Here's the best place to buy: amzn.to/3ylPSeY

I have Suunto race since October 2023. After half a year of using it for running swimming trail running cycling triathlon strength training I agree that pool swimming needs some improvements. Regarding the heart rate inconsistencies you and also many other reviewers mentioned. For me wrist HR has worked flawlessly so much so that although i'm not a reviewer i decided to do some testing against my polar Vantage V paired with a h10 chest strap. Suunto was spot on in all trail runs and pool swimming hr measuring. Maybe because my skin is definitely darker than yours, who knows. I don't know. For me its the best sports watch that i ever had whether it was Timex, Garmin, Polar, Huawei etc

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

That is awesome news! So glad you've had good luck with the heart rate data. I've tried a few things to get it to be more consistent but haven't had good luck with it yet. Still, it's a fantastic watch. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

Great review as always! The intro is top tier

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much for the kind words. I enjoy making that part of these.

Have been using the Race about a month now but was still looking forward to your review. Agreed on the charger being less than ideal. Fortunately battery life is long enough that it’s not a huge deal. If I needed to charge every day I’m sure I would hate it OHR is definitely weak, but I knew that going in from all the other reviews. Fortunately I’m perfectly fine wearing my H10

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Yeah, the H10 is such a nice HRM. Super accurate. I'm glad you've had good luck with the Suunto Race. So far, I've been very very impressed. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

Thank you for a great review. I have been using the Suunto Baro 9 for several years and it's been a great watch but I am ready to upgrade. I have been considering the Sunnto Race as the price is fantastic and I like the Suunto app. Seems the Race might be my next purchase.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

It's pretty awesome. The heart rate wasn't perfect for me so if you're doing a workout that is heart rate critical, I'd suggest a heart rate strap. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

Really great video, Matt! I enjoyed watching it, beautiful shots! Hopefully Suunto is adding drill mode soon. Totally agree with you that it should be there.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Thank you! I think Suunto is focussed on running but us swimmers wouldn't mind a few little things to make tracking workouts a bit more accurate. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

@YoeriNijs

Ай бұрын

@@mlegrand Thanks! Do you have any experience with open water swimming accuracy? According to DCR it is quite bad, but I consider the Race as triathlon watch only if the accuracy is acceptable...

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

@@YoeriNijs - I haven't tested that yet and I sent this watch back to Suunto. I will probably do a 'Best Open Water' watch video again at some point with all the watches that I have here but generally Garmins do well.

as a long Suunto user, they really nailed on with the Race. I bought one in January this year and I don't have any issues, including the HR. Maybe it is my skin, use position or I really not caring this much, because I am not that serious in my training. As a matter of fact not that different from my previous Spartan Trainer, which btw still works flawless after six years. Excellent review, as always, Matt.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad you’re enjoying the Race. It’s such a great option.

Solid intro Great review Matt.... Wish they have swim drill. Ant+ and better hr monitor. But good for price point Happy training.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Thanks buddy! Hope training is going well for you this season also!

Love this and so glad you are trying your first Suunto! Isn't it a freaking crazy unbelievable build quality and overall experience for the cost?! I was just blown away by it. The OHR was unfortunately just too terrible to not be a dealbreaker, but still I have thought about that watch ever since I tested it because it probably is my favorite design. Thank you so much for the video that was awesome!

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Totally agree! Thank you!

@fabii85

Ай бұрын

How is the OHR in "rest time" compared with other brands?

@fabii85

Ай бұрын

How is the OHR in "rest time" compared with other brands?

@iim_human

12 күн бұрын

I think Garmin has gotten everyone so used to cheaper plastic hardware even when paying several hundred dollars, that $550 for titanium seems unbelievable! I was shocked when I got the Venu 3s for $430 and it was mostly plastic with a “stainless steel bezel” seems more like aluminum, but it’s such a small portion of the watch that it doesn’t even matter. I was SHOCKED 😮. It just didn’t feel premium at all. I ultimately ended up going with a more affordable option, not because of the affordability but because of the software, the Forerunner 165. However for the $249 price point, it’s more reasonable to have a plastic body on that one vs a $400+ device. With Garmin I feel like you pay for the name and software….not really the hardware for most of their watches.

@mlegrand

11 күн бұрын

@@iim_human - I actually just reviewed the FR 166 here on this channel. Great device for the price.

