Customer Reviews

Suunto T6 Wristop Personal Trainer with Heart Rate Monitor

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I have raced bikes and triathlons for over 20 years, and used heart rate monitors since the early 1990's when they were 'brand new' to sports. After buying and using at least 6 different systems, most of them Polar-made, I have come to the conclusion that there are two paths worth taking in HRMs- you can keep it simple and buy a low-cost, quality device that gives your average and training time, or you should go high-end and buy a device that you can download to your PC and thoroughly analyze the data. The gear in the middle provides little added value in my opinion.

I have been sponsored by other companies in the past but never by SUUNTO, so this review is completely based on personal experience.

I have used this HRM system for over a year and it is hands-down one of the best training aids I have ever spent money on. It is expensive, but see my comments above. And the software you get coupled with SUUNTO's Olympic-level research into the science of EPOC and physiology make this an invaluable training tool. Why? Because the hardest thing to know when you have an HRM is how hard to train, and what impact the time you spend training at a given intensity level has on your fitness. It's like having a tachometer on an engine but no speedometer or fuel gauge-- you don't know how fast to go or how far to go to get the most out of a tank of gas. EPOC makes a big difference and you'll be surprised at the improvements in your training efficiency. Wasted miles are the bane of a working athlete's existence and this tool helps reduce them.

I've used the T6 with a running pod for nearly two years, and it's at least as accurate as my Garmin Etrex GPS unit. I do take the time to check the calibration every now and then, and even during a race if it's off, it's never off by much and it's consistent so I can mentally compensate for any differences. I've used the shoe pod to pace marathons on roads and ultra-marathons in the woods. I was first aware of the technology in 1999 when a team I was part of was given a similar system to test in the Himalayas during an adventure race- it was OK then, but now it works. We used my T6 and shoe pod during an adventure race in the Great Smokies in 2006 as a navigation aid (not by itself) by measuring distances at night in a major snowstorm. It was probably not perfect but it definitely helped keep us from getting lost. Handheld GPS wouldn't work in that kind of environment of heavy cover and falling snow.
The bike pod for my T6 hasn't been as good a story, but there are new versions out now that appear to have addressed the issues- the biggest one lies in the distance between the pod and the watch- the transmission range was not long enough to make it work well, you had to mount the watch on the bike as opposed to keeping it on your wrist. I believe that the new pods have improved this but I haven't tested them myself.
The other complaint I'd offer is that you have to send the T6 to SUUNTO for software updates. I had a watch go bad early on, and the replacement had an older software revision in it that I have yet to update because of the mail-in requirement-- but I'll do it sometime soon as my training schedule permits. The good news is that updates are free, and you don't really need them unless you want the new features they offer which are usually pretty minor changes. To be fair, last time I checked, Polar requires you to send them an HRM for new batteries, with the SUUNTO gear you can change them all yourself, including the HR strap. The HRM will NOT work in a pool though, and my Polar HRMs are spotty in the water but sometimes work.
I've used my T6 to train for an Ironman triathlon, multiple ultra-distance road and MTB events, a couple of ultra-distance runs, and other events noted above-- with the exception of my newly-acquired power training gear for my bike, my T6 is absolutely the most effective piece of training gear I have ever owned, and I wish I'd had this ten years ago when I was really competitive. It's an amazing piece of gear and I'm a better athlete because of its use- you have to spend some time learning about EPOC and exercise science but the T6 more than pays it back.

I used Polar HR monitors for years before switching to the Suunto t6.

Suunto advantages:
1 - large display that can be somewhat user-specified;
2 - more accurate FootPod than Polar's s1 footpod for measuring distance;
3 - availability of even more accurate (though bulkier) GPSPod, which needs no calibration (unlike footpods of any brand);
4 - user can change battery in chest band and watch.
5 - don't need an IR interface to upload running data to computer.

Polar advantages:
1 - significantly better software;
2 - compatible for use with third-party software (e.g. PC Coach);
3 - user can change ALL lines of display.
4 - a little cheaper because s1 footpod is included in the Polar 625.
5 - I suspect Polar's latest model, the rs800sd that has a new s3 footpod, is equal to Suunto's, but the cost is greater.

As you can see, Polar's got the edge in extras, but Suunto wins when it comes to functionality and that's what counts most.

This watch is for running and biking and training in those sports. If you buy it for other reasons, you are more likely going to be frustrated. I have trained with it for over a year and love it.
Pros:
1.Easy to use, even intuitive. Easy to read as well.
2.Provides more data and more accurate data than any watch out there (instant speed, avg speed, instant altitude, rate of climbing or decending, heart rate, accurate distances in running and biking (with foot pod for running and bike pod for biking), and more.
3. Quality build. does not break or show wear. Crystal does not scratch. batteries last long.
4. Hooks up to computer and downloads, analyzes, and saves all work out data.
5. Good support from Suunto. good warranty. Good online user groups as well.
Cons:
1. Have to get used to resetting altitude before a workout as it only stays accurate while barrometric pressures are fairly steady.
2. Computer software is great but could easily be much better. Suunto is trying, but slowly and imperfectly, to improve software.
3. Bike pod will not fit on one of three of my bikes. (new pods are coming in the fall and look to solve this).

