Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?

Brad_Olwin

I agree with @maszop but not with a MIP screen because I agree 100% with @sky-runner . What I would love and probably a very small group of people. Make a Suunto Vertical Pro with an AMOLED screen and no OHR. I don’t want OHR and don’t need it. Make the watch a bit smaller (only height so 12mm or so) keep the battery size of the Vertical 2 or bigger. Without the OHR module and the battery drain from the OHR I imagine a watch that is not as bulky but that matches the Vertical 1 Solar for battery life. Make the VP watch as light as possible and we have a true outdoor/mountain expedition/ultrarunners watch. I asked for this awhile ago and I think the cost would far outstrip the user base.

aiv4r

@Adrian.S interesting wouldn’t tell that Apex 4 screen is worse, for my eyes it is even better than V1.

Both with backlight off. Seems quitr similar in the picture. I guess it depends I guess in my case the reflections are stronger on V1 screen than on Apex4 therefor it feels worse.

maszop

@Brad_Olwin As is turns out, I prefer AMOLED too, but I was writing about a watch that is uncompromising and somewhat niche. MIP – maybe even with Solar – still offers the longest battery life and is perfectly adequate technology. That would be exactly the kind of standout model for special use cases. And despite being niche, there’s actually a large group of people who miss MIP. But for me, the Vertical 2 is the better option.

Adrian.S

@aiv4r

I compared them during my runs trail and in mountain, not in photos taken with phone.

Also, from what I can see, it looks like your backlight is turned off when you take a photo.

I also don’t know what brightness setting was used when the photo was taken. I’m guessing it was set to low—switch it to medium or high—and the readability of your Suunto MIP will definitely improve, not only outdoors but especially indoors.

duffman19

I’d argue that if you’re just using the watch during activities, then either display is fine. The latest AMOLED watch I tried was the AWU2 and it was plenty bright to see in all conditions. And, yeah, maybe it was even a little better in dappled forest light.

The problem for me, though, is that 95% of the time I’m not recording an activity and I want my watch to look and function like a watch. AMOLED needs to emit light to be seen. And it’s a harsh, direct light at that. MIPs rely on reflected light, exactly like a regular watch (and every other thing in life that’s not a screen or lightbulb). I very much prefer this over a large, black circle on my wrist.

I also just don’t like to flick my wrist to get info. Most of the time I glance at the watch at off angles. Can’t do this easily with AMOLED (yeah, I know, AOD). This is also a problem when mounting the watch on bike handlebars.

@brad_olwin I’m with you. I’d love to see a slim-downed Vertical Pro without OHR. Just make it MIP.