Suunto T3 Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch (Black Polished) Reviews

• Great Function, Bad Form, Fat Price

  
  By AG9G4VUJB6709 on 2006-10-07
  The health functionality of the watch is quite nice - the ability to track workouts over time is helpful for those serious about trianing. Seeing progress in fitness level over time is also motivational.
  
  Unfortunately the quality of the watch is subpar. The watch face is plastic and seems like it will easily scratch. The band on this particular version of the T3, though it looks nice in the pictures, is also cheap plastic. The spring loaded and locking clasp somewhat makes up for the cheap band. The inverted LCD on this model also looks cool in the pictures but makes the watch more difficult to read.
  
  Overall I'm impressed with the functionality of the watch, and the ability to add additional features with pods is nice. But the price is far higher than it should be for a watch of this quality, and the pods are far too expensive. Other heart-rate watches cost 1/3 what the Suunto T3 does, and adding a $80 pedometer or $130 GPS only increases the cost without adding features that are really necessary except for all but the most serious training athletes.
  
  

• Wow - at last the perfect HRM for me.

  
  By A22IK85WQ3FV1N on 2007-03-23
  Hi - I've used a lot of training devices in the past. My list includes Polar HRM of several models, the garmin 301 GPS model, stopwatches and a finger, even the new Nike/iPod combo and this one really takes the cake for me. I have a scientific background and work in the tech industry, but even though I understand math and engineering, it's not what I want when I am working out. I want simplicity, reliability and features that sit there until I ask for them. I don't want to get a degree in deviceology to make it work each and every time I'm out for a run, hike or bike. Sometimes I am training for a marathon or triathlon - so I'd prefer my unit be capable to help me reach those goals when I need to plan workouts and analyze data about how my training is going - but the wrist unit itself has to be intuitive and stay out of the way when I just want to work out.
  
  This model can expand with GPS, or two different bike modules, or a foor pod if distance measurement is something you want in addition to HRM and time of training data. It also can be used with the SmartBelt (which cost extra). The smartbelt will work with the T3 during exercise (just like the included HRM measurement belt that you wear around your chest), but the optional Smartbelt stores advanced workout metrics so you could geek out with PC/coach and truly train like the pros if you wish.
  
  The unit is well designed, thin, utilitarian yet not overly geeky (I would take it off for a black tie event, but that's about the only time it's not appreciated on my wrist as a watch). The batteries in the watch and transmitter are consumer servicable and the built in training software is a joy to use. Yes, there are five overall modes to the watch and there are no tiny text to help remind you what buttons do which - so you do need to read the manual or get help from someone else (Suuntu discussion boards are free online help from other users of the products). Once you master the basics of how the buttons affect the watch software - you will feel comfortable focusing on your workout and not operating a device.
  
  I am really impressed how well the unit works and the intelligence and design that went into the interface, the training software that is built in - as well as how well the display works. The built in logs also are great with detailed review of the 15 most recent workout, plus cumulative and summary data for the current week, last week, and each of the last 6 months data.
  
  

• Not what I expected from a Suunto

  
  By A3D43J1NBS0LU2 on 2006-12-09
  Pros:
  -Looks nice (I receive a lot of compliments)
  -Heart rate monitor is comfortable, unobtrusive, and very accurate
  -Lots of heart rate training modes
  
  Cons:
  -Cheap plastic face that scratches very easily
  -The clasp on the band constantly pops open
  -The buttons stick out so far that every time you bend your wrist back or bump your arm the watch changes to a different mode. This happens CONSTANTLY and is extremely irritating.
  -It is very complicated to try to figure out all the different training modes
  -No compass or altimeter settings that are common on most other Suunto watches
  
  Bottom line:
  Suunto has been making great watches for long enough that they should have been able to avoid the mistakes they made when designing this watch. This watch is definitely overpriced for the product that you get. If your looking for a good heart rate monitor you can find models by Polar with all the same features of the T3 for about half the price.
  
  

• Great watch

  
  By A3RFJTB5VC45C4 on 2006-10-02
  I traded in my Polar and waited for this watch to be released. I had doubts about the Training Effect feature, but after using it a couple times at the gym, it works great and helps to push me to make sure I get a good workout. The only drawback is that the face of the watch is plastic and may scratch, but I guess that is what you get for a watch under $200. So far though, I am very happy with the watch and its features, its very easy to use and since it has a 3 line display, you can get all the information you need while working out without hitting the buttons all the time. Both batteries can be user replaced which is nice and the belt has no crosstalk with the other machines, ie. other gym equipment. I would definitely suggest this watch if you are serious about getting into shape or monitoring your workouts. The other nice thing is that you can switch out the bands if you don't like a certain color or want to change the looks of the watch.
  
