The Suunto Ambit3 Run is just like the original Suunto Ambit (review here) that I have been using for the last three years. But recent iterations of the Ambit have been paired down versions, such as the Sport, Peak and Run. The Ambit3 Run is just what it sounds like – a GPS enabled watch with features that runners need most, without any extraneous modes available in the other versions.
This summer, I’ve been running both on trail and in Salt Lake City streets with the Suunto Ambit3 Run on my wrist. So how does it compare to the Suunto of old, and is this the be-all/end-all of running GPS watches? First, the details:
The Suunto Ambit3 Run features:
- 15h battery with 5 sec-GPS accuracy (1 min-accuracy: 100h)
- Speed, pace, distance and GPS altitude
- Route navigation and track back
- Running cadence from the wrist
- Running performance indication (Firstbeat)**
- Interval workout planner*
- Interval workouts with voice guidance*
- Movescount training programs on the watch
- Activity based recovery time
Comparing the Ambit3 Run to my old Ambit, I have to say, there are some impressive new features in the updated firmware. The first thing I noticed is how fast the watch connects to the satellites. My old Ambit can take upwards of 10 minutes to lock in, but the Ambit3 Run connects in under 30 seconds in most cases. Pretty impressive. The Ambit3 is also smaller, lighter, and thinner than the original Ambit, which makes it nicer to wear on the wrist.
But what really make the Ambit3 Run stand above the rest is its connectivity. You can synch the watch to your iPhone and get all sorts of data transferred to your phone screen and the watch face. Examples include:
- Calls, messages and push notifications on the watch
- Integration with Strava and TrainingPeaks
- Take and upload photos showing your current speed, distance, and more
- Create a Suunto Movie with 3D map, key metrics and images
- Share run data instantly to social media networks
In addition to the social media aspects, the Ambit3 Run also uses connectivity to help you work out. When combined with Suunto’s Movescount app you can connect the watch to your phone that has a workout planner, fitness testing, or interval workout voice guidance. Basically, you can create structured workouts like intervals, then transfer them to your watch using either the phone app or USB cable. The Suunto Ambit3 Run also has navigation capability so you can track your route, follow a route, and navigate to a point of interest.
If you combine the watch with Suunto’s Smart Sensor heart rate monitor strap, you get extra features such as a calorie counter, recovery time data, heart rate zones and limits, and more. The new heart rate monitor strap is also smaller, so you have less sensor disk pressing up against your sternum.
I found that setting up the watch is very easy using the simple instructions provided in the box. After synching it to Movescount on my desktop computer, I was off and running. Like I said above, the watch finds a GPS signal super fast. While running, I can look at the watch face to get all different kinds of info: heart rate, speed, distance covered, navigation, and of course the time… among other things. When I stop the watch, I love that I get a recovery time estimate, so I know when my muscles are ready for the next workout.
Back home, after uploading my “Moves” to the computer and Suunto’s Movescount website, I could see a breakdown of my workout in graphic form along with a GPS track of my route on a map. It’s pretty slick.
The Good: Quick GPS find, smaller size, run-specific features, unparalleled connectivity.
The Bad: Lime color stripped me of all masculinity (luckily other colors are available.)
Final Word: The Suunto Ambit3 Run has everything a runner could want in a GPS watch and then some.
For more, visit Suunto.com