For whom?Outdoor sportsmen and demanding adventurers. Designed for trail runners, mountaineers, long-distance cyclists and multi-day experiences. Less adapted to indoor athletes or occasional users.
See the vertical Suunto and Amazon reviews
Design & Comfort
Solid : titanium/steel case + 100% shock resistant sapphire glass (MIL-STD-810H standards outdated).
Ergonomics : Comfortable interchangeable silicone bracelet, touch buttons.
Downside : Too small screen (1.4 ") vs surface available. Thick Bézel with solar ring (questionable aesthetic).
Features
Stars sensors : GPS Double-Frequency (4 constellations) of formidable precision, even in canyon/forest.
Offline cards : Clear navigation with 3D elevation and Heatmaps.
Disappointment : Cardiac sensor unreliable in intense effort (lag of 5-10 min). Personalization of VS Garmin limited screens.
Autonomy
Promises : Up to 85 hours in GPS + Solar mode.
Reality : 60 hours in mixed use (solar without solar). Sometimes capricious fast recharge.
Major asset : Duration x2 vs suunto 9 peak, x3 vs old models.
Strengths/Weak pointsWhat kills ::
What disappoints ::
VerdictTop For priority backpackers Autonomy/GPS precision. Flop if necessary cardio metrics advanced or lifestyle connectivity.
Alternative ::
Garmin Fenix 7 PRO (€ 800): Best sports ecosystem, HRM Pro + sensor
Coros Vertix 2 (€ 700): slightly higher, less ergonomic autonomy
If tight budget : Garmin Instinct 2 Solar (€ 400) offers 80% of perfs for half price.
The vertical Suunto is distinguished on certain technical aspects, but has weaknesses in software reliability in the face of competition.
Reliability strengths
Physical robustness : Titanium/steel case + sapphire glass, validated via tests exceeding the MIL-STD-810H standard. Resist with shocks, extreme temperatures and immersion.
Ultra-precise GPS : Better precision on the market thanks to the doubling of frequencies (4 constellations), even in canyon or dense forest. Deviation less than 0.1 mile vs Garmin Fenix 7 Pro.
Unequaled autonomy : Up to 60 hours in double frequency GPS (VS 41h for Fenix 7X) and fast recharging (10h use for 10 min load). Confirmed performance in real conditions.
Notable weaknesses
Perfectible software : Recurring bugs on the battery estimate, capricious recharge, and planting during updates.
Unreliable heart sensor : 5-10 min offsets in intense effort, lower than the Garmin Elevate V5 sensors or Polar Precision Prime.
Limited technical support : Burmin bugs corrections than Garmin, according to user feedback.
Comparison with competition
| Criteria | SUUNTO Vertical | Garmin Fenix 7 Pro | Coros Vertix 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS reliability | ✅ Better precision | ⚠️ slightly less precise | ✅ Equivalent to Garmin |
| Software stability | ⚠️ Occasional bugs | ✅ Very stable (core features) | ✅ Stable but basic interface |
| Real autonomy | ✅ 60h (double frequency) | ✅ 41h (double frequency) | ✅ 50h (double frequency) |
| Physiological sensors | ❌ Weak (HR) | ✅ Excellent (HRM Pro + SPO2) | ✅ Corrects (Dual sensor) |
Verdict
There SUUNTO Vertical outstands Garmin on robustness and autonomybut software reliability and health metrics.
For outdoor purists : Optimal choice if priority for GPS precision and physical resistance.
For connected athletes : Prefer Garmin Fenix 7 Pro (€ 800) for its mature ecosystem and reliable physiological monitoring.
Economic alternative : Coros Vertix 2 (€ 700) Combines autonomy and reliability, despite less worked ergonomics.
In summary : Vertical excels in a hostile environment, but requires tolerance for software imperfections. Garmin remains king for versatile use without compromise.
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