Review of Suunto T6 Wristop Personal Trainer with Heart Rate Monitor

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Suunto T6 Wristop Personal Trainer with Heart Rate Monitor
By: Suunto Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 34
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Awesome product - long learning curve

On: 2008-06-29

I bought the T6 along with the foot pod. I have been running off and on for a couple of years, have competed in a few 5K races and wanted to take my training up a few notches. This product definitely seems like it has the ability to do that but I am still struggling to learn how to use all of the features - especially the interface with the PC software.

Product is all that is billed - documentation/users guide could use a lot of help.

Great recording device but then what???

On: 2008-06-17

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 isnt 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. Thats 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!!! Its 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 cant 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!!!

Excellent HRM Option, but soon will be replaced by T6C

On: 2008-05-24

First, anyone about to purchase this unit, should consider waiting for the T6C as it will have an improved Belt(soft like the polar wearlink), support for the new cadence pod, and real-time training measurements.

Now, I own the T4, T6, and a polar 625SX and will tell you this is my favorite for the following reasons.

Versus the Polar 625SX

Suunto T6 Advantages

1) The USB Cable is far more reliable than Polar infrared transmitter for downloading.
2) The PODs (using dynastream ANT technology that Garmin now owns) results in far less data loss between the watch and PODs.
3) You can replace the battery on the watch and transmitter. This is a big deal as once you run with a HRM, you really dont want to ship it away for a week like Polar requires.
4) It looks like a real watch.
5) More robust construction. I have had my watch for 3 years with no problems beyond replacing the band.

Now the Polar 625SX has 3 advantages over the Suunto

1) Wearlink Transmitter (Fixed by T6C)
2) Cadence POD (fixed by T6C)
3) Power POD (Polar Advantage)

Now compared to the T4

T6 advantages

1) Much better construction
2) T6 Logs all information for download latter
3) USB cable to enable download include

T4 advantages

1) Price
2) PC Pod support for downloads (but much less data available for download)
3) Real time Training information (fixed in T6C)
4) Coach support

Now many people are now buying T4 for the coach support, but you actually can buy coach software to run on your pc from First Beat technology (the supplier of the coach technology on the T4) and it works better on a PC than on the T4 with some excellent reports and the ability to edit the data.

On: 2008-02-08

Great training product....My favorite feature is the calorie counter. The only problem is you have to take it home and upload the info to the computer before you can see the calorie count. This product does so much more than I use it for; if youre serious about your training then youll love it. Also bought the foot pod for outdoor running. Great paired with the watch. The only BAD thing about this product is if you need any kind of customer service or servicing of the product (i.e., change of battery), it is difficult to talk to an actual person. You have to send the product in to be fixed, but they are pretty prompt about getting it back to you. Ive had two problems: 1) my chest strap cracked/ripped, so I had to send it in to get a new one (with no problem--it was under warranty), and 2) changing the battery. I would suggest just sending it in to the company to have them change it for you...its way too confusing and difficult to deal with it yourself.

A wristop computer you can use everyday

On: 2007-08-10

Its beautiful, its easy to use and its really motivating. Id been exercising without registering the workouts and it was just ok, but Id never imagined that it would be so more fun to have all the information the t6 gives and allows you to analyze and plan improvements.

I definitely loved this watch. I also bought the bike and the foot pods and they are also great, very easy to use and cleverly designed. They pair with the t6 seamlessly and provide really reliable data.

I strongly recommend this product. What drove me to buy this instead of the Polar S625X system was the design; this wristop computer can really be worn as an everyday watch

The only setback is that I received the t6 with the hr belt battery dead.

The Ultimate Training Companion!

On: 2007-07-21

In 30 years of training Ive never felt that any training aid has come so close to being the complete tool. Combined with the Bike POD, it has replaced my bike computer and has saved me weight as well. The desk top information is facinating, not that I understand all of it, however its the most comprehensive compilation of data Ive ever enjoyed.

