Reviews for Suunto Yachtsman

I have had my Suunto Yachtsman for just over a year and I finally decided to fix it myself. The Mode button was intermittent and sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Since you use this button for dual purposes it is REALLY annoying. The service reps at Suunto will probably cringe when they hear that I took it apart, but the design is quite good to allow easy access to the display module. I found that the tabs used to actuate the internal switches could have been designed better. I found that the button worked when you actuated it out of the aluminum case, but not when you put the watch module back in. The issue is that the buttons have marginal travel (even when clean) and the tab actuators, even though gold plated, has a design that leaves much to be desired. I used two jeweller's screwdrivers to very gently bend the hook part of the tab so that the button provides more movement. Being careful to properly align the gasket, it was reassembled a few times to get just the right bend. My watch's problem was due to either poor manufacturing assembly, poor quality control or a design that leaves much to be desired. I am an engineer and fixed it, but shouldn't have to for a watch that is >$340! Also, I agree with other reviewers that the band is pretty bad. After a year of service it needs replacing so I wish that Suunto would have an aluminum replacement option. Overall I like the function of the watch, although the race timer reset is not intuitive and it should be. 3 stars out of five is gracious for this watch.

After paying a lot of money for a sailing watch, the buttons stuck after only the second use. The customer service rep was no help and pretty much said I was as stuck as the buttons. It now sits on the desk in my office as a reminder not to buy anything online, even from the manufacturer.

Comments from the Staff

Suunto does not sell direct to public, so I assume you purchased from us. However, the customer service you received is extremely uncharacteristic of what we offer, a return or exchange should have been offered. Beyond that, I'm sorry that your experience has soured you on online shopping. Being in the biz myself, I can assure you that - despite there being some bad guys out there - there are far more honest people behind ecommerce than not.

I also found my yachtsman to fail at 80 fsw on a dive. Unfortunately I sent mine to Suunto, who charged me for a replacement which was absurd since it did not meet advertised limits.. Should have gone to Sam's.

I took my watch on a dive of a life time to the rhone off of salt island bvi went to 72 feet according to my dive computer when I resurfaced i had a watch face full of water if i had not purchased the suunto @ sam's i would still be fighting to get my money back The replacement tells great time but the compass only reads north or northwest

Comments from The Staff:

Hi Michael, the first thing I should let you know is that the Suunto watches are not water proof, they are water resistent to 100 ft. There are other Suunto watches that are dive models, but the Yachtsman is not. I am so sorry that this happened. I am glad you were able to get your money back from Sam's Club. I wonder if your dive computer that you were looking at was inaccurate.

Janice
suuntowatches.COM GURU

I bought my first suunto in 2002 (a vector) and used it in kabul and elsewhere. And ever since I have been buying suuntos. The yachtsman/mariner is my first choice when I had to choose one, even if I'm not sailing at all. The compass ist always useful, wherever you are between kabul and berlin.., the sailing timer is super useful when you are on a tight schedule, like on the airport when you are trying to get to your transfer flight and you need to keep track of the remaining time and the barometer is a nice toy to have and outdoors pretty helpful. I was never to fond of the altimeter due to the fact that its based on the barometric pressure. I could never really trust it and had to confirm the data with map/gps. But thats my opinion...nevertheless...yachtsman/mariner 5 of 5 points...and all the other suuntos I own (x9mi, m3, regatta, mariner, yachtsman, advizor, t3, 2 vectors, guess that looks a bit odd...) are great too. And if compared with other digital watches, suuntos look great, with BDUs, with suit and tie and casual...especially when you have different ones to choose of, but the yachtsman is even here the most versatile one..so don't hesitate...buy!!!!

I find quality and function are as advertised and meet my expectations.

Usability falls short as follows:

1. In daytime use contrast between text and background could be greater, I have trouble reading information in some lighting conditions and have to angle watch face to read

2. In night use, again, with light on, contrast is insufficient. Also, light does not stay on long enough and having to keep pressing button to extend light on time is annoying

3. I would prefer compass on time to be longer, again an annoyance having to keep display on by repeatedly pressing button

4. Race timer beeps are not loud enough. During a race start when pre-occupied with start and/or the wind is up its hard to hear.

My wish is that there was a way to select brighter light, longer display times, greater contrast, louder alarms, etc at the expense of shorter battery life. If there is such a user control avaialble, please advise

The watch is fantastic and the best sailing watch I have owned. But...the watch band is not good and only last a few months. I have replaced my 4 times in 2 years. It rips right along the pin, watch connection. Thhis is a common problem as I have seen this from other reviews on the web.

So far so good! My only complaint was that the buckle came apart when I was trying to get the watch off. I have the sport band. I was grateful that this didn't occur while I was sailing or it would have been lost.