Suunto Suunto 7 reviews and deals for sale

Worst Suunto product.

I was really hopeful about this device and bought it on pre-order. My disappointment may be due to the fact that this watch just isn't made for what I wanted: A backcountry navigation tool with some smartwatch functionality. It is completely and wildly inaccurate. Climb and descent logging is THOUSANDS feet off over 10 miles. HR data is just as variable. The included SUUNTO app… read more is OK and has prepackaged metric for fitness tracking BUT... there are no basic ABC functions outside of those in active activities. You really can't just check a barometric trend or altimeter reading. Unless of course you start down the 3rd party route via the Google Play/App Store route and futz with watch faces and complications which drain the battery roughly 2x as fast. The battery life is abyssmal. I can make it through a day or so with basic stuff like the stock watchface and normal bluetooth notifications. But here's the really crappy part about this "Fitness" watch. Tracking using GPS burns through about the entire battery in less than 4 hours. Speaking of tracking.... It does a fine job of tracking, and I was very excited about the map functions. Suunto heatmaps are fun and all, but there is no good way to load a map or route and then follow that route. You can do that with the suunto app on your phone, but then again... you don't even need the watch to do that. WearOS provides solutions like ViewRanger. Which is great! It displays a big plain arrow on the screen guiding you to the next waypoint. Love it! But with that you can expect about 2 hrs of battery life. The last straw for me was the recent update that included a "handwashing timer" baked into the clock app. This nags you to wash your hands every 45 minutes or so. This is dismissable, but it is a feature that NOBODY ASKED FOR. It can't be uninstalled. I even tried to hack it via command line and ADB. It's in there to stay. So... in summary. This watch disappoints in every way that I wanted to love it. This is the first time I have left a negative review. Ever. If you want a WearOS smartwatch that says SUUNTO on it, if you need a step counter, and maybe some sort of indoor, gym fitness tracker this might work for you, but there are much cheaper devices that do that better. Buy a SUUNTO 9 or a Garmin Fenix if you are looking for actual data that you can use for training or backcountry decision-making.

Unreliable.

I was given this product from Backcountry, but this review is my personal opinion. Unfortunately I have to come back and edit my review after several months of use. I really really wanted to like this watch and I gave it a fair chance. The main issues, which I would consider dealbreakers, are 1. unreliable activity tracking. 2. battery life 3. connectivity. I use this watch… read more for mountain biking all Summer and the tracking is completely off. It always says I've climbed 1000s of feet more than I have. I wouldn't trust the battery life on more than a 3hr activity, so it's a no-go for real backcountry adventures. Suunto keeps saying I can completely reset the watch and get software updates to fix the issue. It's the only solution they've provided and it's pretty disruptive. You have to completely re-sync and re-pair your phone with every app (there are like 3 that you need just to use the watch). It takes time and it doesn't connect back to your phone easily. Most importantly, it might fix the issue for the next activity or two, but then it starts mis-tracking again. Things I like: - buttons on the watch face make it easy to control even if you're wearing gloves or mittens - overall sleek design that I don't mind wearing around - magnetic charger is super easy to use - you can choose to get all of your phone notifications on your watch if you want - nice to control your music from your watch. I've actually used this at home a lot and it's nice to adjust music without having to carry your phone or laptop everywhere with you

How many watches are you?

