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Garmin Fenix7 vs Suunto9 Peak Pro

SanderW
over 2 years ago

My Suunto Ambit2 broke when changing the battery. Now I’m looking for a replacement.
I’m hesitating between the Garmin Fenix7.and the Suunto9 Peak Pro.
The Garmin has many more options and better data analysis. I think the design of the Suunto is much nicer.
I read also a lot of problems with the GPS accuracy of the Garmin. Is that really an issue?
Are there many issues with the software or is it not too bad?
Does anyone have experience with both watches?
I have to say honestly that Suunto has caused bad blood with me after their digital transformation, which I also take into account in my decision...

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    The current gen Garmin models (Fenix 7 family, new Forerunners) produce the most accurate GPS tracks I've seen, even without multiband. Fenix 6 GPS wasn't great for me, but the Epix 2 base's GPS has been stellar so far. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    For me as a hiker, Garmin is the only company in the world that have maps of the world available to use to navigate with directly on the watch... I can even put custom kmz file maps, other OSM maps, transparent contours and trails overlays etc.... I have no other choice to go to any other brand until they catch up in the mapping department.. 

    All the best... 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to [Redacted]

    This is the track from a walk around the Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA, with smart recording enabled (not every second) and no multiband. I mean, I can't complain?

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Sam201176

    I agree. Navigating with the Suunto Ambit2 was difficult. Just a line and a small arrow but no direction was given. It's much better in the current Suunto's but Garmin is far ahead.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I have Ambit 3 Peak several years and Fenix 7xSS. If u ask about GPS accuracy, my old Suunto is better. Not to much, but better. Some ppl said that F7 produces the most accurate GPS tracks they've seen - but they never see Suunto in action :) I don't have Suunto 9 Peak Pro but look tracks on produced by S9PP - are impressive. And don't forget about patented FusedAlti which gives the most accurate altitude values ​​of any watch on the market.

    If I compare Suunto and Garmin environment I can say that Suunto gives less statistics but will be enough for most people. Garmin is more "fat" in this case. So (IMHO) - if accuracy --> Suunto, all the rest --> Garmin.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 3609299
    3609299 said:
    I have Ambit 3 Peak several years and Fenix 7xSS. If u ask about GPS accuracy, my old Suunto is better.

    I've had Ambit 3 Peak for a few years and now have Fenix 7X SS. When I use Fenix 7X with the dual band GPS its accuracy is way better than A3P. I've done side by side comparison of tracks from the same races. A3P was very good - it was the most accurate watch before Fenix 7. But dual band GPS brings Fenix 7 accuracy at another level. With A3P, I can still see a lot of examples of cutting through switchbacks while Fenix 7X is amazingly accurate at following every single switchback without cutting through. It's not even a comparison. Also, Fenix 7X distance accuracy is better too.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 3609299

    Would you post some examples please of the two watches recording the same course at the same time?

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

    Sure, but please wait a few days as I have a cold at the moment and am not doing outdoor activities.  I'll take two watches on one hand and make a track under the same conditions

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I had Suunto for many years... I loved them because they are built very nicely with a beautiful design. BUT...


    One day you buy a 500 euro Suunto hoping that new features will come with updates over the years… Nothing happens! The only thing Suunto manages to do is releasing an update every half a year in which they enable extra feature to be paid to third-party partners.. So in addition to the money of the watch, if you want a decent data analysis and navigation possibilities you need to pay extra a 100 euro an year of services...

    Plus a Fenix 7X (my current watch) has incredible battery life also in the highest accuracy and the navigation via topoactive maps is a real plus for people exploring new paths every day (I do a lot of trail running and navigating with a phone in the hands every time I am uncertain it would be too inconvenient). I never experienced bad GPS (when you run 40 km does it matter if is 50 meters more/less?). And despite FusedAlti, with my Garmin I never need to correct the altitude gain which I had to do every run with my Suunto.

    I like the Suunto App more but Suunto does not have a browser based system which sucks! With Suunto you need to plan everything on the phone!!! I mean, are there serious athletes which plan a multi-day tour on a 5” display? OFC you can pay some extra service like komoot but I still would like to access and review my runs/races comfortably from the PC.

    An alternative I considered a lot: Coros. Incredible watches! But Garmin offers a complete ecosystem for running/cycling/life which could be a plus if you have multiple devices.