  

• Dissapointed

  
  By A1QBXAVE9XJZDB on 2006-10-03
  Hi Everyone,
  
  Dont go with the appearance of this watch. This watch appear attractive in picture but in reality its cheap plastic. the black clasp is plastic and the most dissapointing thing is you couldnt see the time or any data in the watch because its so dark. also light dose not illuminate the watch more than 3 sec. what good is the watch if you cannot see clearly the details. Please make a decision wisely and I would recommend not to go by the loook.
  
  
  
• Great Value for a HRM!
  By A2MWUBN4UJOVIK on 2006-12-18
  This is a beautiful, functional HRM that is a perfect companion to your workouts. I previously had a cheap Sports Instruments ECG3 HRM, and although it got me my heart rate and calories burned (the latter is inaccurate), that was about the only thing it could do and I often had disconnects between the ECG3 watch and chest strap (interference I think). This Suunto, on the other hand is perfect in reception, plus it keeps a nice 15-day log of your workouts so you can really analyze how well you are training over time. I too was curious about the Training Effect (TE) that was advertised, but I think it does give a fairly good indicator of how hard you are working out. TE takes not only heart rate into account, but I believe also the time spent in the workout along with your age/weight and activity level (which it automatically increments with more activity). I was a little surprised that I got to a TE level of 5 (the max) on my first couple hour-long bike rides, but I guess it's in the right ballpark, as I was really pushing hard and needed recovery days afterwards. As you've probably already read, this HRM also has traditional zones, avg/peak HR, and calories. Speaking of zones, if you notice on the face of the watch, heart rate and TE are displayed on the circumference of the dial .. this is a very intuitive user interface for these numbers because you can visually see which zone you are in and your TE (a picture's worth a thousand words....).
  
  Construction of the watch is fine .. I was worried about the plastic face at the beginning, but so far it is doing well, and I only wear this while working out on a bike or an elliptical and not as my daily watch (I require mineral glass for my daily watch). Unless I crash and eat the pavement hard, I think it should be fine. Now, you'll notice that there are 3 different bands for the T3. Get this one in the review (the matte black rubber)! It's soft, very comfortable to wear (compared to the stiff band on the the ECG3), and maintenence free. The other shiny black plastic band requires trimming (!), while the fabric band will stay wet...
  
  I have also researched Polar models (a friend of mine has a high-end version for biking), but not only are they much more expensive, the batteries are not user-replaceable in the strap, and they don't have the graphical indicators around the dial that I mentioned above .. they are very numerically oriented.
  
  As such, I highly recommend this T3 model if you are active and want to improve your stamina. I am very satisfied and happy with this purchase.
  
  Btw, I also have a Nike Oregon Series Alti watch, which I used to wear while climbing to gauge the altitude, but that was the only piece of information I needed from that watch (and it's a bit chunky for my wrist)... now with this T3, I can pace up the hills without killing myself :)
  
  
• Very nice training tool
  By A3AH5K6B39UYOF on 2006-12-22
  This is a very nice option. Very cost effective compared with similar Polar models. The TE is a very interesting method to understand how hard was the training and also to avoid overtraining or even worse undertraining.
  You can connect with computer or pods.
  Suunto could only spend more $ with a high quality finishing and material and care about a nicer look for it.
  
  
• Great looking powerful watch
  By AIAUR9V6KHZLD on 2006-11-17
  The sleek shiny appearance is what first attracted me to this digital watch, but I soon discovered that the T3 is truly a portable statistician that is capable of measuring my heart rate and loads of other vital information in-order to give me instant feedback on the aerobic benefit of my workout.
  
  Suunto is a company based in Finland that is known for precision electronics for the rugged enthusiast of biking, hiking, skiing, and scuba diving, but their products have the added benefit of looking really stylish. My triathlon training hasn't started, but I have been asked about my cool looking watch on power walks to the local pizza shop.
  
  The face is large with easy to read smooth digits, has a great back light and allows you to customize what data is shown.
  
  The five buttons on the side of the face are not very intuitive, and only labeled underneath the watch which requires a new user to carry around the manual or remove the watch until you become familiar with the settings.
  
