Suunto has long been a brand that makes high-quality, precision technical watches for training, diving and outdoor sports, but one thing has always been lacking in their watches which their competitors have had for years – GPS. Well, that’s all about to change as Suunto listened to its customers’ demand and launched the new Ambit at the 2012 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. The Ambit is a GPS watch that combines a Global Positioning System with altimeter, 3D compass, and advanced heart rate monitor.
According to Suunto, the Ambit is an ideal instrument for backcountry skiers, hikers, trail runners and mountain climbers who want to record their tracks and log their vertical on both the up and the down.
Suunto says the Ambit runs on a patent-pending technology called FusedSpeed™ which “combines the best of both GPS frequencies and an accelerometer to provide an optimized wireless signal with accurate and precise speed data. It has a faster response to changing speeds for better control for trainings, trail sessions, interval or fartlek trainings.”
Other specialized outdoor functions of the Suunto Ambit include: Full-featured GPS (SIRF IV) navigations with Find Waypoint functionality with route planning, tracking and track logging, 100 waypoint creations in watch and Movescount.com, location in multiple coordinate systems, 3D compass (including military scale), barometric altitude and temperature.
Advanced training functions include: accurate and highly responsive pace with FusedSpeed™, heart rate functionality, including real-time training effect, recovery time, accurate vertical speed with a barometric altimeter and online sports diary with planning and analysis tools in Movescount.com.
It seems the Ambit is also (literally) “built to last” with a robust BuiltToLast™ casing. It also features optimized battery life with two operation modes; Outdoor and Exercise. Exercise mode uses GPS technologies and full heart rate functions with 15 hours of battery life. When GPS is not being used, the Ambit stays charged and operational in other functions for 100 hours. The unit includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, is 100 meters water resistant, features a comfortable WristWear™ design and is upgradeable with new functionalities through Movescount.com.
The Suunto Ambit will be available in two models and color options, black and silver and with or without a Dual Comfort Heart Rate Belt. Without the HR belt, the model will sell for $500.00, and with the HR belt, it will be priced at $550.00 and will be available to retailers March 2012.
Personally, I’ve been waiting for a GPS watch to come from Suunto for a long time and I’m happy to see it’s finally here. Hopefully we’ll be able to get our hands on one in the near future and test it out in Utah’s backcountry.
For more information, you can check out Suunto here: www.suunto.com – www.movescount.com – www.twitter.com/suuntousa