Suunto T3

Calz
Reviewed: 24 May 2009

GREAT !!

Simple to use and set up. No interference due to coded digital signal..
24 month warranty !! I found Customer service is good.

Display difficult to read in poor light..even when using the background light.

I have found this to be a very good aid to improving my fittness and running. The Training effect (TE) is a very usefull training tool, by using it as directed I found I had the energy to get in extra miles during the week. My overall fitness and staminar improves quicker using TE rather than just going for a run and trying to maintain times and pace.
I now also have the footpod - very accurate once calibrated to your personal pace and running style.
A good peace of kit

yann neto
Reviewed: 18 October 2007

EASY, COMPLETE MULTI-SPORTS ROBUST

easy to set up, and to use and multi-usage(run,bike,swim). very useful free software with downloads on pc. easy to read and flexible display (adpats to your needs!). you can buy each element separately (gps, footpod, bike pod, pc usb key, heart-belt) and upgrade if needed. Bonus is this training effect, whilst very "vague" still gives you some sort of target.

log is small (what if you go on holidays for 20 days and no computer to download)
no indicator of battery replacement needed
whilst modulable, you need to upgrade watch itself for further enhancements (VO2 max, altitude, etc...)

exactly fits my purpose of leisure runs every 2-3 days for 45 mins or so...can keep record, mile logs and averages/history/graphs and needs barely no set up except for own personal data (age, weight) ... would buy again and will only upgrade for a marathon if one day but would use for triathlon

Jonathan Bamber
Reviewed: 18 October 2007

VERY POOR DESIGN

HRM reliability is very good. Compact watch, can be worn for everyday use.

Where to start? I am a competitive runner who has been running for >25 years. I was hoping I could use this watch to pace myself over longer distance races. Calibration of the foot pod is problematic to say the least. It is sensitive to your pace (varies by 3-4%), shoe and how tight your laces are. ANY movement on the shoe affects the measurement. I get a 3% difference between exactly the same model shoe but one is slightly older than the other. My racing shoes have ~7% difference from my training shoes. All this makes it impossible to use for reliable pace. Better off with intuition.

The design is terrible and must have been done by someone who doesn't run. THE most useful information you need when racing (or training seriously) is your time but the stopwatch display is so small it's almost impossible to decipher when running hard, whereas the HR or pace is far larger than needed. Insane! The bottom row of the display is even smaller and only legible when stationary. Very useful, not. (I don't where glasses).

The auto-lap alarm is so quiet you can't hear it, which means it's pretty much useless unless you're staring at the thing the whole time (which isn't wise if you want to stay upright).

As others have pointed out, the face scratches VERY easily, which is pretty unacceptable for a watch that retails at ~£100.

As also mentioned by one other reviewer, the TE (training effect) concept is utter nonsense and pretty much meaningless.

Suunto clearly make some good products. Unfortunately this is not one of them. It's OK if you want a basic HRM and you're not too fussed if you can't see your splits or elapsed time when running.

I will probably get something else pretty soon.

N Render
Reviewed: 06 September 2007

VERY EASY TO SETUP & USE HRM WITH SPEED/DISTANCE CAPABILITY.

Autolap function allows you to review your training / race afterwards for 1km splits say - you can change the distance over which split data is recorded.
Can change how the information for HR & speed is displayed, eg HR can be in bpm or in %. Speed can be in km/hr or in time per km. This assists with training / race planning for your split times.
When reviewing information in the training log all data is recorded so if you alter how it is displayed the detail is still there.
Three HR zones can be setup to allow HR training and theese are easily displayed around the outside of the watch face.
Alarms can also be set on HR & speed limits.

The HRM chest strap can sometimes lose the HR. This has happened to me during a run on a couple of occasions, but is down to the strap itself rather than the watch.

I am extremely satisfied with the watch both in terms of looks & functionality. I found it easy to setup & start training with. After several months of ownership I have found different ways of using it during my varied training runs to help me get the best out of that training.
Full featured at a reasonable price.

S1eepless
Reviewed: 13 August 2007

RUBBISH

Training effect (which is a vague calculation tool Suunto have dreamed up)

the bulky GPS pod gives very basic info to the wrist unit, the PC pod and the downloadability are as reliable as Public Transport. The wrist units screen scratches very easily. And the heart rate monitor loops split easily.

I bought a Garmin 305 2 months after getting the T3 since I was getting so stressed with the T3 after running.
The T3 was a total waste of money.