Suunto Lumi Altimeter Watch

I have a Lumi with Florette band. Bought it back in September 2007 when it first came out because my husband has Suunto Observer and he is very happy with it. I needed similar watch but none of the good brands made one for women. The computer is OK, works as described in the specifications. Would benefit from some additional features like 2 or more alarms, countdown w/ repeat feature, something that would show me on the main screen what time the alarm would go off, as well as an option to turn the alarm on/off certain days of the week or for the weekend. All in all, I am happy with the computer. However, I had issues with the butterfly clasp since day one. The slightest tension or a touch of a feather would make it pop up. That is how I got the glass scratched. Wanted to have it repaired but the closest authorized service is in ... UT (I am in PA). I did not want to go without the watch for 2 weeks so I hesitated sending it. Did not want to spend extra $100 for a new band either. That clasp issue turned out to be way too annoying and I finally decided to send my Lumi in for repair. According to DHL the package was delivered last Monday, 4/21/08. As of today, 4/28/08 I have not been sent confirmation from Suunto, did not get a phone call. Nothing. Total blackout. Called Suunto Cust. Svs to follow up today. Apparently, they are unable to repair the clasp. Will put on a new band. However, the Florette is backordered. Will be delivered sometime in the middle of May. Which means that I will have to wait for a month (or more!) to have my watch back... I am not the only one with this issue. Read other people's reviews, they also complained about the band. There is no way that Suunto does not know about the clasp issue. If they really respected and appreciated their customers, Suunto should have sent each one of us who bought a faulty clasp Florette a new Sportif band, free of charge. To make it up for the everyday frustration (and the additional one month without a watch during the repair) we had to go through after having paid more than $300 for the Lumi. That is the right thing to do if they are to have loyal customers. At this point both my husband and I are seriously reconsidering our loyalty to Suunto. I don't even want to think how they would have treated me if I had a more serious issue with the wrist-top computer. What will you do, Suunto? Are you customer-centered or self-centered?

I've had this watch for almost five months and it hasn't given me any problems. Cutting the band to the right size and attaching it to the clasp was a little tricky but nothing my dad couldn't handle :) I'm enjoying all the features and have been very happy with this watch.

The strap broke on first use, the altimeter and compass are wildly inaccurate. Replacement straps are VERY expensive, no more than a good looking toy!

Strap broke on first use, altimeter and compass wildly inaccurate!

I won't go into too much detail, since I'll be repeating just about every other review. I love the watch, but the strap sucks. I wish I would have gotten the one with the black strap, because this one is turning colors already. It is red-orange, and the edges are turning brown. Also, this one is the regular strap with a buckle, and it's really hard to keep the tail in the keeper, its constantly sliding off. I put a rubber grommet on the strap to keep this from happening. I still would buy this watch, but get the other type of strap (the terra or florette).

I bought the Florette to replace a Vector that died and I love it. The technical features deliver as promised. I find the altimeter easier to calibrate and more reliable than my old Vector. The only annoying thing is, it determines altitude based on air pressure, so if the weather changes as your elevation does, you'll get thrown off a bit . It's smart and distinctive-looking, although for a woman's watch, it's just as large and clunky as any other Suunto. The high-shine case and glass crystal look great but I'm a little afraid to take it outside because it's just a matter of time before it gets banged and scratched up.