  The strap comes in a sporty orange color for $149 or a black polished version for $169. I choose the black model, because it looks like work friendly metal, but is a very comfortable plastic material.
  
  The sizing of the watch was not an easy process. The clasp needed to be removed by separating tiny spring loaded screws and I had to cut the plastic band with scissors. Once sized it was very comfortable and my handy work was not noticeable, but I would recommend taking it to a jeweler if you are not comfortable with operating on your new gadgets.
  
  In the box is the watch, a small direction manual and a heart rate monitor. It was a fun experience to moisten the strap, place it around my chest, and to see my heart rate appear on the watch. I am sure once my training starts this will be an even more valuable device.
  I am also excited to try the add-on bike pod (+$49), walking pod(+$99) and GPS pod ($129) that will also interact with the watch.
  
  The Suunto T3 is a smart looking watch with tons of features for those that like to know their exercise is paying off or at least that they look good while thinking of working out.
  
  - Eric M. Strauss, ABC News
  
  
  
• Good training device for runners
  By A19XQZ6SMSCWV6 on 2007-01-03
  I bought the Suunto T3 as an addition to my Garmin Forerunner 201. The heart rate monitor works well. I also added a footpod in order to get pace information. I used my T3 in 2 marathons so far. The heart rate monitor is very reliable and the pace information from the footpod helps to keep a steady pace and achieve goals. Setup and usage of the watch are very easy. I especially like the large display and the different screen options. I also wear this as my regular watch, since its appearance is better than most other training devices on the market.
  
  Cons: The glas seems to be very suseptible to sratching and should therefore be handled with care. Suunto's customer support is fast, but not always helpful.
  
  
• A flawed gem
  By A3FCQC9TF19PRB on 2007-01-12
  The heart rate etc. functionality of this watch is terrific, if extremely complicated.
  
  Any of the other T3 options would probably get *****, but I'm giving this *** because of the strap.
  
  The clasp pops open all the time.
  It's disproportionately expensive
  Handlebar mounting is now impossible! (but the bike pod works really well)
  Keeps pulling hairs out of my wrist
  
  I'm going to invest another $20 and get one of the cheaper straps. That really defeats the purpose, doesn't it!
  
  
• a perfect watch for the amateur athlete
  By AIAAYPP1YNXHH on 2007-04-18
  I used to be an athlete about a lifetime ago(10 years ago), even though I did not have a device like the t3, I guess I didn't need it back then. But a few months ago I suffered a very bad back injury and I had a choice: either have a surgery or improve my physical fitness. I chose the latter ofcourse, so I needed something I could use to monitor my progress and help me maintain a goal: train and improve but not overtrain and injure. I did't know a lot about HR monitors and I bought the t3 because that was available to me. I didn't need altometer or barometer but I wanted a podometer so I bought the t3 along with the HR belt, the footpod and the pcpod. All in all it cost me 360 euros(around 450 $) not actually cheap.
  I usually don't need instructions do get a device going but I had to study the manual for a week to understand how it works. The HR belt connects immediately as does the footpod but you have to calibrate it in order to have accurate readings of distance and speed and that could take a while. Also if your watch has been on display in the shop for a while it might need a fresh battery as the battery life is about a year. So if you decide to buy one, ask for a new battery(as I did).
  Once you have the watch calibrated and have gotten used to using it, everything is a breeze. The display is good(although it tends to scratch) the light is very helpful and the switch between the modes is easy.
  One thing I enjoyed also was the pcpod. When connected to the pc, you have all of your data on display, making it easy to compare and decide on your future training sessions.
  I bought this watch for one reason only: I am not a marathon runner and do not aspire to be. I bought this watch to help me and protect me to improve my physical fitness level without hurting myself. The outcome was that I am pain free for 10 days now (using the watch and training for about a month). I regard this as a personal best and I haven't regretted about buying it(even though I could have used the money for physiotherapy, right?)
  All in all it is a perfect watch for the amateur athlete
  
  
• Pretty decent
  By A3VYEO07Z69TSM on 2007-05-31
  You should take a look at the T3 (alone) reviews for some good feedback. I really struggled whether to give this 3 stars or 4 -- really is more like a 3.7. It's good. I like that it keeps track of data, I can see how many calories I burned last week, last month, or the month before, or the month before that, etc., and keep track of how I'm doing. And the Training Effect feature is pretty cool, as is the fact that it automatically updates your activity level (and makes it tougher to hit a given Training Effect score as your activity level increases, since presumably you're in better shape).
  