Thanks Matt. Yet another great review. You always put a lot of thought into your content and love the NW mountain views. In your opinion would the Race be good for hiking as well as trail running? i.e. is the navigation good enough. And is the race better than the Coros Apex 2 Pro in this regards? Or is there a better watch at this price point that hikers and trail runners should consider?

@mlegrand

21 күн бұрын

I think the Suunto Race would be an excellent option. I'd probably also be looking at some sort of sale Fenix or Epix watch from Garmin. amzn.to/3RgZRbT

Great review, and super beautiful macro shots⌚️🔍🔎📸

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Thank you! I really enjoy that part of making these videos! Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

@mplatinum

Ай бұрын

Thank you for fast answer, Matt !!!superb work , such quality of macro pictures works like magic, I watched like a documentary movie about sport watches :))

AMOLED or MIP screen, the important choice for a watch… Thanks for the detailed review 😎

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Hope all is well!

I just bought one of these used for $200. I am currently trying it out. This might get me to sell my Epix Pro (which I love). I really like the look of the Race and so far it does what I need it to do.

@mlegrand

3 күн бұрын

Wow, the Epix Pro is pretty amazing. I think I’d miss the built in flashlight 🔦 but $200 is an amazing deal. Nice find!!!

@jonathantimm4645

3 күн бұрын

@@mlegrand I love the Epix Pro too. The flashlight constantly comes in handy. The one on the Race is pretty good too but not the same thing. It reminds me of the one on the Apple Watch Ultra. It is going to be difficult to commit to just one watch.

Good Vid Matt !! you're john harris of gadget review 👍🏻👍🏻. I like both Race & Vertical ,but I won't buy util it's come out with better HR version ( maybe next one ) Have you hear anything about garmin instinct 3 ? ?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

I have heard zero details about the Instinct 3. Seems like it's got to be on the way right? I really loved the Instinct 2X so I'm excited for the 3 whenever it comes out. 🤞🏻 Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

@mlegrand thank you for the review, always love your visuals. I'm looking for a smartwatch to track my soccer games, cycling, little bit of hiking and overall health. I'm debating between the Suunto Race and the Garmin Epix Gen 2 Sapphire, any advice?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

I'd say if you need the HR to be more accurate, I'd go for the Epix Gen 2. I've seen it on sale recently: amzn.to/44IPIdI Overall, they are both great.

When are you running a bootcamp for how to shoot intros and sexy AF b-roll? Cause I'll sign up 🤣Great review Matt!

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Ha!!! In person over beers!

@ActiveIdeas

Ай бұрын

@@mlegrand that’s more like it! 🍻 The dream is to do a 200 miler over your way ✈️ 🏃🏽‍♂️ so hopefully soon!

Amazing visuals! Thank you for the review. Do you know if it can broadcast heart rate to external devices? This is a very useful feature I use with my Garmin watch in very long rides when a heart rate strap becomes uncomfortable.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

No broadcast heart rate that I’m aware of. It’s possible that I missed it but I am also not sure I’d want the more questionable wrist data personally.

Nice review. What watch is your daily driver at this point? IIRC you were rotating between the AWU 1/2 and Garmin Epix or otherwise before.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

It's hard for me to really call any watch a daily driver because I'm always testing multiple watches. I always wear two watches. Right now I have on the Garmin FR 165 and a COROS Pace 3 because those are upcoming videos. But I also really like the Garmin Enduro 2 because it has a flashlight. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I think it's one of the few watches that can compete with Garmin. Would you choose it at its titanium case over an Epix Gen 2 if they both costed 550? I just have some doubts because of its laggy menu as it is presented. And the lack of Spotify and paying with the watch is also important to me. But it looks better! And has sapphire and titanium. Tough choice ! Thanks for the beautifully directed video! Aren't you thinking of presenting us some videos of your training or races ? It would be fun!

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

I should make some more training and racing videos. That would be run. I think I'd pick the Epix over this strictly because I like the way Garmin does it's swimming stuff. Music and paying aren't as important to me but we're all different. $550 for the Epix Gen 2 is a pretty good deal. 👌🏻

I was really considering purchasing this watch. Suunto seems like a decent company with a lot of history. I just couldn’t get over the lag with the UI that reviewers were talking about. Were they able to fix that?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Once the watch is awake, I don't experience a lot of lag. I'm guessing the watch cycles down to conserve battery life and that can result in a huge amount of lag when the watch has to cycle back up and become responsive. Garmin watches can some times have the same issue. I haven't followed it closely enough to know if Suunto issues a software correction for the issue. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

Hey, do you know if you can have a white background for the data screen when in an activity? (Like garmin and coros)

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Not that I know of.

