Suunto T6 Wristop Personal Trainer with Heart Rate Monitor
Suunto T6 Wristop Personal Trainer with Heart Rate Monitor
Manufacturer: Suunto
Suunto t6 accurately records how your body performs during exercise, enabling later analysis and planning with Suunto Training Manager. By measuring your exercise load and relating it to your personal fitness level, Suunto t6 tells you if the session improved your condition or not. Compatible with wireless Peripheral Observation Devices (PODs) PC Software/cable
Amazon.com Product Description:
With the introduction of the t6, Suunto is targeting athletes and fitness-minded folks who want to track performance and training goals. On the surface, it's apparent that the t6 is seriously trying to steal a bit of market share from the leader in the biz, Polar. After spending a little time with the t6, we found that it holds its own and offers some things that are truly unique, like the ability to track respiration rate, VO2max, and a new measurement called EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption).
 The Suunto Training Manager software can track and display EPOC, VO2max, energy expenditure, respiration rate, and more when linked to a PC. |
Give Me a Beat
The basic t6 unit ships with the wrist unit and a heart rate transmitter--which is worn around the chest and proved to be quite comfortable. The transmitter is coded, like the newer Polar transmitter units, so you never have to worry about interference from other transmitters--a common problem in race events. Typically, a heart rate monitor measures how fast or slow your heart is beating during exercise, which is an indirect way to measure aerobic capacity and other performance factors. The t6's Firstbeat technology takes this a step further by measuring the intervals between heart beats. According to Suunto and Firstbeat, this measurement can be used to closely approximate seven measurements, most important of which are related to EPOC. Using the EPOC measurement, it is possible to estimate how much one's training has improved overall fitness. If EPOC levels are high, the body is in a heightened state of recovery, meaning the training has been more effective. Likewise, lower EPOC levels reveal suboptimal training effect.
Other measurements, such as oxygen consumption (VO2max) and respiratory rate, are unavailable on any other wrist-mounted device. In fact, before the t6, they were available only to people like Lance Armstrong. Knowing oxygen consumption data is a valuable tool for anyone who is trying to increase performance.
Adding the Pods
In addition to tracking heart-related data, the t6 can track speed and distance--with a little help from some pods. Both the bike pod and the foot pod are cleverly designed little units that transmit data to the wrist device. We were impressed with the way the bike pod attaches cleanly and simply to the front fork dropout--no wacky zip ties and sticky rubber to mess with. Meanwhile, the foot pod is a durable little pedometer-like device that attaches directly to your shoe for greater accuracy. Both pods are fully weatherproof and add features like a speed alarm, as well as interval and lap timing.
 The foot pod and the bike pod are easy to mount and deliver accurate training data to the wrist unit. |
The wrist unit's displays are easy to read and controls are fairly intuitive. We did have some trouble pairing the bike pod with the wrist unit, but once we were up and running, speed and distance data was accurate and consistent. The one thing missing with the t6 is the ability to measure pedaling cadence, an important data point for serious cyclists. A "cadence pod" would be a welcome addition, and it would bring the T6 in line with offerings by Polar.
We tested in the foot pod on a 3-mile jog and were impressed with the accuracy of speed readings. While GPS solutions also offer speed and distance measurement, the foot pod isn't dependent on a clear line of sight to the sky to get a reading. This makes it a great choice for indoor tracks or running on city streets with high buildings. As icing on the cake, the t6 also includes a barometric altimeter that can measure altitude, rate of ascent, and temperature. While these aren't vital for training, it's great to know how high you've been. Plus, you can brag to your friends about the frigid temps you endured on those winter morning runs.
Lastly, heart rate readings were steady and consistent, and we liked the t6's target heart rate zone alerts--perfect for those who want to stay under certain heart rate levels for specific training goals.
Making Connections
In many ways, the things that aren't displayed on the t6 wrist unit are the most interesting, and to view them, you'll need a PC. With the t6, Suunto has finally incorporated USB connectivity instead of serial, and it makes connecting the watch to the computer a breeze. The Suunto Training Manager software can track and display EPOC, VO2max, energy expenditure (kcal/min), respiration rate (breaths/min), heart rate, and ventilation. This data can then be used to build an overall picture of one's fitness level over time--an invaluable tool for athletes, as well as regular folks who want a clear picture of how their training is going. Before the T6, much of this data wasn't available to mere mortals, and it's nothing short of a revolution that anyone can now track their fitness level in such detail.
Pros
- Revolutionary new data types, including EPOC and VO2max
- Straightforward watch interface
- Cleverly designed bike and foot pods
- No pedaling cadence "pod"
- Oxygen consumption and EPOC measurements are extrapolated from heart rate, not directly measured
- Computer required to view advanced training data
Lowest Used Price: USD 275.00
- Wristwatch heart monitor with PC interface for developing workout routines
- Sets training goals and fitness targets while monitoring your progress
- Calculates oxygen consumption, energy consumption, heart rate, and respiratory rate
- Personal training software displays training data onscreen in easy-to-understand format
- Includes built-in altimeter, barometer, stopwatch, and thermometer
Color: Black
Model: T6
Awesome product - long learning curve
I bought the T6 along with the foot pod. I have been running off and on for a couple of years, have competed in a few 5K races and wanted to take my training up a few notches. This product definitely seems like it has the ability to do that but I am still struggling to learn how to use all of the features - especially the interface with the PC software.
Product is all that is billed - documentation/users guide could use a lot of help.