  Downsides are that the face scratches VERY easily. Manual isn't the greatest, but now that I know how it works I don't find it all THAT confusing (but it's by no means straightforward). I don't mind the rubber watchband -- it's light and water-resistant. But one end of the chest strap broke, so that the clasp pops out relatively easily, which is very annoying. I've since taped that end on, and get in and out with the other end. If it weren't for the face scratches and the chest strap breaking, I'd easily give this a 4.
  
  The GPS pod is pretty cool, though a little finicky. I've lost the signal sometimes, and it's hard to tell that it's been lost (figured out when it was clear after 1/4 mile that my distance wasn't updating), and then hard to get it back. Also, as far as speed, it's not instantaneous (which makes sense, since it's GPS) -- think of it more as a rolling 30-second average, which might make it look like you've gone really slow and then all of a sudden really fast when it catches up. The software (which I don't have) presumably smooths it out some when it transfers to the computer. It's definitely less accurate than some other means of judging distance, particularly if you make a lot of turns, but still pretty cool as a reference.
  
  It was bought for me as a present, and I've been very happy with it, but all-in-all it is a bit expensive for what you get.
  
  
• Excellent Heart Rate Monitor
  By A3HEZH8K5P078Y on 2007-01-17
  I use to have a Polar F5, but once I saw that Suunto had come with a new line of fitness monitors I had to try them. Given Suunto's reputation for making excellent quality wristop computers I new they were onto something good, and the product lived up to my expectations. Althow It's not as easy to use as Polar products, It is whithout a doubt a far superior piece of equippment, whith a large array of functions a much larger memmory for saving trainig sessions and a beautiful overall design, Two thumbs up for Suunto!
  
  
• Suunto T3 and GPS POD Multisport Combo Pack
  By A2STQ7R9QGAQUZ on 2007-04-10
  Bought this package to track my excercise, GPS works well, but does not concur with my Magellan GPS, over a 10 mile walk they end up being about 800 yards apart, in distance covered, but it gives you an idea.
  
  The heart-belt, runs through battery fast, and the watch keeps loosing connection to it, and therefor you get a wrong measurement of calories burnt
  
  Watch it self is nice, it will take some time to learn all the functions and there are many of them.
  
  manual could have contained some ideas as how to interpret the values the watch tells your to maximise what your trying to do (loose weight, stamina etc...)
  
  
• Its a piece of....
  By A1I8HXJ146YYEK on 2007-03-08
  Face is made of cheap plastic - it scratched within an hour of putting it on. Watch had about 20 scratches and dimples after 2 weeks. I've been wearing a cheap Casio for the last two years that hardly has a scratch on it. Other problems include- the buttons press very easily making the watch change functions constantly, for example when I put my hand in my pocket or put on a coat; also, the functionality of the watch is not very intuitive, with five buttons it should be much easier to move through the different functions of the watch. Finally, the watch is very well photographed in the ad, and doesn't look any nicer than my cheap casio in reality.
  
  
• Good watch, bad quality crystal
  By A1PFQR0P73P61H on 2008-01-03
  This watch is a very excellent product with all the bells and whistles possibly needed to train at a higher level. My husband has not used it yet with any of the pods to get an even more accurate reading, but I have no doubt it will be an extra bonus to look forward to.
  
  My biggest complaint would be the quality of the watch crystal face. We had read other reviews for a different model of this same watch stating how fragile the glass is to scratches. We decided not to buy the other model for this reason, BUT not even 2 days into wearing this watch and there is already a noticeable scratch on the crystal. He has not even taken it to the gym yet. I can tell you there is no one more careful with the handle and care of watches than my husband. We are disappointed that for such a pricey "superior" sports watch Suunto could not make the crystal more scratch resistant especially considering this watch is to be worn by athletes during rigorous sports training.
  
  
• Best HR I've used...
  By A3AM5B0YBV7KEA on 2008-05-10
  Previously had a Polar F6 (broke it changing the battery but I had worn that thing to death. The F6 was great but I needed something more advanced). I took this thing out of the box and within a minute or two of fumbling around with the menu system, I thought I was going to send it back. If you have come over from Polar or another make, then the menu system will seem counter-intuitive because it's so radically different. But if you take 10 minutes and read the manual and figure out what it does, this thing is a dream.
  
