Powered by the Solar: Wrist Efficiency

An adventurer presents a side-by-side take a look at of two solar-charged GPS watches

GPS watches grew to become well-liked in endurance sports activities nearly instantly after Casio launched the primary of its form again within the late 90s. Since then, producers have made numerous strides in the direction of offering athletes with correct monitoring and well being info to boost coaching. The newest transformation of GPS watches options photo voltaic charging capabilities that increase battery life for longer adventures. Two specifically—the Suunto Vertical and Garmin Intuition 2s—have grow to be main choices for adventurers. I spent a lot of this previous 12 months evaluating each within the backcountry of the Blue Ridge and past.

Images courtesy of Suunto and Garmin

Suunto Vertical vs. Garmin Intuition 2s

Battery Life

The Suunto Vertical Titanium Photo voltaic Watch can final as many as 60 days on a single cost whereas in its commonplace time mode. Whereas utilizing coaching mode and GPS monitoring, customers can count on to obtain as much as 30 days of use on a cost. 

Comparatively, the Garmin Intuition 2s Photo voltaic lasts as much as 50 days whereas utilizing the battery saver watch mode. And through expeditions, customers could obtain between 25 days of use with out utilizing photo voltaic charging. 

In relation to battery life, the Suunto Vertical Titanium Photo voltaic Watch has a slight edge over the Garmin Intuition 2s Photo voltaic Watch. However since each watches are able to harnessing the facility of the solar to spice up battery life, they each keep charged longer than most different sports activities watches in the marketplace. 

Accuracy

After a number of months of normal use in Colorado’s backcountry, I discovered that the Suunto Vertical and Garmin Intuition 2s watches are well-matched relating to accuracy. Each watches can hook up with a number of satellite tv for pc programs in an effort to present top-notch information. However on just a few events, I discovered that Garmin’s elevation function was barely extra correct than the Suunto Vertical’s, giving it a slight edge. 

Price

When athletes are on the brink of buy a watch, they typically consider the price to functionality ratio. The Suunto Vertical Titanium Photo voltaic GPS watch prices $839, whereas the Garmin Intuition 2s Photo voltaic prices about half that quantity, $399.99. Whereas the efficiency of those watches is neck and neck in lots of areas, the value level makes Garmin a standout candidate for the typical client. 

Watch Dimension

The Suunto Vertical Photo voltaic Watch face measures 1.93 by 1.93 inches, whereas the Garmin Intuition 2s Photo voltaic measures 0.79 by 0.79 inches. As somebody with comparatively small wrists, I discovered myself favoring the Garmin over the Suunto on account of its form and measurement. However the Suunto’s massive watch face does show to be extraordinarily helpful in environments that require navigation and mapping, because it offers you extra visible area to observe your maps. 

Water Score

Each the Suunto Vertical and the Garmin Intuition 2s Photo voltaic Watches have a water score of 10 ATM or 100 meters, making every possibility a very good product for water sports activities like browsing and diving. 

Shade Choices

The titanium model of the Suunto Vertical Watch is available in 4 totally different colours, whereas the Garmin Intuition 2s Photo voltaic presents 26 choices that vary from impartial colours to wildly thrilling shade choices. 

Conclusions

Each the Suunto Vertical Photo voltaic Watch and the Garmin Intuition 2s Photo voltaic are on the high of the sector relating to offering athletes with long-lasting batteries, supreme accuracy, and flexibility. And the photo voltaic charging function in every watch naturally boosts their attraction. 

In my private expertise, I’ve discovered the Garmin watch is best for traditional mountain actions like operating and climbing, whereas the Suunto actually appears to excel when mountaineering and browsing. The Vertical showcases that Suunto has made nice strides to enhance battery life. Garmin’s Intuition 2s matches this efficiency, however watch’s 5-button system might be clunky and complex to function. Nonetheless, the extraordinarily cheaper price level makes the Garmin robust to beat.  

Cowl picture: courtesy of Getty Photographs