Customer Reviews

Suunto X-Lander Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and Chronograph (Positive Face)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I recently ordered this watch from Amazon as a companion for a LTt Observer to wear in the field. While the Observer is a more updated model they both share very similiar features and ease of operation.

My first recommendation is that you do order this from amazon.com and be wary of the same item offered by "market place sellers". At the time I initially placed the order amazon.com was out and the wait was estimated to be 3 to 5 weeks. Since the item was also offered by another seller in amazon's referral system I placed an order and wound up with the wrong watch; turns out the market place seller didn't carry the black face model. Fortunately amazon got a supply in and shipped my watch within 24 hours....good service. The black face is a little hard to come by.

Now then, to the watch itself. First of all it IS big...but very light; almost as light as the titanium Observer I have. The larger face makes it easier to read and Suunto has apparently gone back to the leather (waterproof) band, which I prefer. Functionally, the watch is a full blown time keeper and (non GPS) navigation system including stop watch/chronometer functions, an accurate altimeter, a barometer and digital compass. Both the compass and the altimeter are as accurate as I've found in analog portable units. The alarms are sufficiently loud (unlike the only chink in the Observer) and my only criticism is that the back light is weak compared to the Observer, but that fault doesn't draw anything away from the 5 star rating. Add the user replaceable battery (Suunto makes a kit that includes the battery, a water/dust seal and a new cap), the intuitive operating system and you have the ultimate back country time piece.

Suunto was the first to offer this type of time piece and, in my opinion, still offers the best. I've used their diving computers and field compasses for years and am a fan of the company's many products. I don't think there's a clunker in the catalog.

This time piece rocks with accuracy in the mountains of + or - 10 meters it is very useful for expeditions in unchartered territory.
Short of having maps programmed into it, it can be used in confidence in conjuction with a map to more easily work out where you are located and the compass is beneficial to assist in getting from point A to B.
Coupled with this accuracy its robust design means at can be taken anywhere without damage or breakage.
Additionally the barometer functions assist comprehensively in predicting weather patterns as well as adjustment to altimeter settings.
Their are two quams however with this instrument:
1. The Compass is very sensitive to movements off the horizontal plane i.e accurate readings can only be taken off flat and still locations. Approximate directions can be taken when the watch is on the wrist but the equipment is far more accurate when in its horizontal and still state.
2. When operation occurs in certain weather patterns (e.g Cyclonic and rain depression or Anti-Cyclonic conditions)when the barometer is at both extremes of the pressure scale requires adjustment to reset correct altimeter conditions and hence changing weather conditions will affect the accuracy of the altimeter.
Overall, a fine timepiece for any outdoorsmen who requires accuracy, consistency and reliability.

I've had this watch for 2yrs+ now and have just changed the (user serviceable) battery for the first time, as the compass had stopped working. This is to be expected as it uses more power than the other functions (but it does have auto-off in the compass mode after a time to save energy). There is no bubble level on this model as it has a mineral crystal glass instead of the usual plastic. I have knocked this watch so many times against things and there are many surface 'threads' you can see given the right light, but no truly visible damage, like big gouges or cracks like the plastic would show. The logbook feature is a great asset. Based on a rolling record (oldest record deleted when the memory becomes full), the logbook records Altitude and can be set to different sample rates (e.g. depending on whether you are walking, climbing, driving, etc.) and includes a record of greatest height. The logbook cannot be deleted (but as stated records over itself) but the max height can be reset independantly. The backlight is a little dim, but fine to keep your night vision, and the temperature does not compensate for being on or off your wrist (like some Casio models can). For a large watch (you won't lose it!) it is quite lightweight, with an aluminium case and carbon shell it also looks great. The new Ti models do not have the same clarity of display though so I would say stick to this screen size, but maybe get the heart rate monitor (HRM) model if you also exercise (cycle, etc) - it's only a small premium and it *is* a Polar model! I imagine the batteries might last less time due to the HRM receiver, but this at least is user-serviceable (and retains the watches environmental integrity, unlike changing a Casio battery). The only sad thing is the screenprinted/anodised(?) graphics for the points of the compass rose are wearing off - Suunto take note, laser etch/engrave them next time!! Sighting grooves in the bezel would be useful too, for taking bearings, but at least the bezel stays smooth as silk on this model as it has ball bearing detents rather than the friction-based ring the plastic housings have which stiffen up so you can't use them.

