Suunto 9 Baro Screen Quality/Clarity

[Shvffles]

Hey everyone,

New to the forum - just joined!

Question:
What is the screen quality like on the sapphire display of the 9 Baro?

I saw a regular 9 (non Baro) in person and with brightness up and all settings adjusted, it looked really washed out and faint.

Would this be the same for the Baro?

I love the look of the 9 but hesitant about the screen.

I’m not a pro in any shape or form, currently running 6-8KM/day (and will be adding swimming to the mix soon) but I think a jump to a Fenix 6X may be overkill (I love the size and the screen appears to be really clear but don’t think I can justify that price).

Any thoughts on the sapphire screen clarity of the 9 Baro?

(Also, had a look at a 7 but decided I definitely didn’t want that - prefer battery life and no phone notifications).

Cheers in advance!

[DMytro]

@shvffles I have a non-baro version an am quite happy with the screen quality. But to answer your question - I think s9b screen might be a tad dimmer due to the physical properties of sapphire vs glass, I have also seen a little difference from YouTube comparison.
I you find 6x to be an overkill, maybe Fenix 5 is worth considering, or maybe forerunner 745/945. Or something from polar or coros?

[Shvffles]

@дима-мельниченко Thanks for the fast response. I really like the design of Suunto but if the screen will be dimmer I may have to look elsewhere. Dang!

[DMytro]

@shvffles by a small margin! I never need to turn on the backlight outdoors, only at night. And indoors it’s fine as well.
Btw the same issue with sapphire screen applies to Garmin’s watches.

[Shvffles]

@дима-мельниченко Cheers! Yeh, definitely couldn’t stretch to a sapphire Fenix 6X (I’d only be getting the gorilla glass version).

What is it about the Suunto display that it’s more washed out? Looking at the specs it has a higher res than the Fenix?

Ok, two more questions;

In your opinion, would you go for a regular 9 or a 9 Baro? Is it worth the extra for sapphire and the barometer? Not currently doing any trekking etc - maybe the barometer would spur that on.

Also, I’ve heard whispers of a Suunto 9 Peak on the horizon?

[sartoric]

@shvffles said in Suunto 9 Baro Screen Quality/Clarity:

Is it worth the extra for sapphire and the barometer?

Maybe not for the sapphire glass, but if you care ascent and “weather monitoring”, yes

[freeheeler]

@shvffles
I’ve had Fenix 3, Ambit 3 Peak, Ambit 3 Peak Sapphire and now S9 baro with Sapphire and never had a better display before. The brighter sunlight the better. And during the night with lowlight background it’s very easy to read. The only issue is with raindrops on the display, but that applies to any watch

[Shvffles]

@freeheeler Cheers! I might pull the trigger on a 9 with lime sport strap

[Brad_Olwin]

@shvffles In sunlight the display is very easy to read and brilliant. In a room inside it is much dimmer, since it is transreflective it needs light. The back light works well to illuminate the watch and there is a standby backlight feature that keeps the backlight on at a low level with little impact to battery life. The screen resolution is excellent and higher resolution than any Garmin, Coros or Polar.

The S7 is the opposite, brilliant in room but in bright sunlight the display is the worst. It I am wearing sunglasses I have to look underneath the lens or take them off to see the display easily. The S7 lacks many of the features that the S9 has for sports but, it is a smartwatch/sport watch hybrid. The display in shade or a room is stunning.

[Shvffles]

@brad_olwin Ah ok, that explains it. I saw the S9 indoors (in the evening) - never saw it in sunlight.

[Efejota]

@shvffles S9B here (no sapphire). Under direct sunlight, the screen is amazing. It works much worse with low light conditions. I find it VERY difficult to read in the sunset, for instance. I came from a A3P and the screen was definitely much much better no matter the light conditions. All in all, I would say that most of the time I find the screen not so good, but it is a personal statement. I have not seen Garmin alternatives, so I cannot judge.

[cosme.costa]

@efejota said in Suunto 9 Baro Screen Quality/Clarity:

@shvffles S9B here (no sapphire)

If I’m not mistaken all S9B have sapphire glass, it is the NON baro which is no sapphire.

Regarding screen, we can’t compare it with an ambit, they are not the same technology.

In my opinion the S9B has a very good screen for the technology that uses. Under sun light is amazing and in low light it is what is it for the technology, my Garmin 530, with trans-reflective screen too, has no better screen, on the contrary, and by default comes with the backlight always on. On the S9, you can turn on the backlight on and then is always very readable.

I run a lot with headlamp and I only use the backlight when I’m doing some training that I need to see some parameter constantly. When this is not important, I can run normally and putting the watch within the headlamp light range is enough to read the screen. Of course if you use a seven field creen is going to be more difficult to read than if you use only 3 fields.

[EzioAuditore]

Not sure if I can post other company’s watches (delete if not) but here is a comparison for you. Keep in mind I have reversed the watch-face on the F6x - when all black it is less visible. I can send you later also when all black. The photo is inside office next to window with cloudy weather - not much sun. Cheers.

[Shvffles]

@hristijan-petreski Thanks for these photos - it really helps.

This is an especially good comparison as I’ve been told the screen on the Fenix 6X is miles better than the Suunto 9 (and I’ve been told to go for that instead) But looking here, they’re very comparable.

Can you post a photo of the 6X with its standard display beside the S9? - thanks a mil for this!!

[Dimitrios Kanellopoulos]

@shvffles maybe what you want to ask , is during workout mode how they look.

During the activity the s9 supports a white background that should make things way more visible imo.

[EzioAuditore]

@shvffles Sure. Here you go. Screen on F6x has less pixels (AFAIK) than the S9 so it looks “more pixelated” upon close inspection. During activity too I have no problems reading any of them. If you come from OLED screens you will be at first disappointed when you look at these (S9 or F6). In time though, you will come to love it. This is outdoor watch and outside (under sun or during day) it is just incomparable. Also at night the backlight helps to read it. If you need it for smartwatch you should look elsewhere (S7, Samsung or Apple, etc. - horrible bat. life especially Apple’s).

[Dimitrios Kanellopoulos]

@hristijan-petreski btw nice keyboard

[EzioAuditore]

@dimitrios-kanellopoulos Thnx. It helps while coding (Microsoft sculpt ergonomic)

[Shvffles]

@hristijan-petreski Thanks so much for these!!! They look the exact same to be honest! Which is a good thing I suppose as it means jumping in price to the Fenix wouldn’t be worth it from my perspective (a non pro).

Is it possible to add a watch face to the Suunto that also shows similar info to the Fenix all on one screen?

[Shvffles]

@shvffles Also what’s this about a Suunto 9 Peak?

I saw someone online telling another person to hold off getting a 9 as the Peak was launching soon?

Anyone have any info?