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Our Review of the Suunto t3c
For a limited time, every Suunto Training Watch sold at JoggingStroller.com comes with a FREE Suunto Bike/Stroller POD for speed and distance tracking with your jogging stroller.
The Suunto t3 Training Watch is a fantastic little device designed to assist you in improving your level of physical fitness. The t3 not only tracks the time, it also monitors your heart rate and calories burned during a workout. Coupled with the Suunto Bike/Stroller POD (which attaches easily to your bicycle or stroller wheels), the Suunto t3 Training Watch can also provide speed and distance information while you work out with your bike or jogging stroller.
Moms and dads who like to keep in shape can use the Suunto t3 to keep track of and improve their fitness. The t3 Training Watch provides all the information you will need to reach and exceed your conditioning goals.
The Suunto t3 helps you maximize the results of your workout routine by providing up to the second information on the "Training Effect" of your workouts. Training Effect monitors your heartbeat-by-heartbeat performance and uses a simple 1 - 5 scale that displays the improvement of your aerobic conditioning. If yesterday's workout was a 2, and progress is your objective, shoot for a 3 the next day.
Also in the Suunto Training Watch Series you'll find the Suunto t4 and the Suunto t6, two more advanced sports watches that have features over and above the more basic Suunto t3. The t3 is the most affordable model in the Suunto t-Series.
All t-Series watches come with a heart-rate belt that will work even with other electronic devices working in the area. A special ANT heart rate belt, with integrated memory storage, is also available.All Suunto watches use a menu-based interface, similar to a mobile phone. They are water resistant up to 100 ft, and come with software for your PC that allows you to record a personal training log that reflects the progression of your health and performance.
The Suunto t3 has a long list of features and functions. To learn more, click the 'Features' tab below.
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- t3c - Black
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- t3c - Black Polished
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- t3c - Brown
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- t3c - Deep Green
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- Black Polished
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- Black
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Suunto Watch Face Specs(cm)
- Thickness
- 1.32
- Visible LCD Area
- 2.57
- Total Display Area
- 3.58
- Casing Diameter
- 4.22
Time
- 12/24 hour clock
- Calendar clock
- 1daily alarms
- Dual time
Heart Rate
- Memory Capacity: 15 logs
- Real time calories
- Training Effect
- HR limits
- ANT - digital coded heartrate / speed signals
- Average HR shown in real time
Chronograph
- Max number of split times in memory: 50
- Timers: interval, warm-up, countdown
- Stopwatch
Power
- Low battery warning
- User replaceable battery
Other Features
- Dot-matrix display
- Menu-based user interface
- Water resistance: 30m/100ft
- Selectable metric/imperial units
- Compatible with PODS
Suunto Watch Face Specs(cm)
- Thickness: 1.32
- Visible LCD Area: 2.57
- Total Display Area: 3.58
- Casing Diameter: 4.22
Suunto t3c Reviews
All Customer Reviews
- Average Rating:
- Highest Rating:
- Lowest Rating:
- Number of Reviews:
- 43
Not perfect, but wins in some key areas
Reviewer: Anonymous , Wellington, NZ
Date: May 02, 2008
I bought my dead sexy 'polished black' Suunto T3c with the cycling kit to replace my Polar CS300 (which was destroyed in a racing accident). Two trusted brands, a pretty similar feature set, and a comparable price tag. Which is better? Well...
I have a number of obscure HPVs, my two favourites being a vintage recumbent and a coker - neither of which has handlebars in the traditional sense. The Polar was always a pain, as are most wireless cycling computers tried by club members, because you cant get the computer close enough to the speed sensor - usually limited to 50cm and line-of-sight - most brand's 'cycling watches' MUST be mounted on the handlebars while riding - this is not a problem with the T3 and the bike pods! I can leave it on my wrist and still get a pretty faithful signal!
Unfortunately, while the polar allowed setting up multiple speed sensors with different calibrations for different bikes, this unit doesn't. It'd be a great feature to add to the T3, especially as the setup routine is less than friendly. (Perhaps i should invest in the GPS pod?)
The setup interface is pretty awfull - the Polar's menus are far more intuitive and easier to navigate - but once set up, the day-to-day functions on the T3 are simple enough, but i do prefer the polar's display - with two BIG numbers - if only the speed was there more often!
