Great watch and second SUUNTO (X-6) which went through a difficult tour in Afghanistan. The Vector looks good and provides easy reading and usage. However, after having this watch only 2 months, I noticed that the numbers on the bezel are either disappearing or rubbing off. Furthermore, the SUUNTO name and VECTOR model name at the base of the watch face have almost entirely disappeared. I have used the watch at the beach but have meticulously kept it clean and free of chemicals and lotion.

Customer Service

I called SUUNTO USA and they initially thought that the numbers were lasered in but they appear to be painted. They advised that I should send the watch via FEDEX and they will repair it. I am currently out of the area and will do so upon return home.

Similar Products Used:

Suunto x-6, Casio Pathfinder

I bought this watch because I thought that as a soldier it would be a valueable asset for my job. To be honest I have been more satisfied with a basic Ironman and military compass.

The first week out in the field the watch face was so fragile it became scratched to the point I could no longer read the numbers (which when I sent it back after only owning it for 2 weeks was told it was no longer under warranty and had to pay another nearly $100)

When I got the new watch the dial fell off when I rubbed it against the refrigerator door, and now the face is scratch again after rubbing it accidently against the wall!!! (not to sturdy)

In theory this watch sounds great but everyone I have talked to in the military that owns this watch expresses the same issues, even measurements such as the temperature are routinely off by 20 degrees

I couldn't recommend not buying this watch more strongly

Customer Service

very poor, when I called the corp and attempted to explain my situation I was seemingly given and "all or nothing" response concerning them fixing my watch

This watch has great features and is very accurate. Read any of the other reviews to learn about them, Im not going to repeat them again. The one thing you need to know from a review is that the lens on this watch is plastic, not mineral glass like most outdoor watches. So if you get in the rough stuff and tend to bump your watch around, plan on this one getting scratched up. I even added a permanent scratch with my fingernail trying to get a little dried mud off the lens. I was very disappointed when I noticed this. I have a casio with a mineral glass crystal and have hit it on things so hard I thought it would break and there were no scratches. I barely had the suunto a week before I had scratches on the crystal. Bummer because this watch is really a great tool.

Customer Service

Haven't used.

Similar Products Used:

Casio Pathfinder triple sensor(great but the plastic band that comes on it is crap) Casio Tough Solar Pro Trek (Nice watch SOLAR POWERED but doesn't have true stop watch function)

I have had my Vector for about 3.5 years and have not had a problem with it. It had seen the top of 24 14ers( and hopefully two more next week) and if calibrated before the climb it remains very accurate. On most climbs it has been within 10 to 20 feet but as far off as 140'. Which is still pretty accurate considering weather changes effecting barometric pressure. I have had climbing partners who have returned their Casios(up to 1300' off the same time my vector was 140') because the inaccuracy compared to the Suunto and on more than one mountain top it has put other watches to shame with its sniper like correctitude. I like the watches serviceability. My first and second battery lasted a little over a year each with a lot of use. I am now on my third battery. I don't use the compass much because I know it eats up the the battery, so I turn it on, get my bearings, turn it off. When you purchase a battery from Sunnto it comes with a new O-ring, they also have other kits at reasonal prices that you can get to replace the bezel, springs and screws which is very easy to do. Last Spring I purchased the neck lanyard and love it. All in all I love this watch and all of its functions. It seems some of the newer ones have had some problems, perhaps they have changed the manufacturing process, I don't know. My watch has work flawlessly for three and half years. It has been banged and scraped around on many-a-rock and has scatches and nicks in the casing, but it has never failed me. It has located me on the map many-a-time and headed me in the right direction or let me know I was on the right trail. It is one of my most important pieces of gear and although I always bring a back up compass my Vector is my first line of defence to get me where I'm going. I have noticed if I use the compass in the city it has to be recalibrated more often. Which is probably due to the electrical lines, motors,electronics, ect within the city limits.

Customer Service

Have not needed it

I have had this watch for about a year now and I love it. All the electronic instruments that I need at my fingertips. Granted they are not 100% accurate, but ball park, which is good enough for me while backpacking. I especially love the thermometer feature. I can look to see how cold it is around five o clock in the morning to check my sleeping bag ratings.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Timex it takes a licking and keeps on ticking

It is a big watch but is suprisingly comfortable to wear and the big screen is nice. I had lots of problems with the unit and its two replacements.

Customer Service

Out of the box the Suunto worked great but within a week it stopped scrolling through the data fields (it stuck on the alarm). I returned it under warantee and was given a watch marked "refurbished".