A few minor details aside (like a strap not long enough to go over your coat - just get an velcro Animal strap - and the print wearing off, and maybe the price), this is a cracking product, rated up there with the Garmin eTrex Legend GPS :-)

If you want a barometer, altimeter, compass, thermo & HRM in a decent, reliable, user-friendly package, this is it!

PROS:
1. Awesome wrist-computer, tons of functions and very precise.
2. Looks great
3. For what you get it is a fair price

CONS:
1. It is not truly waterproof.
2. Beyond the basic functions the operation is very complex. Not intuitive.
3. With heavy use the case is prone to deformation and bruising because of the malleable nature of aluminum. This eventually affects the operations of the buttons.

I work as a naturalist guide in Costa Rica, and this watch has been with me for over four years, looking for wildlife in the rain forest. After a year or so water began to make its way into the watch, I do not expose it to rain unnecessarily anymore. For me this is it's biggest con.

Just be careful not to bang it as the aluminum can only take so much. Suunto still makes the best wrist computers in the market. With everything I have put it trough it is still running!

If I buy a Suunto again I will go for steel or titanium.

I collect watches, and I am NOT one to shy away from big watches, and in some cases, the bigger the better. What I really love about the X-Lander is that it is big but also very light-weight. Normally when you see a wrist watch this large you have to exercise your arm quite a bit just to get used to telling time, but not so with the X-Lander. And best of all: it does WAY MORE than just tell time!

Interested in knowing where you are going? How about the current temperature? Are you just the slightest bit interested in what your current altitude may be? GO BUY THIS WATCH! 'Course for those Suunto enthusiasts, this ISN'T a watch, its a Wristop Computer that just so happens to be able to tell time. Unlike the Suunto Observer which is about half the size (and more than a little extra spendy), this baby will do all that and still look great doing it. From the 3 different Suunto models I personally own, I must admit that they make a great wristop computer, or for the picky out there, watch. I mostly use mine to tell simple time, but I must say that as I drive over the mountains up to Montana or over to Oregon and Washington, it IS handy to know a few extra details just by looking down at my wrist. Oh, I almost forgot the barometer! It tracks the barometric pressure and helps you track and even predict the weather! I must say that I haven't been able to figure out the finer points of how to do that just yet, but I AM working on it.

I guess if I HAD to point out one flaw, I would say that the night-glo feature it comes with isn't all that bright, and the alarm could stand to be louder -- but it IS about 5 TIMES more audible than the absolutely embarassing alarm built into the Observer. Other than these minor complaints, I whole-heartedly endorse pretty much everything manufactured by Suunto, and especially the models I own, the X6HR, The Observer and of course the X-Lander. Sylish, multi-functional and quite durable. Choose one of these models and you will no doubt be as satisfied as I am.

I bought the X-Lander because I am a pilot and wanted a bit more information when I needed it. The watch is well designed and of good quality. A few things did disappoint me, but I think they are outweighed by the features, however.

- It appears that it does not have a second time zone. Why they would not include this is beyond me. As a pilot I want local time in 12hour format and zulu time in 24hr format. A traveler would want time here and at home. It is not there, but is on other models they offer.

- The dial is not the easiest to read and I had to use a magnifier to see the units information on setup such as feet vs. meters and celsius vs. farenheit. The display needs to be more vivid. The company does offer a white face with black numerals, which might be better.

It is a nice watch, but not the greatest execution of the concept, especially for $300.

I owned an X6 model that I loved and used for years...but had to return under warranty for repairs: 1) due to faulty circuit design flaw in original models, 2) then due to repeated failure from 'water intrusion'. Since I purchased through Eastern Mountain Sports, their 'Unconditional Satisfaction' return policy allowed me to replace failed X6s, um, three times. But, and reasonably so, after the 3rd failure, EMS said they would only give me credit toward a the Military version of the X-Lander or a final cash refund. Why the Military version of the X-Lander? Because it is the ONLY Suunto 'Wrist Computer' to feature the same button design as their dive computers. In other words....take any other type of Suunto watch into the wild and you risk losing all functions.
Let me be clear: I backpack, I hike, I mountain bike, and I sea kayak...all activities that expose you to water, be it ocean, lake, river, a down pour or three days of drizzle. I'm careful with my gear. But the non dive button models still crapped out. SUUNTO even says that their watches are 'Water RESISTANT' to certain depth...but if you press anything while exposed to water (and in my case, twice this was just being out in the mountains in the rain), you are at fault and Suunto will not handle any warranty work.

