Speed & distance monitors with heart rate reviews

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Suunto T6

One for the serious scientifically-minded runner - it might be more than most runners need or are likely to use.

The T6 is an evolution of Suunto's X6 HR heart-rate monitor, and incorporates an SDM footpod and software package. Like most pod systems it has to be calibrated over a measured distance, but once we had it up and running it was very straightforward, intuitive to use and reassuringly accurate. ... Continue reading

14 user reviews of Suunto T6 See all

Overall reader score

Philip Price 4

Great purchase, a more serious tool than the Suunto t4.I would recommend getting the Firstbeat software to accompany the watch.
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DaveyG

Wouldn't be without it - improved my training outcomes. Continue reading...

BKL

Having tried Polar i much prefer this. Garmin 305 was easiest ever but i really do not like the 405 and so found this Suunto, am now a pod convert and love it for its ease and data on PC uload. Continue reading...

propaganda

This is an excellent product. The new T6c with revised Heartmonitor belt and footpod is reliable and sturdy. The T6c can be worn as a day to day watch unlike others especially the Garmin 405 - which is enorrmou Continue reading...

M Brighton

Simple and easy to use but user interface could be better. Continue reading...

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GIBBO4

Im thinking about buying a HRM/SDM. Debating whether to get the Polar 625X or the Suunto t6.

Posted: 27/12/2005 at 11:52

ulsterman

Can't help you witht the Polar, but I've had a T6 since about May. I find the stopwatch functions good for interval training etc, and I also like the auto lap timer. I have found the foot pod to be generally accurate to around 5% (although this could probably be improved with more regular calibration). What I really like however, is the software, and the amount and detail of information available after each run or workout. I tend to need stuff like that too keep me interested and motivated.

Posted: 28/12/2005 at 13:49

Gobi

I have a T6, pod is the only bad point they are just not as good as GPS unless you recalibrate all the time. A little frustrating. Great watch and awesome HR and altitude info

Posted: 28/12/2005 at 14:02

Peter Richardson 4

I have a T6. The foot pod works ok although the user interface is pretty clunky (likewise for the bike pod). My biggest problem is the HR monitoring which I find extremely hit and miss. I have previously used both Cateye and Polar HRM without any problem - the Suunto though is extremely flaky. The PC software is good, but it's a shame the overall package is not more reliable - especially for the money!

Posted: 24/07/2006 at 17:10

David Bennett 2

IMH(umble)O

I thought about getting one, but the button placement on the unit is dumb compared to the other watches. Most systems have worked out that a single button on the face for lap times works the best. Garmin have stupidly got two - start/stop and lap and Suunto have got none.

With my Suunto advizor I found it faaaar to easy to press the start stop button on the side of the watch with my hand. The unit is very big in that respect.

Posted: 25/07/2006 at 10:12

riplex

I've got one. The foot pod is great. You can set a 20s pace limit, say 7:50 to 8:10 and the alarm hardly ever goes off if you stay at that pace. With a garmin, I had to set low and high pace limits 2 minutes apart and it still went off all the time. The downsides include having to calibrate occasionally and not having any maps of your run. Also, you can't do much in the way of complex training planning. Lots of pretty graphs with the software :)

There are also a few addons coming soon, such as a HRM belt that stores the history on the belt itself so you don't even need to wear the watch and can use it swimming. Also a GPS pod and some other bike pods.

Posted: 25/07/2006 at 10:28

Gobi

looking forward to the GPS pod as the footpod bugs the hell out of me

Posted: 25/07/2006 at 10:36

Peter Richardson 4

Great if the new HRM belt stores something, rather than the zilch I get from the current one. Is it just me or do other people find the HRM function intermittent at best? I religiously moisten the pads, have the belt as tight as I feel it can go without restricting my breathing. Start getting a read out on the watch, but then and for no apparent reason, the read out becomes intermittent - at worst not being present at all throughout an entire run or ride. While running, I've even taken to wearing the watch on the inside of my wrist so the signal doesn't have to battle through my arm, but to little avail. I'm going to try upgrading the firmware on the watch as soon as I can get it to a dealer capable of doing so, but it's not really good enough for the Euro 580 I paid for the bloody thing. I end up focusing on why the kit isn't working rather than on the running. Takes your mind off the pain I suppose, but it's less than wonderful all the same!

Posted: 25/07/2006 at 11:46

riplex

Never had a single problem with the belt. It sounds like your belt is faulty. Send it back.

There's a picture of the smartbelt and docking station here

Posted: 25/07/2006 at 12:25

Gobi

Peter

yes my belt plays up as well, worked fine for a year. tried a couple of different bats but no good very frustrating

Posted: 25/07/2006 at 12:36

C Scott 2

WRT Peter Richardson, did the firmware upgrade solve your problems?

Posted: 23/03/2008 at 16:45

Skidder

I purchased a T6 just over 2 years ago and the HRM belt has failed 3 times. Suunto have replaced it each time but have offered no explanation as to why it has failed.

It has just failed again for the fourth time but it is now out of warranty. Suunto have offered to replace it free of charge with their new comfort belt because it is "more robust". Is this an admission that the standard belt is not really any good?

I train and race with the monitor. I will be running the London marathon this weekend without the HRM. The belt promised by Suunto has not turned up.

This was an expensive investment for me and I assumed I would be buying a quality product. I would not recommend Suunto. I have borrowed a Garmin 305 and have been impressed.

Posted: 21/04/2009 at 22:50

Plain Lazy

Hi, I train with a T6 and have had absolutely no problems with either the watch or the HRM. They are great bits of kit and i am very happy with them.

Posted: 22/04/2009 at 06:42

Lawrence Darby 2

if you live in london - or I'm sure any other major city - the GPS pod gives terrible reception. its not just running around the buildings - i run in hyde park wide open space and it never picks up a signal... the graphs say that I'm running 20mph one second and 2 mph the next.

hrm seems a little flaky - i had to pull the battery out of my t6 because it wasn't pairing with my hrm. after i reset that it is back to working fine, but not something I'd expect from such an expensive watch.

otherwise, the watch is good and i'm happy with it. running with the hrm really has helped me learn where my comfort zone is and understand how to break out on my run.

Posted: 10/04/2010 at 20:04

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