[san~man]

Looking into getting a watch with a compass for work. Suunto's seem to get mixed reviews depending on which site you read up on, and are reasonably priced for the features you receive (the core model is in the 250-300 range). I trolled on watchuseek.com today and read up on a few other sites as well.

The main complaints I've read so far are battery life and supposed shock protection (or lack thereof).

Anyone own one (any model, not necessarily the "core" model) that can give me honest reviews, or know of anyone who has one?

Thanks.

[335R1]

I can attest to it's strength and build. Back in September 8th of 2006, my squad was hit with a car bomb in front of the American embassy in Kabul Afghanistan. One of my team leader was a turret gunner on the last humvee. The car bomb obliterated the middle humvee and shrapnel went in all directions. One found it's way to my team leader's arm. It cut through the muscles, exposed bone, traveld down his arm and then flew off when it hit his Suunto watch. Doctor said it couldn've taken out his hand or fingers if the watch hadn't deflect the shrapnel. I had a picture of his arm somewhere, but I saw the watch and was surprise that it only had a dent. Still ticking and working. Been his lucky watch ever since. You can google the atack on my squad and see how deadly this car bomb was. Suunto watches are good in my book.

[wj4]

Originally Posted by 335R1

I can attest to it's strength and build. Back in September 8th of 2006, my squad was hit with a car bomb in front of the American embassy in Kabul Afghanistan. One of my team leader was a turret gunner on the last humvee. The car bomb obliterated the middle humvee and shrapnel went in all directions. One found it's way to my team leader's arm. It cut through the muscles, exposed bone, traveld down his arm and then flew off when it hit his Suunto watch. Doctor said it couldn've taken out his hand or fingers if the watch hadn't deflect the shrapnel. I had a picture of his arm somewhere, but I saw the watch and was surprise that it only had a dent. Still ticking and working. Been his lucky watch ever since. You can google the atack on my squad and see how deadly this car bomb was. Suunto watches are good in my book.

That story is unreal. I'm sure the company would sponsor your pal with the quickness to public-ally publish that story.

[bolinp78]

[Feyd]

Shameless plug:

I have Silver/Negative Face X-lander that is for sale. Nothing wrong with it in the slightest, I just don't wear it much (at all).

New Strap + New Battery... + another battery replacement kit. Excellent Condition and on your budget.



http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthr...79#post2607079

[san~man]

The Xlander was another option for me, but for some reason I like the case design of this particular Core model better, specifically the mount for the strap/bands:

[san~man]

Anyone else?

[purespeed]

I have the exact watch as Feyd except for the band.

I love the watch. No problems. No battery problems. I have the original battery in the watch. I bought it online...I think about three years ago.

I would buy it again.

Good luck

[335R1]

Originally Posted by wj4

That story is unreal. I'm sure the company would sponsor your pal with the quickness to public-ally publish that story.

google it and I'll provide the pics. I kept the article from Stars and Stripes along wit his picture to remind me how lucky I am to have a square away squad.

[Genro757]

I've got thre Suunto's....an XM9, an X10, and a T9HR..all great watches...the only complaint I have is that during my last deployment in Afghanistan, the bezel on my XM9 fell off...I sent it back to SUUNTO and got a whole new watch.

[Glacked]

I've got three Suunto's. Two Cores (black and gold both with negative face) and a T6 in OD. I killed the gold ringed Core after I swapped the battery and didn't make sure the o-ring was installed right. I spent the next night working a bad wreck in the rain and it's been dead ever since. I've been wearing the all black core for over a year now. I've replaced the battery twice. I started wearing them because they have a decent compass and the baro with weather alarm. After having my nose broken this last time by an airbag, I get migraines when there is a quick shift in pressure. When the alarm goes off, I pop a Goodies powder and it won't go migraine on me. Hell of a thing to use a watch for, I guess. Works. As for durability, it's fine for what I do. I'm pretty rough on watches and the only wear I'm showing on my Core is a little silver is showing on the bezel.

[san~man]

Is the bezel wear from turning it or just normal wear/tear?

Thanks for the replies everyone, appreciate it.

[ad78]

i have the core all black military and bought it on ebay for $214
nice watch

[Glacked]

The wear on the bezel is from banging the watch on everything. I rarely turn the thing. The part that is showing silver is the top edge of the bezel almost all the way around the thing. Doesn't really show from more than a foot or so away. It's just painted aluminum. Seems like they would powder coat the thing. From a non-watch guy who likes watches like this, it's no thing to have wear on it for me. I still wear it with a suit - when I have to wear one.

[doc1911]

I own a Suunto that I use for work (military) I have had the same one for at least 5 years without any issues. The battery life depends heavily on how you set the backlight timing.

I'm not sure what model it is but I don't have a bezel. Unless you dive a bezel is really just for show and not functional.

You said you want a watch with a compass. Take it from a guy who has done a lot of land navigation, it is better to find a compass that can tell time than a watch with a compass. I don't know to what extent you are relying on the compass for "no shit" navigation but no watch compass is close to as accurate or user-friendly as a true compass.