  It provides TONS of data based on customizable settings. You can use a HR min/max as your limits OR you can set up 3 different HR "zones" (based on %. I have Z-1 at 60-70%, Z-2 at 70-80%, z-3 at 80-90%. You have to put in your max HR and you can use any number of programs on the web to derive that figure.) At the end of the workout, the watch displays a cool little graphic representing how much time you spent in each "zone." Even better, during the workout, the watch displays little indicators on the bezel to show what zone you are in. Look at the numbers on the watch face. You can see they range from 80-190 on the left. Let's say your zone 2 is set up as 145-170 BPM. If you are currently in that zone, the indicator lights show up at 145 and 170. If you go in to zone 3, the lights move on the bezel to delineate that range.
  
  Of course, the watch provides cals, max, avg, etc. But there is also a system called "Training Effect." I'm still learning how this works but I think the basic idea is that the watch calculates how "hard" your workout was on a scale of 1.00-5.00. Read the manual. It explains it in better detail. But if you don't like this system or can't understand it, you can still use the watch as if it were not even there.
  
  The watch is also supposedly adaptive. It tells you what your activity "class" is. You look in the manual to set a default "class." If you work out 7-10 hours per work, you are in class 8 (I think). Then, over the course of time, the watch figures out if you are failing to meet that class or exceeding it and adjusts accordingly. This, I think, will serve as a good motivator and keep me on the pedals. But, I haven't used it long enough to see it make any changes so this part of my review isn't that well informed.
  
  I use this watch primarily for 2 activities- road biking and running. I bike approximately 110-150 miles a week and run maybe 20 (I'm more of a biker and run mostly as cross-training). I have run 6 miles with it and biked 60 with it so far.
  
  Major complaint I suppose is that the face of the watch is CHEAPO plastic and it will scratch. I suggest the following- the watch comes with a piece of protective plastic on the BACK of the watch body. I moved that over to the front screen to protect it. There is a company called Invisible Shield that makes a military-grade protective film for the watch for 9 bucks. It's made specifically for the T3- it's not some generic garbage. Get it. Mine is in the mail.
  
  Second major complaint is with the band. Suunto provides a cool band with a deployant clasp but you have to take a razor blade (yikes!) to the thing to size it to your wrist...dunno what they were thinking here. That process is a pain and you have to remove the little bar things that hold on the clasp. But, once you've cut the band it's fine. So don't mess it up!
  
  I'm interested in trying this device with Suunto's bike skewer speed sensor. Has anyone out there used this combination?
  
  Overall, this thing blows my polar f6 away (but then again, it's a different market level- I think the Polar CS300 is the closest equivalent...). If you can take a few minutes to set it up right and learn the menus, this thing is outstanding.
  
  
  
  ARGH! Above is my original review. Here it is a few months later and the thing absolutely crapped the bed on me. First HR got stuck at "154" on a 3 hour bike ride. Then Suunto told me to put a new battery in the HR strap. That worked for about a day. Then it crapped out again. Sent it in the Suunto for repair. Suunto support was good and communicative and they paid for shipping. They informed me that I would get a new T3. Ok, fine. But they said they didn't know when this would be. I found this strange so I gave em a call. They said they couldn't send me one for over MONTH! What the heck? They did say they could send me a new one in a different color but I couldn't find that color online so now I don't know what I am getting. What a bummer! Letdown!!
  
  
• Not what it's hyped to be.
  By ATDCVB64ZWGBQ on 2007-01-12
  This item cannot be set using the directions. It explains the buttons but it does not tell which button to push to get to what mode. I tried doing it intuitivly but it just kept going in circles. I tried every combination that should be logical but no luck. I went back to the book and reread it but it was absolutly no help. Could not get the heart monitor to connect or the bike pod which I also bought. Very disapointing. I think who ever wrote the manual never tried to use it.
  
  
• Very good watch and HRM
  By A15W5CFIH4YZ1G on 2007-01-14
  I got this for Christmas and have been training with it for a few weeks. I've been very happy with it.
  
  I got the version pictured above, with the dark-on-light-background face and black plastic strap with a regular buckle, not the reverse-face version with the hard plastic clasp band that other reviewers have complained about. It looks very nice (as a sport watch) and is easy to read. I wear it much of the time as a regular watch, and although the face looks like it might be prone to scratching, it hasn't so far.
  
