The Race is nice, but I’m still holding on to my Vertical

[Jamie BG]

@fleblanc01
NFC - depends on the type of NFC chip used - however the most basic use is for NFC payment i.e. tap and go.
Of course some form of payment system needs to be set up and have to be registered with banks etc.
Amazfit have come up with a pretty novel concept in that somehow they worked a deal with Curve and are running NFC pay option using the Curve Digital service on their latest watch - the amazfit balance. So should work in most of Europe.

[halajos]

@Egika what’s your experience with it?

[Stoke80]

@Stoke80 said in The Race is nice, but I’m still holding on to my Vertical:

@Egika said in The Race is nice, but I’m still holding on to my Vertical:

@Stoke80 ebay 3€ velcro from China
https://www.ebay.de/itm/393573658832

Thank you. Wondering if Suunto will bring such a Strap… Would be nice to have a black one with the Suunto Logo on it…

Thank you for your insights.

And sorry, didn’t want to hijack this topic to a strap discussion. Sorry for OT

[mikekoski490]

Ive been thinking about this for a few days and would prefer to keep my Vertical and see what the hopefully soon’ish firmware update brings.

I am a bit disappointed in the fact the Race is not made in Finland. I made a brand conscious decision to purchase a new Suunto Vertical because of that, and also for their ‘Made in Finland with renewable energy’ and 100% carbon compensated, which the Race does not have. Im also quite sure the new Wings were not Designed in Finland lol.

I also purchased the Vertical for its industry leading battery life.

Maybe the Race ends up being more capable with less crashes than Vertical (which I truly hope not), and the Vertical is the last Designed and Made in Finland device. And maybe Suunto will start a whole new line of personal electronic gadgets. I just hope it doesn’t lose its Finnish roots. If so, I may go back to Polar, although not even sure they are still made in Finland now either?

[isazi]

@mikekoski490 I think that Polar is made in China from a long time. I also prefer the made in Finland, especially because it keeps jobs at the company, but I have nothing against consciously manufacturing in China. The Fairphone is also made in China, but paying workers a fair wage and so on.

[Elipsus]

@isazi said in The Race is nice, but I’m still holding on to my Vertical:

The Fairphone is also made in China, but paying workers a fair wage and so on.

The FairPhone is an excellent comparison point (I owned a Fairphone 2 in a previous life, truly a nice feat of engineering), but unfortunately Suunto is nowhere near fairphone in terms of transparency, Suunto doesn’t talk about anything regarding the manufacturing conditions/material source/Environmental impact for their new watch
Some people choose to be hopeful about how it could be made ethically/renewable energy/etc, but other people are a bit more realistic and pessimistic
While I’m not naive in thinking that Suunto will make the Race in Finland in the future, It would be nice to have it at least Carbon compensated…

[MikkoKartano]

just bought Vertical couple weeks ago and I’m really happy with it. OLED screen is tempting but I still think MIP screen is better overall… I actually switched from Epix and had AW Ultra (it’s battery life sucks) so I have used OLED screens before in watches… Now I haven’t tried Race but at least comparing to Epix I think MIP screen is much easier to read in sunlight. And screen quality in Vertical is really good, brightness is excellent. That was area where Suunto was lacking before but now I think Verticals MIP screen is best of its kind. I want also best possible battery life for longer hikes so I’m gonna stick with Vertical. And as a Finn, made in Finland is of course big plus But it’s great that we now have different options!

[Ivan De Rasis]

@MikkoKartano Adoro il made in Finlandia, ma amo anche la mentalità made in Finland!!!

[martintrail]

@MikkoKartano I agree, for me for example as a pure runner the Vertical is too adventurous and I appreciate the more rounded design on the Race with less protruding buttons and a better display. It’s great to have a choice. Suunto has done this very well.