I was given this product from Backcountry, but this review is my personal opinion. The Good: Two devices in one, smartwatch and GPS sport watch; Suunto app has tons of sports/activities options preloaded; Touchscreen display is bright and clear and function buttons work well with positive feedback/touch; Magnetic charger; Changing bands is super easy and takes about 30sec, no tools… read more required;Comfortable;Customizable. The Less Good:Large size for smaller wrists; Can’t reply/send Apple SMS iMessage, only view; HR recorded every 15sec slower than other watches; No sensor compatibility; Price $$$. Things I would change: Swapped out the stock band for the SUUNTO 24MM EXPLORE 2 TEXTILE STRAP (Personal pref. for cloth over rubber); Auto pause feature during workouts like in Strava. The Suunto 7 is an intuitive and well built tool that would be a great choice for the person who wants one watch to wear all the time and take everywhere... as long as there is power to charge. The watch is sharp with clean styling and a sporty look that’s not too tactical. The large face size was a little intimidating but I hardly noticed it after a couple days and the backlit display is super clear/easy to read casually at a glance and during workouts. The slim profile and lay flat design is more like a traditional watch than so many thick, bracelet type sport watches that hold their curled up shape when not on the wrist. Setup was simple, straightforward and only took about 5 minutes. Tutorials on the Suunto website for help. Very early on I did have a frustrating issue with GPS locating. After a recent trip (remember when we could still travel?) GPS showed I was still in Mexico instead of home in Colorado. I ended up doing a full reset after multiple reboots and failed sync attempts. Not sure what happened but haven’t had problems since. Suunto bills the 7 more of a lifestyle fitness watch balancing essential features of both smartwatch and GPS sports watch, and IMO they nailed it. I am no smartwatch expert nor am I a person who needs every text, call, email and notification to buzz on my wrist, but I appreciate the function and can easily dial in preferences to get (and feel) only what I want. The ability to quickly change settings based on activity is key and Suunto/Google Wear OS does better than expected. I know this is basic, but for someone new to this kind of device/platform, customization is refreshingly simple. I also like sleep/do not disturb and airplane modes for when I want to tune out or conserve battery. There has been a lot of negativity around battery life and it can be an issue. Tweaking what apps and features I use and how I use them makes a big difference, but turning WiFi or GPS costs basic functionality of the watch. It is hard to consistently see the claimed 2 day life with normal use, and even the stated 12hr life with GPS enabled feels like a stretch IMO. It does charge quickly, so it is not too much of a pain if I need a boost. Suunto makes optimization recommendations but in the end it is trial and error for what works for you. Power Saver that lasts a claimed 40 days on a full charge is a non-starter, but if it gets critically low (below ~1 or 2%) Power Saver auto turns on giving basic date and time functions for around another 24hrs in my experience. It may now only be a watch, but it tells time better than a dead device. The Suunto phone app leaves some to be desired but that will likely improve. Sport modes cannot be customized, but there are over 70 options to chose from. There is even a dancing option for all the freakers by the speakers. Except for initial snags with GPS (that could have been operator error), first impressions and experiences have been great. If you’re itching for that ONE fitness watch to wear everywhere, all the time and have the $cratch to make it happen, give the Suunto 7 a serious look.

A Watch for Techies

I received this Suunto watch about a month and a half ago. Aesthetically, it looks really awesome. It is a tad big for my lady wrists, but if you like the trendy look of having an oversized watch or if you have bigger wrists this is a great fit. I also liked the size because I could easily see the watch face on the go, and the backlighting is much better compared to previous models.… read more The touch screen is highly sensitive, accurate, and easy to use on the go - better than smartphones or other smart watches out there. Like all Suunto watches, the mapping feature is the best thing going. As an all Apple user for my phones, cloud, computers, calendars, etc, I found the Google Wear OS to be prohibitive and cumbersome. I could not fully use all of the features of the watch because don’t have my life in Google, but the watch doesn’t give you an option to skip Google Wear OS. I wish there was a way to use this watch, and skip Google Wear OS. I would give this watch a 5 star rating, but Google Wear takes it down a star for me.

Brain AND Brawn; THAT BATTERY, THOUGH!

