Customer Reviews

Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and GPS (Black)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I found the remarks of the one other positive reviewer quite a relief: the guy who pointed out that good performance of the GPS (i.e. the key unique feature distinguishing this watch from other Suunto models) hinges critically on whether or not you first get your satellite 'fix' properly. I have found that, if you wait the very first time you use it, to get a proper (not flashing) firm fix, then subsequent fixes have been relatively rapid (usually around 2 minutes in an urban environment. Once you have a lock-on, then subsequent performance is relatively fine.

I have a few minor gripes about the software visualisation. When it does loose satellite connection, rather than not graphing for the drop out period of time, the software includes the squiggly deviations to route when it can't locate you. This has the consequence that some journeys appear like I fly around or walk on water. This is not the case. I would prefer just blanks for drop-out periods of time. Any GPS device works much better in open spaces rather than built-up urban ramblings.

As a watch model, the comparable device is the Garmin forerunner. The Garmin probably has more 'stickability' and usability for its GPS (I have Garmin handheld for comparison). Its greater reception and stronger GPS reception is due to its bigger aerial. That means it's also bigger and probably emitting strange things into your arm. The battery life on Garmin receivers is very frustrating and I have had no problems with the x9i though its continual GPS use would be limited to 4-5 hours. Personally, I am prepared to live with the slightly more delicate reception of the x9i in order to use a much more elegant device. The watch looks like a watch and its smooth contours and rubberised grippy surface have design aesthetics and simplicity of display that Garmin doesn't. If you primarily (or only) use GPS, buy the Garmin. If you are concerned about looks and multi-function and if you are patient to setup a good connection first time, I think you will be pleasantly rewarded by this watch. I really like that it charges off my USB. Also, using Desktop Parallels and Win XP, I exchange the data into Trek Manager and X-loader uploading to Google with my Macbook ;-)

Should have ordered a Garmin etrex and a sunto vector. Amazon shipped me the wrong color watch...but I was in Iraq and needed a watch and didn't want to wait another 4 weeks to get one. Then it broke (the cover/bezel/frame) the third time I used it.

Pros:
1. Small (compared to other GPS watches)
2. Accurate (compared to military maps and GPS)
3. has MGRS
4. good quality charger/acessories/softwear
5. battery lasts a long time (w/o using GPS) before needing to be recharged

Cons:
1. because it's small, it has hard to use button combos
2. does not appear sturdy and it broke easily (but still works)
3. if I am moving at all, I can't get a fix.
4. Need a computer to take full advantage of features

Please do not spend your time and money with this wristtop. I received with battery problems, it does not charge completely and suunto does not have the proper tech service available to fix it. You have better and cheaper options such as forerunner 201 or 301 or the timex trail runner. The suunto signal detection is quite weaker and when hiking grand canyon the unit remained most of time without capturing signal at all.

I bought this watch from REI. The first one's electronics gave it up on the first night when I connected it to the PC. On the second two the plastic housing started separating. That's right, I had to return the watch THREE TIMES, the 3rd time I just wanted my money back.

Also, it seems you have to hold your wrist up facing the sky if you want a reading. Too bad, the watch sounded so good...

I bought this watch as a gift for my husband and he absolutely loves it! It does everything you can imagine and he has fun showing it off, but it's practical uses are undeniable. He is a mountain biker and uses it for elevation, speed, barometer, altimiter, and the GPS directions. He is also a Land Surveyor and he uses the GPS and compass daily. He would recommend it to anyone serious about a GPS watch. It is the best we've found and I did my homework before I purchased it--others just don't compare!

I bought this for a 10 day trek across africa, followed up by a North Pole trek. What a challenge to get to operate, and when it did start to operate it would stop recording mid day. Also battery life is weak, didn't make it across africa. PS I'm a computer geek, so it may be user error but doubtful.

If what you want is a very small interface loaded w/ features and you're willing to sacrifice 'user friendliness' and graphic display, then this watch is for you. Navigating the various functions can be tricky and GPS, Compass and Altitude functions will need to calibrated regularly in order to be usably accurate. Also note that the GPS function quickly drains the rechargeable battery so for long outings you will need to use this function sparingly. Another factoid: although the watch is water proof to >50m (not sure exactly) the manual warns of pressing ANY button while the watch is submerged at any depth as this could short out the electronics. I returned this watch and decided to go with a hand held GPS device that has the same functions.