[Tami999]

2 days ago bought Vertical. Promo codes (ADVENTURE30) worked for 1 day on Vertical, even on Refurbished (which I bought, looks like brand new) Paid like 530$ after exchange my currency for Solar Titanum which is HUGE discount. Iam happy, and I even not think for a sec about Race. Vertical looks more solid, with great battery. More adventure watch. Race looks like 90% of amoled watches, and i think if You decide amoled, there are many better options than Suunto. Changed to Vertical, used almost 2 months Peak 9 Pro. I just hope they finally make update to make UI works faster and iam completly happy. A little sad that it doesnt have NFC and payments, but its not so important but still miss this thing in Vertical. With that it would be my perfect watch.

[RightNow]

If you would have the chance to buy the Suunto vertical solar version for the same price as the Suunto race. Which would you buy? Is it a no brainer or is the race the one you would nevertheless buy? Thanks.

I know here are already some good points. But I think there was never a discussion about the topic if the watches are having the same price tag

[freeheeler]

@RightNow
I don’t follow the price development of different watches in different markets.
did you find the Vertical for the same price as the Race?

If so the question is still the same like it was discussed in this thread already:
what screen technology do you prefer?
do you fancy to operate the watch with a crown or with buttons?
do you need the extra battery life of the Vertical?

all the other differences are minor, except you find it very important to have it made in Finland vs. China.

[zhang965]

freeheeler said in The Race is nice, but I’m still holding on to my Vertical:

all the other differences are minor, except you find it very important to have it made in Finland vs. China

𓆝

[Tami999]

@RightNow
I bought Vertical Solar Refurbished (from Suunto, looks like brand new for me) for 2256 PLN which is 530$.
Suunto Race in my country cost 1999 PLN which is 471$

I dont need to have amoled, crown (i like vertical buttons, maybe a bit i miss that “click” Peak 9 Pro had) so i choosed Vertical. Both watches seems to be great, iam very happy with Vertical, and even more that its gonna have Race functions soon.

For brand new Vertical with full price (800$?) i think i would buy Race or Non-Solar versison.

[craigeggleton]

My guess in first half of 2024 we get a next gen vertical with updated processor, solar, Digital Crown, and improved HR sensor. Made in Finland for $899 USD to match Fenix. 2nd half of the year Race 2 released with new processor and HR sensor. I also believe Suunto should release an ultra budget option like the Coros Pace line. With the momentum they have now it would be wise to continue pouncing on the market.

[ChrisA]

@craigeggleton agree on a sub 300$ modell, something like the S5 Peak, perhaps without maps and a smaller screen

[e6321]

@craigeggleton I would be very surprised ( and disappointed) if we saw a new vertical so soon.

[freeheeler]

@e6321
it’s an interesting thought by @craigeggleton and taking a glimpse to smartphone companies also a reasonable point, but we don’t know.

I wouldn’t be disappointed, because that’s what it is with several technology stuff and there will always be a “better” successor of the previous released product at some point.
we can compare and decide if we need the additional features and functions or not.
I’m still happily using my pixel 4a 5g without feeling left behind.
I’ll do the same with watches

if for me a must have feature will be released, I will evaluate and decide for an update or stay with what I have and be happy, too

[craigeggleton]

@Andrew_ So what I find interesting after living with the Race for a few weeks now is I find myself missing the Vertical. I do like the Race’s amoled screen and the digital crown. This next part is probably psychological but when I look at the Race on my wrist it does not scream quality like the Vertical does. The Vertical is a tank (I mean that in a good way) and it has a look and feel that screams premium. I also believe I have fixed the issue with the Vertical digging into my wrist with swapping over to nylon velcro bands. So where am I going with this??..I just ordered another Vertical Ti to pair with my race. My birthday is next month so what the heck…#ALLINSUUNTO!! My wife is going to kill me!!

[Egika]

@craigeggleton can you specify, what exactly makes the difference in appearance for you?
the white little dots around the edge of the bezel?
the straight instead of slightly angled bezel?
the more protruding buttons`

Else, I don’t see many differences…