Significant Altimeter Algorithm Problem

By Doug White Ranked #111 - Altimeters November 6, 2011

I'd like to start out by stating that it pains me to write negative reviews. It's too easy to complain about stuff. So stand by for a slightly negative view of what could be a really excellent product.
I'll start off with what I like about the Suunto Core then describe the problem.

Firstly, it’s a good watch. It has very good time-keeping accuracy. I find it loses just about one second each week. That's not too bad at all.
Second, it is a good-looking watch. I got the version with a red bezel around the black case. I like it.
Onto the altimeter functions... The instantaneous elevation readout of the altimeter is good. I have calibrated it and gone to altitudes from 100 - 10,000 feet since I’ve owned it, and I find that it is quite accurate. It does, however, sometimes do something that I have never seen a Suunto barometric sensor do before. It jumps around. For example, I can be standing still and the reading will go up or down by some number of feet, often significantly by as much as 20 feet. This doesn't happen very often, and it isn't a problem when I am trying to determine my absolute elevation. It stays on the correct altitude almost all the time. The only real downside of this minor problem it how it affects the cumulative sum of total elevation gained and lost over the period of a recorded trip. And that's the problem with this device.

You cannot rely on the Suunto Core Altimeter to give you the correct cumulative elevation gained and lost over any trip, even if you walk on a flat surface for an hour. It always reads out a cumulative sum of total gain and total loss that is significantly overstated. That is, it is wrong in the way of being to high, often by more than 100% of actual elevation gained or lost.

I have tested this unit, and two previous Core units and gotten the exact same results. I returned the previous two units because that is an important feature to me. When I returned the units, I told the customer service representative at the retail store where I bought it about the problem. I also called Suunto customer service to describe the problem. It seemed like it would be something easy enough to fix since they have the algorithm working correctly in other Suunto Altimeter models. For example, the Vector, a beloved old friend, does the job of accumulating the accurate elevation gain and loss perfectly well, and so does the X-10. The X-10 has its own problems, but I'll save that review for another time or it will seem like I am out against Suunto. I am not. I am definitely a fan of Suunto, and I hope they read this, give it to their engineers, and fix the problem.

I generally like Suunto because their instruments are rugged and most of them work very reliably. In other words, they tend to have good outdoor gear that you can depend on when you need it. They simply have a bug in this product that they need to accept and fix. It would be my everyday watch if they did that.

View Details: Suunto Core Altimeter Watch

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