User Review: Suunto X9i

Suunto X9i
Above: The current X9i, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed June 24, 2008 by David Lloyd Merrill

Rating:
Price Paid: $480

In concept, this is a very, extremely cool device: GPS with markable waypoints, barometer, altimeter, thermometer, plus every watch function you could ask for -- all on your wrist in a standard-sized watch format. Mine happens to be the X9iM, which is the military version (identical except the backlight is red so the baddies can't see you use it at night).

The trouble is, the rubber doesn't quite meet the road with this one. Sat link is very poor -- decent in the outdoors so long as there are no trees (Oh, wait...trees in the outdoors could pose a problem, couldn't they?), though when it links it is accurate. The activity feature is a cool idea too -- if only it tracked well (again, probably poor due to the lack of continuous lock on ability).

It is modestly water resistant. Add to that the excellent wristband that allows you to wear this over your sleeve (even a jacket sleeve!) and it's very usable in terms of it's being where you need it when you need it.

Although this isn't very useful in the outdoors where it was intended to be, I have found its special niche is at cocktail parties. Try this line out with the cocky types who like to flash their fancy gold or platinum Swiss whatever brands in everyone's face: "You paid HOW MUCH for your Rolex/Breitling/Omega/Patek and it only tells time? How very 19th century of you. Here's what a real watch can do..." and see Mr. Flashy type get all flustered with envy...