Other people may have a different list of pros and cons, but this is what stands out for me.

It is expensive. for me it is worth it.

I've had my T6 for nearly two months and like it a great deal. As a coach of runners it's allowed me to see graphically (via the software) the effects of a particular workout. The user-friendliness is not what I would like, but since I use the T6 as my main watch - and work out 8-10x/week - knowing what it will and will not do has come quicker.

The s/w has helped me to figure out, as I've looked closer at my training trends, the duration of run that will best help my training at a particular point in time. Take the fitness levels with the amount of salt (grain, shake, shaker, entire box) necessary to make it palatable; right now it says my fitness-level is world-class, I tend to disagree. However, it does let you know when your overall fitness is improving or declining.

It's more accurate in the HR pick-up tham nost other monitors, which is a big plus.

My only disappointments are these:
1. No Mac-compatible s/w. Suunto has no intention to make it OSX-friendly, either. However, with the new dual-processor Macs I guess this is a moot point. For Mac guys like me, though, a Windows emulation program is a must.
2. The foot POD has crapped out on three runs since I changed the AAA battery. Reinstalling the battery and ensuring the contacts are good seems to have corrected the problem, but be careful.
3. The chest strap has blipped out once or twice, also, but I think it's more of an operator-interface error (failure to adjust tension as torso size decreases) than anything else.
4. Customer service, as someone else said, is not what you would expect for an item with this price tag. However, it's better than I expected. I've had little problem since the first call right after I received my T6.

Is it worth the money? Yes, yes, and yes...especially if you are one of those folks who want to know ALL the relevant information, if you have a coach who likes to see data, or if you are a self-coached/remotely-coached athlete. Hard numbers are only part of the story, but it's better than no story at all.

I have used Suunto dive computers for years, and had good experience with them. So when Suunto offered the t6 wrist computer and heart rate monitor, I bought it - the high price is reasonable if the item does what it claims. I used the computer for 3 months in my exercise program. I am 74 years old, and need to monitor my heart rate to avoid a dangerous situation. One of the main features selling me on the t6 was the Training Manager and the ability to download heart data from the t6 to my PC for analysis and record filing. When I loaded the Training Manager, a warning message popped up on the screen advising me that the software may not be entirely compatible with Windows operating system (XP). I went ahead and loaded the software and it worked. Then, MS updated my WindowsXP operating system. I believe that in that process, a Suunto DLL file was found to be in the Windows area reserved for Windows System DLLs. The Suunto DLL was relocated, and that was the end of Training Manager. It will not even load, much less work. The newest editions of Training Manager will not work, either. I have contacted Suunto for a new DLL, but as you might have guessed -- there has been no help from Suunto. No kind of answer to my inquiry. The software, like the hardware, is a Finnish product. The Suunto US supplier is just that - a supplier. Any solution to this problem has to come from Finland. Lots of luck everyone! This software problem has spoiled what is a fine piece of hardware. Suunto and First Beat Technology the software developer, put this item on the market knowing full well that there was a compatibility problem between the TM software and the Windows operating system. There is no hint of this problem until you purchase the item and install it. Gotcha!!

I have had the Suunto T6 for almost one (1) year now.I used to own a Polar F11 and then decided to make a switch mainly because of the Training Manager software and the whole EPOC calculations.

I couldn't be happier about my investment. I mostly play tennis, lift weights and do cardio. The HRM has shown my how my sessions are doing and how I can improve them.

It is motivating as well cos it tracks historical data and you can actually try harder to get better results - and they show.

I had to change the battery after 8 months. I use the HRM almost 15-20 times/month.

This wrist computer is better looking than the polar alternatives. The Suunto T6 is a functional and easy to use heart rate and pace monitor it comes with software to manage the watch as well as process and graph the data the T6 collects. I also use the bike pod and foot pod. There are some active online chat sites centered round this watch as well as hack sites if you want to experiment. Batteries are easy to change, the battery cap flicks out (the cap is a tight fit because of the water proof gasket). Stockists for battery kits can easily be found online at suunto.com (the battery kit is just a replacement battery cap and gasket for the waterproof seal) the battery is a 2032 and is bought separately.

I have had the T-6 for over a year now and have finally decided that I am done being frustrated and am going to switch to something else. The Suunto T-6 is a great product mechanically. My major disappointments are with regard to the operation and software.

Pro1: (5 stars) The Suunto is a solid device. I give it a full 5+ stars. When I got it paired and running correctly it never dropped heart rate or speed. The data was always solid and complete unless one of the pods batteries died. Had the device not been so great in this area I would have given it up a long time ago.

Con1: (3 stars) I have found the pairing and connecting of devices (foot pod, bike pod, heart rate belt) to be somewhat awkward. Pairing took some work, but now I think I have it down to where I have little problems getting everything to synch up in one or two tries. It isn't a big enough problem to be a deciding factor to me on its use.