Poor product quality

On: 2007-06-12

I bought the T6 along with a GPS pod, and when I received the watch, the HR monitor would not work, other than a couple transient "blips" over a number of attempts. The GPS function seemed to work well, and I liked the interface so I returned the faulty watch and requested a replacement instead of a refund. I had a similar problem with the second watch as well, except this one would never register below ~120 bpm. After several calls back and forth seeking a resolution with Suunto USA, I have given up on the product and the company. If you cant ensure the primary function of your product works consistently out of the box, I dont have much hope for the long term quality of the product. A very disappointing experience.

I would pass on this watch

On: 2007-05-25

I read all the reviews, people loved this watch, so I ordered it. I got it and trained with it for 3 weeks. I hated it. The display was limited to 3 lines of text, the altimeter had to be reset before every workout, the pods were ok, but i just thought not having them was a better solution. So I sold it and bought a Garmin 305 - and have loved it.

The 305 does everything, the more time you spend with it, you wonder how u have trained without it. The GPS is awesome! I havent had any problems with connecting at all. Yes t6 it was smaller, but after getting used to the 305, I dont even notice its a little big now. And when on a bike I have it on the handlebar anyway, so no problem. I would recomend the 305 over the t6 hands down.

Software Disappointment

On: 2007-04-13

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!!

Suunto t6

On: 2007-03-24

I have owned Polar and Timex heart rate monitor & GPS systems. The Suunto t6 is head shoulders above the rest. It is easy to use and the computer interface makes working out fun again!

SUUNTO T6 Wristop Personal Trainer with Heart Monitor

On: 2007-02-02

This watch is a very good product for people who are very serious about establishing and tracking progress against a formal training program. It comes with USB computer cable to interface with training software provided on CD. Plan on spending considerable time learning all the functions (83 page manual). If your primary purpose of getting the watch is to obtain a heart monitor watch there are products for less money and easier to use.

The Best HR Monitor, but still not perfect

On: 2007-01-19

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 Polars 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 - dont 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 Polars latest model, the rs800sd that has a new s3 footpod, is equal to Suuntos, but the cost is greater.

As you can see, Polars got the edge in extras, but Suunto wins when it comes to functionality and thats what counts most.

The perfect tool for runners

On: 2007-01-10

SUUNTO T6 us a very important tool for a serious runner.

The software is perfect and gives more information that you imagine.

I am a amateur runner and my target is wellness. SUUNTO T6 really helps me to achieve my targets and go beyond my limits safety.

Ironman Triathlete, Ultra-distance runner/cyclist Review

On: 2007-01-10

I have raced bikes and triathlons for over 20 years, and used heart rate monitors since the early 1990s 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 SUUNTOs 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. Its like having a tachometer on an engine but no speedometer or fuel gauge-- you dont 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 youll be surprised at the improvements in your training efficiency. Wasted miles are the bane of a working athletes existence and this tool helps reduce them.

Ive used the T6 with a running pod for nearly two years, and its 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 its off, its never off by much and its consistent so I can mentally compensate for any differences. Ive 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 wouldnt work in that kind of environment of heavy cover and falling snow.
The bike pod for my T6 hasnt 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 havent tested them myself.
The other complaint Id 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 Ill do it sometime soon as my training schedule permits. The good news is that updates are free, and you dont 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.
Ive 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 Id had this ten years ago when I was really competitive. Its an amazing piece of gear and Im 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.

Ironman Triathlete, Ultra-distance runner/cyclist Review

On: 2007-01-09

I have raced bikes and triathlons for over 20 years, and used heart rate monitors since the early 1990s 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 SUUNTOs 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. Its like having a tachometer on an engine but no speedometer or fuel gauge-- you dont 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 youll be surprised at the improvements in your training efficiency. Wasted miles are the bane of a working athletes existence and this tool helps reduce them.

Ive used the T6 with a running pod for nearly two years, and its 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 its off, its never off by much and its consistent so I can mentally compensate for any differences. Ive 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 wouldnt work in that kind of environment of heavy cover and falling snow.
The bike pod for my T6 hasnt 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 havent tested them myself.
The other complaint Id 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 Ill do it sometime soon as my training schedule permits. The good news is that updates are free, and you dont 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.
Ive 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 Id had this ten years ago when I was really competitive. Its an amazing piece of gear and Im 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.