Received this watch last week. Thought it would be nice to have all this functionality in a watch.

I have over 14 years experience with GPS systems. This one is perhaps the least stable I have ever used including the older sequencing receivers. Since it will not hold lock even in an open flat area unless held level and away from your body, you can't very well move about with it strapped to your wrist and get any usable data. In a car - forget it. I let it acquire and load the satellite emepheris data for 15 minutes, after which it still could not hold position fixes with any normal movement, even it open terrain with good satellite geometry.

The other functions work well enough, stopwatch, dual time, compass, barometer, etc. The temp function is worthless, however this cannot be accomplished with any watch since your wrist warms it.

In conclusion it is not as good as the Casio triple sensor pathfinder you can get for about 160 dollars, which has a compass, baro temp function and a battery that lasts years rather than days like this one does (between recharges).

Uniqueness of this watch was the GPS feature. However, I have yet to acquire a sufficient satellite signals to use any of the functions of this watch that require GPS feature. I paid a lot of money for these features and am now only using it as a time piece. Even as an ordinary watch, I have to recharge every couple of weeks to use it. I have written to Suunto and asked to trade it in for X10 but they refused. My argument to them was that if the watch does not work as advertised, they should not market them as such. Some of us rely on these technologies with our lives..literally. Their response was that their upgraded model X10 should work better in acquiring the signals. No reasonable remedy. Maybe they produce other products that are good but based on their company policies, I will never purchase another Suunto product again but will be a living negative advertisement of their products. I would give "negative" stars if I could. Way to go Suunto...

After two weeks of side-by-side usage, I've concluded that these watches are targeted at very different markets. Furthermore, in many respects, it seems like neither watch is totally ready for prime-time. Both have nice feature sets, but they each seem to be lacking some very important features to make them truly useful across several sports. The Suunto X9i seems to be targeted and more useful to the climbing crowd, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 405 seems targeted at the fitness/jogging crowd. Neither has the complete feature set that the above-average hiker/trail runner/mountain biker needs. Thus, if you purchase either, you have to accept the compromises inherit in one or the other.
If I was pressed to recommend one over the other, I very hesitantly lean towards the Garmin Forerunner 405 due to smaller size, better battery life, faster GPS synch, slightly better navigation screen and of course, lower price. I'm hesitant because of several important cons which I elaborate on below.
STATS:
Battery Life (w/ GPS): 4.5hr (X9i) vs. 8hr (405)
Battery Life (w/o GPS): 16d. (X9i) vs. 12d. (405)
Size: X9i is larger in every dimension than 405
Weight: 74g (X9i) vs. 60g (405)
Water Resistence: 100m (X9i) vs. 3m (405)
Heart Rate Monitor: No (X9i) vs. Yes (405)
Outside Temperature: Yes(X9i) vs. No (405)
CONS: Garmin Forerunner 405
1) Does not display raw latitude/longitude position on standard screen. You can save a waypoint, which they call "location", and then edit that point to see the latitude/longitude (displayed in non-decimal format).
2) Does not have On/Off button to save battery-life.
3) Comes with very basic software with limited maps. Cannot export tracks into GPX format.
4) Difficult to upload waypoints for future route.
5) Limited to WGS84 map datum (limits international usage of tracks)
PROS: Garmin Forerunner 405
1) Easy to use menu system.
2) Fast GPS satellite synching.
3) Can connect to heart rate monitor.
4) If you can get waypoints loaded, there is a nice screen that shows the direction/distance to the selected waypoint.
5) Great fitness monitoring screens and many are customizable.
CONS: Sunnto X9i
1) Large physical size.
2) Poor battery life with GPS on.
3) Slow GPS satellite synching.
4) Difficult to use and complex menu system with 5 buttons.
5) Does not have On/Off button to save battery-life.
6) GPS tracks, which they call "logs", tend to have jumps/errors when GPS drops out, which is often.
7) Comes with very basic software with no maps.
8) No screen to show direction to a selected waypoint.
9) Limited to WGS84 map datum (limits international usage of tracks)
10) Suggested Retail Price is 25% more than the Garmin 405.
PROS: Suunto X9i
1) Does display raw latitude/longitude position on Position screen, but in non-decimal format.
2) Does have temperature feature.