Suunto has been on one heck of a roll the last 6 or so months, but especially this year. Specifically, when it comes to new features via firmware updates. Back in January we had a major firmware drop, then last month (March), they opened wider the Suunto App Store platform and new apps, and now yet again we’ve got another huge firmware update.
In fact, I’d argue that some of these changes are the most notable ones we’ve seen in a while. We’ve got (finally) the ability to broadcast your heart rate so 3rd party apps/devices can connect to it (including things like bike computers), as well as the totally out of left field option to pair up to a Garmin Varia radar device. Plus, a huge slate of other tweaks in between.
New Firmware Update Features:
Now, in this case, I’ve been traveling for the last nearly two weeks, and unfortunately don’t have a Suunto watch with me. I thought I threw one in the pile (I generally always have one watch of each brand with me when I travel, for things just like this), but can’t seem to find the Vertical 2 in the bag of a dozen watches I have with me. Sigh.
Still, some very solid updates in here, so I wanted to get the news out. Here’s the full list for the Suunto Race 2, Suunto Vertical 2, Suunto Race, and Suunto Race S.
Sport Features:
Added Pool swimming drill sets
Added Lap button control for interval timing
Added Heart rate broadcast from watch to other devices
Added Manual laps swim with auto intervals
Training & Physiology Features:
Added HRR recovery test after the workout (also as field for sport modes)
Outdoor & Navigation
Watch map with place names, contour line elevation, location icons icons (not in Suunto race)
Added Navigation map & climb views bottom tooth customization
Added distance and climb zooming with Climb Guidance
Climb guidance shows section when fully zoomed in
Added Smart Turn by turn navigation with notifications and automatic zoom
Added Off route guidance with distance and direction back to route
Off route detection improved
Added Track back to follow same path back
Map data updated
User Experience Features/Tweaks
Added Use of mixed units
Added Touch screen option for sport modes
Added Notifications & Sounds management for daily/sports
Added Indonesian Language support
Added Easier data picker with looped numbers
Added Abiltiy for Autolap can be muted when interval is on going
Daily Use Features
Added Day specific alarms
Added Sunrise time displayed in morning report
In addition, there are a slate of things that started rollout out last week (March 31st) to the Suunto App, which is applicable to more devices as well:
Suunto App Training & Physiology
Training plans in training and in progress view in app
Heart rate recovery info in workout (new watch feature)
Strength sessions with Suunto AI Coach
Feeling and fatigue graphs in recovery tab
Suunto App Sport Specificity
Added more dive data in logs (around environmental features, visibility, and buoyancy)
Suunto App Outdoor & navigation
Added Offline Map with route planning
Elevation data updated
New Suunto Apps
Now, this is where there are some even more interesting ones, specifically the ability to connect to Garmin Varia Radar (via Bluetooth), and the ability to connect to Concept 2 rowers (PM5).
Starting with the Garmin Varia Radar bits, this is compatible with the RTL515, though I assume it also works with the RVR315 and RCT715, all of which support Bluetooth connections. However, I’d be skeptical it works with the newer Varia 820, since that requires a secure Bluetooth Connection, and Garmin says they don’t plan to release the protocol to 3rd parties for that. Note that technically speaking, this app is developed by a 3rd party developer.
Next, there’s another new 3rd party app app called ErgSync, that pulls in your data from a Concept 2 rower (PM5), including SPM, Watts, Distance, and more. I’ll give this a whirl as well when I get back home.
Beyond that, there are a few more new apps that are worthwhile mentioning that have been launched in the last week (or some, today):
Table Tennis, Notes, Manual Interval+, Live VKT, Live KM, GAP Mate, Anchor Alarm, Climb Log
Got all that? Good. Also, further below is a 45-minute run-through of the features from one of Suunto’s long-time product leads, which goes through all the features in depth.
With that – thanks for reading!
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