Nice seriuos training tool

On: 2006-12-23

This is the best option if you are looking for serious training without too many on line information. Most of useful information comes after the training with the PC interface. During the training you just have heart rate. If you are looking for on line information go to T3 or T4. Most of the parameters are really related with the heart rate becoming really usefull three of the seven parameters available after training. It is a robust option in comparison with T3 or T4 with additional weather and altitute capability.

Nice seriuos training tool

On: 2006-12-22

This is the best option if you are looking for serious training without too many on line information. Most of useful information comes after the training with the PC interface. During the training you just have heart rate. If you are looking for on line information go to T3 or T4. Most of the parameters are really related with the heart rate becoming really usefull three of the seven parameters available after training. It is a robust option in comparison with T3 or T4 with additional weather and altitute capability.

Good watch & training tool

On: 2006-11-11

Good watch to train...
What I expect is a table tennis adaptation (for analysis) of their PC software and a linux adaptation.

Great training tool

On: 2006-11-10

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 couldnt 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.

Once you get past the little bugs...

On: 2006-11-02

Ive had my T6 for nearly two months and like it a great deal. As a coach of runners its 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 Ive 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.

Its 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 its 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, its better than I expected. Ive 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 its better than no story at all.

This is the Right Watch for the Right Person

On: 2006-08-06

This watch is NOT for everyone. It is very expensive, tricky to use, and not perfect. But for the Technophile that wants was as much information possible to track and improve their training routine, this is the wristop-computer for them. With the existing add-ons on the market now, and the planned accesories due out in the fall, this is a long term investment that no other wristop device that can match. You will need to download the new software release, surf the web to get a real manual to use the device, but if you want the most technology to improve you game, there is no other competition.

Your new Training partner!

On: 2006-07-17

"Ive become addicted to the t6 for all my running workouts. The heart-rate monitor keeps my recovery runs recovery runs. My tempo runs tempo runs. And the darn thing wont let me slack off during my interval workouts. The biggest surprise has been the foot pod. Its accurate on and off the roads. It doesnt just measure foot stride but has a couple of acceleration sensors so measures distance very accurately. Even on the trails when your stride length changes constantly. The most addictive part is downloading the data and seeing your run in graphical form. The t6 has helped me get the most out of each run."

Hardware seems like an incremental improvement over Polar. The watch is smaller, lighter, and nice to look at. Footpod is better: smaller and lighter, and battery lasts three times as long. Bike pod and PC interface are fine. ANT wireless interface (coded footpod and bike pod) is excellent. All the hardware plays together very well.

Watch software and button logic is somewhat confusing at first. The Suunto PC Software does not have as many features as the S625X yet. Feature set in the watch is not as robust as Polar - I miss exercise sets, multiple zones, pace zones, uploading a week of my training plan, etc. But still a great system - especially for a user that wouldnt normally use all those extra features anyway.

Buy this watch if: You need coded footpod or bikepod (if you often run/bike in a group, and the rest of the group uses Polar S625X or RS200sd). Also, if a better looking watch is important, this is a good choice.

Solid!

Awesome but not perfect

On: 2006-07-08

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.

A great training aid with a couple of serious problems

On: 2006-04-05

Pros:
Watch user interface is intuitive and easy to use.

The EPOC measurements are very usefull for pacing your self
and avoiding over training.

Great for determining the intensity of each training session
and slowly increasing the level of difficulty for each week.

Altitude measurement seems to work pretty well though it has
gotten "stuck" a couple of times.

Cons:
I got a watch with old firmware. It has a bug that
resets the distance after 40 miles. Rather than try to make it
right and correct the problem, the company says I have
to send it in and wait 3-4 weeks for them to upgrade the
software. This because they have received so many watches
for repair (Why are they receiving so many watches? Seems
like they may have a reliability problem that they cant keep
up with.)

If you connect the watch to the heart monitor or speed sensors
after the timer is started, it does not actually collect any
data. The speed indicates correctly but the distance does not
increment.

Twice now, my workout data has been corrupted for some reason
that I have yet to figure out. I think it has something
to do with trying to reconnect to the devices at some point
in the workout.

The software is great for analyzing a workout but is very limited
in the tools for creating and planning workouts. For example,
you cant copy a workout plan to a new name and then edit it.
You have to start from scratch each time. The only way I have
gotten around this is by editing the plan in a spreadsheet
and then importing the plan back into the software. This is
a real hassle.

