+Larebel Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Who will be the first to give this a try? The Suunto X9 Quote Link to comment
+embra Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Ummm..."Not it!" (Battery note: The Suunto X9 is equipped with an internal rechargeable battery, which can be recharged approximately 500 times before requiring replacement. The life expectancy of a single charge is six months if you only use Time and/or Weather mode. However, heavy use of the GPS, backlight, compass and data storage functions will significantly reduce the battery life.) This should define the term "significantly reduce." Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 embra that's the second thing I noticed. The first was the bulk. Nice idea but I can only imagine running out of batteries on the trail and not being able to replace them in addition to the sheer cost when they finally give up the ghost. Quote Link to comment
+tirediron Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Ummm..."Not it!" (Battery note: The Suunto X9 is equipped with an internal rechargeable battery, which can be recharged approximately 500 times before requiring replacement. The life expectancy of a single charge is six months if you only use Time and/or Weather mode. However, heavy use of the GPS, backlight, compass and data storage functions will significantly reduce the battery life.) This should define the term "significantly reduce." As in, "Significantly reduce the amount of cash I have"! I could buy a 60CS and still have enough $$$ left over for a copy of Topo for what that little beast cost! Quote Link to comment
+maleki Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 I'm going to preorder one of these I think for $ 129. Garmin Foretrex 101 It looks like a nice geocaching tool and about $ 500.00 cheaper. Quote Link to comment
+Cadence Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 I'm looking at the Foretrex 101 also, if only to have a lighter GPS to carry while hiking. Very stealth too! I'm only hoping that they come out with more product images, ones showing the walking compass and arrow... OddTodd Quote Link to comment
+Blind Avocado Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 I'm going to preorder one of these I think for $ 129. Garmin Foretrex 101 It looks like a nice geocaching tool and about $ 500.00 cheaper. Sure it is cheaper, but can it tell the time? Quote Link to comment
+EtrexRose Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 Anyways, pretty neat how much they can pack into those babies, maybe in the future that stuff will be standard in watches across the world. Quote Link to comment
+wickedsprint Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 Got a guy in my squadron who swears by those things, I personally prefer mechancical watches as evidence by my Omega Speed Master Quote Link to comment
Max Action Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 The batteries on that X9 will only cost about $35 to replace (which I don't think is bad), and I asked about the battery life - they said they hold a charge for 6 hours with NON-STOP GPS use, which is of course not how you'd normally be using the watch. Said it seems average user gets a few days of regular usage between charges. Seems like a lot to pay, unless you're going to also use the altimeter, barometer, and other functions. But if you ARE ... super cool. Quote Link to comment
tubemonkey Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 Rechargeable battery (500 charges, factory replaced) Factory replaced? I wonder how many factories they have out on the hiking trails? or how many trees are equiped with 12VDC power supplies? I don't like electronics with factory sealed rechargeable batteries. That's why I won't get an iPod or similar HD-based MP3 players. What happens if your battery suddenly dies while your on vacation? Even if it doesn't die, how do you recharge your iPod in the middle of Seattle to Boston flight? Give me AA or AAA devices any day. Replacements are as close as your daypack or the nearest 7-11. tm Quote Link to comment
+Tahoe Skier5000 Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 I HATE internal rechargeable batteries!! I will never buy a GPS with one... NEVER. Besides that though, the watch is far too much money. I'll take a Foretrex 101 anyday and save the $550. Quote Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 embra that's the second thing I noticed. The first was the bulk. Nice idea but I can only imagine running out of batteries on the trail and not being able to replace them in addition to the sheer cost when they finally give up the ghost. The size of that watch is 06mm wider than the Vector I have on. It's not something you'd wear with a suit, but it isn't much noticeable either. They're surprisingly light unless you get the metal casing. Quote Link to comment
+JohnnyVegas Posted June 26, 2004 Share Posted June 26, 2004 embra that's the second thing I noticed. The first was the bulk. Nice idea but I can only imagine running out of batteries on the trail and not being able to replace them in addition to the sheer cost when they finally give up the ghost. The size of that watch is 06mm wider than the Vector I have on. It's not something you'd wear with a suit, but it isn't much noticeable either. They're surprisingly light unless you get the metal casing. I were a vector almost every day, i am wearing one now. I have never had a problem with the size of the Suunto products, But $700.00 for a small GPS. Not for me. But then again I do not like small GPSr, I cann't stand the Gekos, they are just tooooo smaaaaall. Suunto did try a GPS watch that used regular batteries a few years ago, it never made it beyond the prototype stage because the batteries only lasted about two hours. Quote Link to comment
+JeepCachr Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 I've been using a foretrex 201 for almost 2 months now and love it. It can not pass for a watch but it is realitivly stealthy. Most people think its some kind of stop watch or something. The rechargeable battery is very nice and makes it .3 inches thinner than the 101. I carry a AA battery extender pack in my bag that can charge the GPS or my PPC while on the trail so I always have backup power though I haven't needed it yet. The 15 hours the battery is supposed to last seems accurate with how much I'm using mine. If I was doing a week long caching marathon I could charge it in the car off the cig lighter. I'm looking to buy another GPS for the wife. I'm leaning towards another foretrex but struggle between getting the 101 or the 201. I'll probably go with the 201 again. If I get the 101 then I have to carry aaa's and aa's. Plus the data cable is not included with the 101. Quote Link to comment
+Capitalpete Posted June 30, 2004 Share Posted June 30, 2004 Have to agree here with JeepCachr! Love the 201, and for some reason it really seems to hold a lock. Not sure if this is due to the fact that it is on the wrist and not elsewhere, but it seems to find and hold a lock really well, in the car, on a bus, or just walking downtown. For the money it sure is hard to beat. I thought that it would work good for Kayaking, but I find that I use it a lot just for walking, or even using it as a watch, yes I know, pretty sad excuse to wear it but it does work as a watch too. I was really interested in using onboard sailboats as a timer (great feature that countdown timer is terriffic for setting up for race starts) and for sail trim when on a friends boat. I think I will stick to the foretrex, and spend the $500 difference on airfare to Hawaii or something. CP Quote Link to comment
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