0ur opinion:

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Altimeter: Current altitude: range up to 29,500 ft / 9,000m ÃÂ resolution 10ft / 5m Ascent/descent rate in ft/min or m/min. Difference measurement function allows zeroing of the altimeter for following vertical progress between stages. Automatic 24-hour memory stores altitude and ascent/descent rate for every hour. Logbook stores total ascent/descent, average ascent/descent rate, number of runs skied, duration of log Barometer: Absolute pressure range 8.90 ÃÂ 32.40.

Review:
Although the name Wristop Computer may suggest otherwise, Suunto's line of über-watches aren't just for those with a fetish for the latest in techno-toys. These rugged time tellers offer a variety of features for outdoor enthusiasts, with the Vector watch sporting a barometer, an altimeter, and a compass.

The barometric mode of the Vector displays the current barometric pressure and temperature as well as recent barometric trends. The trend display can be used for rough weather forecasts if you won't be changing altitude. After making the initial setting, the Vector was able to provide us with rather accurate barometric readings compared to the readouts to lnternet weather reports for our region.

We did run into a problem with the temperature display of the barometer mode, as it can be impacted by body heat. Suunto recommends removing the watch from your wrist for 15 minutes for a more reliable temperature reading--not exactly the handiest of options.

The altimeter, which uses barometric readings to measure altitude, isn't exact either. And depending on the weather, we needed to reset the altimeter at least once a day. But it proved useful on local hikes, noting altitude to an accuracy of 10 feet after being reset, and also letting us note how quickly we increased or decreased in altitude in the Vector's logbook (which holds up to 3,800 sets of data).

0ne of the most useful tools on the Vector is its digital compass--after an initial calibration (we found out that using a watch this powerful requires a lot of tweaks), it kept us headed in the right direction with readouts in both direction and degree. We just had to remember to keep the watch level--holding it at the normal angle for chronometer reading skewed the compass results.

And, oh yeah, the Vector keeps time as well. lts time mode displays day and date with 12- or 24-hour time. lt also features three daily alarms, a stopwatch, and a countdown timer. Even while using the other modes, the Vector displays the current time at the bottom of the display.

The Vector has a nice, bright backlit display and is also waterproof to 100 feet--as long as you don't press any buttons. We didn't take it down that far, but it surfaced without a problem from the bottom of our 12-foot deep pool.

You'll definitely know this large watch is on your wrist, but if you're an avid adventurer who loves techno-gadgets hardy enough for the outdoors, the Vector's your watch. lt's the timepiece Grizzly Adams would have worn. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Ruggedly designed--great for the outdoor adventurer
• Compass and altimeter are handy on hikes
• Easy to switch between modes

Cons:

• Large size can be unwieldy on wrist
• Takes a lot of resets

:
All the data you need in the outdoors is just a glance away with the Suunto Vector Wristop Computer. Get all the functionality of an altimeter, barometer, and compass in a stylish design that won the European 0utdoor Award Product of the Year for 1999/2000.

The Vector looks like a high-end wristwatch, with an ABS plastic body and elastic wristband. The body is black, with a ring of yellow around the dial and an oversized backlit LCD screen. The Vector is made tough, built to be waterproof even submerged up to 100 feet.

The watch displays day, time, and date with three programmable alarms plus a stopwatch and countdown timer. But the Vector really stands out in its combination of altimeter, barometer, and compass functions. The altimeter allows you to view the current altitude with a range up to 29,500 feet and a resolution of 10 feet. Also view your ascent/descent rate in feet per minute. (All measurements are also available in metric units.)

The barometer allows you to measure the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, absolute pressure, and a difference measurement to follow changes in barometric pressure and temperature. The automatic four-day memory keeps track of atmospheric pressure information. Another feature is the adjustable sea-level pressure function.

The Vector's compass shows directional bearing in degrees and cardinal or half-cardinal point. There is a north-south arrow and a bearing tracking function that displays locked bearing, actual bearing, and the difference between these declination adjustments. The compass's bubble level indicates a level position to ensure a reading accuracy to within 2 to 3 degrees.