Another problem is that each bike pod is linked to a specific
address in the watch. You can actually have a bike pod that
is linked to the footpod location in the watch. This allows you
to have up to 3 bike pods on three different bikes. But I
actually have 4 bikes. I cant have 4 bike pods so I have to
swap bike pods between bikes which is a big hassle. There is
no reason for this. I should be able to set all my bike pods
to one address and have as many as I want.

But, I think the main problem with the watch is the company
support. I would give them an F on support. Very poor.
They are selling watches with known bugs and then making
the customer suffer to have the bug fixed.

If I had it to do over I would seriously look into going
with another product.

A great training aid with a couple of serious problems

On: 2006-04-04

Pros:
Watch user interface is intuitive and easy to use.

The EPOC measurements are very usefull for pacing your self
and avoiding over training.

Great for determining the intensity of each training session
and slowly increasing the level of difficulty for each week.

Altitude measurement seems to work pretty well though it has
gotten "stuck" a couple of times.

Cons:
I got a watch with old firmware. It has a bug that
resets the distance after 40 miles. Rather than try to make it
right and correct the problem, the company says I have
to send it in and wait 3-4 weeks for them to upgrade the
software. This because they have received so many watches
for repair (Why are they receiving so many watches? Seems
like they may have a reliability problem that they cant keep
up with.)

If you connect the watch to the heart monitor or speed sensors
after the timer is started, it does not actually collect any
data. The speed indicates correctly but the distance does not
increment.

Twice now, my workout data has been corrupted for some reason
that I have yet to figure out. I think it has something
to do with trying to reconnect to the devices at some point
in the workout.

The software is great for analyzing a workout but is very limited
in the tools for creating and planning workouts. For example,
you cant copy a workout plan to a new name and then edit it.
You have to start from scratch each time. The only way I have
gotten around this is by editing the plan in a spreadsheet
and then importing the plan back into the software. This is
a real hassle.

Another problem is that each bike pod is linked to a specific
address in the watch. You can actually have a bike pod that
is linked to the footpod location in the watch. This allows you
to have up to 3 bike pods on three different bikes. But I
actually have 4 bikes. I cant have 4 bike pods so I have to
swap bike pods between bikes which is a big hassle. There is
no reason for this. I should be able to set all my bike pods
to one address and have as many as I want.

But, I think the main problem with the watch is the company
support. I would give them an F on support. Very poor.
They are selling watches with known bugs and then making
the customer suffer to have the bug fixed.

If I had it to do over I would seriously look into going
with another product.

Solid piece of hardware

On: 2006-03-11

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, its 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. Its not a simple pedometer that measures foot cadence. It also seems to adjust a little bit based on stride length. Its 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 doesnt 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 youve already sold me the watch. Why try to keep all this stuff so proprietary?

This is awesome

On: 2006-02-09

I am a serious cyclist for an old guy, putting in three to five thousand miles a year, and have used heart rate monitors for years including the Suunto Advizor. They all worked well and the Advizor is still going strong after 4 years ( for cyclists the altimeter function on the Advizor is great when climbing: if you know the top elevation of the climb you can monitor how much suffering is left as you go up ).
The T6 is as good as the Advizor on heart rate and altimeter functions but adds a whole lot more information based on calculating the time between heart beats among other things. I have used my T6 now for a few months and I am very impressed. The software is easy to install and use, the functions of the T6 are easy to understand and use considering the amount of information it generates and the data is not given as just numbers but is formatted into helpful parameters like VO2max, calories burned and "EPOC". Its also easy to download the info to the desktop. I dont anticipated exporting the info so I cant say this is an issue for me.
I also got the bike pod - that adds speed, distance, avgs and max but it does not shut off when the bike is not moving like a Flight Deck or ErgoBrain so the avg speed can be lower if there are stops on the ride. Other than this it works great and cranks out nice graphs that include distance and speed in addition to the heart rate and other data.
Its a great toy for data junkies and offers info like VO2max that no other option, other than lab testing, can give you. Its also a serios training tool at a price thats not cheap but with Suunto you do get what you pay for.

excellent heart rate monitor with cycle and running computer functions

On: 2005-12-16

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.

