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Our Review of the Suunto Observer
The shock-resistant Suunto Observer is a tool built for outdoor challenges, but its timeless design makes it wearable in any situation. The Observer is 1/3 smaller in both diameter and width than the first generation Suunto Watches (Vector, Altimax, etc). It also features a chronograph, which previously was only offered in the Navitech but is now discontinued.
Available in 5 different material combinations: stainless steel housing with elastomer strap, stainless steel housing with stainless steel strap, and titanium housing with titanium strap. Water Resistant to 100m / 330 ft. (3 times deeper than the other non-dive watches). Metal Strap versions consist of metal links over an Elastomer strap with a hinge type opening. Our biggest complaint about the Observer is the Alarm Volume; in order to get all of the electronics in the small casing, something had to give, and it was certainly the alarm speaker size. If you normally use a watch alarm, this one is at best about 1/2 the volume.
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- Suunto Observer SS/Elast
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- Suunto Observer SS/SS
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- Suunto Observer TT/TT
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Click here to download instruction manual. (Adobe Reader required)
Related Categories:
Suunto Watch Face Specs(cm/mm)
- Thickness
- 1.38
- Casing Diameter
- 4.5
Time
- 12/24 hour clock
- Calendar pre-programmed to the year 2089
- 3 daily alarms (please read review above)
- Dual time display
- Stopwatch with lap and split time measurement; stores up to 99 laps and split times for 1 run
Altimeter
- Altitude range up to 9000 m / 29,500 ft.
- Resolution to 1 m / 3 ft
- Ascent/descent rate in m/min or ft/min
- One-button access to intermediate information about total vertical ascent/decent, and number of runs skied
- Logbook stores total ascent/descent, average ascent/descent rate, number of runs skied duration of log
- Altitude alarm
- Altimeter use: unique feature to keep sea level pressure from changing when unit is used as altimeter
Barometer
- Absolute pressure range 300 - 1 1-hPa/ 9.90 - 32.40 inHg
- Sea level pressure range 921 - 1080 hPa / 27.25 - 30.80 inHg
- Resolution 1hPa / 0.05 inHg
- Temperature compensation
- Automatic 4-day memory stores pressure information in one hour intervals for the last six hours, then in six hour intervals
- Temperature range -20 degrees - +60 degrees C / -5 degrees - +140 degrees F
- Barometer use: unique feature to keep altitude from changing when unit is used as a barometer
- Barometric trend indicator
Compass
- Shows bearing in degrees and cardinal or half-cardinal point
- North-South arrow
- Bearing tracking function displays locked bearing, actual bearing and difference between these
- Declination adjustment
- Resolution: bearing 1 degree, North-South arrow +/- 5 degrees
Chronograph
- Stopwatch with lap and split time measurement; stores up to 99 laps and split times for up to 99 runs
Other Features
- Different housing and strap options available
- Backlight, electroluminescent
- User-replaceable battery
- Low battery indicator
- Water Resistant to 100 m / 330 ft
- Stain/Elast 2.9 oz. - Stain/Stain 3.6 oz. - Tita/Tita 3.1 oz.
- Scratch-resistant mineral crystal glass face
Suunto Watch Face Specs(cm)
- Thickness: 1.38
- Casing Diameter: 4.5
Suunto Observer Reviews
All Customer Reviews
- Average Rating:
- Highest Rating:
- Lowest Rating:
- Number of Reviews:
- 132
Suunto Observer
Reviewer: Anonymous , Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas
Date: March 12, 2010
I have had two observers since 2002. My first one broke my 2nd tour in Iraq in 2006. The internal connections to the mode button broke, consdidered it wear and tear. My wife sent me another one through the mail and received it in Aug 06. Have had to replace the battery about every 18 months. The one I own now just fogged up on the screen (condensation) and a few days later quit working. Love the watch but dissapointed with the lifespan. Although I live a somewhat rugged lifestyle, 2 watches ($300 or more a piece) in eight years, expect a longer lifespan for the money spent.
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Awesome
Reviewer: Anonymous , Avon CO
Date: January 14, 2010
I have had my watch for about 8 or 9 years and only had to change the battery and wrist band once. I did use the watch as a back up while I was flying. It is a great tool and I highly reccommened it.
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band band
Reviewer: Chris , Wilson, WY
Date: November 13, 2009
I give the watch 3.5 stars but the band one, so, Observer, you get 2 stars overall.
