Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra

Jeffrey Tillack

I’ve downloaded DC rainmaker’s analyzer software with a view of establishing how good my Race S is versus several of my other watches, including the AWU2.

I’ve attached both my latest heart rate data along with elevation data, wherein the AWU had a little coronary along the way.

I’ve had trouble getting the Race S oHR to read properly, however I seem to have solved this with the Race S and AWU beat for beat the entire way.

Overall, more impressed than ever with the little Race.! Elevation - Race in purple.png

Jeffrey Tillack

@Jeffrey-Tillack heart rate file. heart rate _ Race in purple.png

Brad_Olwin

@Jeffrey-Tillack Which trace is which? There are no labels! I have found the Race S altitude to be more wind sensitive than the AWU2.

Jeffrey Tillack

@Brad_Olwin yeah, sorry, I’ve yet to master this app. The Race is in purple, the Ultra in blue.

After moving the Race S further up my (bony) wrist, and then running some water underneath the watch before heading out the door I’ve found the oHR to be really good. You can see the HR graph above compared to the ultra (although it definitely has it’s moments of complete madness sometimes too).

stromdiddily

@Jeffrey-Tillack what’s w the elevation profile? One of those is clearly not correct

duffman19

@Jeffrey-Tillack Are you saying that heart rate graph is from two separate, wrist-based optical heart rate sensors? If so, that is amazing. I’ve never seen two OHRs line up like that. They even both made the same error/jump at about the 3:00 mark. Are you sure they weren’t both connected to a separate HR sensor?

My experience with Apple is that their OHR is among the best, but still faulty in certain conditions like colder weather for me. I tried the Race S for a bit and it surely was better than the older sensors on the Vertical and Race, but also the smaller size helps.

If you haven’t already, maybe check out Quantified Self. It’s my go-to for activity comparisons. I find it much easier to use and better designed than DCR’s, although it doesn’t have quite the same number of graphing options.

Jeffrey Tillack

@duffman19 yep, both oHR’s, no strap worn or connected.

I’m connected to Quantified but need to look at it more. I tend to use Intervals and SA together for analysis. Thanks for the heads up.

I’ve found my Ultra to be (on the whole) pretty rubbish with oHR, needing to be connected to my Verity Sense or H10 almost always. As a travelling watch though it can’t be beaten though with just so many features for everyday life.

My Suunto stable includes my trusty Baro (just love that watch), and my Race S. However I’d love a Vertical (because, you know, it’s a beast!). Might be a New Years present to myself 🫢

Brad_Olwin

I have done a lot of testing with the AWU2 and I help Suunto test the SportsTracker app as well with this watch. My observations from wearing the AWU2 and many Suunto watches together (one on each wrist).

AWU2 OHR is far, far better than Suunto for me where Race S is the best but still not good enough even for a recovery run. AWU2 OHR fails on intervals for me including SSR, Tempo and RIs so I often wear a belt either with Suunto or AWU2.
Elevation profiles with AWU2 are less affected by wind than S9baro, Race S but Vertical and Race are better than AWU2.
GPS tracks from Vertical in slot canyons or narrow ski couloirs are better than AWU2. I have not tested enough other Suunto watches to have a solid opinion.

I can show data on Quantified Self for anyone who is interested.

thanasis

@Brad_Olwin said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

I have done a lot of testing with the AWU2 and I help Suunto test the SportsTracker app as well with this watch. My observations from wearing the AWU2 and many Suunto watches together (one on each wrist).

AWU2 OHR is far, far better than Suunto for me where Race S is the best but still not good enough even for a recovery run. AWU2 OHR fails on intervals for me including SSR, Tempo and RIs so I often wear a belt either with Suunto or AWU2.

Elevation profiles with AWU2 are less affected by wind than S9baro, Race S but Vertical and Race are better than AWU2.

GPS tracks from Vertical in slot canyons or narrow ski couloirs are better than AWU2. I have not tested enough other Suunto watches to have a solid opinion.

