The Suunto Ambit3 Peak is one of the best choices for an exploration and hiking watch. It is a premium product and hence comes in the high end range of watches.
Since its launch, the watch has taken over a fair share of the market, which means that it deserves a spotlight and a honest review.
If you haven’t heard about Suunto before, it is a Finnish manufacturer that has been operating for several decades. Its watches are generally known for their design and versatility.
The company envisions its watches to be with you all the time, whether you are at ‘the tallest mountains or in the deepest oceans’.
Let’s Jump to the Review!
Product: Suunto Ambit3 Peak HR
Price: $$$
My rating: 9/10
Cheapest place to buy: Amazon.com
Features
The Ambit3 comes loaded with features that make it a premium choice for many people. Its range of functions, such as altimeter and fitness tracker, puts the watch in a unique all-in-one watch category, much like the Garmin Fenix 5, albeit with some options missing.
Let us now delve in to the details of each feature and see if they truly work as specified on paper.
Weather And Altitude Calculator
The Ambit 3 comes with altimeter and barometer tools embedded inside. These help you measure atmospheric pressure and altitude There are some adjustments that you can make through the settings option, which will allow you to truly optimize the results.
Pick between the automatic, barometric or altitude setting option, as per your requirement and position. While the different settings cannot be turned on at the same time, the watch programming is quite efficient in giving you the best results.
This means that when you are moving up hill, it will automatically show you the altitude date, while when you are moving across a flat trail you will be shown the pressure related data.
Moreover, there is an automatic storm alert system that is always active and will give you alarms / notifications if it determines that the weather will worsen soon.
All the data is being saved in the log files as you move, with a graphic display of the past 24 hours to let you visualize and better understand the data. The log files are updated every quarter of an hour. The graphs are easy to read, come in nice color codes and an eye-friendly scale.
Altimeter Accuracy
While the aforementioned section throws shade at it, the altimeter accuracy of the Ambit3 watch is quite spectacular and hence is being discussed in this section.
The watch’s altimeter is actually one of the most accurate in the market. It works by using the combination of barometric pressure and sea level pressure to analyze and give a reading.
This will be of major use when you are hiking in distant valleys and hills. Even when you are very high up, the altimeter will still give you an accurate reading, which when combined with the GPS itself should give you all the information you would need for a successful venture.
Navigation
A good watch must have a reliable navigation system. The Suunto Ambit3 checks this requirement. The watch comes with a compass and a GPS, both. The compass does not require any stable hand or leveling, due to its tilt-correction system.
It will give you the direction in degrees and requires to be regularly calibrated for optimum results. There is also a bearing lock and a coordinates mark for setting a destination and following the directions to it.
The GPS has loads of data collecting and analyzing services. You can put in your desired logs for GPS manually or download data off the Movescout app, for using the GPS to move from location A to location B.
The FindBack option allows you to trace your movement and reach back to the position of origin, if ever required. You can even install a topography map through the Movescout app, if you need one. Overall, the navigation system of this watch is very stable and durable.
Time Keeping
The primary purpose of any watch is to keep time and the Ambit3 easily fulfils this duty. Besides measuring the daily time, it also offers options like countdown timer, alarm, stopwatch and interval timing.
Its time can be synced with the GPS for accuracy as you move across long distances.
Active Monitoring System
Not only is the Ambit3 a great watch for keeping track of your trail and measuring relevant data, it can also serve you as a full-fledged fitness tracker.
There is a generic tracking function that measures the distance traveled, calories burnt, recovery time, etc. The tracking function can be optimized by selecting the sport you are doing (both underwater and land sports), through the settings option.
The sports mode can be personalized to only show information that is important to you. Since the watch works underwater (for up to 100 meters), it is water tight completely.
This also prevents it from any damage through sweating, even while you are working out on land.
Suunto Sensing Technology
There are several sensors installed inside the watch that make it capable of providing you with excellent features. Some of the most important sensors include Heart Beat Monitor, Heart Beat Graph, Calorie Burning Calculator, Peak Workout Calculator, etc.
With the Movescout app, you can even download more software that are compatible with the inbuilt sensors for more versatility. External purchases to enhance your watch are also available and include pods like foot wear, power pack and bike holder.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the most important features that one should look for in a sports and adventure watch. The Ambit3 comes with an average 22 hours of battery life, with the GPS activated.
If the GPS is off, you can expect the battery to last for about a month. To be honest, this can be a turn off for people who love to venture off the grid for long periods and may not have the luxury of charging their watch every day.
Display Quality
The display of this watch is pretty sweet to say the least. It features a high resolution screen that can be switched between bright and dark modes for usage during different times of the day.
There is little to no glare on the display, even when viewing the watch under direct sunlight. The color of the back-light can be switched, the contrast adjusted and the colors inverted.
The watch is one of the few in the market that has an excellent display at all times of the day, be it day or night.
Aesthetics And Built
This is one of the stylish watches you can find in the market, considering the number of features embedded inside it. The watch has been constructed using advanced engineering.
It comes with a breathable strap made from a super durable polymer. The dial is protected with acrylic glass and has a raised bezel for impact resistance. The design is quite ergonomic and the watch feels comfortable while wrapped on, even after long hours.
Moreover, at the time of purchase, you can even personalize the looks of your watch to exactly meet your liking. To view your customization in action before getting the watch in your hand, you can visit the official Suunto website or contact the company over phone.
Warranty
Being a brand that has focused on promoting trustworthiness and reliability between its products and its customers, it is no surprise that the Ambit3 comes with a two year warranty support for any manufacturing faults or defects in functions.
This warranty applies internationally, regardless of the country of purchase, and is automatically activated once you register your watch on the manufacturer’s website.
Usage
Due to the abundance of functions and the watches durability, the Ambit3 can be worn for a variety of purposes. Some of the most popular uses of the watch are:
- Hiking: This is one of the best watches to take with you on hiking, especially when you are planning to do excursions to long distance places. The watch has all the navigation features and sensors to keep you moving, without getting lost.
- Fitness: You can wear the watch to track your workouts and calories. There is a dedicated fitness mode in the watch which supplements a variety of features to complement your exercises.
- Snorkeling: Although the watch is water resistant up to 100 meters only, you can still use it to go for snorkeling. Have fun exploring the ocean life, while always having a check at the time.
Conclusion
All in all, the Suunto Ambit3 is a special watch. It combines the best of two worlds – features and durability – to bring you an opportunity to always have a reliable time keeper and navigator on your wrist.
Most of the features work as specified and even exceed expectations due to their efficient performances. However, the one qualm that is evident for anyone considering this watch is the battery timing.
If battery life is not a major concern for you, you can opt for purchasing this watch quite confidently.
I hope you liked my Suunto Ambit3 Peak review. If you have any questions, please leave a comment in the comments section below 🙂
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