Suunto
Wrist Computers
APR-4-2000
The Advizor
The Altimax
The Navitec
The Vector
The X-Lander
Wrist
Gear for the Extreme Sports Crowd
For
those of you who enjoy pushing the limits in your athletic
pursuits, Suunto Corporation of Espoo, Finland has a full
line of water resistant wrist-wearable gadgets (what Suunto
refers to as "wristop computers") that cover a wide range
of timepiece and computational functions. All five devices
within the line (Advizor, Altimax, Navitec, Vector and X-Lander)
are of robust design, with large, easy-to-read digital displays.
Here are the details:
The
Advizor
The
Advizor is the top-of-the-line, all-purpose cross-training
piece, which incorporates:
- a heart rate monitor for confirming
maximum, minimum and average heart
rates during a training session.
- an internal altimeter (good to 29,500 feet)
- barometer that allows you to measure
vertical ascents/descents,
- a digital compass,
- all the standard watch features you'd
expect from a digital time piece.
Compass Features: The digital compass uses
a bubble level to ensure accuracy. Bearing information is
displayed in degrees and cardinal and half-cardinal points.
A bearing tracking function displays a locked bearing, the
actual bearing, and the difference between these declination
adjustments.
Heart Rate Functions: The Advizor combines
related measurements with your heart rate data to give an
overall picture of your physical exertion level against a
pre-set target heart rate. An audible alarm is built in and
alerts the wearer of exceeding either upper or lower heart
rate limits. The heart rate data are received from an optional
Polar Electro® Heart Rate Transmitter Belt, a lightweight,
chest-mounted waterproof belt. This belt transmits the wearer's
heart rate signal wirelessly to the Advizor wristop computer.
A Watch too: Finally, the watch function
comprises the following capabilities: time, day and date,
a stopwatch, a countdown timer, and three programmable daily
alarms.
Availabilty:
Now
Price:
about $269 and $299 for the Advizor/heart rate transmitter
belt bundled package
The
Altimax
for the ski and
snowboard
cowd
Altimax is targeted for the ski and snowboard crowd. Combining
the standard altimeter and barometer functions found on the
Advizor, this device measures altitude and pressure differences
to provide "single-button" access to vertical ascent/descent
data and computes the number of runs skied or snowboarded.
A dual time display feature is also present.
Price: $179
The
Navitec
for the jogger
The Navitec model is targeted for the daily runner and focuses
on chronograph functions such as a stopwatch for lap and split-time
measurements, storage for up to 99 laps, and split times for
up to 99 runs.
The compass functions of the Advizor are present, including
display of bearings, cardinal and half-cardinal points, and
bearing tracking and declination adjustment features. Navitec
also includes the dual time function found on Altimax.
Price: $165
The
Vector
for the hiker
The Vector is the best selection for the weekend hiker and
general outdoor enthusiast. Combining all of the standard
altimeter, barometer and compass features found in the above
wristop computers, it comes in three colors: yellow, black
and green.
As a measure of the excitement that this particular model
has generated, the Vector was awarded the prestigious European
Outdoor Award "Product of the Year" for 1999/2000 by a joint
awards committee of European outdooring magazines.
Price: $199.
The
X-Lander
for the extreme
Finally, the X-Lander takes the Suunto wristop computer line
to a new level of robustness and durability. Designed for
either extreme sports enthusiasts, rock climbers or other
on-the-edge athletes, this model combines all of the features
of the Vector in a rugged, high-tech, stylish aluminum casing.
The X-Lander also incorporates a mineral crystal glass, carbon
fiber back and weatherproof leather wristband to ensure long
life and wear in the most demanding of environments. MSRP
is
Price: $299
More
details and where to get those watches are at Suunto's
Web site.
