Finnish smartwatch maker Suunto has a new rugged, long-lasting outdoor adventure watch that gives my favorite Garmin a real run for the money. I just got my hands on the freshly-launched Suunto Vertical 2, and I’m beyond intrigued.
Compared to my current favorite smartwatch for outdoor adventures, the Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED, the Vertical 2 offers a lot of the same outdoor-oriented tracking modes, recovery tools, and battery longevity. However, the Suunto has a $150 higher starting cost; the Instinct 3 AMOLED starts at $449 while the Suunto Vertical 2 costs $599.
Of course, the Vertical 2 has several notable advantages over the Instinct 3 that very well may justify that higher price. With that in mind, here are the five biggest reasons I may swap my Garmin Instinct 3 out in favor of the Suunto Vertical 2 for my next outdoor adventure.
1. Support for offline navigational maps
The most notable outdoor adventure feature missing from the Instinct 3 line is support for downloading and saving navigational maps for offline use. To access this supremely handy tool, you’d need to step up to the much pricier Garmin Fenix 8 (starting $1,099) or Garmin Forerunner 970 (starting at $749).
Not only does the Suunto Vertical 2 support offline maps, but the navigational features are top-notch, with plenty of map detail and easy-to-follow directions. Plus, unlike the original Suunto Vertical, the new models sport a bright and saturated AMOLED screen that should make reading the watch comparably easier in a wide array of lighting conditions.
2. All-metal case
The Garmin Instinct 3 is a tough-built smartwatch; there’s no doubt about it. However, while the case design uses a mix of fiber-reinforced polymer and aluminium, the Vertical 2 sports an all-metal case in your choice of stainless steel for $599 or titanium for $699.
In hand, the Suunto feels more premium than the Garmin. I also suspect it’s more resilient to impact and abrasions. Both offer a raised bezel to protect the screen.
While the Instinct 3 bezel is metal-reinforced plastic, the Vertical 2 bezel is metal. It doesn’t extend quite as high as Garmin’s, but that may not matter because…
3. Sapphire crystal glass
The Suunto Vertical 2 boasts a tougher glass material protecting the display. While the Instinct uses "chemically strengthened glass," the Vertical uses a comparably more scratch- and impact-resistant sapphire glass crystal.
With so much focus on mountaineering, it’s no wonder Suunto opted for the highest quality screen protection for the Vertical 2. With the Instinct 3, I suspect Garmin’s engineers figured the oversized bezel would offer enough protection. To be fair, in nine months of wearing the Instinct 3, I haven't a single scratch on the glass.
4. Physical buttons + touchscreen
Speaking of screens, only the Suunto’s is touch-sensitive (and mighty responsive, I might add). This lets you pick and choose between navigation via the display or the three physical buttons along the side of the case.
With the Instinct 3, you’re relegated to just the five buttons on the case. I like choice, and therefore, I prefer the Vertical 2 in this regard.
5. Onboard LED flashlight
Okay, to be fair, the Suunto Vertical 2 totally ripped off this feature from the Garmin Instinct 3, but I’m not mad. Quite the opposite: I wish every smartwatch shipped with a nifty LED flashlight tucked inside the top of the case, rather than offering a crappy "flashlight mode" that simply displays a white screen and maxes out the brightness.
Similar to Garmin, you can adjust the LED flashlight brightness, switch the color to red, flash, and flash an SOS alert. While Suunto doesn’t beat Garmin when it comes to this feature, the Vertical 2’s implementation is a match with the Instinct 3’s, which is enough for me.
Ultimately, while I’m stoked to get the new Suunto Vertical 2 on my wrist and out in nature, I’ll withhold my enthusiasm until I’ve had the chance to properly and completely test it. Stay tuned for a full review, and for a conclusive answer to the question: Which rugged smartwatch is best, the Suunto Vertical 2 or Garmin Instinct 3?
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