I've had my Observer for probably six years now and have had little problem with it but have come to accept its drawbacks. Quickly reviewing other comments, I concur that the alarm is a joke (it's never succeeded in waking up this light sleeper) and I find it frustrating that the altimeter and barometer cannot be used at the same time. It seems to be a very sensitive instrument and you have to be certain to recalibrate the altimeter each day, otherwise changes in barometric pressure will throw it very far off in no time. Compass is the same thing. It works great but you have to recalibrate after walking too close to generators or anything else with a motor strong enough to make it go haywire (you'd be surprised how often this happens).
But my real complaint is the band. The simple elastomer band broke after the first year, so I replaced it with the much more handsome stainless band, thinking that if it's stainless, it must be stronger. Unfortunately the metal is only cosmetic (and more expensive) and does nothing to reinforce the band. Also, Suunto will not warranty the band, so you're stuck buying a new band every two years.
Don't waste your time on the expensive band!!
I've had my Observer for probably six years now and have had little problem with it but have come to accept its drawbacks. Quickly reviewing other comments, I concur that the alarm is a joke (it's never succeeded in waking up this light sleeper) and I find it frustrating that the altimeter and barometer cannot be used at the same time. It seems to be a very sensitive instrument and you have to be certain to recalibrate the altimeter each day, otherwise changes in barometric pressure will throw it very far off in no time. Compass is the same thing. It works great but you have to recalibrate after walking too close to generators or anything else with a motor strong enough to make it go haywire (you'd be surprised how often this happens).
But my real complaint is the band. The simple elastomer band broke after the first year, so I replaced it with the much more handsome stainless band, thinking that if it's stainless, it must be stronger. Unfortunately the metal is only cosmetic (and more expensive) and does nothing to reinforce the band. Also, Suunto will not warranty the band, so you're stuck buying a new band every two years.
Don't waste your time on the expensive band!!
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Leaves me wanting more
Reviewer: Wildland Firefighter , Oregon
Date: October 26, 2009
Had the Observer for 3-4 years now and used it for daily wear during prescribed fire and wildland fire operations. The barometer is within a half inch of mercury of official weather stations at all times. I wish I could use the altimeter and barometer at the same time. Both are important to the job. The compass sucks. It needs to be constantly re-calibrated. Time function works well. I find the chronometer to be very awkward to operate and wish it were easier. Temp is accurate when not on wrist but it is pretty useless otherwise. As others have said the band is a major weak point. Suunto, please make a new updated Observer. I will buy it, especially if barometer and altimeter can be used at the same time.
Comments from The Staff:
Thank you so much for your review. Thank you for sharing your suggestions and thoughts on the Observer watch. As a Suunto authorized retailer, we will gladly share your feedback with Suunto so they can take into consideration your suggestions!br>
Thanks,
Melissa T.
(SuuntoWatches.com)
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Greta Observer
Reviewer: Anonymous , Sydney, NSW, Australias
Date: October 10, 2009
Had the Observer for over 6 years. Replaced the Titanium band once. very Expensive in Australia. The watch has been repaired for the same fault twice and the alarms are a joke. Very quiet and useless. Otherwise a great watch and very stylish and very accurate in all functions.
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Great Watch, Lousy Band
Reviewer: Anonymous , Wilson, Wyoming
Date: August 15, 2009
I have had this watch for 4 years and love it's accuracy and durability. I have used it from Greenland to Antarctica and it works great. I did have a problem with erratic performance with a department store replacement battery. It worked perfectly when I replaced with the battery in the Suunto kit.
The band is another story. It failed early, quickly, and often. I am lucky that I have not lost the watch as a result. At $42 to replace it is ridiculous that they have not fixed this problem yet.
The alarm is also worthless but I find that to be less of issue for me since they never work for me under heavy clothes or in the wind.
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Great Watch - band is another matter
Reviewer: Anonymous , Gallatin, TN.
Date: July 21, 2009
I've had my watch for 4 years. It's a great watch but the band is another matter. I'm on my 3rd band...
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Great Altimeter
Reviewer: Skydiver, Norway , Sandefjord
Date: June 18, 2009
I have had the Suunto Observer for 4 years. I love the watch. It has the ultimate altimeter with resolution and update rate required to be used as an altimeter for skydiving. This has been my primary altitude device for last 4 years and it has never given me any problem reading altitude or time. If you are a skydiver, base jumper or a climber this is the altitude gadget ! Any of the bands may work as they are based on a rubber band sole, so it is safe to wear....
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Band Problem - Prepare for ongoing expense
Reviewer: Anonymous , South africa
Date: May 27, 2009
SUUNTO should be aware (see reviews on your site) by now that the band is a problem. I have replaced 3 bands since 2001/2 when I bought the watch...The watch itself is just great. I have done 4 extreme adventure races with it and it works excellent. My friend refers to my watch as the watch that can give time too".
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