  It has user-replaceable batteries for both the watch and the HRM sensor, which was one of the main considerations for me in choosing this model over a Polar.
  
  Heart rate monitor, timing and log functions are relatively straightforward and intuitive. The Training Effect and log functions have been very useful so far in monitoring my training, and I'm looking forward to using it for triathlon training and racing this summer. I didn't get any of the optional pods, but I did figure out how to transfer detailed log data into Suunto's free Training Manager Lite software, which is also very useful in monitoring a training plan.
  
  
• Heart Rate Zones
  By A2F4NJLFL63SPT on 2007-01-26
  Good interface, require time to know how it works. Display very easy to scratch. Training Efect gives you a very good idea the level of your workout.
  
  Here it's my concern:
  
  According to Suunto T3 user's guide, It calculates the percentages for the Heart Rate Zones without the use of the "resting heart rate" variable.
  
  Which method is more accurate?
  
  Is possible to change the way how my T3 calculate the heart rate percentage?
  I mean including the "resting heart rate" variable(Karvonen method)?
  
  
  
• Should be better
  By A13HGN6Q2XQ40J on 2007-02-01
  This Suunto watch has a great feature: the training effect. Also, the HR Belt is very comfy, compared to the similar Polar ones. BUT I wish it was a little better. The alarms are not loud enough: if you train with intervalls, there no way you can know when you just passed one step. You just can't hear the alarm. Also, there is no possibility to store different exercise types. So the day after a long jog, if you decide to train with intervalls, you have to go through the complete set up. Too bad.
  
  
• Suunto T3
  By A3D01J3Y4DI3G1 on 2007-02-20
  I did not like the watch band on this watch, i cut it too small when i got it and had to buy a new adjustable band. And the band from the HR strap fell off, so i had to get another one of those too. The split numbers on the watch are really small and hard to read when you are running fast. THe HR seems to be alot more accurate and is very easy to read. The HR band is alot better than other ones i have used, my Timex one ripped twice. Overall its a good product.
  
  
• Don't like it at all
  By A3QKI88SLK71RC on 2007-04-11
  I got this Heart rate monitor and the strap was way too small so I had to order a replacement strap when I went to change the strap the battery was dead the battery lasted only 1 week. so I had to buy 2 new batteries one for the watch and one for the chest strap and now there is a line of pixels out on the screen of the watch. I am going to get a forerunner those seem allot better. I was very disappointed with this my Suunto dive computer is great this HRM sucks.
  
  
• Great all around device!
  By A12878Y4E681V3 on 2007-04-11
  I have had this device for over a month now using it 4-6 times per week. I have used the heart-rate monitor and the GPS together for cycling and running, and have used just the heart-rate monitor during weight training workouts. I use the interval timer a lot during my cardio workouts to raise and lower my intensity levels.
  
  That said, I am very impressed with the T3/GPS combo for the following reasons:
  
  X Accurate heart rate measurements
  X Seemless connectivity between HR belt and T3
  X Accurate speed and distance measurements with GPS
  X Tracks and notifies HR zones
  X Tracks calories burned
  X Stopwatch and interval timer
  
  The T3 has a lot of other features that I haven't used to great extent yet, but I have used the TE (training effect) feature, which helps you to measure the overall effect of your workout on your cardio vascular fitness, to measure and increase the intensity of my workouts when needed. I've also used the logs on the unit to review the recorded workout data. It stores a year's worth of workout data that you can view from the T3 or you can buy a PC pod and download it to your computer. The T3 also can be fine tuned to more effectively track and measure your workouts by entering your height, weight, max heart rate, and fitness level.
  
  Again I am very impressed with the T3 Multisport combo pack and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good HRM that can track speed and distance, and record your workout data. You will be very happy with its functionality and performance.
  
  
• Very reliable
  By A2I0XILIB0KHXY on 2007-08-07
  I have been using the T3 for a year together with a heart rate belt, bike pod and foot pod. All devices have worked flawlessly and quite accurately. I just wish Suunto came out with a T3 that looks as good as their newer lineup called "core". Unfortunately, the core does not yet seem to have the HR functions of the T3. As for reliability of Suunto products, they work extremely well. Apart from the T3, I also have Suunto's Observer ski watch and their Cobra dive computer. I have had those for several years and have used them extensively. They have worked flawlessly and I have been quite happy with them.
  
