When you first hold the Suunto Traverse, its sturdiness and quality become evident, though it might feel a tad bulky on the wrist, especially compared to models like Ambit 3 Peak. In person, the watch's aesthetics are appealing, although its screen lacks super high resolution and the glass is prone to scratches, a drawback noted in the images. While the backlight is a plus, the absence of features like screen activation through shaking or tapping, as seen in Suunto Kailash, is missed.
User Experience and Synchronization Challenges:
In terms of user experience, both the watch and the Movescount app exhibit an engineer-like complexity. While the December updates have improved the situation since six months ago, synchronization between the app and the watch remains sluggish, taking 1-2 minutes even without activity transfers. Notifications can be synced from your phone, but customization options are limited. An issue emerged when the watch's battery hit 0% – it required computer intervention to function again, an inconvenience one wouldn't wish for in the middle of a hike.
Breadcrump view
Adventure-Ready Performance:
In the realm of mountaineering and hiking, the Traverse truly shines. Its GPS and elevation accuracy are exceptional, accompanied by features like elevation profiles and route planning capabilities. The option to switch to lower GPS accuracy for longer hikes, extending battery life to 100 hours, is a practical addition. For casual runners, the watch offers decent customization options, especially when synced with the Suunto smart HR belt. However, swimming and cycling features are comparatively limited, leaving room for improvement.
Elevation profile
With Suunto Movescount apps you can add features like an oxygen level counter or count how many beers are worth of calories you have consumed.
App that tells you how many beers worth you have burned calories
E-Longboarding Reliability
For E-longboard enthusiasts, the Traverse serves as a reliable speedometer and odometer, even at high speeds. While the watch isn't specifically designed for this purpose, its GPS accuracy is commendable. Despite a crash, where the watch suffered scratches and the band broke off (presumably a safety feature), it proved its durability and was easily reattached.
Pros:
Stylish design
Impressive GPS and elevation accuracy
Route loading capabilities
Regular software updates
Cons:
Laggy performance
Slow syncing
Screen susceptible to scratches
Previous bugs before updates
Conclusion:
The Suunto Traverse emerges as an appealing choice for mountaineering and hiking enthusiasts. Its attractive design makes it suitable for everyday wear, although its software feels slightly incomplete, leading to occasional frustrations. Despite the hiccups, its durability, accuracy, and constant updates make it a reliable companion for various adventures, promising great potential with further software enhancements.
Unboxing:
In my pursuit of the ultimate trail running and orienteering shoe, the VJ Sport Irock 2 emerged as a hidden gem. With its remarkable grip on rocky terrain and a snug fit tailored for narrow feet, these shoes transformed my mountainous adventures into confident strides. Despite their limited availability outside Europe and a moderate drying pace due to the absence of drainage holes, the Irock 2's adaptability on wet surfaces and mossy hills showcased its prowess in diverse environments. For avid outdoor enthusiasts, these shoes promise an exhilarating experience, turning every step into a triumph over nature's challenges.