Also, either i have a wild arrhythmia, or the polar gives a more accurate HR - every now and then, with the T3 it bursts from 110 to 180 and back within about 30sec, which my pulse doesn't seem to be doing.
Comfort of the chest strap (a problem on many cheaper HRMs) is on a par between the two. The polar feels a bit more robust, but Suunto's has a replaceable battery - so as long as the strap linkages are just as tough, it'll save a lot of money over time!
End of the day, the T3c is the best fit for my needs, and probably the best looking unit in its class
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Met Expectations
Reviewer: Anonymous , Wheaton, IL
Date: March 26, 2008
This watch met my expectations. It didn't wow me like I thought it would. I like the styling of the watch and being able to wear it as a normal watch. The basic use is straight-forward, the chest belt is comfortable, but getting in and changing the settings is not intuitive. I don't know if it's the watch or the manual that needs tweaking. Both could use some improvement.
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Motivation Upgrade
Reviewer: shad , Atlanta, GA
Date: March 06, 2008
I love this thing. It makes me smile.
I've used it 5-6 days per week for circuit training and my intervals sessions. My performance has improved dramatically and the results of my effort seem more tangible now with the displayed breakdown in Training Effect mode. It really is like having a coach push me to do more per session and also allows me to regulate and balance the intensity of my workouts by reviewing prior day sessions.
The user interface is outstanding. I'm thoroughly impressed with the simplicity of the menus and modes. Excellent job Suunto. Skipping around to different menus and modes is super simple so I can access exactly the information I need. However, there isn't too much superfluous junk-data to tangle with and this amount of data is perfect for my use.
My only complaint, and though it's a concern I accepted when I bought the black on black is that it is way too difficult to read in low light situations.
I have a home gym and I prefer ambient light when I workout. I can't read this thing most of the time and I have to squint and pause when I really should just be able to glance and go.
Give the user an option for contrast. Let me decide and give me the choice to burn through a battery because I want to be able to read the thing.
So, 4 stars from me. This is a beautifully designed and considered HRM but when the form undermines the function, somebody has to take the hit ;-)
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Good for starter watch
Reviewer: Anonymous , Fresno CA
Date: March 04, 2008
This is the first HR belt watch I have owned, it's good for what I am using it for. I have a heart condition and it helps me to monitor workouts. The belt is more comfortable than I thought it would be
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Good But Not Perfect
Reviewer: Anonymous , Winter Garden, FL
Date: March 04, 2008
Pros: Expandability can turn this into a multisport personal datalogger. Unwavering wireless link. Computer slices the data a dozen different ways to get a comprehensive picture of your performance.
Cons: Display is hard to read. Crystal scratches easily and optional guard looks like a goalie mask. Doesn't display stopwatch prominently.
The T3 is a competent watch for runners but some operation aspects may make it unsuitable for some.
The chest strap is typical for this type of HRM. It's a plastic strap with an adjustable elastic wraparound, nothing new here. The wireless link to the watch, however, is rock solid and doesn't drop out even under vigorous movement.
This is a HRM, make no mistake about it. The stopwatch feature almost seems to be an afterthought. When not in time-of-day mode, your heart rate is prominently displayed in the center of the watch. Elapsed time can be displayed in one of the secondary screen locations but the font size is too small to read at a full run. If you like to note the ET as you run past a waypoint you better have 20/20 vision and a steady arm. If you add a foot pod you can select between HRM and speed as the primary display but ET and any other user selectable tertiary display are too small to be usable while in motion. If you run timed out and backs you will not know when to turn around unless you come to a stop and squint at the small print.
I bought the white on black display because I didn't think that it would be very different from the black on white in terms of contrast. Well, without having a black on white for comparison I would have to say stay away from the white on black. The display is backlit for night use and the small numbers simply don't allow enough light through to make them readable. I think black on white would be more readable simply because the increased amount of transmitted light would provide greater contrast. Likewise in the daylight, light passes through the display to be reflected back from the light areas and the thin text simply prevents sufficient light from passing through and reflecting back for optimum readability.
The best part about the watch and the thing that sets it apart is the computer function. This thing crunches the numbers and with only 4 buttons (1 is for the light) to control everything, don't expect this to work in an intuitive manner. Make the small investment to learn how the computer works however and you will be rewarded with a wealth of information. By the way, the manual is terrible so be prepared for some trial and error.