  I do admit, the T3 is somewhat sophisticated and requires a bit of patience to set it up initially and navigate through the surprisingly well laid out menus. But once you put in your vitals - height, weight, and preferences, it becomes indispensable especially in a fitness center where it keeps track of heart rate statistics (& weekly log if the stopwatch is turned on during the workout). It also folds in bike workout intensity if you have the optional bike pod hooked up to your bicycle. Here, I can look up the speed, distance, etc right on my wrist (or mount it on the handlebar if you have a buckle type strap - not the polished black strap like mine).
  
  So, if you are looking for a watch you can use for your workouts, I would highly recommend the T3. However, don't expect its looks to match its excellent performance. I hope Suunto does not stop making excellent products as the T3 lineup. Or better yet, come out with a newer model with the following improvements:
  - Option for metal casing (titanium) with hardened crown
  - More feedback during pod pairing - especially the bike pod
  - Better instructions for calibrating the bike pod.
  - Display the HR info below the time (small font line) in the main display for more discreteness
  - Add more detail in the user manual (or split up the manual into two parts: quick start and advanced).
  - Add more product description (especially for accessory info) in the company web site (I wish I had known about straps needing to be cut for adjustments and incompatibility of clasp style straps with bike handlebar mounts)
  - Combine HR functions with a ski watch (i.e. T6, S6 hybrid in titanium casing with a wrist strap adjustible enough to wear over clothing).
  - Retain water proofing to 330 ft (not 100 ft!). BTW, I have used the Observer at 140 ft as an alternate time piece - a sports watch needs to be versatile!
  
  
• Great functionality, cheap design
  By A26SKLEWSS9Y8N on 2007-08-14
  Ok, I'm an idiot. I love the functionality of this watch and the software, but I own two of them and they are both broken. You will find that if you use this watch only in a gym then you will likely love it for a very long time. However, if you really like to get outside and do things like mtn bike, trail runs, etc this watch will not likely hold up for too long. In both cases the plastic crystal cracked, allowing water to enter the watch. I have since moved on to a T6, which is a fantastic watch, the software has more depth and complexity to it -- including the ability to profile the entire work out (including altitude change -- really cool!), rather than just displaying the results of the work out. Bottom line, buy a Suunto T6 the extra money is well spent, or wait till Suunto recalls the T1-4 design and fixes the plastic crystal.
  
  
• Great
  By AHZR3ABHYZW7Z on 2007-10-21
  I'm very satisfied! The TE function is a great feature for better achievement, the backlight is very effective in the dark, and the design makes you not need two watches. I would buy it again if I was in need of a heart rate monitor!
  
  
• Perfect training partner, nice watch
  By A1RSX6A06O2FYG on 2007-01-16
  It's my first heart rate monitor, I wanted to improve my training results (previously very active, now I want to keep a good shape with little time left between work and family)
  The Suunto T3 matched my expectations, very simple to use, the Training Effect concept works very well, and it's a reall fine watch for everyday use. I only regret not having bought the GPS POD bundled...
  In general excellent value for money.
  
  
• Suunto t3 bike pod
  By A1UCO26FW686TU on 2007-05-08
  I tried several times to connect the bike pod with the wrist watch but was impossible. The instructions are vary basic and do not give any alternatives in case of failure or malfunctions. In conclusion I'm using the watch only for running, so it was a waste of money the extra cost of the bike pod.
  
  Additionally, is very complicated to review the finished exercises. Despite the fact of the size, is better to spend a little more money in a certified heart rate monitor like Polar which is hundred of times more friendly for use.
  
  
  
• Excellent Functionality, Lackluster Construction
  By A2GL0XPJMD4800 on 2007-06-07
  This watch as excellent functionality. I really like the training effect metric rather than just knowing if my heart rate is in or out of the zone.
  
  Watch face should be upgraded to diminish scratching. I haven't had any problems with the band. It would, however, be nice if sizing did not require cutting off segments which is irreversible.
  
  

• Adidas 2008 Women's Tour Metal II Golf Shoes - Running White / Metallic Silver / Pale Pink - 737920
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• Gamma Sportopedics Neoprene Elbow Support
• Suunto T6 Wristop Personal Trainer with Heart Rate Monitor

• Suunto Foot Pod Wireless Transmitter
• Suunto T-series Strap
• Suunto PC Pod Wireless Transmitter
• Suunto GPS Pod Wireless Transmitter
• Apple iPod nano 4 GB Silver (3rd Generation)