Product Description

Any physical trainer could tell you that in order to maximize the impact of your workouts, you need to train hard enough to make a difference, but not so hard that you damage yourself. However, this optimal training range has always been exceedingly difficult to figure out, especially because your target training zone changes over time as your fitness level improves. The Suunto t6 takes both the guesswork and the need for a professional trainer out of the fitness equation. During training, the Suunto t6 measures your every single heartbeat, allowing you to analyze data that was previously possible only through laboratory tests. Then the easy-to-use PC analysis combines this training data with your personal background info, calculating seven different physiological parameters, including oxygen consumption, energy consumption, heart rate, respiratory rate, and EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption; this describes fatigue accumulation and helps evaluate your training load). Over time, the program automatically monitors your progress and continues to recommend training loads appropriate to your changing fitness level. In addition to the highly advanced heartrate and training functionality, the Suunto t6 also features an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, stopwatch, and, of course, full watch functions, making it the most useful and advanced health & fitness wristop computer on the market today. For some more in-depth info, see the product details down below. *Includes Suunto Personal Training Software and Heart Rate Monitor Belt.

Product Details

• Size: One Size
• Color: Black
• Brand: Suunto
• Model: T6
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 2.00" w x 10.00" l, 8.80 pounds

Features

• 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

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.

Until now, measuring these things required sophisticated lab equipment. Suunto has teamed up with a company called Firstbeat, which has developed a way to extrapolate a range of physiological measurements from heart rate alone. While we weren't able to independently verify the accuracy of this new measurement technology, Suunto and Firstbeat claim that the accuracy of the t6 is pretty darn close to that of laboratory equipment. If that's true, the t6 represents nothing less than a major breakthrough in fitness technology.

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.

Training with the t6
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

Customer Reviews

Ironman Triathlete, Ultra-distance runner/cyclist Review
I have raced bikes and triathlons for over 20 years, and used heart rate monitors since the early 1990's when they were 'brand new' to sports. After buying and using at least 6 different systems, most of them Polar-made, I have come to the conclusion that there are two paths worth taking in HRMs- you can keep it simple and buy a low-cost, quality device that gives your average and training time, or you should go high-end and buy a device that you can download to your PC and thoroughly analyze the data. The gear in the middle provides little added value in my opinion.

I have been sponsored by other companies in the past but never by SUUNTO, so this review is completely based on personal experience.

I have used this HRM system for over a year and it is hands-down one of the best training aids I have ever spent money on. It is expensive, but see my comments above. And the software you get coupled with SUUNTO's Olympic-level research into the science of EPOC and physiology make this an invaluable training tool. Why? Because the hardest thing to know when you have an HRM is how hard to train, and what impact the time you spend training at a given intensity level has on your fitness. It's like having a tachometer on an engine but no speedometer or fuel gauge-- you don't know how fast to go or how far to go to get the most out of a tank of gas. EPOC makes a big difference and you'll be surprised at the improvements in your training efficiency. Wasted miles are the bane of a working athlete's existence and this tool helps reduce them.

I've used the T6 with a running pod for nearly two years, and it's at least as accurate as my Garmin Etrex GPS unit. I do take the time to check the calibration every now and then, and even during a race if it's off, it's never off by much and it's consistent so I can mentally compensate for any differences. I've used the shoe pod to pace marathons on roads and ultra-marathons in the woods. I was first aware of the technology in 1999 when a team I was part of was given a similar system to test in the Himalayas during an adventure race- it was OK then, but now it works. We used my T6 and shoe pod during an adventure race in the Great Smokies in 2006 as a navigation aid (not by itself) by measuring distances at night in a major snowstorm. It was probably not perfect but it definitely helped keep us from getting lost. Handheld GPS wouldn't work in that kind of environment of heavy cover and falling snow.
The bike pod for my T6 hasn't been as good a story, but there are new versions out now that appear to have addressed the issues- the biggest one lies in the distance between the pod and the watch- the transmission range was not long enough to make it work well, you had to mount the watch on the bike as opposed to keeping it on your wrist. I believe that the new pods have improved this but I haven't tested them myself.
The other complaint I'd offer is that you have to send the T6 to SUUNTO for software updates. I had a watch go bad early on, and the replacement had an older software revision in it that I have yet to update because of the mail-in requirement-- but I'll do it sometime soon as my training schedule permits. The good news is that updates are free, and you don't really need them unless you want the new features they offer which are usually pretty minor changes. To be fair, last time I checked, Polar requires you to send them an HRM for new batteries, with the SUUNTO gear you can change them all yourself, including the HR strap. The HRM will NOT work in a pool though, and my Polar HRMs are spotty in the water but sometimes work.
I've used my T6 to train for an Ironman triathlon, multiple ultra-distance road and MTB events, a couple of ultra-distance runs, and other events noted above-- with the exception of my newly-acquired power training gear for my bike, my T6 is absolutely the most effective piece of training gear I have ever owned, and I wish I'd had this ten years ago when I was really competitive. It's an amazing piece of gear and I'm a better athlete because of its use- you have to spend some time learning about EPOC and exercise science but the T6 more than pays it back.

The Best HR Monitor, but still not perfect
I used Polar HR monitors for years before switching to the Suunto t6.

Suunto advantages:
1 - large display that can be somewhat user-specified;
2 - more accurate FootPod than Polar's s1 footpod for measuring distance;
3 - availability of even more accurate (though bulkier) GPSPod, which needs no calibration (unlike footpods of any brand);
4 - user can change battery in chest band and watch.
5 - don't need an IR interface to upload running data to computer.

Polar advantages:
1 - significantly better software;
2 - compatible for use with third-party software (e.g. PC Coach);
3 - user can change ALL lines of display.
4 - a little cheaper because s1 footpod is included in the Polar 625.
5 - I suspect Polar's latest model, the rs800sd that has a new s3 footpod, is equal to Suunto's, but the cost is greater.

As you can see, Polar's got the edge in extras, but Suunto wins when it comes to functionality and that's what counts most.

Awesome but not perfect
This watch is for running and biking and training in those sports. If you buy it for other reasons, you are more likely going to be frustrated. I have trained with it for over a year and love it.
Pros:
1.Easy to use, even intuitive. Easy to read as well.
2.Provides more data and more accurate data than any watch out there (instant speed, avg speed, instant altitude, rate of climbing or decending, heart rate, accurate distances in running and biking (with foot pod for running and bike pod for biking), and more.
3. Quality build. does not break or show wear. Crystal does not scratch. batteries last long.
4. Hooks up to computer and downloads, analyzes, and saves all work out data.
5. Good support from Suunto. good warranty. Good online user groups as well.
Cons:
1. Have to get used to resetting altitude before a workout as it only stays accurate while barrometric pressures are fairly steady.
2. Computer software is great but could easily be much better. Suunto is trying, but slowly and imperfectly, to improve software.
3. Bike pod will not fit on one of three of my bikes. (new pods are coming in the fall and look to solve this).

Other people may have a different list of pros and cons, but this is what stands out for me.

It is expensive. for me it is worth it.