I can show data on Quantified Self for anyone who is interested.

can you show the tracks part? or did you check on overall GPS accuracy between those devices?

interestingly Vertical on the microfiber strap recorded HR better than my AWU! (on the ocean strap)

Brad_Olwin

@thanasis said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

@Brad_Olwin said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

interestingly Vertical on the microfiber strap recorded HR better than my AWU! (on the ocean strap)

This one first, I believe you. When testing the Suunto Ocean I had very good OHR with a Garmin Ultra Strap. I should use it on the Vertical but now with Zonesense I wear the strap for almost all running. OHR on Vertical is identical to Apple for walking and hiking and sleeping.

Jeffrey Tillack

@thanasis the gps track was pretty identical. Both offer excellent gps tracks. Around the city I think the Ultra does some “smoothing” via Apple Maps.

Jeffrey Tillack

@Brad_Olwin I had a lot of issues with the Race S, with oHR being as bad as my Baro. However I seem to have the placement right the last week or two and now it’s pretty good. I don’t think my bony wrists help though ‍️ Being a former cyclist over runner I’m used to wearing a H10 or Verity Sense so oHR is not that important in my world.

The smaller size of the Race S helps in my case, although I do like a big watch when I’m hiking in the mountains. For me, the Ultra needs to be cinched down tight to get good readings as the square shape moves around on my wrist/arm.

Battery life has been great on the S though. My Ultra is 1 year old and is already down to 96% battery capacity which is pretty poor considering the cost. Looking back, I could have purchased a Vertical and the Race S for pretty the same money as the Ultra (still suffering buyers remorse even now). So Suunto have nailed their pricing strategy.

Brad_Olwin

@Jeffrey-Tillack IMHO the Vertical is the best out there bar none! I agree with you the Race S/Vertical Combo is the best. Vertical is not the best to sleep with for me. I am not a tall person and wrists are not large.

VoiGAS

@Brad_Olwin How about the weight? I always had an eye on the Vertical and now the Ocean - but the weight scares me.
As I have experience with the Ambit3 Vertical I draw the line at 75g weight for running - its acceptable, but 9P and RaceS are much better on the wrist.
But I am not sure if the weight is the only parameter or if size an strap can make the difference

Edit: AWU sounds good with 61g

iterumtenta

@VoiGAS Vertical Titanium Solar with nylon strap: 61 grams

VoiGAS

@iterumtenta Nice! How does it feel on the wrist? Head-heavy or balanced? Because it was more the bouncing of the watch than the overall weight that bothered me

iterumtenta

@VoiGAS Coming from a Garmin Enduro 2, I might not be entirely objective, as the Vertical is smaller, very well-balanced, and lightweight. Personally, I love it. I’ve also used an Apple Watch Ultra 2, and I’d say the feel is quite similar.

Highlands

@VoiGAS I have a stainless steel Race and I use it with the nylon strap of Coros Pace 3. It feels very good and it’s so light. Next strap I’ll buy for my Race is the nylon Garmin strap. A have one for my F7XSS and it’s very light and comfortable as well.
I wish Suunto had some nylon straps too.

Brad_Olwin

@VoiGAS On my scale AWU2 is 61.4g and Vertical Solar Ti 56g. The Vertical sits higher on the wrist so is a bit more bulky. With the band that @iterumtenta has (same for me) the watch can be adjusted precisely and I feel is not noticable.

thanasis

@Brad_Olwin said in Suunto Race S -v- Apple watch Ultra:

@VoiGAS On my scale AWU2 is 61.4g and Vertical Solar Ti 56g. The Vertical sits higher on the wrist so is a bit more bulky. With the band that @iterumtenta has (same for me) the watch can be adjusted precisely and I feel is not noticable.

The Suunto microfiber strap is really amazing (and very stylish as well !!) i even wear it on formal occasions and is also very comfortable .