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Suunto Vector
Wristop Computer Initial Report
March 25, 2006
Thomas
Vickers
38 years old
Male
5 ft 11 in tall (1.8 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area |
Tester Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the
mosquito-infested woods behind the house. My style has evolved and over the last 4 or 5
years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping
bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I
feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while
carrying the lightest load possible.
Manufacturer Information:
Manufacturer: Suunto
Website: http://www.suunto.com
Colors available: yellow, khaki, black, blue, black, pink
and burgundy
Year Manufactered: 2006Weight:
NA
MSRP: $199.99 US |
Information From Tester:
Weight: 1.95 oz (56 g)
Color: Black
Length (from one tip of the band to the other): 10 in (25 cm)
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Expectations:
After a long visit to the Suunto website, I came away with the notion that the
Suunto Vector was going to be a big (if not huge) watch with a lot of fancy functions.
Once the box arrived and I had time to inspect the watch and its manual, I realized
that I was wrong about this item on several fronts. First off, it is more of a wrist
top computer than I had realized. It not only tells time, but it also records different
types of data and allows the user (me) access to this data when needed. I was also
fooled by the size. The Suunto Vector was much smaller than I had originally thought
it would be.
Arrival:
After tearing into the package that arrived at my door, I
found white cardboard box from Suunto. Inside was the Vector, a pocket guide, and a
user’s guide. The users guide contains
46 pages of instructions in English and also provides instructions in 8 other languages.
These languages are listed on the front cover of the user's guide.
The
pocket guide is small 4.25 x 3.5 inch (11 x 9 cm) card with pictures and quick
reminders of what each button is used for. On the back of the guide are diagrams reminding
the user how to access the basic functions of the watch. The guide folds in half and can easily be carried in a wallet
or pocket.
The Vector's face is covered with a peel off label that states
“Calibrate the compass before use.”
One thing that I realized and really enjoyed as I
unpacked the Vector was that all the packaging was cardboard and there was no plastic
present. I know this doesn't impact the test in anyway, but it is nice to see a
manufacturer who takes care with such details as creating a package that is completely
recyclable.
Manufacturer's Description:
Altimeter: Altitude, vertical speed, altitude alarm, logbook, vertical difference
measurement, automatic 24h altitude memory, temperature compensation. Logbook capacity 8
kB, recording intervals 20s, 1min, 10min and 60min, with respective times 10h, 12h, 7 days
and 10 days
Barometer: Sea level pressure, absolute pressure, pressure difference, pressure
trend indicator, 4-day barometric memory, temperature
Compass: Cardinal bearing, North-South arrow, bearing
tracking, declination setting
Chronograph: Stopwatch, countdown timer, calendar, three daily alarms
Water resistant to 30 m (100 ft)
Tester's Description:
The Suunto Vector is a wrist top computer disguised as a watch. The watch
body measures approximately 2 in (5 cm) across and 0.50 in (1 cm) high. The
Vector that I received was black in color and is not too gaudy to wear in public. In fact,
it is not much larger than the watch I usually wear.
The watch is divided into two basic parts, the band
which is 0.50 in (1 cm) wide and is made from a plastic substance, and the body. The
body has four buttons located on the four "corners" of the watch case.
These buttons control all the functions of the Vector and allow me to change modes and
access data from the watch.
Button 1 = Mode button
Button 2= + button
Button 3= - button
Button 4= Select button |
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The top of the Vector body has a rotating bezel that is
marked in degrees from 0 to 330 (0 also represents 360 degrees). Every thirty degrees
there are numbers. Inside the bezel is the watch face, which displays differing
information based upon which mode the Vector is in. There is also a "leveling
bubble" located in the upper right hand portion of the watch face/crystal. At
this point I do not know what this bubble is for, but that is soon to come.
From reading through the manual and pushing buttons, I have discovered that the Suunto
Vector has four main display modes and within each mode there are sub-modes for additional
functions. The main display modes are " Time, Altimeter, Barometer, and
Compass." Using the four buttons on the outer portion of the case, I am supposed to
be able to switch between these four modes, access the sub-modes, and stored
data.
TEST PLAN
I want to preface this plan with my basic theory behind this test. There is no
real way for me to go out and test the accuracy of any given data gathered or provided by
the Suunto Vector. Give me a lab, some assistants and probably several months and I
can do this, but this is not how I view this test. I will be using the Vector in
real outdoor and even indoor situations. My goal is to see how well the Vector and its
abilities mesh into my activities. In other words, is this device really useful to
me in the outdoors or is a device that I have to adapt my activities to in order for it to
be useful.
Testing Location:
Southeast Texas
Altitude: Sea level to 250 feet (76 m)
Temperatures expected: 36 - 90 F (2 - 32C).
Testing Activities:
Geocaching
Day hiking
Jogging
Extended Hiking/Camping Trips
Test Strategy:
FIT
1. Does the watch band fit my wrist? Can I adjust it to a comfortable tightness on my
wrist?
2. Is the Vector too "tall" for long sleeves? Does it catch on long sleeves?
Bulge under a long sleeve?
3. Does the Vector 'get in my way' as I wear it?
Usage:
Does the manual help or hinder me in my pursuit of using this item effectively while
participating in outdoor activities?
Do I have to have the manual with me to be able to run the various functions of this
watch?
Does the manual help me easily understand how to access and operate the varied modes of
this item?Is there a way to adjust certain measurement units
from metric to imperial?
Can I access all the functions of this item while wearing it? Do certain functions require
that the watch be removed from my wrist in order to gather accurate data?
Time Mode:
1. Can I figure out how to set the time on this watch? What kind of options are there for
time keeping? (12 hr/24 hr?)
2. Can I set the alarm? Is there more than one alarm available? Does the alarm wake me up?
3. How easy is it to use the countdown timer?
4. How easy is it to use the stop watch and its related functions?
I run/jog at least 3 times a week. This activity usually requires a stopwatch, headlamp,
and electronic thermometer. I will be seeing how well the time mode of the Vector
allows me to eliminate all of these devices in favor of one device. Since my running
is based on time elapsed, not distance, I will be seeing how much of an aid all the timer
functions are to this type of activity.
Altimeter Mode:
1. Does the altimeter need to be initialized before use?
2. Does the altimeter store data, such as altitude gain and loss over time? How easy is it
to retrieve/use this data from the Vector?
3. Since I will be testing this item in the rather flat terrain of Southeast Texas, is
there any really good use of the altitude mode in an area like this?
Barometer Mode:
1. My first item will probably to see just what the barometric data means to me while I am
outdoors. Once upon a time I used to hear that changes in barometric pressure affected
fish and allowed people to predict good fishing times. I will try and see if this
has any validity.
2. How easy is the barometer display to interpret?
3. How easy is it to recall stored data to compare it to weather that occurs during the
recording period?
4. How long does it take get an accurate temperature reading in the barometer mode?
5. Is there a way to get an accurate temperature reading while wearing the Vector?
Compass Mode:
1. How difficult is it to calibrate the compass?
2. What is the leveling bubble used for?
3. Can I read/interpret information from the compass easily?
4. Will I be able to set a heading with the compass and then use it and the map screen of
my GPS to navigate my way to geocaches accurately? How easy is it to use the Vector and an
GPS at the same time?
5. Can I set the declination of the compass for my local area?
As I stated earlier, I am taking the Vector out into the field and
seeing just how easy it is to use and how well its functions mesh with my needs. |
Read more reviews of Suunto gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
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