Do Not Buy this watch

On: 2005-12-14

I was extremely excited to get this watch because of all the great functionality. The technology works well - I bought a foot pod and used the Heart Rate Monitor to track my training on my PC. After 2 weeks of use, the HRM strap began giving me problems - the strap has a hole at each end, into which the tabs from the adjustable elastic section that goes around the back. The plastic that holds those tabs in place tore away - because its soft plastic and is under stress during exercise. The result is that the strap will come undone in the middle of your run/exercise. VERY FRUSTRATING. After 3 months, the battery in the watch went dead. I had a difficult time finding a battery replacement kit, but finally located one and was excited to get new juice to the watch. BUT the battery door on the back is IMPOSSIBLE to extract from the body of the watch. I took it to a Tourneau to have them replace it - they refused to do it in store, saying that they couldnt do it without impacting the water resistence of the watch. They said they would send it back to the Suunto factory and it would take 12 weeks minimum. Basically, if you use the watch for one of the pod units and the HRM, youll only get 6 months total usage per year - the other 6 months your watch will be taking trips to Finland and back.

A sold 4 star product

On: 2005-12-04

The T6 is the second Suunto wrist top computer that Ive purchased from Amazon. The first, a Suunto Advizor is pretty much my everyday watch -- I put on my Rolex when I wear a suit -- but other than that its the Suunto. I bought it primarily to use as a heart rate monitor, but liked the other hiker friendly aspects of the watch as well. The Advizor is three + years old and has been as solid as a rock. The only thing I did not like about the Advizor was that there was no easy way to record your results and track your progress.

I am almost assuredly NOT the T6s target demographic -- but I probably should be. Im one of the millions of aging baby boomers. I do not run and rarely cycle. I do however, belong to a gym, that I attend daily and where I use elliptical trainers, stairmasters and weights to stay in shape for my summer sport (backpacking) and my winter sport (crosscountry skiing).

I have found the T6 to be a great addition to my conditioning program. Even though the T6 is designed primarily for runners and cyclists, I have adapted it easily into my routine. It is not perfect, but I would rate it a solid 4 stars.

First the negatives. I consider them more of an annoyance than anything else, but these are the reasons that I didnt give the T6 5 stars:

1. The watch display is ugly -- I mean really, its a $300+ dollar watch. The chunky bit-mapped-looking display and hideous font is just awful looking. I know this is primarily a aesthetic observation, but my 3 year old Advizors display is better looking. Hey Suunoto, cant you fix this with a firmware update?

2. Platform dependent software -- the software that comes with the T6 is really quite excellent and makes record keeping and results tracking SO much easier AND is the primary reason I bought the watch -- is PC only. Im a Mac owner, who fortunately has a PC. The Sunnoto manual, which shows you how to attach the watch to your PC demonstrates using a photo of an Apple Powerbook! All software should be cross-platform. It would be even better if this application were open source, but Im sure that there are some licensing issues involved that probably prevents Suunto from doing this, but it would be nice to not have to use RDC from my Mac to the PC.

3. The software -- it would be really nice to export your workout data directly as standards-based tabular data -- XML would be great, even HTML would be OK. I would love to be able to embed my results into other applications. That way you could build a very valuable and very complete workout log. Something that could show both your aerobic and weight bearing exercise. You CAN export your data using Sunnotos proprietary data format and then import it into Excel using a Comma Separated condition. Still too many steps and I want it to be more powerful! It feels like a utility, rather than the full fledged application it could and needs to be.

4. The HR monitor belt isnt compliant, or compatible with the popular Polar protocol. This is a minor point, again an annoyance. But, what it means for me is that I am unable to simply use the heads-up heart rate display on the elliptical trainer and stairmasters at my gym. Instead, I have to look at the T6 to check my heart rate.

Thats it. That might sound like quite a lot, but its not. Remember, I still rated this as a four star product. Heres why: the T6 will change the way you approach, plan for and monitor your exercise regime. The T6 gives you much, much more than simple heart rate information. Using some really advanced algorithms, Suunoto is able to extrapolate other, equally valuable information from its monitoring of heart rate data.