Con2: (3 stars) The operation of the device takes some getting used to. If you want to record data you have to make sure you are in the right menu (Training) when you start the stop watch otherwise NO DATA!!! If you are in the "Speed and Distance" menu when you start the stopwatch then you see the stopwatch, heart rate data, and speed but you get home to download and there is NO FILE!!! I did this on not one but two Ironman races, and you can imagine the frustration when I download an empty file. Maybe I am just stupid, which is a real possibility, but I doubt I am the only one that has done it. There are a couple of picky functions like this but I think I have most figured out now after multiple object lessons.

Con3: (0.5 stars) Software. This is the 800 pound anchor for the Suunto. The Suunto is solid enough that I could overlook the other smallish issues listed above if the software was better, but it is terrible. Downloading data from the unit to the computer is slick, but once the data is in the software it gives you a couple of numbers and a tiny little crappy graph. That's it... $400 on the watch and you get a $10 program to look at your data. Imagine looking at your 5 hour half Ironman or trail run on an etch o sketch!!! It's that bad. The watch menu options may be a bit clumsy but the software is 10x worse. I had a Polar 710i before the Suunto T-6. While the Polar had its problems (Heart rate drop-out problems, no footpod, etc.) the software was good enough for what I wanted it for. When I switched to the Suunto I feel like I traded my 36" color TV/VCR combo (polar) in for a B&W I-pod with no headphones (Suunto). The I-pod is a far superior product but if you can't see anything what good is it? If the Suunto had software as good as the Polar 710 I would have been happy with the Suunto.

I am still trying to figure out what to get. I have had good experience with Polar, but it sounds like the RS800 GC has some problems, and the Garmin 305 only has a 10 hour battery life. From everything I can see they both have far better software options than the Suunto. If you want a Suunto, I have two to sell you... and cheap!!!

Pros-
Works really well with the foot pod and heart rate monitor. Impressive software and user interface. Works as advertised. Ignore other comments about the watch band, it's fine. It is a good value for someone who takes running seriously and wants it to train with. Measures min/mile on the go, heart rate, so you can train more intelligently. The foot pod works much better than I expected it to. It's not a simple pedometer that measures foot cadence. It also seems to adjust a little bit based on stride length. It's not GPS, but all the GPS units require you to where the thing on your arm--this is just a watch. The heart rate monitor also gets breathing rate by chest motion which lets you really understand what your body is doing. The built in altimeter also tells you how hard you work when you attack the hills.

Cons-
The watch is physically pretty large compared to, say a large Timex. Not the most stylish, but not gaudy either.

Suggestions for Manufacturer--
The documentation does a good job of explaining the fundamental theories, but doesn't walk you through how to USE the data well. It would be a huge help to have say, some tutorials on using the watch for training purposes. For example: first time marathoner, or workouts for speed increase, etc... Almost need someone writing a running book to show how to use this as a companion piece.

Would also be nice to get some additional raw data such as:
Foot cadence and maybe some other parameters on the heart rate.

Also, it would be nice if I could cut and paste the data to another applicaton like EXCEL. I mean, I know the software is cool, but you've already sold me the watch. Why try to keep all this stuff so proprietary?

I got my new Suunto T6 about 10 days ago, so far so good. The watch together with the software (training manager) performs as advertised. Everything works just fine.
Having this watch you are motivated to know more about the engine that moves your body: The heart. How it works, what it does, etc. I even learned how to read a cardiogram. This is the whole idea about the Suunto T6. It's interesting to find out that a heart beat tells you more than just the heart beat itself: ventilation, oxygen consumption, respiration rate, etc., are all encoded on your heart's beats.

As one may guess, this is not just a watch, is more than that. It is a truly specialized computer on your wrist to track down your heart activity at any given time (assuming you wear the belt).

The only problem with this watch is the manual. Suunto could have done a better job writing a better manual for the layman. Later you call SuuntoUSA, a total waste of time. How do you engage the watch to record your workout activity? It is not very well explained on the manual, but in a vague way. In my opinion, this should be the selling point of this watch, therefore, VERY WELL explained. Let me save you some grief right now right here:

1- Make sure the belt is sending data to the watch, this means you are able to see your heart rate on the watch. Also, MAKE sure to place the belt with the red arrow pointing up, otherwise, the T6 will find the belt but you will not see your heart rate. Wait about 15 seconds before you able to see your HR.
2- Press once START/STOP to initiate the stopwatch. This is assuming you have setup the timers, etc., the way you want them. In my case, I set them up to be all off at the moment. Start your workout, when you are finish with your workout,
3- Press once UP/LAP to save the data in the watch. <-- Very important step in my opinion.
3- Press once START/STOP to stop the stopwatch.
5- Download the data to the computer.

Finally, the watch itself is not an impressive watch. If you say you paid $500.00 Dollars for this watch, few people are going to believe you but those who know what this watch is all about.

Live long and prosper,
Raxxal