Similar Products Used:

Casio

I have to admit that I sell these at The above mentioned store (no im not on commision. This thing is really nice. We have only had a couple come back, one was leaking internally (water) because the customer pushed the buttons while submurged. The battery does tend to wear out quickly. The manual claims it's life at one year or better. We are seeing life spans of more like 6-8 months with average compass usage (compass drains the battery faster than all othe features.

I am happy with mine.

Similar Products Used:

Avocet vertech (Its back!)
Casio Pathfinder

ANY electronic altimeter watch will require you to calibrate it. This is not necessary with GPS altimeters, but they tend to be much less accurate (often off by 200-300+ feet).

I had used the Avocet (vertech?) watch before and hated it. It wasn't water-resistant (duh! I'm in the snow!) and had no light. It required yearly maintence which consisted of mailing it to Avocet and having them fix it (replace battery, etc.) for $20.

I find the Vector to be much more ergonomic both physically and functionally. It does have a incredibly thick user's manual. I've had the watch about 18 months and still like to bring the manual on trips. I know most of the functions (altimeter, calibrating) well enough that I don't need it. I also don't go on as many trips as I used to. I imagine if I went at least 1x a month (someday, again hopefully!), the manual wouldn't be needed.

I have been amazed at the accuracy of the altimeter. Recently I flew from home in Seattle (470 feet)to Miami (altitude 0 feet...ocean) and back . All the flying back and forth (I reset the altimeter once in Florida) for over a week. When I got home, the altimeter said 470 feet! I thought for sure the pressurized plane cabin would mess it up or something. Of course, this may be just lucky on account that the barometer didn't change much because the weather was stable. But this is but one account of several I have had only to return home with nearly right on altitude. Same has gone for summits.

I have swam with this several times, taken showers, etc. No problem. I was even in the sauna once and thought I should get out (on account of the watch) when I saw the thermometer was up to 133F. I don't remember what the operating temp limits are for the watch, but it has sustained no damage.

I recently changed the battery after about 16 months of infrequent use. Changing the battery was pretty simple. I thought it might be an expensive battery, but only cost about $3.25. Turned with a quarter in the slot and used a knife to pry the battery case open. You must recalibrate the compass and altimeter after changing the battery. All the logbook info is still in memory.

I love the barometric trend indicator, which is on every mode of display. It displays the general trend for the last 6 hours. Someone said about the acutal barometric level not being displayed? Maybe they were confused with the trend indicator. Press the mode button twice (from the time mode) and there is the barometric pressure. I'm not a physics expert...so maybe I misunderstood him.

I love the big easy to read display. The light is great. Someone said about the light not being bright enough. I usually take my sunglasses off at night.

It's a technical watch. It has a learning curve, but so does everything else in this techy culture. It seems very well thought out in function and form. I expect to have it around for many years.

I was interested in the Casio pathfinder for some time. I never did get to really use one, so I can't compare it much. I recall the display characters being rather tiny. They are a closeout item now (you can find them online) for less than $100, which is a very attractive price.

Customer Service

haven't had to use it yet.

Similar Products Used:

Avocet Vertech

This is a superb peice of equipment
and it does everything you could ask
except GPS. I've had great luck with this purchase. It's a bit confusing
at first, but in anm hour anyone can use
this.

What is disturbing is that ANY altimeter
with the exception of a GPS has to be calibrated daily. If you don't know this maybe you should take a mountaineering course! Learn to use an altimeter!

Customer Service

Suunto customer service is very good.

Similar Products Used:

None

I agree with most of the other reviews. YES- the altimeter does have to be calibrated often. I was a little disapointed about this at first, but it is a small price to pay for owning the watch. Once a day in the mountains is good enough- your map will tell you the elevation. YES- the compass does have to be calibrated, but only once, when you first get it. After that it is pretty accurate. YES- the face doesn't light up as bright as an Indiglo, but it does the job. And YES- the numbers can be distorted at an angle, but just look at it straight on and it is fine.
Also, the barometer is more of a barometric pressure indicator. It won't display the actual pressure (don't ask me why, I am a business major, ask an enginer) but who cares what the actual barometer reading is? The watch tells you the changes for every hour or so for the last 4 days so you can predict a coming storm or clear weather. That is what it was meant to do.
I recomend this watch, but you should realize it is not a James Bond wonder gadget. It does need calibration, and you will have to read the instruction manual. I have had it for over a month and am still learning about new functions.

And as far as using a GPS altimeter_ most non-military GPS units use a barometric altimeter just like the Vector.

Similar Products Used:

suunto compass, Army issue altimeter (on a plugger- a lot different)