I have owned my Suunto 7 for a month, and I am mostly pleased with its functionality. As a general sports/smart watch, the 7 performs very well. For serious performance athletes, it may have some downsides which I will address later. In comparison with the Suunto 5, it is nice to finally have a crisp, vibrant backlit screen on the 7. I also love the touch screen capability.… read more Additionally, the integration of Wear OS has made it a watch that I want to wear from the time I get up until the time I go to bed. Out of the box, the watch was very easy to set up and sync with my phone. The watch itself has a tutorial that takes you through its buttons and menus, and the online support and tutorials are succinct and informative. The watch combines the Suunto app for the sports modes and the Wear OS app for smart functionality. When I initially logged in to the apps, I received e-mails that seemed to be reading my mind. Their FAQs and tips guided me through setting up and customizing my watch. In a few words, the Suunto 7 is very easy to use, and the support is great. The durability of this product is outstanding. The casing is solid and attractive, and the display is sharp and crisp. The rubber strap is very comfortable and fits my small wrist, unlike my Suunto 5 band on which I could never seem to find the right hole to keep it from slipping. The magnetic charger is a nice upgrade. What I like most about the Suunto 7 is that it is both a smart watch and a sports watch. Before, I only used my Suunto 5 when working out, but now I wear the Suunto 7 all the time. The watch is far from feminine and fancy, but it is attractive and functional, providing social media notifications as well as access to Google Pay, music, and apps. Admittedly, my household is all Apple, so on occasion, I have been frustrated at my inability to cross platforms on this watch. However, living with an Apple watch owner, I will attest that this watch is MUCH more durable. I can best describe it as brain meeting brawn. I have tested this watch while mountain biking, cross biking, hiking, and walking in the Northeast in spring-like conditions and mild winter temperatures. I appreciate the touch screen, yet when I am wearing gloves, the button option is still available to access menus. There over 70 sports modes as well as a heart rate monitor, GPS, and altimeter. Like all Suunto watches, it automatically syncs with Strava and other third-party fitness apps. Suunto claims a battery life of up to 12 hours in GPS tracking mode, but I am hard pressed to make it through a long afternoon of mountain biking. I have ridden the same trails wearing my Suunto 5, and it barely strained the 5's battery. On a long day with the Suunto 7, I will also run Strava on my cell phone to be sure I am able to gather data, thus defeating the purpose purchasing a sports watch. Suunto offers several battery saving tips which save battery life but tend to be inconvenient. I want a watch that will have great battery life without needing to be tweaked all of the time. This is the downside of having both a backlit smart watch and a sports watch. There are several things I miss from the Suunto 5, including the lack of customization of sport modes and the inability to download routes. Additionally, the necessity to download apps to get the functionality of the other Suunto GPS watches baffles me. I am not sure why Suunto did not build it in like they did in their other models. Overall, I like this watch. I recommend it for somebody who wants both a smart watch and a BASIC GPS/sports watch, yet does not need watch performance for LONG hours of fitness tracking. Also, if you are looking to customize your sports modes, use sensors, track your sleep, and other Suunto watch options, this watch is not for you. Final words: The battery life is abysmal in GPS mode, which is what I primarily use it for.

Google and Suunto -- A Perfect Match

The Suunto 7 is a huge game changer. Finally a watch that competes with an iwatch in every aspect. Highlights: A good option for people who want a fitness-first GPS smartwatch that is not Apple. Pricey but the first OS watch I feel is actually worth the price tag. Great accuracy; also has heat maps and downloadable offline maps, which you can also use as your background… read more watch image! Seamless set up! Very much like starting an iwatch set- up wise. Set up took minutes. The Suunto App and watch integration is amazing. Auto uploads to Strava ! Yes please. The 7 is a huge leap forward over the 5, which had too many glitches. So far, with heavy daily use, the 7 has yet to do anything but perform. Zero bluetooth connection issues. I honestly can not say that about other Suunto watches I've owned (and, well I have a watch problem so there's been a few!) Considerations: Picky but the screen is very sensitive; water spray is enough to change modes and screens! It is a fairly intuitive watch to navigate; however getting the workout types in the App can be tricky at first. The screen is big, don't expect a dainty watch size! I hope more watch backgrounds and designs are coming soon. This as the ability to give you all of the cool, fun customizations we have come to expect from OS watches. Overall this watch has been used for alpine skiing, road cycling, weight lifting, mountain biking, rock climbing and running. It has performed EXCELLENTLY in all conditions and sports. I highly recommend this watch. It's that good.