My advice is to buy the X-Lander Military version and learn to deal with its display and programming quirks.
And buy from shops that have an Unconditional Satisfaction return policy that extends for quite some time.
Sending a watch to Suunto USA for repair takes months and is expensive...and you can roll the dice to guess if they actually worked on your watch.

Why buy a Suunto? Their altimeter & barometer functions are spot on and far easier to calibrate. The watch senses your motion and will re-set between alt and baro functions so that you get an accurate reading (and an alarm) when you NEED one. Their compass function is also very, very accurate.

SUUNTO: get a clue and use DIVE BUTTON DESIGN on all of your wrist computers designed for actual use in the field and not as arm candy.

I hope my experience with this particular watch is the exception, but I found absolutely nothing 'military' grade about this watch: The band broke after a few months of VERY light use, and Suunto does not offer a similar band as a replacement, but rather a generic band, taking away quite a bit from the watch's overall appearance. A few months after the band broke, the compass stopped functioning; I'm not sure how sitting on my desk caused the compass to stop working correctly, but there you have it. I have spoken to other Suunto owners who have had the same issue with the compass function.

I have owned Casio Pathfinder watches in the past, and they have been FAR superior in regards to both longevity, reliability, and ease of use. My last one survived 5 yrs of hard use (scuba diving, surfing, mountains and deserts...) before giving up the ghost. And it cost about half of what the Suunto cost me. I thought I would try a different brand, but the Suunto survived less than a year of light/no use, no submersion or impacts. I have used Suunto products in the past (compasses) with no problems, but I would not buy another watch from this manufacturer. Hope this helps.

I got my X Lander last month. I love this watch. I already owned a black Vector and my wife has a yellow vector. The X Lander is step up. The glass face is great, and the case feels very solid. I thouhgt I would hate the band, but as soon as I put it on I loved it. The band appears to be much stronger than the old one. The buttons are very easy to use, even with gloves on. The blacklight is fine, and the watch is easy to read in all conditions. This is a great watch, and is pretty tough for military uses. I highly recommend it.

For those who may be new to Suunto, they are wrist-top computers designed and manufactured in Finland and are in use all over the world by Hikers, Bikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. What makes the X-Lander stand out are at first glance, obviously its sheer size. Let there be NO illusions, the X-Lander is a mighty big watch. Despite its size, it doesn't FEEL as big as it looks, though. The aluminum case is VERY light and quite comfortable, too. The next thing you notice would be the HUGE amount of bells and whistles packed into such a small device.

#1. An accurate altimeter. This is an invaluable tool for the avid hiker and biker. One thing you MUST be ready to do is remember to adjust it DAILY. Find out what the altitude is and set the watch before you begin your trip, and then at the end of the day you need to make note of where you stopped (which you can do with the internal recording function) and properly adjust it before setting out the next day. This is NOT a flaw, every single altimeter watch I am aware of is exactly the same.

#2. Barometer. I found it correct at least 75% of the time, which is more than I can say for the local TV Weatherman. This includes a thermometer as well, which in order to be accurate must be removed from your wrist for at least 15 minutes in order not to get a false reading due to lingering body heat.

#3. Digital Compass. This is truly one amazing feature, by the way. Once you calibrate it (which you may need to do weekly) you will NEVER be lost -- especially if you know how to use a map.

#4. It tells pretty accurate time, too believe it or not. It also comes with an alarm, a countdown AND a stopwatch. Suddenly its size now makes sense, huh?

I happen to LIKE big watches. I don't exactly know why, but I just do. IF I were to have ANY complaint whatsoever, the one thing this watch is lacking is exactly what they have included in the much less expensive Vector: A tiny little bubble which helps you to level out the watch in the compass mode for a more precise reading. The reason why may have to do with the fact that the X-Lander is mineral crystal and the Vector is plastic, but either way, it'd be nice to have. I am VERY impressed with just about everything associated with Suunto and their fantastic line of what they call, Wristop Computers. IF size really DOES matter to you, well you may wish to go with the Observer or maybe the X6HR (which does everything the X-Lander and Observer can do PLUS it has a built-in heart-rate-monitor) both are smaller than the X-Lander, Vector, Yachtsman and many other Suunto models yet still offers a LOT -- but keep in mind with the smaller size comes the bigger price. Factor all that into your purchase plans and once again, if at ALL possible, do NOT buy until you have the chance to see some of these (or any) models IN PERSON. That will make a HUGE difference in how happy your purchase will end up being...and good luck!