The Vector comes with a user-replaceable battery, which lasts up to 18 months, and a low-battery indicator. The Vector is covered by a one-year warranty.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Two failures in 3 years ...
I got a vector 3 years ago and was very pleased with it most of the time. The altimiter is not very useful because it is based off barometric pressure so your reading will vary wildly and you need to keep resetting it. The big flaw with this watch is that in 3 years the face has broken twice. The first time the bezel broke off. Luckly it was still under warranty and they replaced it. Now the faceplate has cracked and is letting moisture in. I don't use the watch for any crazy sports, it's just my everyday watch so the fact that it is broken astounds me. Sunnto have a minimum $85 repair charge, which could go up, so at this stage I'm bowing out with two watch failures in 3 years.

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Buyer's feedback: - Great watch that, despite promises, is NOT waterproof to 100m.
To my way of thinking, there are only TWO factors which keep the Vector from receiving a full 5-stars here. #1 is the watch face. It is not very durable. It isn't even glass. It's made out of VERY easily scratched plastic. I own several watches, and even the plain glass face models scratch at the drop of a hat, but this one takes it to a whole new level. I'd be worried to sneeze too close for fear it may implode.
#2 is the fact that despite the promises of being water resistent to 100 Meters (ie 300 feet) this watch isn't...FAR from it. You are in danger of ruining this watch if you even enter a bathroom while someone ELSE is taking a hot shower. The humidity alone may cause problems. Pretty sad when a watch advertised as at the very least capable in a pool cannot honestly pull off a basic shower in a bathtub.

Now, with that said, if you take care to avoid moisture whenever you can, the Vector is a fine wrist computer that works quite well in a variety of areas. It'll tell you the temperature (under the right circumstances, of course), help you predict the weather, give you a bearing on where you need to go and then (after proper adjusting) tell you your altitude. I found the altimeter to actually be rather accurate -- oh, and those reviews I have read on-and-off by folks bragging about telling the altitude INSIDE of a pressurized passenger plane are BOGUS.

Considering what this watch can do, and it's limitations, I believe that the price is a bit high (you can buy a Casio watch that'll do the same thing--and is solar-powered, AND is REALLY water-resistent, all for LESS) but the Vector has one thing that not all Suunto watches, or altimeter/barometer/compass watches come with: that little bubble on the face which allows a more accurate determination of specific readings. If Casio add's one to their model, I'll probably become a full-time convert. If you are looking for something similar, but smaller, try looking at the Suunto Observer. It's a dang-good-looking watch, but the price is considerably more, so that may be a rather important factor for you (I know it is for me).

All in all, Suunto makes great products, but water resistent models are unfortunately NOT one of them (unless you are going for one of their products that actually are designed for underwater use).

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Buyer's feedback: - * Do yourself a favor.. ...
... and buy a GPS instead. I agree with previous reviewer (Dave57), I WOULD NEVER BUY A SUUNTO AGAIN. Worst than Dave, I simply got caught in heavy rain during a hike and my Vector was full of water, couldn't even tell the time. I send it to Suunto Finland for repair and they say that it leaked from the housing and "kindly" offered a repair for 140 Euros.

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Buyer's feedback: - great watch
this watch is one of the coolest watches i have ever seen. i have read reviews and technical data about similer products like the casio pathfinder. the pathfinder primaraly has the same fetures as the vector. the difference is that the pathfinders altimeter can be off by 1400' or more in stable weather! the vectors altimeter never really gets off more then 200 feet. if you want one of the best watches avalable get the suunto vector

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Buyer's feedback: - * shocking ...
I had a Suunto for 10 months. The face scratched VERY easily which was disappointing. However the worst thing is after swimming in a pool that I could stand up in the watch FILLED with water and died. On returning to Suunto they refused to fix it under warrantee because swimming is not covered ! They say the forces created by swimming are to much for this watch and it was never designed for this purpose, despite the sales literature saying it is water proof to 100m. I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUUNTO PRODUCT. Whatsmore the shop I bought it from say they have lots returned for the same reason and non of them were fixed under warranty either. It is also very difficult to use and you cannot hear the alarm at all.