Heres what I think is really good:

1. The watch is very robust. Not particularly attractive, but very, very solid.

2. The watch interface while not necessarily intuitive, IS logical.

3. The manual -- it isnt GREAT, but its solid. The thing that the manual does is show you that Suunoto pretty much "gets it" in terms of User Interface. The actual, "wrist top computer" is pretty powerful -- although the software does the really heavy lifting -- it does have a number of modes; it could be confusing to find your way around and use, but, thanks to the manual and the logic of the interface its not that bad.

4. The supplemental manual: "Stop Guessing" -- available as a .pdf download on the internet and on the software CDROM. Its a little confusing to try and read because of the way the columns are set up -- probably a Finnish thing. It gives a decent overview about the additional information the T6 is gathering (extrapolating) and that the Suunoto software is analyzing. Ive spent far more time using this, than I have the manual. Thats a good thing.

5. The software -- even with its annoyances -- is great! Nice visual displays of the data make it a much easier to see whats going on -- and also to see just how non-linear, but rather cumulative some exercise benefits are. The user interface is attractive and intuitive. It also installed without any problems.

6. The USB connection. Rock solid, no issues.

If youre an exercise geek, I dont think there is a more powerful monitoring device on the market. I only hope that Suunoto fixes some of the (minor) annoyances, embraces open standards (for data export) and continues to develop an excellent 1.0 version of the software.

A sold 4 star product

On: 2005-12-03

The T6 is the second Suunto wrist top computer that Ive purchased from Amazon. The first, a Suunto Advizor is pretty much my everyday watch -- I put on my Rolex when I wear a suit -- but other than that its the Suunto. I bought it primarily to use as a heart rate monitor, but liked the other hiker friendly aspects of the watch as well. The Advizor is three + years old and has been as solid as a rock. The only thing I did not like about the Advizor was that there was no easy way to record your results and track your progress.

I am almost assuredly NOT the T6s target demographic -- but I probably should be. Im one of the millions of aging baby boomers. I do not run and rarely cycle. I do however, belong to a gym, that I attend daily and where I use elliptical trainers, stairmasters and weights to stay in shape for my summer sport (backpacking) and my winter sport (crosscountry skiing).

I have found the T6 to be a great addition to my conditioning program. Even though the T6 is designed primarily for runners and cyclists, I have adapted it easily into my routine. It is not perfect, but I would rate it a solid 4 stars.

First the negatives. I consider them more of an annoyance than anything else, but these are the reasons that I didnt give the T6 5 stars:

1. The watch display is ugly -- I mean really, its a $300+ dollar watch. The chunky bit-mapped-looking display and hideous font is just awful looking. I know this is primarily a aesthetic observation, but my 3 year old Advizors display is better looking. Hey Suunoto, cant you fix this with a firmware update?

2. Platform dependent software -- the software that comes with the T6 is really quite excellent and makes record keeping and results tracking SO much easier AND is the primary reason I bought the watch -- is PC only. Im a Mac owner, who fortunately has a PC. The Sunnoto manual, which shows you how to attach the watch to your PC demonstrates using a photo of an Apple Powerbook! All software should be cross-platform. It would be even better if this application were open source, but Im sure that there are some licensing issues involved that probably prevents Suunto from doing this, but it would be nice to not have to use RDC from my Mac to the PC.

3. The software -- it would be really nice to export your workout data directly as standards-based tabular data -- XML would be great, even HTML would be OK. I would love to be able to embed my results into other applications. That way you could build a very valuable and very complete workout log. Something that could show both your aerobic and weight bearing exercise. You CAN export your data using Sunnotos proprietary data format and then import it into Excel using a Comma Separated condition. Still too many steps and I want it to be more powerful! It feels like a utility, rather than the full fledged application it could and needs to be.

4. The HR monitor belt isnt compliant, or compatible with the popular Polar protocol. This is a minor point, again an annoyance. But, what it means for me is that I am unable to simply use the heads-up heart rate display on the elliptical trainer and stairmasters at my gym. Instead, I have to look at the T6 to check my heart rate.

Thats it. That might sound like quite a lot, but its not. Remember, I still rated this as a four star product. Heres why: the T6 will change the way you approach, plan for and monitor your exercise regime. The T6 gives you much, much more than simple heart rate information. Using some really advanced algorithms, Suunoto is able to extrapolate other, equally valuable information from its monitoring of heart rate data.