What would it have taken to earn a better rating? Well, in no particular order:
1. A more readable display.
2. Display my pace in minutes per mile, not miles per hour.
3. Give me a way to delete individual logs after they are saved in case I saved them by accident. Logs saved in error affect the totals and drive me nuts. Hey, if I delete a log when I should have saved it I can accept that that's my fault but the current system has zero margin for error.
4. Let me display the stopwatch in the primary display so I don't have to struggle with the fine print.
5. Many people say that the crystal is too soft and scratches easily. I agree.
6. A manual written for regular people with a quick start guide would be nice.
My recommendation? If you don't intend to buy any of the accessory pods then buy something else. The computer is nice but as a HRM the T3 is overpriced, fragile and complicated. The true power of the T3 isn't exploited until the data from the HRM and a foot pod or bike pod is incorporated into the displayed data. In this case, buy the black on white display, order a protective film for the crystal and get a package deal that includes the extra pod of your choice.
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Training Simplification, Too!
Reviewer: Floyd Kemske , Pepperell, MA
Date: February 20, 2008
I needed a heart monitor that was not subject to electrical interference. Once I learned to tighten the transmitter strap to the point of discomfort and to smear conductive jelly on the electrodes (hooray for the Suunto web forums), the Suunto t3 delivered on that promise. My HR readings are reliable and complete.
But the Suunto t3 also has an unexpected benefit: training simplification. If you buy into the EPOC-based Training Effect theory (and I encourage you to consult the Firstbeat Technologies website about it), you don't have to mess around with HR zones or any of that complexity. Just choose your training plan, put it in your calendar, consult the TE number you need to achieve each day, and set the number on the HR monitor. Exercise until you hit the number, then stop. That's what I've been doing for six weeks, and I'm finally getting the recovery time I need. I have significantly improved my fitness, and I'm ready to advance to the next plan.
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Outstanding watch
Reviewer: Joseph S , Presque Isle, Maine
Date: February 05, 2008
I've owned two HR monitors prior to the t3. So far - it's the best watch/HR monitor I've ever owned. I bought the Suunto t3 in preparation for two big mountain bike races this summer - I've been using it often while training since I purchased it in January. I am impressed with the look, features, and ease of operation of the Suunto. It's reliable, and I am certain more accurate than my previous HR monitors - a Polar and Cateye respectively. The controls are intuitive and displays are easy to read (though blurry at -30 degrees F, go figure). The chilly experience made me familiar with another of the watches features - the low battery indicator. I am impressed with that feature - it's the first watch I have owned that has it. I was not discouraged since my own battery performance was diminished in the severe cold. After we thawed out - performance returned and I have not had a problem since.
I do agree with some of the reviews I read prior to purchasing - the webbing on the strap tends to loosen up when used (I almost lost it completely when Skate Skiing). I would sew the straps as suggested - but since I use it over winter gear, I need the ability to adjust the strap. Otherwise the watch is reliable and good looking. I have not found that the lens is prone to scratches as reported in other reviews. I tend to be hard on products, despite my abuse - the lens face is still clear.
Great watch.
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So far So Good
Reviewer: Andrew O. , Virginia Beach, VA
Date: January 30, 2008
It's everything I needed to aid in my personnel training; though I wish I purchased the PC POD to get the full benefit.
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Really exciting
Reviewer: Gary Morris , North Potomac, MD
Date: January 16, 2008
Its really a great watch. I've had it for nearly a year and am still thrilled with it. I am an ultra endurance mountain biker. I purchased it because it can do the heart rate zones and had lots of other cool features, and I liked how it looked. I also bought the yellow band because I thought it looked cool. Although I warn you that with the yellow band you cannot easily mount to the bike mount, so use the stock band for that. It does scratch easily but they make protectors now for it. I MTB in pretty extreme conditions and the scratches I have aren't that bad. One cool feature is you can calibrate the bike POD very accurately using an external GPS. I have a Garmin GPS. Hit 'start' on the stopwatch, pedal, then after whatever distance you like, tell the watch how far you went based on your Garmin GPS reading. Also, if you plan to purchase the PC Pod, my understanding is you can only download summary information from the T3. If you're looking for the ability to graph your HR throughout your ride, then you'll need to look at the T6. I give it 5 stars. If the watch were more expensive, then i'd dock it a star for it's relative ease of scratching.
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