Great recording device but then what???
I have had the T-6 for over a year now and have finally decided that I am done being frustrated and am going to switch to something else. The Suunto T-6 is a great product mechanically. My major disappointments are with regard to the operation and software.
Pro1: (5 stars) The Suunto is a solid device. I give it a full 5+ stars. When I got it paired and running correctly it never dropped heart rate or speed. The data was always solid and complete unless one of the pods batteries died. Had the device not been so great in this area I would have given it up a long time ago.
Con1: (3 stars) I have found the pairing and connecting of devices (foot pod, bike pod, heart rate belt) to be somewhat awkward. Pairing took some work, but now I think I have it down to where I have little problems getting everything to synch up in one or two tries. It isn't a big enough problem to be a deciding factor to me on its use.
Con2: (3 stars) The operation of the device takes some getting used to. If you want to record data you have to make sure you are in the right menu (Training) when you start the stop watch otherwise NO DATA!!! If you are in the "Speed and Distance" menu when you start the stopwatch then you see the stopwatch, heart rate data, and speed but you get home to download and there is NO FILE!!! I did this on not one but two Ironman races, and you can imagine the frustration when I download an empty file. Maybe I am just stupid, which is a real possibility, but I doubt I am the only one that has done it. There are a couple of picky functions like this but I think I have most figured out now after multiple object lessons.
Con3: (0.5 stars) Software. This is the 800 pound anchor for the Suunto. The Suunto is solid enough that I could overlook the other smallish issues listed above if the software was better, but it is terrible. Downloading data from the unit to the computer is slick, but once the data is in the software it gives you a couple of numbers and a tiny little crappy graph. That's it... 0 on the watch and you get a program to look at your data. Imagine looking at your 5 hour half Ironman or trail run on an etch o sketch!!! It's that bad. The watch menu options may be a bit clumsy but the software is 10x worse. I had a Polar 710i before the Suunto T-6. While the Polar had its problems (Heart rate drop-out problems, no footpod, etc.) the software was good enough for what I wanted it for. When I switched to the Suunto I feel like I traded my 36" color TV/VCR combo (polar) in for a B&W I-pod with no headphones (Suunto). The I-pod is a far superior product but if you can't see anything what good is it? If the Suunto had software as good as the Polar 710 I would have been happy with the Suunto.
I am still trying to figure out what to get. I have had good experience with Polar, but it sounds like the RS800 GC has some problems, and the Garmin 305 only has a 10 hour battery life. From everything I can see they both have far better software options than the Suunto. If you want a Suunto, I have two to sell you... and cheap!!!
Excellent HRM Option, but soon will be replaced by T6C
First, anyone about to purchase this unit, should consider waiting for the T6C as it will have an improved Belt(soft like the polar wearlink), support for the new cadence pod, and real-time training measurements.
Now, I own the T4, T6, and a polar 625SX and will tell you this is my favorite for the following reasons.
Versus the Polar 625SX
Suunto T6 Advantages
1) The USB Cable is far more reliable than Polar infrared transmitter for downloading.
2) The PODs (using dynastream ANT technology that Garmin now owns) results in far less data loss between the watch and PODs.
3) You can replace the battery on the watch and transmitter. This is a big deal as once you run with a HRM, you really don't want to ship it away for a week like Polar requires.
4) It looks like a real watch.
5) More robust construction. I have had my watch for 3 years with no problems beyond replacing the band.
Now the Polar 625SX has 3 advantages over the Suunto
1) Wearlink Transmitter (Fixed by T6C)
2) Cadence POD (fixed by T6C)
3) Power POD (Polar Advantage)
Now compared to the T4
T6 advantages
1) Much better construction
2) T6 Logs all information for download latter
3) USB cable to enable download include
T4 advantages
1) Price
2) PC Pod support for downloads (but much less data available for download)
3) Real time Training information (fixed in T6C)
4) Coach support
Now many people are now buying T4 for the coach support, but you actually can buy coach software to run on your pc from First Beat technology (the supplier of the coach technology on the T4) and it works better on a PC than on the T4 with some excellent reports and the ability to edit the data.
T6
Great training product....My favorite feature is the calorie counter. The only problem is you have to take it home and upload the info to the computer before you can see the calorie count. This product does so much more than I use it for; if you're serious about your training then you'll love it. Also bought the foot pod for outdoor running. Great paired with the watch. The only BAD thing about this product is if you need any kind of customer service or servicing of the product (i.e., change of battery), it is difficult to talk to an actual person. You have to send the product in to be fixed, but they are pretty prompt about getting it back to you. I've had two problems: 1) my chest strap cracked/ripped, so I had to send it in to get a new one (with no problem--it was under warranty), and 2) changing the battery. I would suggest just sending it in to the company to have them change it for you...it's way too confusing and difficult to deal with it yourself.
A wristop computer you can use everyday
It's beautiful, it's easy to use and it's really motivating. I'd been exercising without registering the workouts and it was just ok, but I'd never imagined that it would be so more fun to have all the information the t6 gives and allows you to analyze and plan improvements.
I definitely loved this watch. I also bought the bike and the foot pods and they are also great, very easy to use and cleverly designed. They pair with the t6 seamlessly and provide really reliable data.
I strongly recommend this product. What drove me to buy this instead of the Polar S625X system was the design; this wristop computer can really be worn as an everyday watch
The only setback is that I received the t6 with the hr belt battery dead.
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