Es excelente

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

While I really like how the watch looks and the build quality, there are three major issues, at least for me: (1) HR accuracy, (2) lack on device music, and (3) out of zone alerts. The latter can be potentially fixed with a software update, but I don’t get why a sport-oriented watch is missing such a critical feature for runners. Regarding on device music. During my runs I mostly listen to audiobooks on my Fenix 7 and it’s really nice to have everything coming from one place. I listen to a book and, if following a course, Garmin tells me if I need to turn in 30 meters or so, or, it tells me if I’m above/below the target HR/pace. I don’t even have to look at the watch. If Suunto ever fixes that, plus adds a decent HR sensor, I’ll switch in a heartbeat.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

I didn't even test heart rate zone alerts. Thanks for posting about it here.

Great video! All I currently have is an Apple Watch 6 and I’ve been looking at Suunto, coros vertix 2s and the polar grid x2 pro looks nice. How do you think they compare and how user friendly they are with their ecosystem?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Well, the Apple Watch Series 6 was a good watch. I think there are things you will miss about it. But any of these watches are going to be a huge battery life improvement. I haven't tested the Polar Grit X2 Pro yet but right now I might lean towards the Suunto. It's a great device. Ecosystem is solid. There are probably other watches that are better for swimming but it's all the little stuff I talk about in this video towards the end. Best of luck and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

@anthonyrampino7734

Ай бұрын

@@mlegrand thanks, I appreciate it! I do have another question. Which one does a better job with the maps and navigation? I hear that Garmin is the best but I’ve also heard Garmin is more complicated to use. But I also like the watch to have a sapphire lens for durability.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

@@anthonyrampino7734 - Garmin does make a watch with a sapphire lens display for durability. It's just expensive. Here's one that is on sale currently: amzn.to/44IPIdI (still expensive even with it being $200 off 🤦‍♂)

@anthonyrampino7734

Ай бұрын

@@mlegrand between Suunto, Polar and Coros which one do you think is best at maps and navigation and ease of use? And thanks for the Garmin link.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

@@anthonyrampino7734 - ​​⁠ - Tricky to say but I had good results with this Suunto. The trails I run here in the PNW were all on here. 👍

Matt, do you think the Coros heart rate monitor that wears on the arm would be as accurate as a chest strap?

@mlegrand

29 күн бұрын

Those arm monitors are excellent. Technically the HR chest strap should still be more accurate as long as it's getting a decent connection. It's picking up on the electrical firing within the heart. But chest straps can have issues if the skin drys out under the strap. Optical HRMs tend to have issues with the bony wrist area because of the bounce and movement. Moving it up the arm tends to improve quality a lot. Hope all is well with you Jeff!

This watch would be an absolute banger if it had better heart rate monitor. I have the Pace 3 and would love to have something a little bit more premium looking, but I can't justify buying something that is less accurate for almost double the price.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

I would say that this watch's GPS is more accurate and the HR is less. That Pace 3 is a fantastic option. Such a good value. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

what would you prefer? Garmin Forerunner 265 or Suunto Race? i have a forerunner 265 , is suunto race better?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

It really depends on what you like to do. If you’re into swimming the 265 is significantly better in my opinion. GPS accuracy is similar between the two and the HR is obviously better on the 265. But the Suunto is made with excellent materials. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Can you give any advice on the charging of the Race? I so often place the watch on the charger and it indicates it is charging only to find out in the morning that nothing happened. I t happens to me more often that it didn''t charge than it actually charged. Any tips or better chargers available that you know of?

@mlegrand

17 күн бұрын

Oh yeah, I’ve also had issues with this charger. I think I mentioned it in this video. It’s an odd issues and I haven’t seen any better third party options yet. Although, seems like that would be a killer product. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

@MorrisGruiters

13 күн бұрын

@@mlegrand Well, I just found the KWMobile charger on Amazon and it's much better than the original. It has a stronger magnet which makes sure the watch clicks more securely in position and remains there. The cable is also longer. Can definitely recommend for it's price less than 20 EUR/USD.

Garmin is Garmin. No other beats them 💪💪💪

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

They have some very strong offerings but it’s great to see some great competitive options out here.

