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The full analysis of the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR BaroThis article is only from the presentation of the model.
Click here to see all the details and opinion of Suunto's GPS clock.
Suunto today introduces a new variant for its Spartan range. The names continue to get more complicated because Suunto adds new features to the names, calling the new model Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro. You could say that it is simply a Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR with a barometric altimeter, but there's actually something else to write down as well.
Certainly Suunto identified that, as they had configured their catalogue, there was a gap they needed to fill. Until now they did not have any model with an optical pulse sensor that included the barometric altimeter. Since adding an optical sensor to the Spartan Ultra is quite complicated, given its thickness to hold the larger battery, the logical choice was to bring the altimeter into the Sport range, thinking of those athletes who do not need the extreme range of the Spartan Ultra but do want to have accurate altitude data for their races and mountain outings.
What's new in Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro
The main novelty of Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro (every time I have to write the name I have to take a breath...) is, of course, its barometric altimeter. But it comes associated with a series of software features that complement it, besides having some other aesthetic changes that differentiate it from the rest of the range. Let's go with the list of novelties with respect to the Spartan Sport Wrist HR, which is the model that takes as a basis:
- Obviously, the new model has a barometric altimeter
- It incorporates Suunto's FusedAlti technology, which combines GPS and air pressure data to give more accurate altitude information.
- Sunrise and sunset hours
- Storm warning for sudden drops in air pressure
- New dials for time, including altitude data
- New case design for both bezel and strap
- The new strap includes a quick fastening system, allowing it to be replaced in seconds without tools
Everything else remains the same. Same size and weight, very good quality materials including mineral glass and steel bezel, Valencel's optical sensor and the same battery life.
New update for the Spartan range, next October 17th
The announcement of the new model brings with it the confirmation of the date for the new update of the Spartan range. On October 17th, in addition to the official arrival of the new Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro on the market, Suunto will launch an update for the entire current Spartan range. These are the new features it will include:
- Improved navigation, adding estimated time of arrival at destination, along with remaining distance
- Navigation to Points of Interest (POI) will now have an approach alarm, with the watch showing a notification to let you know when you are arriving at your destination
- Sunrise and sunset times, which will be available both to be selected as a data field in the sports profiles and to be added to the clock display
- Storm alarm for watches with barometer (i.e. Spartan Ultra and Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro)
- New sport profiles for skiing or snowboarding, including specific data such as descent time or number of descents
- Sleep monitoring along with average heart rate during the night (for those models with an optical sensor)
Suunto continues to say that they will continue to release updates in the future; some to incorporate basic functions of other models and also to bring other new features.
Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro, availability and price
The new Suunto model (I refuse to write the name again) will arrive on the market on October 17th, together with the new software update for the whole range. The official price will be 549 ?. That means that Suunto charges 50 ? for having the barometric altimeter, as the price of the Spartan Sport Wrist HR is 499 ?.
It will be available in two colours, Stealth or Amber. The first one with the black case and strap and a black and polished steel bezel, while the Amber model has the grey case with orange strap, together with a polished bezel. As I say, it will complement the Spartan range precisely where Suunto now had a gap to fill.
And with that... thanks for reading!
"Improved navigation, adding estimated destination arrival time, along with remaining distance."
Do you know if this function is only for mountain activities and navigation once a route is loaded? Or on the contrary it can be used for running and cycling activities (e.g. see the ETA in a half marathon).
It is only for activities that you have the route, not to cover a certain distance.
Hello, this watch along with the Forerunner 935 and the Fenix 5, have the screen always active? Thanks for your answer.
That's right, always on (but not illuminated).
I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand. What do you mean, no lighting? You mean like the M430? Thanks for your answer.
The display shows information, but the backlight (for seeing in the dark) is not active and must be activated manually.
Thanks Eduardo, you do a great job and I found the information very useful.