Suunto Advizor Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Barometer, Compass, Altimeter, and Chronograph

by Suunto

Product Features

• Watch with heart-rate monitor, altimeter, barometer, and compass in 1
• Stores total training time and maximum, minimum, and average heart rate during training
• Altimeter with 24-hour memory and log book
• Bubble level for accurate compass readings
• User-replaceable battery

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Suunto's Advizor Wristop Computer is more than just a techno-geek toy. With an accurate compass and features such as measurement of air pressure and temperature, the Advizor can keep you on the right track during your outdoor adventures.

The Advizor also doubles as a digital personal trainer, with a heart rate monitor via its included chest strap. We clipped the strap on under a shirt (it will also work through the shirt, but you'll need to get the shirt quite wet), moistened the electrodes, and the Advizor automatically picked up our heartbeat. With the plastic bar on the front, the strap wasn't exactly comfortable, but we were able to forget about it after getting into our workout.

The simple-to-use monitor worked well for setting a target heart rate zone and alerted us by beeping an alarm when we went over or under the range. The heart rate monitor also stores information from past workouts, which let us keep track of average heart rate, maximum and minimum rates, and time spent in and out of the target heart rate zone.

Like other Suunto watches, the Advizor offers a barometer mode that keeps track of air pressure and trends (which let you forecast changes in the weather) as well as temperature. However, as the watch's reading is affected by body heat, using the temperature gauge while working out can be problematic.

It also features a compass, useful for cross-country hiking and running, as well as an altimeter--accurate to within 10 feet. We did have to reset the altimeter rather frequently as it measures altitude using the barometer, so changes in air pressure can affect the altitude reading.

Its outer plastic bezel proves handy in different modes for showing barometric changes or changes in altitude denoted by a segmented digital circle that lights up around the perimeter of the watch.

And hey, get this, it tells time too. The watch functions of the Advizor include three alarms, a stopwatch, and a countdown timer. A bright backlight illuminates the watch face in dark environments, and it's also waterproof to 100 feet. (Note, however, that it's not a diving watch, so you can't use the buttons to manipulate the modes while underwater.)

The Advizor is more expensive than other Suunto watches and other heart-rate monitors. But if you need all these tools packed into one device and are willing to pay for the consolidation, the Advizor definitely does a nice impersonation of a digital Swiss Army knife. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Accurate heart rate monitor
• Ruggedly designed--great for the outdoors
• Easy to switch between modes

Cons:

• Large size can be unwieldy on wrist

Product Description

ALT/BAR range up to 29,500ft/9000m,resolution 10ft

See all Product Description

Product Details

Product Manual [927kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 2 x 0.5 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000051SEQ
• Item model number: 51ADVIZOR
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Training Tool Ever For Endurance Athletes, September 28, 2001

By 

CORY (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews

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

I after drooling over this watch for two years wishing I had one, I finally got one and have had my Advizor for two months now. All I can say is that if I had known how cool this thing really was, I would have shelled out the $300 a long time ago. Each one of the features listed above does everything you could want. The Heart Rate Monitor has target zone settings, average workout heart rate, highest and lowest hear rate, and more. The Altimeter tells your rate of ascent, total vertical climb and stores all the data from recent workouts in memory. The coolest feature is that it will store your heart rate, altitude and rate of ascent/decent at intervals from 20 seconds to ten minutes so that after a workout you can scroll though and see how your heart rate was affected by altitude and acent rate. I got completely geeky with this information after one workout, and I typed it all into my computer so I could see what it looked like. The only drawback to the Advizor is that it gives you so much information, it would be great if you could download it directly to a computer for analysis. There is no PC link, so any analysis has to be done on the watch or typed in by hand. But other than that, this gizmo is perfect. No problems at all so far and I use the thing for two workouts a day. I am a cross country ski racer and for a long time I had thought that this would be the perfect training aid for endurance athletes and now that I have tried it I know that it is.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suunto Advisor, August 4, 2006

By 

ph1902 (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

2nd Suunto. 1st was a Vector bought in 2000 that I abused pretty good before having to get another (water seal was damaged and it took on water during a kayaking trip). Doubt I'll ever use the heart monitor in the mountains but it is excellent for training. Highly recommended.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great watch with slight durability problems, March 15, 2002

By A Customer

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

I have owned this watch for about a year and a half, and it has been great. I liked the heart rate monitor for cross country running (although I didn't "use" it exactly - I tried it out and though it was cool, but didn't go so far as to incorporate it into training.) The altimeter is great - I like to use it as a reference for orienting myself on a map (if you're lost on a trail, find your altitude, match it up with that altitude on the trail, you have a rough idea of location). My only complaint is that after awhile the bazelle on the compass wears and breaks off. I have met other people who experienced the same problem. Suunto has a 1 year warranty, so be sure that yours breaks by then so that you can send it in to be replaced. Overall a great watch. My dad gave it to me as a present so I can't complain about the price (which is very steep).