How is this compared to Garmin Epix Pro . Is screen size different

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Yes, this has a slightly different size than the Epix Pro. The Epix Pro comes in three sizes and this is just the one size (1.43 inch screen)

@mlegrand Hi Between Suunto Race and Coros Apex 2 pro, what is your opinion?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Suunto Race in my opinion. I’ve really been enjoying this one. Oh, you might want an affordable HR monitor to go along with it. 😬

@filalves

Ай бұрын

My problem is the Watch use 😅 I will get back to running but, i am a fitness and group Trainer. I do a LOT of indoor cardio, and indoor cycling. So, paired with my polar h10, i want a device for hrv, training load, etc. my fear is coros “raw” data and running focused usage. And my other fear is Suunto bad hr acc, since to get a good hrv result, the ohr must be accurate

The Suunto and the materials are really great. Garmin looks like very cheap in comparison to the Suunto race or vertical

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Yeah, and the slight design of the high-end materials is fantastic. Great device. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

Hello, can you tell me how I can connect Suunto Race to the Zycle Z-Bike 2.0

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

I’m not familiar with the Zcycle Z-bike 2.0.

Between Race and garmin 265 which one u recommend

@mlegrand

27 күн бұрын

Well everyone has different needs and priorities. The Race is probably more durable due to the materials. The 265 has a bit more features, more accurate HR and better swim support. Hard to suggest one without knowing a lot more about you.

Is Suunto App & Store unique? like does Garmin do the same?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Sorry, can I get a little more clarification on what you’re asking?

@LaurentSoh

Ай бұрын

@@mlegrand i have recently purchased this watch. and is excited with the Suunto app store whereby there are programme for us to run test. such as anaerobic threshold test.

There is no deal in that price range at all. The Suunto race is sooo great

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

The Amazfit Falcon is $500, so right in between the two prices of the Suunto Race. But I much prefer the features of the Race personally.

does SUUNTO have anything online like GARMIN CONNECT'?

@mlegrand

23 күн бұрын

As far as I know, there is no web interface for the Suunto mobile app. I like their mobile app but it'd be nice to see some sort of desktop app here as well. I also found it easy to export data and use third party desktop or web applications. Good question Tadej. Thanks for posting this.

hey bro is the watch suunto compatible pairing with ios devices thanks

@mlegrand

23 күн бұрын

I used an iPhone to pair with this Sunnto Race watch and didn't have any issues with the pairing process. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

@boykannor

21 күн бұрын

@@mlegrand even if im using iphone 15 pro max does it work on it the suunto vertical cause i really want that watch because of the style and uniqueness please give me your honest opinion on it when it comes to pairing with ios thanks bro!

@mlegrand

21 күн бұрын

@@boykannor - The bluetooth should be the same on the Suunto Race as the Suunto Vertical but the watch communicates with the iPhone for syncing data, seeing that data on the smart phone and sending notifications over to the watch. These bluetooth connections can get disconnected from time to time but otherwise it should work.

@boykannor

21 күн бұрын

@@mlegrand thank you so much for the quick and honest response to my messages.. honestly, im saving my money for that watch thats why im seeking information before buying so it would not be a waste money for me. thank u again and will ask again for some information and hope to hear from u on my queries thanks again

As a competitive swimmer my view of Sunnto watches (following Ambit Days) are awful, for swimmers it rarely recognises strokes correctly, no drill functions (as you mentioned) buggy length counts, don't move your arm in rest periods or else it will count as a length.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Yeah, it’s not a watch I’d recommend for swimmers. 😬 I still think Garmin makes the best lap swimming watches. Even the more affordable Garmins.

vs the 965. Thoughts?

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

I guess it depends on what you like to do. I'd say the 965 is great for swimming but the Suunto Race is a bit more durable.

650-800+ $ watches arent the best comparison as alternative for a 450$ watch...why not just say that for 450$ no Garmins are giving offline maps, now, that would be a fair statement and comparison!

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

Good call Zoltan! Overall, I'm super impressed with the price point of this Suunto Race. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

Its heart rate sensor is inaccurate compared with Garmin.

@mlegrand

Ай бұрын

That’s what I’ve noticed during my testing. You can see it in some of the charts in this video. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍

Still looks laggy on the UI 😢

@mlegrand

28 күн бұрын

I have a theory that some of these companies slow down the clock speed of the CPU to reduce battery life usage when it’s not actively being used and then speed it back up when the user starts making their first interactions with the watch. Making that first interaction super super laggy. But it’s just a theory.

There is one issue : The "made in china" .

@mlegrand

17 күн бұрын

Very good point. It’s getting harder and harder to find made in America. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