Heres what I think is really good:

1. The watch is very robust. Not particularly attractive, but very, very solid.

2. The watch interface while not necessarily intuitive, IS logical.

3. The manual -- it isnt GREAT, but its solid. The thing that the manual does is show you that Suunoto pretty much "gets it" in terms of User Interface. The actual, "wrist top computer" is pretty powerful -- although the software does the really heavy lifting -- it does have a number of modes; it could be confusing to find your way around and use, but, thanks to the manual and the logic of the interface its not that bad.

4. The supplemental manual: "Stop Guessing" -- available as a .pdf download on the internet and on the software CDROM. Its a little confusing to try and read because of the way the columns are set up -- probably a Finnish thing. It gives a decent overview about the additional information the T6 is gathering (extrapolating) and that the Suunoto software is analyzing. Ive spent far more time using this, than I have the manual. Thats a good thing.

5. The software -- even with its annoyances -- is great! Nice visual displays of the data make it a much easier to see whats going on -- and also to see just how non-linear, but rather cumulative some exercise benefits are. The user interface is attractive and intuitive. It also installed without any problems.

6. The USB connection. Rock solid, no issues.

If youre an exercise geek, I dont think there is a more powerful monitoring device on the market. I only hope that Suunoto fixes some of the (minor) annoyances, embraces open standards (for data export) and continues to develop an excellent 1.0 version of the software.

Very good for biking and running

On: 2005-09-26

The only reason I dont give this watch 5 stars is because the price is so high, especially after you add pods for biking and jogging (that measure speed and distance). Maybe if the watch were perfect, the price would be easier to swallow.

The watch is easy to use and has no trouble finding connections and staying connected (to heart rate belt, computer, and pods).

Since I run and bike in hills and mountains, I really love the added feature of tracking altitude as well. I find that the altitude reading can get off by 10-15 feet after climbing hundreds and returning, but that data is still fun to have and accurate enough to be useful.

I find the software easy to use and useful but also feel that with the immense amount of data collected that Suunto could easily do allot more with the software. Suunto has been promising updated and more powerful software for the T6 for a year now and still waiting.

Because of previous reviews, NOTE: The manual you can download from Suunto in PDF file is MUCH better than the one that comes with the watch.

Perfect for running and biking

Great piece of equipment

On: 2005-09-10

After fighting with my Polar 625x for over a year and trying to get the transmitter and monitor to communicate I finally gave up and ordered Suunto t6. It works great and seems to be much more accurate than my previous heart monitor.
Going through the manual was a bit tedious to say the least. There is a lot of good information on physiology of exercise (great!) but in the part on how to set the monitor up there isnt much (not great!).
So far its been my impression that this is a much superior product to Polar. There is a good connection between transmitter and the monitor, the software is not bad either and I can already see that it will be a great tool to help me achieve better fitness goals. Most of it is because of graphs that tell you how your exercise will improve conto towards improving your performance. You can even design your own fitness program and download your exercises to it to see if you are keeping up with your plan. For the beginners there are preloaded exercise programs for half a year.
Yes, it is very, very expensive but for those who need that extra info to get them in shape it is worth it. Still, I am taking one star off for the price and the lousy manual.
Ewa

So Far...So Good.

On: 2005-09-06

I would have to say that I am satisfied with the T6 so far. I still need to calibrate my foot pod, first time I ran it showed me running sub 5 minute miles. But the watch is doing all that it says.

Works as advertised

On: 2004-10-21

The watch works as advertised. This watch is useful for someone that is interested in seeing detailed graphs of their heart rate activity during exercise.

I was skeptical of the software and EPOC readings, but after a few weeks with it, Im impressed. The EPOC readings and the software are eeriely reasonable. In addition, the transmitter belt/watch interface is much better than Polars.

The lack of availability of speed & distance pods makes some of the high end Polar watches look more attractive, but I like the watch interface better than Polar. And, as a Polar user for 3 years, Im tired of my Polar watches failing. So I gave Suunto a try.

Suunto T6: A truly peace of technology at your service.

On: 2004-09-05

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. Its 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 hearts 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