Suunto GPS POD

Everyone who wants to monitor their progress and improve, this device is great. I trail run through canyons and this device keeps a good signal throughout the entire trail. I've ran the same path 5 times and it has consistently given me the same distance. Other than that, it takes a while to find a signal, which can be frustrating sometimes when I want to hit the trail before the sun sets.

Out of the box and working in fifteen minutes. A bit of experimentation with buttons proved fruitless because the watch menu system does not function like standard digital watches. Once I calmed down and read the manual all worked and sync-ed up quickly. The only negative thing I have to say after the first run: I am disappointed the GPS Pod has no ability to recharge itself. Positive: It was way lighter than I expected.

The cold start takes a while- especially if you're doing it in a new location- maybe 5 minutes. But once it's locked on it keeps it well. It is worth looking on the various Suunto and forums like Yahoo's Wristop Computers for advice, since there is a lot to know about how to use it. On flat land it seems very accurate- the problem is with mileage in the 3rd dimension- it is not so obvious how one would calibrate it since GPS systems don't really do the vertical dimension well. But if you are running/biking on flat ground calibration is easy. Finally, one of Suunto's strongest points is that when the watch locks on to the pod (or HR belt) it does so positively- Polar products seem more intermittent. Once you've learned to use it, for flat land (outside) it might be one of the better distance/speed units out there.

This is a good product, more accurate than the foot pod I used to use with my Suunto T6 watch and simple to set up. I've used it in the woods a little bit, and haven't lost the GPS signal, but I haven't used it in deep, thick woods, which will be the acid test.