WearOS

Built around the GoogleWearOS platform, which is fast and easy to use. App store has limited offerings at this time, but great integration with google calendars, alerts, and to-do. Google also recently purchased FitBit so activity tracking functionality, and hopefully battery life, should improve with future updates.

Slim smart/sport watch, limited battery.

TL;DR: A slim and good-looking daily-driver watch that integrates smartwatch functionality with sleek Suunto-made sport modes. Great for recording training during the day but a bit limited for longer activities due to battery life. A good choice for the casual athlete who wants smartwatch functionality in a slim package. Background: I run and backcountry ski 7-10 hrs per week and… read more as a numbers nerd I like to record my activity. I've been using a Suunto Ambit3 Peak as my benchmark watch because it's reliable, fully-featured, and has a long battery life, though it’s pretty huge lump on the wrist. Looks/Body The Suunto 7 is sleek and has a large display that’s backlit LED. It sits close to the wrist and is small enough to wear with a normal button-up shirt or sweater without getting stuck under the cuff. I love the strap, it’s just the right amount of stretch to let it sit securely without strangling my wrist. The buttons are easy to use, even with gloves on. Function Sport tracking- high quality GPS tracks and numerous sport modes make for seamless use when training and tracking activities. Sport modes can’t be customized, but the displays that they’ve chosen are relevant and smart. The GPS track quality is very high, couldn’t ask for more. Unfortunately, you can’t upload routes or waypoints, or have the watch navigate along a route like you can on the Suunto 5. On the other hand, you don’t have to be moving to see your position/direction like you do on the 5, which was a big flaw. Smartwatch function- I haven’t used other smartwatches and don’t own an apple watch. The ability to have google pay on my watch was surprisingly useful and slick. There aren’t a lot of apps available on WearOS marketplace yet, but Spotify is a great addition. You can pair bluetooth headphones with the watch and listen without a smartphone during activities. This tanks the battery but it’s great for running for an hour from home without a phone. Activity Tracking- wrist HR can run intermittently 24/7 to track baseline HR throughout the day and its recorded on WearOS’s fitness app. An easily accessible calendar view shows your activity volume on a weekly and monthly basis, which I really like. You can set goals for activity during the day, which can be motivating. App- Unfortunately, Suunto is still struggling to make a good mobile app. Currently, you can only pair one watch with the app, so I had to unpair my Ambit to sync the Suunto7. Pairing was simple, and upload is fairly quick.The app will push your data out to Strava or Training peaks if wanted. Battery This is the main drawback of this watch, and limits its use. I think Suunto’s goal was to make a smartwatch that transitions seamlessly to activities like trail running and mountain biking integrated into your busy work day. Accordingly, the battery lasts basically 12 hours of use. Unfortunately, you can’t turn off HR monitoring during sport modes to save battery, or change the accuracy/interval of the GPS measurement like you can on other Suunto watches. Maybe this will come in an update. For comparison, an Ambit3 will last almost a week worn as a watch with 3-hour activities daily at the highest recording quality. That said, if you don’t mind charging it a bit while at your desk in the middle of the day, it charges quickly, and you can then milk all of the function out of this watch. Bottom line: I think this watch will be a great choice for someone who wants smartwatch functionality in a sleek daily-driver package, but also wants to be able to use the same watch for 1-2 hour training activities at home. A power-user will be able to get a lot out of the watch’s integrated and downloadable apps, pairing with smartphone, integrated spotify, and wrists-top HR measurement. Most will be satisfied with its battery and sport functions, but those wanting a watch for long efforts or who want to customize sport modes should look at the 9 or the 5.