting elevation is 100 feet and the starting temperature is 58 degrees F and you climb until the Observer altitude reading is 4,000 feet and the temperature has fallen to 45 degrees, your actual altitude will be 3,998 feet. The reading is very close to the actual altitude because the temperatures at the start and end of the climb are very close to the built-in standard, which you can check out by looking at the table in sec. 3.6. (By the way, the manual has a math error in the example it gives for "Imperial" measurements. The difference between 47.3 degrees F and 36.3 degrees F is 11 degrees, not 9 as stated in the manual. Thus the actual altitude should be 9,724 feet, not 9,740 as stated in the manual.)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Watch, Terrible Strap, March 4, 2009

By 

MinuteDreamer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suunto Observer TT Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (Titanium) (Apparel)

To summarize, this is a great watch, saddled with a bad and expensive strap design.

As a watch, the design is quite good - it is sturdy and very feature rich. There are a few minor shortcomings, however.
- The user interface is poorly designed. Some of the features will be completely inaccessible to you unless you have a photographic memory or have the manual in your hands.
- The thermometer is on your wrist. This makes it an inaccurate reference for determining the existing ambient temperature, or your body temperature. To get an accurate reading of the ambient temperature, it's best to remove the watch, and let it sit for a while.
- A lack of a count-down timer. (However, there is an alarm)
- Very quiet alarm, inaudible in louder settings.

The truly disappointing component of this watch is the bad strap design.
- It costs $120 to replace (1/3rd the price of the whole watch!) After scouring the Internet and Ebay, I was completely unable to a significantly better price on the strap.
- It is an integrated strap, so it can only be replaced Suunto Observer strap, not a generic watch strap.
- The watch bracelet is not a full metal bracelet - it is only a rubber strap with metal inserts for looks only. I personally don't mind this, but some people dislike it.
- The only way to size the bracelet to your wrist is to cut it with a pair of scissors! If you make a mistake cutting your strap, it will cost you $120. This also means that you cannot loan the watch to anyone who does not have the exact same wrist size as you. I have never seen this kind of design before in another watch.
- The rubber/elastomer part of the bracelet is a particularly cheap material. The forums are full of complaints of strap failure. Depending on your wear level, the strap will fail after a few years. Suunto refuses to sell the elastomer part of the bracelet separately, even if you speak to customer service. Instead, they will insist you need to purchase a new strap kit for $120. This is ridiculous for a part that costs pennies to manufacture.

Realize that you will be paying $120 every few years for as long as you wear this watch.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Watch!, July 12, 2006

By 

Z-man "climber" (colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suunto Observer TT Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (Titanium) (Apparel)

I have had this watch for 6 months now and during the height of the climbing season I can say I love it. It does everything it it claims plus looks great. I had a Avocet wrist altimeter for 10 years before this and the Suunto is much better and more accurate. Yes it does take some study and getting used to but if you make the effort it will reward you. So why do I like it?
1) It looks great, small enough to not grab attention (like the funny looking bigger watches) but classy. Have not found scratching to be a problem even with rock climbing if you are careful. 2) The controls make sense. After having the Avocet this has multiple screens that if you use them for a time you don't even have to pause to find what you are looking for. 3) Very accurate. I climb much during the year and it is as close as a altimeter will get to accurate. I compare the readings with my friends GPS and we are always within 50 feet or less. 4) Being a mountaineer, I love the lightness of it compared with the steel model.

I highly reccomend this watch!